Until I met Scott I had never listened to audiobooks. Thank goodness for that devilishly handsome fellow introducing me to them. Without audiobooks, I don't think my house would get clean. Or you know livable.
The first audiobook I listened to with him was Harry Potter &, I'll be honest, there aren't many audiobooks that can live up to the fantastic-ness that is Jim Dale's reading of these books, but as I've enjoyed more & more, there are some that come close.
So, whether you are a seasoned audiobook listener or a novice here are a couple of my favorites (and let's also enjoy a couple cute old school pictures of Miss Sydney):
1. Harry Potter
-I know, I know, everyone knows Harry Potter rocks (we are diehard fans). But I'm surprised by how many people I've talked to that have never heard the audiobooks. They are FANTASTIC, hands down the best I've heard. The reader Jim Dale has every voice down to perfection. His timing, his accent, his pauses. Amazing.
2. The Help
-There are four readers on this audiobook, reading each of the womens stories, & they are all such good actresses. The story itself is so well written and I really liked it but it took these readers to really bring the story to life.
3. Anna Dressed in Blood
& Girl of Nightmares
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I love being scared, horror, & monsters. The "Anna Dressed in Blood series" has all these & more. I read the first one but I just finished listening to "Girl of Nightmares" & the reader has a perfect voice for Cas (the main character) & perfect timing to absolutely freak the pants off you. You'll sleep with the lights on after this.
4. Austenland
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I've been meaning to blog about how much I loved this book (soon to be a movie) by Shannon Hale (one of my very favorite local authors). It's about a woman obsessed with Mr. Darcy her visit to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women. The writing is so funny, but there is just something about the reader that makes it laugh-out-loud hilarious.
5. Bossypants
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Okay guys, this is the funniest audiobook I have ever listened to. Ever. It's written and read by Tina Fey (who I love) & it is inspiring and hilarious and a breath of fresh air. It also has a fair bit of launguage & is therefore maybe not for everyone but I was actually sad when I was done listening to it.
There are all sorts of ways to get some great audiobooks (our library has a ton, bookstores are betting a way bigger selection, & there are lots of online sites), but one of my new favorites is AudioGo. They have fast downloads or CDs at great prices.
Get thee forth & enjoy some audiobooks.
Anybody out there have some favorites?
10 comments:
another really good audiobook series is the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. Twilight was also really good on audiobook.
I used to listen to audiobooks when I took the bus to school. But it takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R to finish a book! If I go on a long road trip, I'll bring one along, but otherwise, I get through the hard cover in 1/4 of the time.
ps. i cannot get over the carter harry potter epic-ness. it is too amazing.
I have listened to one audiobook and it was The Help. I enjoyed it. I just don't like the price. They're expensive for the iPhone unless there's something I'm missing.
Agree that the Harry Potter audio books can't be beat. I listened to an outstanding (older) recording of "Dracula" that used a male and female actor to read the chapters narrated by male and female characters, respectively. Wonderful book and recording.
The other book I LOVED, that I don't think would have been nearly as good just reading and not listening to it, was "The Messenger" by Mark Zusak. It takes place in Australia, is written in first-person, and is read by an Aussie. Hearing the narrator's voice, you really get a sense for the character and language, slang, place, etc. Just reading it, I wouldn't have heard it the same way in my head and my experience with the book would have been much different. I highly recommend it.
PS @ Hotpants Try getting them from the library. My library lets you download audiobooks to your iPhone, computer, etc. You technically check it out for a few weeks, after which, it disappears off of your device. Your library might have something similar, if you don't want to get the CDs.
I love a good audiobook. I do a LOT of driving, so audiobooks in the van make it a lot more bearable. I have never listened to Harry Potter or Austenland - I will have to check them out. Your comment about Bossypants depresses me - I had it waiting for me at the library after waiting for a really long time and then I forgot to pick it up before my reserve ran out. I will have to try again!
So, I have to tell you that Orson Scott Card books are generally really well done too. I have listened to Speaker for the Dead, Pathfinder, and Ender's Shadow. Good stuff.
I just finished listening to The Constant Princess on audiobook and by the end I was like, UHHHHHHHH, can you please end already? Actually, did I even finish it? I'm not sure!
Something I was really surprised by - my boys LOVE the Junie B Jones books on audio. Even Chad tolerated them.
Oh my gosh those Syd pics are so cute!!! Still need to get myself into audiobooks...
I loved reading Austenland, but I am sure it is awesome as an audiobook. I am so excited they are making that book into a movie. Keep the book recommendations coming!
You can "borrow" a ton of free books online through the Multnomah county library system and then either put them on CD or your mp3 player of choice. If only you knew anyone in Portland...
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