Books That Are Better Enjoyed by Listening to the Audiobook

 

Audiobook versus paperback. Which side are you on? 

There are plenty of arguments as to which one is better for your memory and comprehension, but sometimes its good to enjoy an audiobook. Some fiction books are better on audiobook because a voice actor can bring the characters to life using different voice inflections or accents. A good voice actor takes your mind on an imaginary trip to the ends of the galaxy, back in time, or to another country. When reading a memior, hearing the author read the book adds a whole new meaning to it. Now you get to sit in the room with them and enjoy listening to the author tell their story. Especially when it comes to a celebrity memior, there is something about hearing their voice that makes for an enjoyable “read.” 

Audiobooks are easy to download and are the perfect way to make commutes and car trips more enjoyable. If you’re heading on a long journey to see family this holiday season, you’ll want to listen to these books on audio along the way.

Born a Crime by Trever Noah

Trever Noah, the host of The Daily Show, published his memior in 2016 about his life growing up in South Africa. Born a Crime is fitting for this coming of age tale about Noah as a rebellious child. He describes the tough times he lived in South Africa while there were still segregation laws. Noah’s voice inflections and accent puts you right there in his childhood home when he misbehaved!

Educated by Tara Westover

In her debut novel, Tara Westover’s gripping memior recounts her life growing up with a father who didn’t believe in going to school. The story is very emotional and she shows that emotion as if you were sitting in a lecture hall listening to her give a presentation. Her tone of voice emphasizes that she doesn’t hate her family for the way she grew up.

A Polaroid Guy in a Snapchat World by David Spade

Former SNL and comedic actor David Spade hides nothing in his raw and hilarious memior. Both the book’s content and the actor’s performance of the audio version is the perfect listen for any fan of Spade’s comedy.

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

Books in a series are always fun to listen to as the same voice actors read each story. Especially with The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan. The way the books are written gives off the feeling that they’re actually recordings, making it ideal for them to be an audiobook. Also, the two narrators, Kevin R. Free and Katherine Kellgren, do a fantastic job voicing the main characters in the story.

Sherlock Holmes’ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Voice actor Stephen Fry is a legend in the audiobook community. He was the voice of the Harry Potter Series and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Now he is the voice of Sherlock Holmes’. Fry’s diverse background in the arts makes him one of the most sought after voice actors. Each character in the novel is well represented by the various accents and personalities that Fry voices.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Books that take place in the future or on another planet are sometimes better off enjoyed with the audio version. Authors who create far-out languages or use a language foreign to you gives the story more depth. However, this extra element can sometimes get you bogged down if you’re reading it via the physical copy. A Clockwork Orange is one example of a book with wacky language. It is set in the future and follows the main character, Alex, who talks in a fantastically inventive slang. A brilliant novel to listen to!

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

Davinia Porter is the talented voice behind the entire Outlander series. If you know the books, you know how long thy are. Porter moves flawlessly from character to character throughout the series. Porter comes from a family where her father was English, and her mother was Scottish. Having two accents under her belt adds such incredible depth to the books!

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet

The Pillars of the Earth is a lengthy book, but when you have John Lee narrating it, the story moves quickly. His cadence pops up and down, giving emphasis where most narrators would use tone. The creative efforts of Follet matched with Lee’s narration makes Pillars of the Earth one more book to add to your reading list.

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison

How’s this for a change? The author of the fictional short story, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream narrates the book himself. Ellison does an outstanding job voicing the paranoid character Ted, as he faces the godlike supercomputer antagonist. A fun side fact, you can also find this story on Youtube.

The Cormoran Strike Series by Robert Galbraith

The Cormoran Strike Series is another book narrated by the author. Unquestionably, the voice work is perfect for every single character. Moreover, the use of accents is phenomenal and often plays into the story. The acting verifies the thought about how much flatter the story would be if you read it in the print version.

Students beware. It may seem like a good idea to get an assigned novel on audio to get through it quicker. Having the paperback version has its advantages when it comes time to write an essay or take an exam about what you just read. Learn to read more material in less time without sacrificing comprehension with one of our online speed reading courses. Learn more today!