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This is a freebie week for the TTT feature, and since I’ve had this post up my sleeve for a few months now, I’m tickled to finally have an excuse to share it. When evaluating an audiobook, it seems like you have to consider more than just the basic writing, character, setting, etc. that you usually do with a book. You also have to consider the voice of the reader and their overall performance. I’ve listened to several books that came alive in a way that words on a page just couldn’t. Conversely, I’ve listened to many that seem to take all of the things I loved about the written version and poo all over it. I find myself on an endless hunt for new audiobook series that have the perfect mix of amazing story and performance, but here are the ones I’ve discovered so far:
Niki’s Top Ten Favorite Audiobook Experiences!
The Harry Potter Series – Jim Dale
The Kingkiller Chronicles – Nick Podehl
The Stormlight Archive – Michael Kramer & Kate Reading
The Gentleman Bastards – Michael Page
The Expanse – Jefferson Mays
The Red Rising Trilogy – Tim Gerard Reynolds
The Dresden Files – James Marsters
The Hunger Games Trilogy – Carolyn McCormick
The Game of Thrones Series – Roy Dotrice
The Riley Jensen Series – Justine Eyer
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
- The Name the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
- The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
- Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown
- Storm Front by Jim Butcher
- Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
- Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
I think taking a chance on an audiobook is almost more risky than taking a chance on a new book – it certainly costs a lot more (generally) and there’s that extra performance-quality factor to consider. Thank goodness Audible offers guaranteed listens, that’s all I’m saying.
What are some of your favorite audiobook experiences?