All About That Audio
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic and invite everyone to share their answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so I obviously love this feature!
I was really excited when I saw that today's topic was all things audio related because I've been meaning to write a post about audiobooks. While I'm not as obsessed as some of friends, they've definitely grown on me during the past few years. After looking at my TV post from last week, I realized that I could use the same superlatives again with just a few minor tweaks. So, let's talk audio!
Top Ten Sixteen Audiobook Superlatives
1. The Audiobook That Started My Obsession: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Written by: Laini Taylor | Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
This wasn't my first audiobook, but it is the first one that I became so obsessed with. I re-read the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series via audio a few years ago, and it was a magical experience. They gave me a greater appreciation for the format and a deeper love for these books. The narration is phenomenal!
2. The Audiobook I'm Still Not Tired Of: The Opposite of Love
Written by: Julie Buxbaum | Narrated by: Emily Janice Card
The Opposite of Love is one of my all-time favorite books, and I adore listening to it on audio! I've done it twice so far, and I know I'll re-listen to it again in the future. I love being able to turn it on and relive my favorite moments! It's just one of those books that's so special to me, even though I can't articulate all the reasons why.
3. The Audiobook That Makes Me Feel ALL THE THINGS: The Book Thief
Written by: Markus Zusak | Narrated by: Allan Corduner
Whether you listen to this book on audio or hold a physical copy in your hand, you're signing up for an emotional experience when you start reading this book. No matter the format, it's a book that will make you feel. But if you choose to listen to it, you're in good hands. The narrator is perfect for the book!
4. The Audiobook That I Want to Live In: Throne of Glass
Written by: Sarah J. Maas | Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans
I don't want to experience what's currently happening in this book's world, but it still seemed the most fitting answer. I want to be friends with this heroine and the people she meets, and the world comes alive when I'm listening to these books on audio! I've only listened to the first two, but I plan to re-read the whole series.
5. The Audiobook That I Listened To Late: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone
Written by: J.K. Rowling | Narrated by: Jim Dale
The TV version of this one was a show that I was super late to watch (Friends), and there's not really an equivalent audio for me. So, I decided to go with the books that I was super late to read - the Harry Potter series. I read them for the first time five years ago, and I've re-read to the first via audio since then.
6. The Audiobook I Can't Stop Recommending: Saving Francesca
Written by: Melina Marchetta | Narrated by: Rebecca Macauley
I'd recommend all of the audiobooks in this post (with one exception), which made this one was hard for me to answer! SO, I decided to go with the audio that took me by surprise. I re-read this favorite via audio, and I'm so glad I did. The narrator worked so well for me, and I think she was a great fit for this story.
7. The Audiobook That Makes Me Wish I Could Time Travel: Pride & Prejudice
Written by: Jane Austen | Narrated by: Rosamund Pike
When I got an email from Audible about this audiobook, I legitimately squealed. I was already a total Austen fangirl, but I thought pairing this book with this narrator was sheer brilliance! Listening to this book was an absolute delight and transported me to the past with every minute that ticked by.
8. The Audiobook That Makes Me Love Dialect: Scarlet
Written by: A.C. Gaughen | Narrated by: Helen Stern
I bought this book on my Kindle when it was on sale a few years ago, but I always stopped reading after a few pages. I couldn't stand the dialect that Scarlet used. The slang and poor grammar were too much for me. Then I tried it on audio, and that's all it took! This narrator helped me get swept up in the story, and now I'm in love.
9. The Audiobook That's Almost Too Long (And Yet...): The Pillars of the Earth
Written by: Ken Follett | Narrated by: John Lee
I checked this audiobook out from the library several years ago. I was reading the physical book, but I kept getting intimidated by the size and by the fact that I felt like it was taking me too long to read it. So, I started listening to it, too, and suddenly found myself flying through it. It's still really long, but it's worth it.
10. The Type of Audiobook That I Just Can't Quit Buying: Re-Reads
In case you can't tell already, I primarily use audiobooks as a way to re-read my favorite books. My familiarity with the books helps if I get distracted, and experiencing favorites in a new format usually gives more reasons to love them. Plus, I love that I can often get audiobooks for cheap because I own the Kindle version.
11. The Audiobook Twitter Convinced Me to Listen To: The Scorpio Races
You want to talk about narrators being a perfect match for a book? This is a prime example! I adore these two characters, and the voices they're given suit them so well. I already loved the book when Twitter convinced me that I needed to listen to it, too, and I'm so thankful for the recommendation! It's one of my favorites.
12. The Audiobook That Reminds Me of Middle School: Gone with the Wind
Written by: Margaret Mitchell | Narrated by: Linda Stephens
I didn't listen to this book in middle school, but I did read Gone with the Wind then. That was the only time I read this Southern classic, but I'd been meaning to re-read it for years. I've never been able to find (or make) the time, so I bought the audiobook. I haven't finished it yet, but I've enjoyed the narrator so far.
13. The Audiobook That I Had to Turn Off: The Sea of Tranquility
Y'all, I love this book. SO MUCH. After listening to the sample on Audible, I decided to buy this one so that I could re-read it. But I couldn't get through it because I hate the male narrator's voice. I don't know why it drives me so insane! I think part of the problem is that it doesn't fit how imagined the character, and I can't get past it.
14. The Audiobook That I'm Dying for More Of: The Help
Don't judge me, but I'm including this book even though I haven't finished listening to the audio. Once again, it's a re-read - but I can already tell that I'm probably going to love the book even more in this format because of the narrators. I'm dying to listen to more of it, but I'm listening slowly because I want to savor it.
15. The Audiobook That I HAVE to Catch Up On: Bloody Jack
Written by: L.A. Meyer | Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
This is one of the only books on this list that was new-to-me when I listened to it. I was searching for audio recommendations one day and kept seeing this book mentioned because of the narrator. Now, I understand all the fuss. The story is enjoyable, but the narration is excellent. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the series!
16. The Audiobook That Makes Me Wish I Had Audible: Jane Eyre
Written by: Charlotte Brontë | Narrated by: Thandie Newton
I'm a fickle Audible member because I'm a very slow audiobook listener. I typically sign up for a few months and then cancel when I find myself overloaded with audiobooks that I haven't listened to yet. That's my current status, but this book is waiting at the top of my wishlist for whenever I decide to renew my membership.
Are you a fan of audiobooks?
Have you listened to any of my favorites?
Do you have any recommendations to share?
I mostly use audiobooks to reread favorites; I did it with Throne of Glass last year, and Harry Potter and Six of Crows this year. The only exception to that was Winter, which I read for the first time on audio and loved! Honestly, I haven't checked out majority of your recommendations, but I definitely want to.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I too am a fickle Audible member. I keep it for as long as I'm using the credits and actually listening to audiobooks, and then I cancel. And then eventually, I go back. It's a cycle ;)
Over the past year to year and a half I've become audiobook obsessed. Its a way to keep reading even when life is crazy. I used to be a fickle Audible member, but now I shop the sales vigilantly so I can hoard credits for when something comes up that I want NOW but can't get through the library. Currently building up credits because fall is going to hit with a ton of audiobooks I want (and would prefer the audio). Anna Kendrick and Lauren Graham both have memoirs coming out. Heartless by Marissa Meyer and Gemina by Amie Kaufman also come out this fall.
ReplyDeleteYou've definitely given me a few more to request from the library!
You've listened to so many audiobooks! How? How do you have so much attention? Because I have so much trouble paying attention to audiobooks. But I would LOVE to listen to The Book Thief, and The Scorpio Races, and Daughter of Smoke & Bone!
ReplyDelete