Time to listen: a few audiobook recommendations
When life is chaotic, audiobooks are my best friends. Here are a few that I love and will recommend any time.
Life has been a bit chaotic lately as my moving date is approaching fast. Last week I had to wing it due to some unexpected things coming my way, so there was no post - my apologies!
Due to me moving in a couple of days I have not been reading as much as I usually do - it does not mean I am not reading at all though. Last week I got my edition of House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas and naturally spend my evenings with this brick of a book.
The funny things its, that after a two year long break from her writing, I am now coming to understand how different her writing style is from my other current fantasy reads. A part of me wants to say it is, well, bad writing, another just to point out that it is a very different sub genre. Listen, I have a complicated hate / love relationship with this author and her books - there is a lot I hate, then there are things that I enjoy.
The irony of this love/hate relationship is that I do have fun reading them, but also enjoy trash talking with friends afterwards. These books are not read for a good plot, but rather for the easy entertainment they give, and I am willing to overlook a lot of what I dislike just for the fun of it.
When life is just a chaotic mess and I find myself running between all the things on my lists, my best friends are audiobooks. This week, I have religiously listened to Red Country by Joe Abercrombie and enjoyed myself quite a lot. Audiobooks are lifesavers, I still get to read, while I attend to the part of my life that for now needs extra attention.
Therefore I wanted to highlight some of my favourite audiobooks in this weeks newsletter.
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My favourite audiobooks
There are a few audiobooks that have stood out over the years, including its narrators. The funny thing with this, is that the book does not only rely on the author and their ability to write well, but also on the narrator. The narrator has to be on point, otherwise it will completely destroy the book for me. Sometimes I might actually DNF a book and try out the audiobook edition - and it works wonders! Lets dive into a few favourites!
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, read by John Sackville
This is one of those books that I had no idea if I would like or not, but just completely took me by surprise. It is such an enlightening and intriguing read about sleep, thoroughly researched and gave me a new perspective on my own sleeping habits.
A profoundly disturbing book when you understand how important sleep is for our health. Yes, yes, we have all been told that sleep is important - but not like this, not in a way where you truly understand why it is important. This book gave me honestly a newfound and deep respect for sleep.
Sackville did a brilliant job at narrating this book, presenting it all in such an engaging way and keeping me interested in more. I have even gone and purchased a copy of the book, just because I still find myself thinking on this topic from time to time.
The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie, read by Steven Pacey
“Hurray', shouted Glokta. 'Porridge again!'He looked over at the motionless Practical. 'Porridge and honey, better than money, everything's funny, with porridge and honey!”
This is my absolute favourite grim dark fantasy series - it is brutal, dark, grim and there are no happy endings, yet, Abercrombie balances it perfectly with his rays (although small) of light and a great sense of humour. The series alone is an epic read, but in my humble opinion, Steven Pacey brings this story to another level.
How he has captured the personalities of each and every single character with his voice, still baffles me. It brings me such unspeakable joy when I hear him present another character and I know who it is, just based on the tone of his voice. Pure talent.
The First Law is one of my go to recommendations if you are looking for a grim dark fantasy. Between the darkness and heavy moods, there are these wonderful moments from life that just makes the story so much more alive.
If you want more of this brilliant universe after First Law, you can also read the stand alones set in the same universe: Best Served Cold , The Heroes and Red Country.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien, read by Andy Serkis
Its a classic fantasy recommendation, but will always be one of my favourite audiobook recommendations. Back in October of last year I had a post about how much impact The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien has had on me and how a reread of it helped me out of a reading slump. More precisely, how the audiobooks rekindled my joy for the genre. Andy Serkis made this beloved story even more loved! It became clear how Tolkiens writing is in its own league, the story seems so effortlessly woven into its existence and how much it makes me, as a reader feel. You will not regret spending time with these books!
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling read by Stephen Fry
One of my go to audiobooks whenever I just want to feel like going home, or dive back into my childhood memories is of course this series. One thing are the books, and their special meaning to me, another is Stephen Fry as a narrator. There is simply not anybody else who could have read them and elevated the story as much as he does. You will laugh and cry and just be immersed in this wonderful tale, you are never too old for these books.
If you need another Stephen Fry recommendation, I will also urge you to check out Mythos.
Red Rising saga by Pierce Brown, read by Tim Gerard Reynolds
The Red Rising trilogy (before it became a saga) was for me one of those series that just ripped me to pieces. It was so dark and brutal - that at one point I even claimed it was the Hunger Games on steroids just set in space. It is pretty accurate. Listening to the audiobooks I had so many reactions to it, that I had trouble keeping a straight face in public. It is such a great story, filled with strong characters that stay with you long after you’re done reading - and lets not forget the emotional roller coaster this was.
It is such a joy when a narrator works so well with the text that it feels seamless. To me, Reynolds is just a part of the series now and I will not listen to anyone else narrating it.
From A Certain Point of View, multiple authors and narrators
"Master, I want you to train Luke" Yoda looked at the shimmering face
"No!” He said, he stamped his cane on the floor "That is not the one, not ready is he"
"Who is ever ready? "
"Not that one."
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.
The heroes are fighting, escaping from the claws of the empire. Fighting for the cause! But what about the rest of the cast? The garbage monster that was kidnapped and given a new home in the Death Star, or the storm troopers who let the droids go? The red droid that decided to malfunction so R2D2 could join Luke and C3PO?
This collection of short stories has become on of my favourite reads ever. A brilliant collection written and read by various authors - it was a joy from start to finish.
I am a huge Star Wars fan, and yes this is very much a love letter to the fans, but I do not mind it one bit, as it was done brilliantly. What a great way to tribute 40 years of Star Wars. Highly recommended!
Honorable mentions to some other audiobooks that I have absolutely enjoyed and recommend:
Born A Crime; Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, read by Martin Jarvis
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Gracy Lin, read by Janet Song
Until next time, hopefully from a new home and more relaxed vibes,
happy reading! ✨
I completely agree. Not only are audiobooks lifesavers, but they’ve proven to be game-changers for my reading life as well. I must admit I didn’t discover the joy of them until last year, but I’ve been making up for lost time ever since. Though I’ve always loved stories of all sorts - and used to absolutely devour books as a kid (I was never without one) - I’ve greatly struggled as an adult to finish even a single book a year. But last year, I listened to four audiobooks, and this year, I’m already up to six! You can also find audio dramas and recorded-live, professional performances of plays (like by LA Theatre Works) on audiobook apps, too, and I’ve lost count of how many of those I’ve enjoyed so far.
This revolution has even extended to my Bible reading (something else I could never manage before discovering audio) and how I take in articles and posts. (I’m glad the option to listen to webpages is becoming more and more common and easy to find, but before it was - like, this time last year - I was loving audiobooks so much, I took full advantage of an accessibility feature on my phone, and was amazed by the wide array of “voices” I could choose from to read to me. I went with a British English voice so I can pretend I have my own butler…His name is Jamison. Literally. That’s the name he came labeled with. I put him to work all the time. He’s also proven quite essential when it comes to proofreading my own writing.) I’ve realized my mind tends to wonder when I read, but it engages more meaningfully when I listen. (I’m not sure what that says about me.) And then, of course, there’s the lifesaving multitasking factor. But, as you pointed out, the narrator can totally make or break an experience. (I haven’t listened to any of your recommendations yet, but I’d bet money both Andy Serkis and Stephen Fry are indeed “on point.”) In fact, my growing appreciation of quality audio inspired me to narrate my own Substack posts, a goal I hope I meet well.
Speaking of which, I found my way here because I was looking to see if anyone else had written about audiobooks lately, since my most-recent post includes recommendations of two audiobooks (well, one audiobook and one audio drama), and that search led me to you! Actually, my most-recent post is my FIRST and at this point only post (I’m a brand new Substack newbie), so I’d love for you to check it out when you can.
I hope this comment finds you happily settled into your new home, relaxing and ready to enjoy some audiobooks (or perhaps even my post!).