Welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday post, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl! This week’s topic is audiobooks.
The only audiobook I had listened to as an adult was C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letter, narrated by the fabulous John Cleese, many years ago on a road trip with my husband. Then I met Tamara Leigh 🙂 Tamara and her amazing narrator, Mary Sarah Agliotta, hooked me on audiobooks and I now listen exclusively to audiobooks when I’m in the car on my own! I’ve loved every one of Tamara’s medieval romance audiobooks that I own, 18 of the 20 now available!
Over the past 5 years or so, I’ve listened to many an audiobook, interestingly nearly all books I have read in print form first. I’ve found the audio experience gives me something completely different and it’s almost like don’t already know the story. If you haven’t tried an audiobook before, here are ten of my favourites – the key to each and every one of them is the narrator. I have listened to a couple of audiobooks where the narrator diminished the story for me, so always listen to a sample and heed recommendations! Often the sticking point is a female narrator not pulling off the male voice, and more often, a male narrator being unable to voice a female character without making it sound ridiculous. I have so much respect for narrators of either gender who can pull off both male and female voices that don’t sound weird or overdone.
So here’s my list of ten audiobooks I’ve enjoyed, thanks to terrific writing and excellent narrators. Ryan Hudson in Becky’s Then Came You is stellar!!!
Any audiobooks you can recommend?
The Age of Faith series by Tamara Leigh
Narrated by Mary Sarah Agliotta
The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof
Narrated by Gail Shalan and Joel Clarkson
I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
Narrated by Laura Darrell
Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones
Narrated by Reba Buhr
Then Came You by Becky Wade
Narrated by Ryan Hudson and Heather Masters
Leaving Oxford by Janet W. Ferguson
Narrated by Naomi Karez
Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz
Narrated by Laura Jennings
A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund
Narrated by Mary Sarah Agliotta
A Cliche Christmas by Nicole Deese
Narrated by Amy Rubinate
Playing with Fire by Susan May Warren
Narrated by Janeta Holzner
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March 26, 2019 at 8:37 pm
Well, you know about me and my struggle with audio books, but surprisingly, I have managed to come up with a list today. But it’s a very different collection of books than usual! Maybe I should try some of these and see if they can convert me like Tamara’s did for you. Mind you, I’d be interested to hear John Cleese do The Screwtape Letters too!
March 26, 2019 at 9:15 pm
Engaged in Trouble looks really cute! I’m definitly going to check that one out. 😊
My Audiobook Wishlist.
March 27, 2019 at 1:04 am
I’m honored to see Then Came You on this list! Thank you! I personally selected the narrators and collaborated with them. It was such a fun and fulfilling project.
March 27, 2019 at 1:10 am
Great choices! I just finished listening to Widow Of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green, wonderful story, great listen! Started A Bound Heart by Laura Franz now and the narration is great!
March 27, 2019 at 1:40 am
I’ve tried listening to an audio book, but my mind begins to wonder and I start zoning out and not hearing the story. Also, when I’m reading a book I ‘hear’ the characters voices in my head (I promise I’m not crazy), so when a narrator doesn’t match “the voices” it automatically detracts from the story for me. Guess I’m just a weird reader :-/
April 3, 2019 at 9:27 am
Amy M. » I think a lot of that is super common, my friend, so you are not a weird reader at all 🙂 Hugs xo
March 27, 2019 at 2:08 am
What makes you decide to read a book in print form before listening to it as an audiobook? I’m intrigued by that.
My Top Ten Tuesday post.
April 3, 2019 at 9:27 am
Lydia » Partly cost! If you buy the ebook, the audiobook is greatly reduced. And if I really loved a novel, I so enjoy ‘reading’ it again with the audiobook. I find it’s quite a different experience – almost like going back to the same restaurant but trying a different dish 🙂 My preference is print, so I suppose that’s why I might read it first. Also, in my author assistant work, I’ve proofed a number of books in print for a client and then gone on to proof the audiobook 🙂
March 27, 2019 at 2:38 am
It took many years before I was able to get into audiobooks. The key is really finding the right narrator. I’m still hit or miss – some days I’d rather listen to music – but I really do enjoy them a lot more now.
This is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
April 3, 2019 at 9:24 am
Cholla » You are spot on – the narrator is the key!
March 27, 2019 at 2:45 am
I started listening to audiobooks back when they were on cassette tape and mostly abridged versions with monotone readers. I have always been a avid reader and found that I could listen on my commute to and from work. Audiobooks today are so much more enjoyable with the character voices and seem to bring the stories to life.
My favorite and most listened to has been Jan Karon’s Mitford series. Another great series on audio is Bodie Thoene’s A.D. Chronicles. I encourage anyone who commutes to try audiobooks.
April 3, 2019 at 9:24 am
Penny » Yes, I agree. Audiobooks are all I listen to in the car now.
March 27, 2019 at 8:32 am
Oooo, great list!! I am an avid audiobook listener and almost enjoy listening to audiobooks more than reading books.
Here’s a link to my TTT post: https://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2019/03/top-ten-tuesday-audiobook-freebie-my.html?showComment=1553617757328#c4963295880076597634
April 3, 2019 at 9:22 am
Lisa @ Captivated Reader » I love them more than I anticipated, that’s for sure. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
March 27, 2019 at 11:01 am
I’m getting so many audiobook ideas this week! It looks like I’ll get more reading done if I can find some of these at the library in a timely manner.
April 3, 2019 at 9:21 am
Brooke Lorren » Hope you enjoy your new discoveries, Brooke!
March 27, 2019 at 1:32 pm
Haven’t listened to any of these! I listen to audiobooks all the time but usually my kids choose what we read (on our commute.) I’m currently listening to The Widow of Gettysburg — very good narrator and the story is unbeatable.
April 3, 2019 at 9:21 am
Dianna » Jocelyn is an amazing writer, but I haven’t listened to any of hers on audio yet. Must rectify!
March 27, 2019 at 1:39 pm
Oh how exciting! So happy you enjoyed Leaving Oxford along with these other stellar titles! Becky and Susan both have wonderful narrators. I’ve listened to some of theirs on Audible and enjoyed!
Hugs
April 3, 2019 at 9:20 am
Janet Ferguson » Thanks for dropping by, Janet!
March 28, 2019 at 12:13 am
Dear Rel, I’m so honored to see THE REDEEMING on your top ten list. I’m blessed to have found the amazing Mary Sarah to narrate my books–and by readers and listeners like you. I can’t wait to share Mary Sarah’s narrations of my contemporary romances. All releasing this year!
April 3, 2019 at 9:20 am
Tamara Leigh » I can’t wait either 🙂
March 28, 2019 at 2:34 am
I’ve read some of these and they are great! I think The Redeeming is my favorite in the Age of Faith series both in audio and print format. Red Shirt is definitely my favorite Laura Frantz hero and the narrator just did a fabulous job with that book. I think I have most of these on my phone ready to listen to, maybe I should bump a few up the list.
April 3, 2019 at 9:20 am
Elizabeth R » Red Shirt!!! Sigh…yes, bump a few others up, I say!
April 1, 2019 at 3:16 am
I’m not the biggest audiobook fan, so I haven’t actually loved any. I really do want to check out the Harry Potter ones.
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
April 3, 2019 at 8:53 am
Krystianna » Finding a narrator you love is key, I think!
April 5, 2019 at 10:19 am
Such great picks, Rel, and I am blessed to get to be on the list with Lionheart! Now I have all kinds of goodies to watch for on audible, with this list. Thank you!
April 6, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Joanne Bischof » I think Lionheart is one of the best audios I’ve listened to, Jo. They conveyed Ella and Charlie beautifully.