# Recommend me an AudioBook please. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515 "2005-12-01T04:32:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gozu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gozu/32/6615_2.png) [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/1 "2005-12-01T04:32:55Z")
I’ve almost finished my harry potter audiobooks and I’d like to get some more. Few books actually make it to audiobook format so please do not recommend anything before making sure it is available as an Audiobook. Recommend novels only. I have no particular genre in mind. I usually prefer sci-fi and, to a lesser degree, fantasy but there are few audiobooks about that stuff. Already read / watched LOTR many times so that one is out. Thanks for your time. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/2 "2005-12-01T13:15:53Z")
I used to listen to lots of audiobooks on my interminable commute. There are _lots_ of audiobooks out there, but it’s true that a relatively small proportion of books get that treatment. Sadly, very few science fiction or fantasy books do, unless they’re curerent best sellers or movie tie-ins. Here are some of my favorites. YMMV: David McCulloch’s **Truman** and **John Adams** **The Iliad** and **The Odyssey** , both in the Fagles translations John Allen Paulos’ **Innumeracy** Joseph Campbell’s **Hero with a Thousand Faces** John Mortimer’s **Rumpole of the Bailey** stories, but only when Leo McKern reads them (three different companies have him reading it) Shelley’s **Frankenstein** – the Penguin audio edition, read by Robby Coltrane. Frederick Forsyth’s **Money with Menaces** and **A Careful Man** The James Bond Books Nero Wolfe novels – several different companies have these **The Doorbell Rang** is a good one. Gleick’s **Chaos** read by that other Michael Jackson. Maciavelli’s **The Prince** ---
**Author:** ![Gozu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gozu/32/6615_2.png) [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/3 "2005-12-01T13:19:50Z")
I feel so ashamed for bumping my own thread to the detriment of all other threads which are, no doubt, more deserving than this poor excuse for a post. If , against all odds, you can find it in your heart to forgive me this execrable action, I must then beg you again to give me help I do not deserve. ::cries:: ---
**Author:** ![Gozu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gozu/32/6615_2.png) [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/4 "2005-12-01T13:20:59Z")
> [@Gozu](#): > > I feel so ashamed for bumping my own thread to the detriment of all other threads which are, no doubt, more deserving than this poor excuse for a post. > > If , against all odds, you can find it in your heart to forgive me this execrable action, I must then beg you again to give me help I do not deserve. > > ::cries:: And sue enough, in the time it took me to write this, someone DID reply, which makes my post utterly unnecessary and redundant. Irony, good to see you again! ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/5 "2005-12-01T16:51:33Z")
I have Oryx and Crake on audio - very disturbing, could never read it, but its good - just disturbing. Tim Robbins reading The Great Gatsby is on my desk, that was well done, though Gatsby is far from my favorite book. I have a lot of Austen on audio, but its one of those things you like or don’t. If you like it, listening to it over and over again is really enjoyable. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/6 "2005-12-01T16:59:49Z")
I haven’t really listened to many audiobooks as I find that those few that have been adapted have been adapted poorly. I’ve a foundness for the lecture series presented by [The Teaching Company](http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp), though. As far as fantasy fiction goes, I will highly recommend Neil Gaiman’s _Anansi Boys_ as read by Lenny Henry. He’s a perfect match for the material and I frequently found myself laughing out loud. Incidentally, I think he’d be a perfect choice to play Fat Charlie if there’s ever a movie adaptation. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/7 "2005-12-01T17:08:25Z")
If you want something nice and long, **The Lord of the Rings** trilogy is available in unabridged form on a whole boatload of CDs. The Recorded Books version has a great narrator. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/8 "2005-12-01T18:28:20Z")
I Know This Much is True, by Wally Lamb. Read by George Guidall. This is a nice long one that absorbed me totally for weeks. I couldn’t wait to drive to work in the morning so I could find out what happened next. George Guidall does a fabulous job with the reading as well, doing different voices and accents. It’s about twin brothers, one of whom is schizophrenic and the other who narrates the story. The plot is too thick for me to delve into here, but I think it’ll hook you fast if you give it a chance. ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/9 "2005-12-01T18:47:01Z")
You might try the Chronicles of Narnia if you haven’t read them. You can get a boxed set from Harper or buy each one seperately. Each one is done by a different celebrity narrator and if I’m remembering right they include Jeremy Notrham, Patrick Stewart, Kenneth Branaugh and Derek Jacobi. Those would be cozy at this time of year. There is a Christmas Carol or Around the World in 80 Days out read by Jim Dale, narrator of the Harry Potter series if you’re interested in those titles. I haven’t heard them. He also reads a book called Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and I think Ridley Pearson. I think it’s a prequel to Peter Pan. I have heard it’s really great. If you like Harry Potter you might like Eragon and Eldest The Artemis Fowl series Philip Pullman’s series They are all kid’s lit series that will keep you busy if you like the first one. For fantasy you could start the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series. It’s not all out on CD yet but the newer ones are and I think books 1-5 are not hard to find on CD. For Sci-Fi you should try Ben Bova’s Asteroid Wars or Orson Scott Card. Those are easy to find if you like those authors. It sounds like you like to get into a series so that’s why I recommend trying those ones. You might also like the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I got a bit tired of it but I liked the narrator and I liked it over all. My favourite is A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. Most of them are narrated by Tim Curry, but I don’t know if that’s going to be up your alley if you are more of a sci-fi/fantasy person. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/10 "2005-12-01T20:07:12Z")
> [@pokey](#): > > My favourite is A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. Most of them are narrated by Tim Curry, but I don’t know if that’s going to be up your alley if you are more of a sci-fi/fantasy person. The only reason I didn’t say this is because I figured you were all sick of hearing me rave about it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/11 "2005-12-01T22:20:45Z")
Any of the “Earth’s Children” series, starting with Clan Of the Cave Bear (MUCH better book than a movie). All of them are available on tape and CD. The sex scenes get a bit much (and repetitive), but the story is good in spite of them. Any of the Patricia Cornwall series of books starring “Kay Scarpetta” are great mystery/detective/medical examiner books. That’s a start! Check you library. The audiobook sections of most are growing rapidly. They are a great way to make long commutes/trips go much faster! =Butler ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/12 "2005-12-02T01:12:15Z")
I would suggest Dean Koontz’s “Fear Nothing.” Not fantasy and not exactly hard science fiction. It was well worth our time on the road trip where we listened to all of it. Just a suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/13 "2005-12-02T01:38:25Z")
The first 3 books of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire are out on audio tape…and the reader is exceptionally good. Its possible the 4th is out by now as well. I also enjoyed listening to the Jordan Eye of the World series on audio tape (though last I checked you couldn’t get book 4 interestingly enough). Stephen Kings Gunslinger series is also out on audio tapes and the first few are read by the author. -XT ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/14 "2005-12-02T01:39:41Z")
Er, thats book 8 not book 4 in the Eye of the World series. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/15 "2005-12-02T01:41:20Z")
A couple of recent threads you might want to look through: [Audible subscribers/audiobook fans what should I listen to next?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=340035) [Looking for some good audiobooks](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=329864) ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/16 "2005-12-02T03:45:42Z")
My vote is for Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman. Best audio book I’ve listened to in ages! ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/17 "2005-12-02T03:57:21Z")
**Deception Point** by Dan Brown (of **Da Vinci Code** fame). I just finished it myself. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/18 "2005-12-02T03:59:56Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > The first 3 books of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire are out on audio tape…and the reader is exceptionally good. Its possible the 4th is out by now as well. I also enjoyed listening to the Jordan Eye of the World series on audio tape (though last I checked you couldn’t get book 4 interestingly enough). Stephen Kings Gunslinger series is also out on audio tapes and the first few are read by the author. > > -XT Stephen King doesn’t read the Dark Tower series (and be glad he doesn’t… I love the guy, but he doesn’t have the best reading voice). Frank Muller reads the first four, except the revised Gunslinger (book 1) which is read by George Guidall, who also reads the last three. Muller was in an extremely serious motorcycle accident during the writing of the sixth (?) book and his career as a voice actor is sadly over. Guidall and Muller are, by far, my two favorite readers. I love these books on audio. ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/19 "2005-12-02T04:02:17Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > The first 3 books of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire are out on audio tape…and the reader is exceptionally good. Its possible the 4th is out by now as well. I also enjoyed listening to the Jordan Eye of the World series on audio tape (though last I checked you couldn’t get book 4 interestingly enough). Stephen Kings Gunslinger series is also out on audio tapes and the first few are read by the author. > > -XT I was about to come in and say the exact opposite! 🙂 I found the narrators voice really irritating in its old man sounding way, and it just got creepy when a sex scene started. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515/20 "2005-12-02T06:41:25Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > Stephen King doesn’t read the Dark Tower series (and be glad he doesn’t… I love the guy, but he doesn’t have the best reading voice). Frank Muller reads the first four, except the revised Gunslinger (book 1) which is read by George Guidall, who also reads the last three. Muller was in an extremely serious motorcycle accident during the writing of the sixth (?) book and his career as a voice actor is sadly over. I’m looking at the first three audio books (the only ones I own) as I write this, and they say ‘read by author’. Perhaps the copies you’ve seen are different…mine definitely indicate that Stephen King read the books. > [@Silentgoldfish](#): > > I found the narrators voice really irritating in its old man sounding way, and it just got creepy when a sex scene started. Different strokes I guess. I really liked all the different voices he used. -XT [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-an-audiobook-please/333515.md?page=2)