Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl!
So this week’s topic is an audio freebie! I decided to highlight my personal top ten audiobooks that I’d recommend for the audio newbie! Whether that be you’ve never listened to one before and you’d like to get into it or if you just want recs for an audiobook that will blow you away, I’ve got you covered!
I listen to audiobooks ALL the time. I have one going at all times and it’s honestly a lifesaver for getting books read and also makes my commute and every day errands so much better. There are some books I even love on audio MORE because it brings the story to life so well! It’s a medium that I think is getting more and more popular and it’s exciting! Originally I wasn’t sure what to think about it but I’ve now loved them for years!
Enough of my rambling — here are my top ten recommendations for you!
Fantasy:
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Steve West: Firstly, Fiona and Steve are my two favorite audiobook narrators of all time! Individually they are fantastic and together they just pair phenomenally!! Anyway, these two ARE Puck and Sean Kendrick to me. I love this book so much and the narration is perfect – I listen to it every November.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor narrated by Steve West: See above about how much I love Steve West. It’s such a beautifully written book, the narration brings it to life!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor narrated by Kristine Hvam: I adore this series and Kristine did a spectacular job with it! I really like her as a narrator and will gravitate toward titles she’s done as well!
Sci-Fi:
Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman narrated by full cast: I don’t even know the whole list of narrators here because it’s a full cast production and it’s SO AMAZING. This series isn’t conventional, with a dossier of documents and maps and pictures and the audio someone takes all that and BRINGS IT TO LIFE. You won’t regret listening to this one, it’s so immersive and wonderful!
Red Rising by Pierce Brown narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds: Such a wonderful narration! I love the subtle different accents denoting different Colors in the society. It’s just so good. Highly recommend!
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer narrated by Rebecca Soler: This was one of the first series I listened to on audio and I adored it! Rebecca does perfect voices for each of these awesome characters!
Historical Romance:
Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas narrated by Mary Jane Wells: I can’t get enough of Mary Jane Wells’ narration! I’ve done the whole Ravenels series on audio now and am waiting for my hold of the latest one so I can listen to it! Her narration is WONDERFUL.
Historical Fiction:
Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce narrated by Anna Popplewell: I was sucked into London WW2 with this immersive narration. I loved the voice Anna gave Emmy.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys narrated by Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, Michael Crouch: These four narrators take each of the four POVs in this book and it’s just brilliant. Listening to it on audio made this already emotional book that much more emotional. I loved it so much and sobbed upon finishing but it was SO good!
Alt Historical Fiction/Steampunk/Fantasy:
(I really didn’t know how to classify this one!)
Timekeeper by Tara Sim narrated by Gary Furlong: LOVED Gary’s narration, it brought the story to life! He did such a great job with Danny and Colton and I loved it!
Great list! I agree – Steve West is amazing, I loved the audiobook of Strange the Dreamer. I really need to cross a Ruta Sepetys book off my TBR one of these days.
Dear Mrs. Bird does sound like a good read.
My Top Ten Tuesday post.
I’ve only listened to one audiobook in my whole life and I fell asleep in the middle of it! In my defense, it was on a long car ride and I wasn’t driving, thank goodness. I haven’t tried one since and I feel like I’m missing out, so thanks for this list for newbies. I might just give some of these a try.
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!