Thanks to my brand new job working third shift (that’s night shift for the uniformed), I’m looking for great audio book recommendations. I have the option to wear headphones at work, and I’m going to take it! This means I have between six and nine hours of air time to fill Five Nights a week.
Needless to say, I am open to suggestions. I’m actually really excited about this, because it will give me a chance to review so many more books! I could almost do a book a night. I’m really proud of the schedule I’ve been keeping, thanks in large part to Tides from the New Worlds, but I’d totally kick ass if I could write entire book reviews every day. Maybe every other day? I’m ambitious though.
I’m open to all genres at this point, although science fiction and fantasy are obviously going to be my biggest wish. π You may also send me your romance, your literary fiction, and especially your young adult, not to mention mystery and thriller. I’m not interested in children’s books (for me), because that’s just not going to cut it listening to Dr. Seuss at three o’clock in the morning.
So please, regale me with your infinite knowledge, book people. Fill up my comments!
Fantasy choice would be the Wheel of Time Series. An old roommate of mine read/listened to the the first half of the series. On audio.
The Three Worlds Cycle – Ian Irving. Also a good choice
Terry Brooks Shannara Series
Harry Potter Although are children s – YA books I’m told are well down on Audio.
Twilight series also is an option. I’m not a fan of it, but I know most libraries offer it on audio in the different formats. Seems to be one that has alot of audio copies.
Hmmm I think thats it…. there’s probably more books missing…. but its a start (Wheel of Time has 11 books…. so that should keep you busy, and its a fantastic series. Part 1 of Book 12 comes out in the fall.)
I recommend pretty much anything by Orson Scott Card, especially the audiobooks done by Renaissance Audio & Blackstone Audio and/or read by Stephan Rudnicki. Card’s books lend themselves very well to spoken word and Stephan & his people are all very very good. I could and have listened to his voice all day long.
Top picks:
Magic Street,
Homebody
Enders Game & Enders Shadow (both were read with a full cast) The Alvin Maker series (starts with Seventh Son).
Lost Boys (tho the book will probably make you cry)
Anne McCaffrey’s Killashandra trilogy was very thrilling.
Niel Stephenson’s books lend themselves fairly well to audio, although the first chapter or two is always a real chore to get through. Snow Crash, Diamond Age and Anathem were awesome. Cryptonomicon was also cool, but that book skips around so much it’s hard to follow.
Like Jules said, the Harry Potter books are all excellent on audio, but you should be aware that there’s two different readings of the entire series; One by Stephen Fry, the other by Jim Dale. I’ve heard both and personally am partial to Stephen Fry’s reading. He mimics the voices of the movie actors very well and it made it easier for me to get into the mood of the book. My fiance however prefers the Jim Dale reading for exactly the same reason (she doesn’t like the movies).
There’s probably a lot more I could recommend but I’ve already written a page π Ever since I realized I was having problems staying awake during my daily commute I started listening to audiobooks. In my old job I would get through one or two a week, now it’s about one every two weeks.
I agree with the above Orson Scott Card recommendations…his are great!
My favorite audiobooks are Neil Gaiman’s! Even if you’ve read the books before, I highly recommend the audio versions of The Graveyard Book, Neverwhere, and Anansi Boys…fantastic stuff!
Thanks for all the awesome recommendations, guys! Chris, you’re the second person to mention Neil Gaiman, so I think I’ll look into those, and the Orson Scott Card books sound great. Keep them coming!