I’m an avid reader and am always trying to squeeze in reading time. I find audiobooks to be great for those times when you can’t sit down and read because they allow me to multi-task when I wouldn’t have been able to with a print book. I didn’t always love audiobooks, they did take me quite a few tries to get used to but I’m so glad that I do now.
These five titles are ones I would recommend to a new audiobook listener looking to see what all the fuss is about. A few of these were some of my first audiobooks too! Be sure to check out the full tour where every day a new blogger is celebrating audiobooks the entire month of June.
If you’re looking for something Sci-Fi, listen to Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
This epistolary type story told using interview transcripts, news articles, journal entries, etc. is the perfect audiobook to listen to. The full cast narration that includes 9 separate narrators is immensely thrilling to listen to. If you love it, make sure to pick up the equally impressive follow-up, Waking Gods.
If you’re looking for something Historical Fiction, listen to: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Narrator Allan Corduner transforms this devastating book into something unique with his sardonic and humorous performance. This story of a motherless girl set in Germany during WWII will break your heart and leave even the hardest of hearts crying (speaking from experience) but Zusak’s prose is something not to be missed.
If you’re looking for something Funny, listen to: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson
Hands down, the most hysterical novel I have ever read. Jenny Lawson personally narrates her memoir and only succeeds in making this even funnier (which I didn’t think was possible.) If you’re looking for something to put a smile on your face (and maybe a few laugh tears) give this one a listen.
If you’re looking for something Fantasy, listen to: The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials #1) by Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass was one of my very first audiobooks and it’s brilliantly narrated by a full cast which includes the author himself, Philip Pullman. While many of you read this as a kid, this is well worth a re-visit. I personally plan on doing a re-read in anticipation for the new installment, The Book of Dust, which is set ten years before The Golden Compass.
If you’re looking for something Contemporary, listen to: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Fangirl has a dual narration that is easy and entertaining to follow courtesy of Rebecca Lowman and Maxwell Caulfield. It’s a story written for any “fangirl” out there, but especially you Harry Potter fans. If you love this audiobook, you’ll also love Carry On by Rainbow Rowell.
Thanks to the Audio Publishers Association, I have a giveaway to offer today! One lucky reader will receive earbuds and a card with 3 free audiobook downloads on Audiobooks.com.
To enter, tell me in the comment box below what you love about audiobooks. Never listened to audiobooks before but would like to start? Tell me where you’d like to listen to audiobooks!
One entry per person, available to US readers only. Last day to enter is July 3rd, 2017.
I love the way a good narrator can bring a story to life.
Agreed! They have the ability to make a good story even better.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
I love that listening to the book being read makes the book more “real” than if you read the print. You can hear the excitement, frustration etc. in the narrators voice.
A fantastic narrator will do that! It’s a performance albeit only vocal.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
I love audio books, because I can read even while doing things that don’t allow me to hold a book/e-reader in my hands. I especially love to listen when I’m doing things on the computer or while getting ready for work or bed. I’ve found, too, that a great narrator can bring so much to my enjoyment of a book.
I love listening to a book when getting ready for work/bed too! When getting ready for bed I find I end up brushing my teeth far longer than necessary, but there are worse things. haha
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
I think I first started using audiobooks because I get motion sick and I wanted to read on planes while I traveled for work. This was back before audible. Now I love being able to listen anytime I’m doing busy work and I wouldn’t be able to read otherwise.
Jennifer | Book Den recently posted…Book Review | No Mercy by Alessandro Manzetti
Me too! Chores wouldn’t get done nearly as often if I didn’t have audiobooks. 😀
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
I love audiobooks in the car. Sometime I get so wrapped up in a book that I sit in the car to finish up a chapter. Wierd looks from the neighbors.
hahaha Maybe someday they’ll fall in love with audiobooks too and understand completely.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
Thanks for the post! I love Jenny Lawson and think her book would be even more hilarious on audio! =D
I resisted audiobooks for a longtime since I know my mind tends to wander. But I gave them a try and now I’m hooked! They really add to the experience of a book making the emotions I love to feel even more intense! They are also so convenient as I can listen in the car, at work, shopping, doing things around the house, etc. My mind doesn’t wander like I first believed and I am always looking for more wonderful books to listen to! =D
I also thought the same about not being able to focus on the story due to a wandering mind but a good book/narrator will get you focused. I don’t know what I’d do without audiobooks while grocery shopping. I get a bit of anxiety when having to navigate through crowds of people but blocking out the sounds and listening to an audiobook instead really helps me get through it.
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
I love that I can read while doing other things, particularly driving. I just moved and my new commute is a bit long; reading helps pass the (otherwise tedious) time.
I almost wish I had a commute, which sounds strange, but it’s definitely the perfect time for an audiobook!
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
I love being able to experience books through a different medium, and how audiobooks (especially with a great narrator) can bring characters and dialogue to life in a way that’s different than reading words on a page. I’ve discovered that audiobooks keep me motivated on long walks much more than music — if the book is good, I’ll keep going and going to find out what happens next!
Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: My ten favorite books (so far!) in 2017
I have to listen to music when I’m actually working out but I’ll take break walks at work sometimes and listen to an audiobook and I really enjoy it even more!
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
I like listening to audio books while I’m cooking.
Same! Cooking and folding laundry are probably my two favorite times to listen. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best Books of 2017 (so far)
My dyslexia can make reading tedious & audiobooks allow me to simply get lost in a good story 🙂
That’s brilliant! So many people would just not become pleasure readers but having an alternate way of reading to overcome that is fantastic.
Bonnie recently posted…Audiobook Sync: Week 10 Titles | My Name is Not Easy and American Night: The Ballad of Juan José (June 29 – July 5)
What I love about audio books is that, when I listen in the car, it keeps me from feeling road rage. Instead, I am involved in a story!
Rhapsody in Books recently posted…Review of “Assassin’s Fate” by Robin Hobb
hahaha You’re right! I listen to heavy rock and that does contribute to my road rage but audiobooks keep me calm and focused.
Bonnie recently posted…Audiobook Sync: Week 10 Titles | My Name is Not Easy and American Night: The Ballad of Juan José (June 29 – July 5)
One thing I love about audiobooks is the fact that I can still “read” a book at a time I can’t read! Listening to audiobooks is a great way to “read” books when I’m busy doing something else!
Same! I’ve gotten far more reading accomplished than I would have normally because I had an audiobook to listen to while multi-tasking. They’re fantastic for busy work. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Audiobook Sync: Week 10 Titles | My Name is Not Easy and American Night: The Ballad of Juan José (June 29 – July 5)
I’m an audiobook zombie. I spend a good chunk of the day listening to mostly scifi and fantasy but also some mystery and historical fiction.
Susan recently posted…Bookish Giveaway & Review: Blast from the Past by Lauren Carr
I listen to a little bit of everything but have recently been listening to a lot of non-fiction/memoirs. Especially when they’re narrated by the author. Audiobooks are good in all genres. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Audiobook Sync: Week 10 Titles | My Name is Not Easy and American Night: The Ballad of Juan José (June 29 – July 5)
Agreed! I recently listened to Sean Astin’s memoir of his time working on The Lord of the Rings movies – There and Back Again: An Actor’s Tale. I know it’s an older book but I still found it entertaining.
Susan recently posted…Bookish Giveaway & Review: Blast from the Past by Lauren Carr
I don’t think I’ve even heard of that one! I’ll have to check it out. 🙂 Recently, I’ve enjoyed The Princess Diarist, Talking as Fast as I Can (Lauren Graham), and Anna Kendrick’s memoir.
Bonnie recently posted…Audiobook Sync: Week 10 Titles | My Name is Not Easy and American Night: The Ballad of Juan José (June 29 – July 5)
Both The Graveyard Book and FanGirl are excellent recommendations! I am always listening to audios. Audios have been helping to keep my reading number up as I haven’t had much print time lately.
Same. Been working tons and fortunately, I’m able to multi-task and listen at the same time so I’ve been able to make up for some lost reading time. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Audiobook Sync: Week 10 Titles | My Name is Not Easy and American Night: The Ballad of Juan José (June 29 – July 5)
Love to listen to audio books. I listen while I make jewelry for my etsy shop.
I love how the narrator brings up the book, so lively and I can feel the emotion. The reason why I started listening to the audiobook because I can bring it anywhere I am. While doing something at the house or even at office. Everything is not perfect unless I’m listening to an audiobook