Audiobooks: A Different Way to Enjoy Literary Works

Audiobooks: A Different Way to Enjoy Literary Works

Audiobooks offer a more passive way of consuming media, making them a completely different experience from reading a physical book. They allow your imagination to run free while you engage in routine activities. I often listen while multitasking - whether on long drives, walks, or public transportation commutes. However, depending on the audiobook, it may demand your full attention, especially action-packed ones.

Interestingly, I’ve found myself exploring genres I wouldn’t necessarily pick up in a bookstore. Sometimes, I even listen to titles I’ve already read, experiencing them in a fresh way. The audiobook experience is closer to consuming media in a cinematic way, akin to watching a movie or stage play. While some people find audiobook narration dragging, it’s a distinct experience from reading. (I envy those who can finish books in just a few sittings, being a slow reader myself.) Fortunately, most audiobook platforms allow you to adjust the playback speed to suit your preference. If you think Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series takes a long time to read, try listening to the audiobook; it clocks in at a staggering 19 days, 5 hours, and 25 minutes according to Audible! Not that I’m complaining, this series is, after all, one of my favorites. However, the audiobook format doesn’t necessarily complement Jordan’s long-winded prose. That said, I absolutely loved the narrations by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer!

My Experience with Audible

Audible, Amazon’s subscription-based audiobook service, was a great resource while I was subscribed. They occasionally offer free audiobooks, allowing you to explore genres beyond your usual preferences. While the service has become too expensive for me to sustain long-term, you can always suspend your subscription and reactivate it later. I have 104 titles in my Audible library.

Audiobook Recommendations

From time to time, I’ll post audiobook recommendations with brief, spoiler-free reviews. Some of these are books I’ve enjoyed in print, while others are titles I wouldn’t have picked up even if it was on the bargain bin in a bookstore, but found surprisingly engaging in audio format.

Some of my recommendations:

• Dune by Frank Herbert

A sci-fi epic set in a desert world where noble houses battle for control of the spice, the most valuable substance in the universe. It follows Paul Atreides as he navigates prophecy, politics, and survival.

• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A dystopian adventure set in a virtual reality universe called the OASIS, where players compete to solve puzzles left behind by its creator for a chance to inherit his fortune.

• Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (Narrated by Jim Dale)

The beloved fantasy series follows Harry Potter as he discovers his magical heritage, attends Hogwarts, and faces the dark wizard Voldemort.

• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

A gripping sci-fi novel about a gifted child, Ender Wiggin, who is trained in a battle school to lead humanity against an alien threat.

• American Gods by Neil Gaiman

A blend of mythology and modern fantasy, where ex-convict Shadow Moon is drawn into a war between old gods and new.

• The Sandman by Neil Gaiman

A dark, imaginative tale following Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, as he navigates the realms of gods, myths, and human existence. The original material was actually in graphic novel format. Pick the all-star ensemble cast version.

• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

A fast-paced thriller that follows symbologist Robert Langdon as he uncovers hidden secrets within religious history.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

A modern twist on Greek mythology, following Percy Jackson, a demigod, as he embarks on adventures to save the world.

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

A poignant love story between two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group and navigate life, love, and loss.

• The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

A witty novel about a young woman working for a ruthless fashion magazine editor, offering a glimpse into the high-stakes world of fashion.

• Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

A cyberpunk thriller set in a future where consciousness can be transferred between bodies, following a former soldier investigating a murder. I only picked up this title after watching the Netflix series.

Some of these, like The Devil Wears Prada, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Da Vinci Code, weren’t books I would have picked up in a book sale, but I thoroughly enjoyed their audiobook versions. As for Dune, I have to admit I have not read the books (preferring mostly fantasy over science fiction while I was growing up). Some science fiction, particularly the older ones, sometimes do not age well. Dune is definitely not one of those. It holds up quite well despite the fact that it was first published in June 1965. The voice acting is quite good with an ensemble cast (I quite enjoy these grand productions, which I have recently been exposed to).

If you have audiobook recommendations, feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to explore new titles!