Happy Tuesday and welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday post hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today’s topic is an audio freebie, and since I’ve only recently begun diving into the world of audio books, my post is going to be a little bit eclectic. I’m going to give you a little bit of an overview of my audio world: what I’m listening to now, audio books I’ve enjoyed, and audio books I’m looking forward to.
One of the reasons I’ve been so slow to get into audio books is that I’m REALLY fussy about narrators. I prefer English accents (sorry to all my American friends—I still love you!), and I can be really fussy about inflection and pacing etc. There’s a subtle difference between being read to and listening to someone narrate a story, and I much prefer the latter!
I also tend to listen to classics via audio more than contemporary-published books. Perhaps I find the older style narrative more pleasing to listen to? I’m not sure. But you’ll find that influence in my list today too.
But enough from me. Let’s get on with the list.
Narrated by Richard Armitage. Need I say more? This was the freebie I got when I first signed up to Audible, and it wasn’t long before I began to wonder whether listening to this book would spoil me for any other audio book ever. Thirty-six hours of listening to that dreamy voice, and the writing… mmm, MMM! But seriously, if someone asks me what I look for in a narrator, I can tell them in two words: Richard Armitage. Although that’s possibly not fair on every other narrator ever.
When I said I tend to listen to classics via audible, I forgot to mention that I also love listening to books with my kids. Last year we went on quite a Roald Dahl binge, and they absolutely loved this one. David Walliams did such a great job with the narration, and of course, the BFG is funny enough to start with!
This is one we actually haven’t listened to for a while, but if you’re looking for a short audio listen, it’s a great choice. My husband has family in Melbourne, which is about a twelve-hour drive from where we live (and when you have four or five young kids, flying is out of the question!), so audio books are a great way to pass some of the time. And our kids were known to request it on shorter trips too!
While we’re on classics for kids, you really can’t pass up this Winnie-the-Pooh collection. In general, I’m inclined to go for unabridged narrations, but a well-done dramatisation has its own appeal, and it’s hard to pass up such a beloved collection when the characters are narrated by the likes of Dame Judy Dench, Stephen Fry, Jane Horrocks, and Geoffrey Palmer (could ANYONE do Eeyore quite so well?).
I’ve heard a lot about Jeeves and Wooster, and I even have a book called Plums of P.G. Wodehouse which is a collection of some of his funniest quotes, but I’ve never actually read Jeeves and Wooster. So this is what I’m aiming to listen to once I’ve finished The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
This is another one of those exceptions to my preference for unabridged narration over dramatisation, and it’s for my kids (aged 13 down to 6). Okay, it’s for me too. 🙂 I remember listening to this when I was younger (The Hobbit is a favourite of mine, and I’ve read the book several times too). I would probably go for an unabridged narration for myself, but I think this will accommodate the age range of my kids nicely while introducing them to one of my favourite stories.
I listened to Daniel Deronda by George Eliot last year and enjoyed it, but I’d really like to listen to Middlemarch too. I already have this waiting for me, but after listening to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, I feel like I need something light and humorous (eg. Jeeves and Wooster) before diving into another drama!
This is on my “to buy” list. I mean, seriously. Is there anything that says “swoon” like Richard Armitage reading love poetry? Listen to him recite the first line of the poem Maud by Alfred, Lord Tennyson—”Come into the garden, Maud”—and tell me you’re not completely under his spell. If you do, I’ll call you a liar anyway. I’m putty in his hands at the sound of his voice. <3
Are you an audio book listener? If so, do you have any recommendations for me?
Of course, you can’t go wrong with Richard!! I have the Classic Poems – he’s brilliant – and also one of Philippa Gregory’s novels yet to listen to it. I bought it solely for his voice!!
I love to listen to classics on audio, too. I’ve just finished Jude the Obscure and now I’m listening to North and South. If you haven’t tried these, you must find them.
Oh, I love North and South. I haven’t listened to that one as an audio book, but I read it and loved it before the BBC miniseries with Richard Armitage was made. Mind you, if they got Richard Armitage to narrate North and South I’d listen in a heartbeat! 😉
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
That would never be me, I’m afraid. I really like to have the written word in front of me. Even when I’m listening I try to get a version that’s whispersynced so that I can follow along when I want to!
There’s this really amazing audio rendition of The Bible in Spanish. I found it on some Spanish radio station a few years ago. I wonder if there are many audiobooks in Spanish? It would be a good way to practice the language.
The dramatized Hobbit would be pretty fun!
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some audio books in Spanish–or at least, other foreign languages. It’s a pity I don’t know any other languages well enough to make use of them!
Great list. I have heard great things about the BFG.
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian