I really got into audiobooks early last year, and since then there have been plenty of highs, but also a few lows
When I became a new mum early last year, my hands were always full. Whether I was trapped on the sofa by my napping newborn, walking miles with the pram, washing bottles endlessly or doomscrolling in bed between night wakings, I had little time for myself.
A friend suggested trying audiobooks and I was intrigued. I’d been wanting to get back into reading but wasn’t sure how easy it would be to follow along without physically reading the words on a page.
Needless to say, I needn’t have worried, and fast forward 18 months, I’m back to reading physical books – yet can’t imagine ever not having an audiobook on the go.
I aim to listen to at least 30 minutes a day, but often end up continuing for longer. It’s just so convenient, and I love being able to keep the story going while doing my grocery shop, walking the dog and doing chores around the house.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve listened to some brilliant audiobooks that I’ve recommended to friends and family members. So whether you’re new to audiobooks or are just looking for your next favourite listen, here are some of the best books I’ve listened to on Audible, reports the Express.
1. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
I’ve previously expressed my love for Dungeon Crawler Carl, but it’s worth noting that the audiobook is equally commendable. The series, which revolves around a televised game show set in a dungeon and broadcast across the universe, boasts a diverse cast of characters, including goblins, orcs, and talking animals.
Listening to the entire first book (13 hours, 31 minutes), I was struck by the remarkable production quality. Each character had such a unique voice that they were instantly identifiable, even without the aid of a physical book.
So you can imagine my astonishment when I discovered that what I assumed was a full cast production was actually the work of a single individual, Jeff Hays.
Without a shadow of a doubt, this is my favourite audiobook to date, and I’ve been singing its praises to everyone I know ever since.
2. All the Best for the Future by Greg James
All the Best for the Future is BBC Radio 1 presenter and author Greg James’ guide to finding joy in the everyday and ‘growing up without growing old’. As a regular listener of his breakfast show, I knew straight away that this was one I simply had to listen to.
Narrated by Greg himself, this audiobook (7 hours, 29 minutes) was an absolute delight and felt like an extended version of his radio show. It’s humorous, captivating, and packed with extras for listeners, including some fantastic cameos and hilarious impressions.
3. Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
If you’re an avid audiobook listener, chances are you’ve heard of Julia Whelan. Known as the ‘queen of audiobooks’, she’s lent her voice to hundreds of titles, including works by renowned authors like Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Kristin Hannah.
Not only is Julia a talented narrator, but she’s also an accomplished author, known for her books Thank You for Listening and My Oxford Year, with the latter recently adapted by Netflix. Having listened to numerous audiobooks narrated by Julia, I can attest to her ability to bring stories to life.
Thankfully, Thank You for Listening (11 hours, 16 minutes) lived up to my expectations. It’s pure romcom bliss, and easily one of my top listens.
Unfortunately, not all audiobooks have been such a delight, with some causing me to tune out or completely abandon in favour of the physical book.
1. The Will of the Many by James Islington
The Will of the Many was one of my absolute favourite reads of 2024… but only after I ditched the audiobook for the hardback version.
I encountered a few issues with it. Firstly, while the world-building in the book is superb, trying to keep up with it whilst also listening to names like Lanistia Scipio, Veridius Julii and Aequa Claudius without seeing them written down proved to be a bit too challenging, leading to frequent rewinding.
One issue I had with this audiobook was the selection of the narrator. The main character is a 17 year old lad, but Euan Morton, who is significantly older, narrates it.
This felt like a considerable mismatch given that The Will of the Many is written from a first-person perspective.
2. My Friends by Fredrik Backman
One thing that really grinds my gears in an audiobook is repetition. While repeating certain phrases can be a powerful literary technique, it can also be incredibly irritating to hear.
I realise my opinion might not be popular, but this audiobook was a bit of a slog for me. At the end of each listening session, I’d let out a sigh when I saw how many hours were still left.
If anyone with the Kindle version of this book wants to check how many times ‘the artist’ is written, please do share your findings in the comments below. After listening, my guess? 3,000.