So what are you listening to?
We really love audio books here in the library, and this is one of the most common questions that you’ll hear if you hang around the librarians at the reference desk.
To me there is nothing better than finding a great story with a great narrator. Listening to a book can make a story come alive in ways that are completely unexpected. I am a fast reader, and I find that (while listening) I don’t skim over things as I might do when reading the written word. Sometimes, this can make me cringe…for instance, when listening to A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon, I found myself wanting to fast forward as the protagonist mutilated himself as he suffered a mental breakdown. However, even though that was difficult to listen to, it was incredibly well written and quite thought provoking. The author delved into the mind set of the character and forced the reader (or listener in this case) to take notice. I wouldn’t have had the same experience had I been reading the book because I’m a bit squeamish and would probably have skimmed over it.
Most of the time, however, it simply makes me slow down and appreciate the lyrical language that the authors use in telling their stories. While listening to the Book Thief by Marcus Zusak I found myself spending unnecessary time in my car so I wouldn’t have to leave the heartbreaking world of young Liesel Meminger struggling to grow up in Nazi Germany. The narrator, Allan Corduner, did a wonderful job of portraying the tone of the book and the nuances of the language that I may not have fully grasped while reading the book.
Those are two of my favorite audio books. I surveyed the staff and found out a few more. The following are all favorites of the staff here in the library.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards
Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons
Wicketts Remedy by Myla Goldberg (read by the author)
Year of Wonders read by Josephine Bailey
Kite Runner by Hosseini (read by the author)
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Fuller
Family Favorites:
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Juliet Dove, Queen of Love by Bruce Coville
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Favorite narrators: C. J. Krit, Dick Hill, Stephen White, Simon Vance, Anna Fields, Jim Dale
This can be pretty subjective, so if you don’t agree with our list, let us know and tell us who YOU love!
