A couple of weeks ago, I posted a question on Facebook, asking for audiobook recommendations. I thought it would be handy to compile the list I received before they get swallowed by Facebook history and impossible to find. 😉
I’ve never been a big audiobook listener. Up until now, I’ve listened to exactly two full works, and one partial. The two successful ones I listened to while knitting. The partial, I was just trying to get a handle on an accent and the accompanying spelling, so I just needed to compare the two for a few chapters. Which was all I could handle. Because I read fast, and the narrator, while very talented, read s-l-o-w, and I couldn’t handle it for long. I am not patient with such things, LOL.
In addition to my impatience, I also am rarely alone in a quiet environment. As in, one without interruptions. It never seemed feasible to really get any good listening in, when interruptions meant having to press a button and then find my place again, rather than just looking up from a page.
But here’s the thing. I told myself I was going to exercise more regularly this summer and (hopefully) create a good habit. But I hate exercise. I mean, seriously. It always feels like a time drain, drudgery, useless. I can enjoy walking, but I don’t have many places I can walk where I live. So I decided I would have to treat it like folding laundry, one of my other dreaded tasks–give myself something to look forward to. For laundry, that meant a TV show on Netflix or Prime that I picked out, just for me. (Unprecedented in my house, LOL. Usually, if someone hands me the remote, I just turn the set off.)
It worked for laundry. I now actually look forward to folding. I’ve watched the complete series of White Collar and Gilmore Girls like this, and now I’m just having fun with Say Yes to the Dress. So I’ve been experimentally using audio books as the same sort of incentive for exercise. And thus far, for the past two weeks, it’s been working like a charm!
My first book selection was based mainly on my Library’s limited Overdrive selection of Christian fiction. They had exactly 11 that were labeled such. Seven of which were Amish fiction, which isn’t my preference. Two others of which I’ve read. That sure narrowed down the choices! So I ended up selecting one I’ve long wanted to read–have on my shelf, as a matter of fact, in paperback, but never got around to. Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar. I’ve chatted with Tessa and greatly admire her, but I’d yet to pick up one of her books! Bad, Roseanna!
And it’s been amazing. Love it, and I can definitely see why she’s such a popular Bib-fic author! But I’ll be finishing it up in the next day or two, so it’s time to select my next read, hence revisiting the list of recommendations.
Here’s what’s come in already. I’d love to hear your rec’s, if they’re not already on there, and just to share these with you in case you’re also on the hunt!
I’ve divided these into genres…though I was working quickly, so if anything is mis-filed, don’t sue me. 😉 I didn’t divide out YA, and these are a mix of Christian and mainstream titles. I know that listening methods vary, so the links below will take you the book’s Goodreads page.
Rocket Men by Robert Kurson
Everybody Always by Bob Goff
The Survivor’s Club by Michael Bornstein
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
What If? By Randall Munroe
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Josiah’s Fire by Tahni Cullen
Soar! Build Your Vision from the Ground Up by T.D. Jakes
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
CONTEMPORARY
Some Wildflower in My Heart by Jamie Langston
A Damsel in Distress by P.G. Wodehouse
Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter
Elm Creek books by Jennifer Chiaverini
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal
The White House Chef series (mystery) by Julie Hyzy
First Responder Series by Loree Lough
Beneath the Surface by Lynn H. Blackburn
The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauk
Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper
Long Way Gone by Charles Martin
The Whole Town’s Talking by Fannie Flagg
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
Her One and Only by Becky Wade
HISTORICAL
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
Bleak Landing by Terrie Todd
Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Hidden Affection by Delia Parr
The Weaver’s Daughter by Sarah Ladd
A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
Rocky Mountain Oasis by Lynnette Bonner
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand
The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs
Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs
Walt Longmire (beware language) by Craig Johnson
The Virtues and Vices of the Old West series by Maggie Brendan
Edenbrooke and Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Hawthorne House series by Kristi Hunter
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
SPECULATIVE/SUPERNATURAL/SCI-FI/FANTASY
Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
End of Watch by Stephen King
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
The Cloak of Light
City Watch series by Terry Pratchett
The Finishing School series (steampunk) by Gail Carriger
Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
CHILDREN/FAMILY
The Green Ember by S.D. Smith
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
ANYTHING BY…
Dee Henderson
Julie Klassen
Laura Frantz
Tamera Alexander
Mary Conneally
MaryLu Tyndall
Frank Peretti
Jessica Dotta
Sarah Sundin
Dani Pettrey
Joel C. Rosenburg
Valerie Comer
Francine Rivers
Jen Turano
Susan Meissner
Jenn McKinlay
Lynn Cahoon
Becky Wade
Karen Witemeyer
Debra Clopton
Lisa Wingate
Denise Hunter
Rachel Hauk
Kristin Hannah
What is your favorite Audiobook?
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
My first audio-book, whose speed annoyed me so, was on CD, so I couldn't alter the speed. I've cranked them up a bit since though!
I'm late to reading this blog post, but (like you) I am newer to audiobooks. It took some regular listening to make me a convert, but I will always prefer my own inner reading voice and speed to that of an audiobook. Because I too go crazy with slow reading, I find I regularly listen with the speed at 1.25. If there is a strong accent in the narration, I will sometimes listen at regular speed in order to understand clearly.
One of my most favorite Christian fiction audiobooks is Like There's No Tomorrow by Camille Eide. Becky Dougty (narrator) does an amazing job with voice inflections and a Scottish accent.
I really enjoyed “God’s Daughter” by Heather Day Gilbert narrator Becky Doughty and “Healing Ruby Series” by Jennifer H. Westall and “Life After” by Katie Ganshert.
These were so good.
The Yada Yada Prayer Group is the first book in a series by Neta Jackson and it was wonderful! Very good narration too. And of course, At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon. Not that it helps you, but I’ve listened to
A Name Unknown three times! Also a MOST EXCELLENT series by Jenny B. Jones, starts with
In Between, a Katie Parker story. This is YA but will make you laugh and feel so joyful. It is christian fiction and deals with real issues but is sooo funny too. Really…do youself a favor and listen to these books!
You have so many good books on your list! I love the Mitford books, and Shauna Niequist, and Dee Henderson … wow you are in good hands. 🙂 I've actually never listened to an audiobook – I need the words on the page to focus me, otherwise my mind wanders away! Listening while performing other tasks sounds like a good idea … I'll have to keep that in mind!
I know exactly you mean, I think my library's Overdrive has like 12 Christian Fiction audiobooks, not many of which I'm actually interested in reading, I sometimes request that they buy ones I want to read, but even so their Christian Fiction selection doesn't seem to change much, sigh.
I think my favorite audiobook I've listened to so far has been A Song Unheard! 😀 The narrator does a fantastic job bringing all your amazing characters (and their accents!) to life! Have you read High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin, yet? If not, you totally should add it to your list, it's so so good, I think you would love it! I read it in print, but I have heard that the audio is fabulous too! 🙂