Readers, a few weeks ago, I shared a list of 10 of my favorite audiobook narrators, plus 30 listening recommendations. I asked you to share your favorite narrators in the comments, and WOW did you deliver! With a whopping 287 (and counting) comments, you reminded me of just how many narrators I love—and you added so many new audiobook narrators to my to-listen list.
Today I’m sharing fifteen of YOUR favorite audiobook narrators—sourced from your comments and recommendations—plus 35 well-loved books they narrate. Some of these audiobooks come directly from your comments, and some are from my personal list of memorable listening experiences.
If you simply can’t get enough books in your earbuds these days, this is the list for you. I hope you find at least one new-to-you favorite narrator or a surprising title to download and enjoy.
35 audiobook experiences narrated by your favorite voice performers
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Robin Miles
The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth Book 1)
N.K. Jemisin is one of the most notable science fiction writers of our time. In the first installment of her Broken Earth Trilogy, everyone is trying to survive the Stillness’s unforgiving, unstable environment as the next Fifth Season approaches. With stellar world-building, we follow three girls trying to make their way as the catastrophic threat looms ever closer. Exploring systematic oppression and the gift of found families, it’s easy to see why this lengthy book has garnered so much praise. With Miles's narration, the pages quickly go by. More info →
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration
An essential read about a slice of American history detailing the decades-long migration of almost six million Black people from the South to the North and West, hoping for a better life. Wilkerson focuses on the stories of three individuals, giving us both an intimate portrayal and Big Picture view of what they experienced and how this changed the country. The audiobook is excellent (and a great way to make use of your audiobook credits at over 22 hours). More info →
Binti
I just listened to this on audio, and it was fantastic! The Binti trilogy, winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards, sat on my To Be Read list for too long. This novella drops you right into another galaxy where Binti is the first of her people to receive an offer to attend Oomza University, basically an ivy league college. Accepting the offer requires a huge sacrifice and a treacherous journey. I sped through this quick audiobook thanks to excellent narration and a propulsive plot. More info →
Saskia Maarleveld
The Alice Network
It's 1947, and society girl Charlie St. Clair is desperate to find her beloved cousin Rose, who mysteriously vanished during the war. Her inquiries lead her to Eve, a cranky old woman, who Charlie soon discovers has intimate ties to the first female spy network, and who may have personal and professional reasons for tracking down Rose—and getting revenge in the process. If you like your mysteries with a good dose of historical detail and secrets, this one is for you. A little bit The Nightingale, a little bit Girl in Disguise. More info →
Lie to Me
Ellison sets the tone with her first line: "You aren't going to like me very much." But who is this, and why does she say that? Sutton and Ethan Montclair seem to have the perfect marriage—two successful writers who not only love each other, but understand and support each other. Or that's what people think, until Sutton disappears, leaving a note telling Ethan not to look for her. As the hours tick by, Ethan begins to look more and more suspicious, and as a local investigator starts quizzing friends and family, it quickly becomes apparent that their perfect relationship was anything but. And THAT is when things get really creepy. Saskia Maarleveld's narration adds to the suspense of this domestic noir; the minutes spent listening will fly by. More info →
Resistance Women
Chiaverini's novel was inspired by the life of Mildred Harnack, a real historical figure whose story was previously untold because the U.S. government deliberately buried it after the war. Harnack was one of dozens of members of the network of American and German resistance fighters the Gestapo called die Rote Kapelle (Red Orchestra). The bulk of the action takes places between the wars, beginning in 1929; I was initially surprised that a novel about Nazi Germany before and during WWII began SO early, but Chiaverini's chosen timeline serves her story well: as a reader, you see events escalate over time through these women’s eyes: first they’re incredulous, then increasingly horrified, all the while asking each other, what do we do? The setup feels leisurely but the payoff is worth it. More info →
Rebecca Soler
Cinder
Each book in The Lunar Chronicles series puts a new spin on an old fairy tale. In this first installment, Cinderella becomes a kickass mechanic, despised by her mother and stepsisters because she's a cyborg. Admittedly, it sounds cheesy, but it works. YA fantasy isn't usually my thing; I'd heard great things about this series from a wide range of readers but it took me years to give it a try. I'm glad I did, and I've since listened to more YA fantasy. The propulsive plots and fast-paced storytelling lends themselves well to audiobook adaptation. More info →
The Hazel Wood
Prepare to be absorbed by this dark fairytale that takes place in modern day Manhattan. Alice and her mom have spent 17 years on the run, trying to dodge the persistent bad luck mysteriously connected to an unnerving book of stories penned by Alice's estranged grandmother. When Alice's grandmother dies, her mother thinks they're free—until the day Alice comes home from school to discover Ella has been kidnapped, leaving behind a page torn from her grandmother's book and a note: Stay away from the Hazel Wood. But Alice has to save her mom, so she enters what she slowly begins to see is her grandmother's book of stories-come-to-life—and they suddenly look a lot more like horror than fantasy. This seriously twisted and sometimes bloody fairy tale reminds me of The Thirteenth Tale, with a dash of The Matrix. More info →
Shayna Small
The Vanishing Half
Finally, a follow-up to Bennett’s smashing debut The Mothers. Shayna Small narrates the voices of identical twins Desiree and Stella. They're closer than close, so Desiree is shocked when Stella vanishes one night after deciding to sacrifice her past—and her relationship with her family—in order to marry a white man, who doesn't know she's Black. Desiree never expects to see her sister again. The twins grow up, make lives for themselves, and raise daughters—and it's those daughters who bring the sisters together again. It's a reunion Stella both longs for and fears, because she can't reveal the truth without admitting her whole life is a lie. Bennett expertly weaves themes of family, race, identity, and belonging into one juicy, unputdownable novel spanning five turbulent decades. More info →
Now That I’ve Found You
One reviewer called this utterly charming. The audio hours will vanish away as you listen to this YA novel, staring 18-year-old Evie Jones, about to be Hollywood's next big thing, who is following in the footsteps of her her grandma Gigi, aka Evelyn Conaway, aka America's most beloved actress. There's just one problem: Evie's grandma has gone missing. Musician Milo Williams was the last person to see her, and even though Evie isn't sure she can trust him, she enlists him to help her comb New York City in the search. You know adventure and romance will ensue. More info →
Kate Reading
A Study In Scarlet Women (The Lady Sherlock Series Book 1)
This gender-bending Sherlock Holmes series is completely clever. Charlotte Holmes has never been comfortable with high society's expectations for well-bred women, so she hatches an escape plan. By posing as Sherlock Holmes, Charlotte uses her incredible intellect to solve mysteries and secures the freedom to live as she pleases. When her family falls under suspicion for a series of London murders, Charlotte puts her skills to work to find the real killer and gathers new friends, and enemies, along the way. There's nothing like a British accent to absorb you into a mystery on audio. More info →
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor: Being the First Jane Austen Mystery (Being a Jane Austen Mystery Book 1)
A narrator with the last name of Reading (yes, really) is just too perfect to narrate this Austen-inspired story. The setup is this: the author asserts that she discovered old journals of Jane Austen, in which it is revealed that Austen was once an amateur sleuth (who had a bad habit of stumbling into crime scenes). In this first installment, Jane's dear friend Isobel marries a much older man who tragically dies shortly after their wedding. It is subsequently revealed that his death was not natural, and that his nephew and heir had also engaged the affections of the young widow. I enjoyed encountering familiar Austen themes in this wholly different genre, and the way the author incorporated fragments of her novels in the mystery. I was smitten and entertained by Jane's uncanny ability to observe and judge those around her. The skills that make her an excellent novelist prove to be useful for detective work, too. More info →
Marin Ireland
Beartown
This was a hard read because of the content but so, so good. Backman's latest novel is set in a backwater Swedish town whose glory days are gone—except when it comes to hockey. In Beartown, hockey is everything, and the players on the boys' A-team have god-like status. But this isn't just a hockey story. One night after a huge win, the teens throw a raucous party to celebrate—and what happens there splinters the community. Part coming-of-age story, part community-in-crisis, completely fabulous. (And I don't care a bit about hockey, so that's saying something.) Heads up, readers: triggers abound. If you've read and enjoyed Backman in the past, you'll recognize his skillful prose, but not the tone: this novel bears none of the whimsy of his previous work. (Don't miss the sequel, also narrated by Marin Ireland.) More info →
Nothing to See Here
Kevin Wilson's latest is about an important political family that has a tiny little problem—their kids catch fire when they get mad. It's the perfect blend of the very real emotional family and the bizarre, which lets the author address serious things—life, work, power, ambition, relationships—without getting precious about it. This was the first bonus episode of the season for One Great Book and then I turned right around and recommended it on episode 201 of What Should I Read Next of WSIRN. Marin Ireland hit just the right notes with her narration, and if you're eager to finish another book before the end of the year, it's only 6 hours 40 minutes. More info →
Jacqueline Woodson
Brown Girl Dreaming
Many readers who typically avoid novels in verse find that they LOVE the poetic form via audiobook. All you need to know about this one is that the story is fantastic, and it absolutely comes alive when read by the author herself. In this memoir in verse, Woodson tells the story of her childhood, moving with her family (or part of it) from South Carolina to New York City and back again, sharing her observations through a young girl's eyes with a writer's sensibility. More info →
If You Come Softly
It's hard to believe this almost-classic by Jacqueline Woodson is twenty years old; the themes are as fresh as ever. And they come alive with her narration, along with Jorjeana Marie and Guy Lockard. Jeremiah is comfortable in his Brooklyn neighborhood. But as a Black teen attending a new Manhattan prep school, he feels less comfortable. When he meets Ellie, a Jewish girl from a different world, they know they fit together, but everyone around them is not so sure. Woodson has noted Romeo and Juliet as the inspiration for her tale of star-crossed love. More info →
Therese Plummer
Housekeeping
Robinson's debut novel tells the tale of two orphaned sisters in Fingerbone, Idaho, struggling to find their place in the community and with each other after their mother's death. They're first cared for by a string of relatives. Finally, their eccentric Aunt Sylvie steps in, and comes to "keep house" for them. But Sylvie's odd ways disturb the staid members of their little town, and the misunderstanding threatens the little family's stability. More info →
Don’t Look for Me
I loved the premise of this brand-new psychological thriller: on a dark and stormy night, a guilt-ridden mother walks away from her life, five years to the day after her youngest child was killed in a tragic accident. Two days after she disappears, police find Molly's handwritten note in a local motel: it says the pain is too much to bear, her family will be better off without her, she's leaving. "Don't look for me," she writes. The police call it a walk-away, saying it happens all the time. But Molly's daughter is suspicious and begins her own investigation into her mother's disappearance. More info →
What You Wish For
I love Katherine Center's fun, easy-reading, relatable novels. Her charming stories make for enjoyable listening experiences. School librarian Samantha Casey lives her life with passion and joy, starting over at a new job and new life after loving Duncan Carpenter too long from afar. But now, the best thing that could happen to her new school—a by-the-rules principal is hired—turns out to be Duncan. She doesn't recognize the lovable Duncan she used to know. Center excels at writing books that are light and fluffy—and then you find yourself thinking about them for days, because her themes run much deeper than you realized on the first pass. More info →
Mozhan Marno
The Stationery Shop
We read this together in the MMD Book Club last January, and so enjoyed chatting with Kamali about her work. In 1953 Tehran, a young man failed to meet his betrothed in a Tehran square. Sixty years later and half a world away, the woman, now grown old, is about to discover why. This sweeping love story spans 60 years and two continents, taking the reader between contemporary New England and 1953 Tehran, thoroughly immersing the reader in the volatile political climate of 1950s Iran. More info →
The Book of Longings
Our narrator for Kidd's newest novel is Anna, only daughter to a prosperous family, educated, and betrothed to another man when her attention is captured by a carpenter. The carpenter's name is Jesus, and Kidd imagines how they form a friendship and wed. As Jesus begins to explore and pursue his calling, let me tell you: whatever you're expecting Kidd to do with her audacious premise, this is not it. The vast majority of the book's action takes place during the years when we have no record of Jesus' life. Don't miss the author's note, where Kidd explains why she took creative license to make Anna his partner. More info →
Barrie Kreinik
The Mother-in-Law
This book was such a fun surprise for me: I devoured this on audio. A wholly satisfying domestic mystery, perfect for Liane Moriarty fans, that kept me guessing till the end. In the ten years she's known her, Lucy has never felt her mother-in-law Diana approved of her—an especial disappointment because she'd hoped Diana would finally be the mother she'd never had. Yet she’s distraught when the police show up to announce that Diana has died by apparent suicide—and even more so when they reveal that the evidence points to possible murder. As we get to know the family members, we discover each of them had a motive to harm Diana, and stood to benefit from her death. More info →
Code Name Hélène
This WWII novel tells the story of Nancy Wake, the unsung French Resistance leader who was #1 on the Gestapo's most-wanted list by the end of the war. The real Nancy was larger than life; bold, bawdy, and brazen—a woman who, as the only female among thousands of French men, was not only respected as an equal, but revered as a leader. The story is set during WWII, yes—a setting the author says she came to kicking and screaming, because there are a lot these days—but at its heart this is a story of friendship, and of love. Barrie Kreinik's narration makes Nancy leap off the page, with her Victory Red lipstick, snappy one-liners, and incredible bravery. Peter Ganim joins to narrate scenes told from husband Henri's point of view. More info →
Katherine Kellgren
A Desperate Fortune
I hear there is so much to love about this story: old diaries, codebreaking, perilous journeys, Jacobites, a Frenchman, and Katherine Kellgren's narration. If you're a fan of Davina Porter narrating the Outlander series on audio, download this one next. I've enjoyed the handful of Kearsley books I've read so far, and I know that her vivid historical details will come to life on audio. Sit back, listen, and enjoy this compelling story, well-told. More info →
My Lady Jane
This sassy book is especially great on audio. The Princess Bride meets The Other Boleyn Girl in this quirky spin on the true story of Lady Jane Grey. Sixteen-year-old King Edward has arranged a marriage for Jane in order to secure his line to the throne. He doesn't have much interest in ruling, and she doesn't have much interest in marriage. Duty is the least of their problems because, well... Jane's betrothed turns into a horse every night. More info →
The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery
Perhaps you recognize the last name Holmes in Enola Holmes, Sherlock's younger sister with all the sleuthing abilities, and penchant for getting caught up in adventures. Enola is a heroine for all ages, and Katherine Kellgren's narration fits perfectly in the Sherlock universe. You might also have seen the Netflix trailer for the upcoming movie adaptation. I'm thinking this would be an excellent listen for the whole family, with a chance to compare it to the film version afterward. More info →
Davina Porter
Outlander
This time-travel romance series totally sucked me in—and if you read the words "time-travel romance" and rolled your eyes, you're not alone: I did the same, until I read the backstory. As she tells it, Gabaldon intended to write a realistic historical novel, but a modern woman kept inserting herself into the story! She decided to leave her for the time being—it's hard enough to write a novel, she'd edit her out later—but would YOU edit out Claire? I didn't think so. You could happily lose yourself by listening to this whole extra long series, which delivers serious bang for the audiobook buck. Davina Porter narrates, and she is freaking fantastic. Heads up for racy content and graphic torture scenes: I made liberal use of my fast-forward button. More info →
84, Charing Cross Road
This is the true story of the twenty-year relationship between a New York writer and a gentlemanly London bookseller, as told through their correspondence. A must-read classic for bibliophiles, and you'll feel compelled to discuss the heartwarming way books bring people together with all your book-loving buddies. The epistolary nature of this classic is reminiscent of Austen's time. Perfect for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I've read this sweet story a few times, but never on audio. I think I just found my next comforting reread to download. More info →
Dion Graham
The Circle
A chilling cautionary tale about the internet, social media, and connectedness with echoes of Animal Farm. The book raises important and timely questions about connectedness, transparency, and the dark side of the internet. The main character, Mae, is hired to work at her dream tech company, The Circle. She can't believe her luck, even despite a weird experience with a colleague and an increasingly visible role at the company. More info →
Lovely War
When we read Lovely War together in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club this spring, Book Club members kept telling me the audio was particularly good, so if you're an audiophile, you should know that this fun novel combines three unexpected elements to great effect: World War I, a love story, and Greek mythology. It begins with Aphrodite and Ares walking into a swanky Manhattan hotel during WWII, and soon enough Aphrodite's husband Hephaestus challenges her to show him what love really looks like. She obliges, and takes the reader back in time to meet four young lovers in 1917 Britain, showing her fellow gods how each couple fell in love, and what they mean to each other. It sounds unlikely but the interesting narrative structure totally works. More info →
Washington Black
I have this downloaded and it has not only made the list of YOUR favorite audiobooks, but reviewers around the interwebs use words like "masterpiece," "artful," "epic," and "a rip-roaring tale." The story follows a young freed slave, George Washington Black, or "Wash," across the globe from the cane fields of the Caribbean to the Arctic to London to the Moroccan deserts as a manservant to Christopher, an abolitionist, explorer, and inventor. Wash accompanies him around a world where impossible things happen—flying machines carry men across the sky, and divided people can begin to see each other as human. More info →
Juliet Stevenson
Persuasion
Juliet Stevenson is one of my favorite narrators for any of Austen's works. Here's how I decide which Austen book to listen to: Pride and Prejudice should be read in the spring; Emma in the summer. But Persuasion is for colder months. This the last novel Austen completed before her death, and it's darker and more serious in tone than her earlier works. With its themes of love, regret, and fidelity, this is my favorite Austen novel—depending on which one I read most recently. More info →
Middlemarch
I never would have made it through Middlemarch if not for Juliet Stevenson. Eliot’s hefty masterpiece combines her "study of provincial life" with a close look at several young couples who fall (or think they fall) in love. Who will find lasting happiness, and who won't, and why? By focusing on the narrow disappointments and particular joys of this small community, Eliot cuts to the heart of human nature. A novel about love, happiness, and second chances. If you find comfort in Austen's depictions of everyday life, turn to George Eliot next. More info →
Neil Gaiman
American Gods
Many audiophiles' ears perk up (pun intended) when they hear "full cast" and that's true for Gaiman's American Gods. If you've never read any Gaiman before, here's what you might like to know—characters like the Norse god Odin and Lucy Ricardo show up in the same universe. Need I say more? More info →
Norse Mythology
Neil Gaiman often narrates his own work, but this volume is a particular favorite among audiobook listeners. This collection features versions of the ancient Norse myths—tales full of gods and dwarves and giants—with Gaiman's signature wit. One reviewer said this was "as good as it gets without the old texts." And with thousands of reviews and 4.5 stars, you're in good hands for a story well told, and well narrated. More info →
Plus 14 more of your favorite voices…
- Jim Dale
- Adepero Oduye
- Jayne Entwhistle
- Christina Moore
- Orlagh Cassidy
- Nicholas Guy Smith
- Hillary Huber
- John Lee
- Perdita Weeks
- Imogen Church
- George Guidall
- Grover Gardner
- Lee Horsely
- Edward Herman
What are you listening to on audio right now? Share your current read (and help us build our audiobook TBR) in the comments.
P.S. Get cozy with 15 quintessentially British audiobooks or indulge in one of these true (and sometimes juicy) story read by celebrities. Want to get more bang for your audiobook buck? Explore these 20 extra-long audiobooks so you can get the most out of those credits.
59 comments
Great List! I love Saskia Maarleveld’s narration of ‘The Huntress,’ but I think my favorite audiobook narrations are the Flavia de Luce series, narrated by Jayne Entwhistle, and the Number One Ladies Detective Agency series nrarated by Lisette Lecat. They’re both fabulous. I also like John McDonough’s narration of the Mitford series.
I recently finished listening to ‘Intimations,’ Zadie Smith’s newly-published book of essays. She reads the essays herself, and she’s terrific! I’m not always a fan of authors reading their own work—it can be hit or miss—and this is a definite hit. Smith brings real life and verve to her pieces, some very funny, some quite sobering. Unexpected and delightful.
Jonathan Cecil is the best for P.G. Wodehouse books!
Wholeheartedly agree!!
Another Mozhan Marno narration not to be missed is Marie Benedict’s “The Other Einstein.”
Thanks for compiling a list of narrators and books! The narrator can add so much enjoyment to the reading process. I appreciate a whole new list of tried and true narrators to check out.
Thank you so much for these excellent lists! I’ve ordered 2 books already and so appreciate the recommendations! My current favorite narrators are: Chris Brinkley (Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid), anything by Tom Hanks (especially Uncommon Type & The Dutch House), and the best ever audio book, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. 🙂
Definitely Tom Hanks in Dutch House was a perfect match of voice and protagonist.
I 100% agree with you that book and his voice was exceptional
Yes! I loved reading The Dutch House via audiobook. Tom Hanks is a great narrator!
The narrator of Hamnet took me straight back to 1596 and kept me there – entralled!
American Spy narrated by Bonnie Turpin. Excellent!
I loved Richard Armitage reading the Jane Austen Society so much that I looked for other books he’s read. I have discovered Joy Ellis for the first time and her British police procedural series A Jackman and Evans Investigation. They are so good, and I am hooked! These books are full of suspense, plot twists, and they stop before it gets to criminal minds and I cringe. I have listened everyday since I have discovered the series, and am almost done with the last book. She has other police procedurals, but Richard Armitage needs to read to me daily. 🤣
I came here to add Richard Armitage! That’s how I got into Georgette Heyer- I’ve listened to just about everything he’s ever narrated by now!
Oooh Robin Miles is fantastic! She also narrates The Vanderbeeker books, and they’re excellent! I’m listening to The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett (SO GOOD!) narrated by Annie Lyons who is another phenomenal narrator 🙂 Great list, as always!
Also loved Eudora Honeysett and the narration was perfect. Especially loved Rose …
I’ve really enjoyed Meryl Streep as a narrator also. I first heard her read the children’s picture book, Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, made into a video by Weston Woods. I didn’t think a picture book could come even more to life by the narration, but it did. She’s read many adult novels too; a recent favorite was her reading Colm Toibin’s The Testament of Mary.
Phil Davis singing of the song lyrics in Graham Swift’s new book Here We Are was fabulous! And I really enjoyed the rest of the book also.
I absolutely loved Wil Wheaton reading The Martian by Andy Weir. I had already read and enjoyed the book, but his narration managed to make it even better. It was so good that I wanted to immediately start it over again when I finished listening to it.
My 9 year old daughter and I have also really enjoyed listening to the Ramona Quimby series read by Stockard Channing. Her personality is perfect for Ramona and her adventures.
Oooh! Stockard Channing would make a great Ramona! Thanks for the rec, Jessie L.
We’re in the middle of moving house so I’m indulging in some YA fantasy reading with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes read by Santino Fontana. Santino’s voice is just right for capturing my attention and being soothing at the same time.
If you’re looking for something deeper and non-fiction, I’m fascinated with a second audio book Ninth Street Women read by Lisa Stathoplos. It’s the behind-the-scenes story of women married to or working with famous 20th century artists in New York (like Jackson Pollock). These women were artists in their own right, but the culture at the time was slow to recognize them as more than wives or girlfriends. The book is eye-opening for explaining our American way of viewing modern art. Lisa’s reading voice is pleasant and she does a good job bringing the listener through all the names, dates and details in an interesting way.
My favorite narrator is Jefferson Mays who does the whole Expanse series by James S.A. Corey on audiobook. He really makes all of the characters come to life! In fact, he is so much the voice of the series that when they went with another narrator for one of the books, people had a fit, and they hired Mays to re-do the narration for that book!
You should do a list of WORST narrators. There are some – no matter how much I would like to listen to the n
Book-will not because the narrator is SO awful. Maybe companies would stop using them. John Rubinstein cones to mind. Fair actor. Horrid narrator
Where oh where is Julia Whelan?
She’s my favorite narrator, hands down. I’ve listened to her performances of Educated, The Great Alone, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but she’s also done these popular titles: Beach Read, The Giver of Stars, Pretty Things, The Wife Between Us, Gone Girl, Evvie Drake Starts Over, and Wild Game.
I agree, I’m a huge Julia Whelan fangirl! This is a follow-up to Anne’s August list of 10 of her favorite audiobook narrators. Julia Whelan is on that list. While I’m sure many readers mentioned her my guess (and I could be wrong here) is to get a maximum variety and new voices she tried not to overlap lists.
Makes total sense! Thanks Michelle. 🙂
Listening to Jayber Crow. Been using audiobooks to get through a long list of classics that I do not have the patience to read in print. I listen in groups of three by the same author and try to pair with a movie/TV version. Started with European and Russian classics. Then South America and now US. Also use audiobooks for memoirs read by the author (eg Michelle Obama) and novels in verse (eg Elizabeth Acevedo and now considering Wake Siren).
My favorite narrators are Gerard Doyle for his irish accent in the Sean Duffy Series by Adrian Mckinty and Cassandra Campbell, particularly in the Miss Fortune Mysteries by Jana Deleon.
I loved Winter Solstice read by Lynn Redgrave. A great wintertime story.
I listened to Harry Potter for the first time and LOVED it. Jim Vale is awesome. Currently listening to Eleanor and Park (it’s banned book week). And seeing if I want to listen to Moonlight Over Paris.
The best narrator I have ever heard is Kobna Holdbrook Smith. He narrates The Rivers of London series and he is absolutely amazing. He brings the delightful series to life.
I loved The Nightingale when I read it, and decided to listen to it when I talked my book club into choosing it. It’s narrated by Polly Stone and she was wonderful. I now recommend it in audio even more than to read!
I am currently listening to “The 10,000 Doors of
January” by Alix E. Harris and narrated by January Lavoie. I was on a road trip today (5 hours) and it made the miles fly by. I was really getting lost in the story.
I’ve been listening to the Starbound trilogy, by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, it’s very fun! Also my complete audiobook obsession is any Star Wars canon novel – they’re so great. Complete with music, gunshots, droid sound effects!!!Some of my favourite stories are by Claudia Gray, Delilah Dawson, James S.A. Corey, and Rebecca Roanhorse but if I’m in need of comfort I just find anything that’s available. Ha! Also in non fiction I thoroughly enjoyed Stamped: racism, anti-racism and you, which was narrated by Jason Reynolds. Dreamy voice, compelling content.
I’m just discovering how wonderful it is to listen to books. Loved Richard Armitage reading the Jane Austin Society. Erin Bennett reading 28 Summers and This Tender Land read by Scott Britt.
I adore the narrator John McDonough. He is the voice for Jan Karon books. He is exactly what Father Tim should sound like. He also does lots of children’s books. I just sink into a happy place with his narration.
I agree! I’ll have to check out some of his children’s book narrations.
Funnily enough but none of my favs were on here: Will Patton, January LaVoy, Bahni Turpin, and Mark Deakins
So happy to see more love for Bahni Turpin!
I loved Cassandra Campbell reading “Everything Here is Beautiful” and “Dear Edward”. She’s fantastic.
I would add Julia Whelan (narrator). She was excellent narrating Educated by Tara Westover, The Boys’ Club, Evvie Drake Starts Over, and more.
Julia Whelan is FABULOUS. If I see her as a narrator, I buy/borrow the title right away. She has narrated so many books too. (An Anonymous Girl, Educated, Pretty Things, The Giver of Stars, The Great Alone, Hello Girls & Beach Read) I enjoy Cassandra Campbell as well.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone (A Therapist, Her Therapist and Our Lives Revealed), a memoir by Lori Gottlieb, narrated by Brittany Pressley has been my favourite audiobook so far this year. https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-You-Should-Talk-to-Someone-audiobook/dp/B07Q8JFWTW/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
The Silmarillion Audiobook by J.RR Tolkien, read by Martin Shaw . It is a very good book. It is on amazon.com
I just finished listening to “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah and I loved it. He is a wonderful narrator and especially with different voices in the book. The story is a good one about his growing up in South Africa. Believe the hype on this one; it is a new favorite for me.
Great piece.Thank you.But you left out Scott Brick! He can turn a mediocre book into spectacular. Well done books he makes amazing. He has kept me up through the night more than once.
What a great list! I love Robin Miles as well—her narration of The Good House was so spooky!! I missed the last post so I didn’t comment, but I’m surprised no one said Bahni Turpin! She is probably my No. 1 favorite narrator, known for audiobooks like ON THE COME UP and SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE. And Elizabeth Acevedo! She narrates her own audiobooks but also narrated PRIDE by Ibi Zoboi (and others, I’m sure!). Thanks again for compiling this list. Such a wealth of great listens.
I am so excited about this list! For the record, a few weeks ago when Anne came out with her favorite audiobook list, I had never listened to an audiobook. Well, happy to report, I listened to some of those books and now I’m hooked. Lol. So yay for another list. I’m currently listening to Just Mercy.
I enjoy Aoife McMahon’s narration of the Cormac Reilly mysteries (by Dervla McTiernan). Her beautiful Irish accents transports me to Ireland instantly! In these days of limited mobility, it’s lovely that we can still travel through books — audio books in particular!
For an Anglophile: The Cazalet Chronicle – 4 Novels and read by Jill Balcon
Rose – My Life in Service to Lady Astor – read by Wanda McCadden
For History and Art lovers: The Hare with Amber Eyes – read by Michael Maloney
For silly fun: Rococo – read by Stephen Hoye
I adore Katherine Kellgren narrating the Royal Spyness series. Such a loss when she passed away! And Barbara Rosenblat reading the Amelia Peabody series is probably my favorite audio narration of all time!
Thank you. I haven’t listened those books and I also enjoy Katherine Kellgren and Barbara Rosenblat.
I have always enjoyed listening to Donada Peters. She did an exceptional job on the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George.
I am currently listening to Maggie O’ Farrell’s “i am, i am, i am” and i absolutely love the narration by Daisy Donovan
Good list, I forgot to mention my favorite author/narrator, Joshilyn Jackson. Right now I’m reading the awakening of Malcolm X.
I was hoping to see Santino Fontana on this list. I absolutely fell in love with Santino’s voice while listening to YOU (and the others books in this series) by Caroline Kepnes. His voice brought the character of Joe to life…amazing!
What about Holter Graham? The Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon and so many more.
I like Simon Vance and Simon Prebble – they are particularly my favorites for Dickens novels.
Jenna Lamia not being on here is a crime! She is an incredible actress and brings whatever story she’s reading to life. We Are All The Same In The Dark was my first exposure to her (amazing book) and I’ve listened to everything else she’s ever narrated!