Jump to content

Good audiobooks to start with


Anna Begins

Recommended Posts

I am just now getting into audiobooks (although from Amazon, they are pricey!  Why is Game of Thrones $45???) Anyway, how did you get used to listening to them and which are your favorites?  I read here on an old thread that The Help is good.  Also, any input on Game of Thrones audiobook would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You'll probably find Audible the best option - you pay monthly for a credit, and can then use that credit to buy any book, no matter how expensive. 

 

I enjoyed the audio of The Help, I'll have to flick back through my library when I get a chance, to see what my favourites were. What genres are you interested in?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't go for Game of Thrones mainly because it comes in two parts so you have to use two credits with audible. Obviously the longer the book the more you get for your money, but the important thing to to find a narrator you can get on with, you can listen to samples on audible for free. The narrator can make or break the audio book. My favourites are Steven Pacey, John Lee and Michael Page.

 

If you haven't read The Lies of Locke Lamora I would highly recommend that, or if you want something different either The Stand by Stephen King or The Count of Monte Cristo are both incredible. Ken Follett's historical books are a great, easy listen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You'll probably find Audible the best option - you pay monthly for a credit, and can then use that credit to buy any book, no matter how expensive. 

 

I enjoyed the audio of The Help, I'll have to flick back through my library when I get a chance, to see what my favourites were. What genres are you interested in?

I am sooooo tempted to buy the audible option!  As for genres- I'll read anything but comedy or self help or any story having to do with magic   :smile: Was listening to audible hard to get used to?  I think some narrators are too slow, I've been listening to 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.  It seems I've been listening to it forever...I think I could've finished it just by reading already.  Thanks!

 

I didn't go for Game of Thrones mainly because it comes in two parts so you have to use two credits with audible. Obviously the longer the book the more you get for your money, but the important thing to to find a narrator you can get on with, you can listen to samples on audible for free. The narrator can make or break the audio book. My favourites are Steven Pacey, John Lee and Michael Page.

 

If you haven't read The Lies of Locke Lamora I would highly recommend that, or if you want something different either The Stand by Stephen King or The Count of Monte Cristo are both incredible. Ken Follett's historical books are a great, easy listen.

Thanks, Tim.  I've read The Stand and Count Monte Cristo,  never heard of The Lies of Locke Lamora.  I *think* World Without End is next and I want to do it via immersion reading- coolest thing ever!  If Count... is so good, maybe I will do a re-read, as it's been a long time.

Now I just have to stop watching The Tudors so much- stabbing into my reading time! 

 

Edited: Pillars of the Earth is only $12.99.  World Without End is $31.  Both are the same hours, whats up with that?

Edited by Anna Begins
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Tim.  I've read The Stand and Count Monte Cristo,  never heard of The Lies of Locke Lamora.  I *think* World Without End is next and I want to do it via immersion reading- coolest thing ever!  If Count... is so good, maybe I will do a re-read, as it's been a long time.

Now I just have to stop watching The Tudors so much- stabbing into my reading time! 

 

Edited: Pillars of the Earth is only $12.99.  World Without End is $31.  Both are the same hours, whats up with that?

 

Audible is great, very easy to return them as well if you don't like them. The pricing of audiobooks is always bizarre, I knew I would be listening to a lot so I got a 12 month contract which works out about £5.50 per book regardless of length.

 

You should give The Lies of Locke Lamora ago, it's brilliant! ...plus it's written by an American so even you would like it ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Audible is great, very easy to return them as well if you don't like them. The pricing of audiobooks is always bizarre, I knew I would be listening to a lot so I got a 12 month contract which works out about £5.50 per book regardless of length.

 

You should give The Lies of Locke Lamora ago, it's brilliant! ...plus it's written by an American so even you would like it ;)

:giggle2:

Oddly enough, a Jack Reacher paperback was briefly read by a character in Mr Mercedes and Under the Dome used to have a Lee Child quote on the front.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would say that the narrator is key - if you listen to a sample and don't like the narrators voice, it might sound obvious, but you definitely won't enjoy the whole book. :D  I also find that on the whole, I prefer listening to a female voice to a male, and I'd also rather listen to a British voice, rather than American, Canadian, Australian or any other English speaking narrator, even if the book is set in those countries.  I'm not sure why that is, but I just find I can't relax as much with a non-British voice, but English, Scots, Welsh or Irish is fine - I'm probably just an oddity!  :roll: 

 

My other issue is that I find it easy to get distracted while listening, so I usually either listen to books I've already read, or books where I at least know the story, even if I don't know the detail (e.g. a book where I've seen a film adaptation but haven't read the book before).  Again, maybe that's just my attention span that's an issue. :giggle2:

 

Does your library lend out audiobooks?  That's a cheaper option for me, I can borrow CD versions for a small fee, or download digital audiobooks for free for a set period.  It might not have everything you want to try, but it would at least give you more experience of audiobooks before you plunge into the cost of a subscription service.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would say that the narrator is key - if you listen to a sample and don't like the narrators voice, it might sound obvious, but you definitely won't enjoy the whole book. :D  I also find that on the whole, I prefer listening to a female voice to a male, and I'd also rather listen to a British voice, rather than American, Canadian, Australian or any other English speaking narrator, even if the book is set in those countries.  I'm not sure why that is, but I just find I can't relax as much with a non-British voice, but English, Scots, Welsh or Irish is fine - I'm probably just an oddity!  :roll: 

 

 

 

Does your library lend out audiobooks?  That's a cheaper option for me, I can borrow CD versions for a small fee, or download digital audiobooks for free for a set period.  It might not have everything you want to try, but it would at least give you more experience of audiobooks before you plunge into the cost of a subscription service.

Goodness- I tried out Trainspotting yesterday, I just couldn't read the book because of the lanuage.  I am not sure the audio will change that :D I agree with you though, I'd rather have a female voice, just seems most are male. Great idea about the library- I didn't even think about that...

Thanks so much for taking the time to post!  :smile:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think there are some free audiobooks of classics around too (on Project Gutenberg ? or on YouTube), that's also something you could try. I've never listened to an audiobook myself though so I can't help you from experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think there are some free audiobooks of classics around too (on Project Gutenberg ? or on YouTube), that's also something you could try. I've never listened to an audiobook myself though so I can't help you from experience.

Great- thanks!  I've got a question for you- do you think you read faster reading only one book or several?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great- thanks!  I've got a question for you- do you think you read faster reading only one book or several?

I think I read faster if I am just reading one book at a time (unless it's one I'm not enjoying much and then it's good to read something else too otherwise mojo might feel lost).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...