by Victoria Bromley
Over the past few months I’ve listened to many audiobooks, and I hope this list serves as helpful guidance for selecting your next audiobook, or persuade you to mix up your reading habits and give audiobooks a go.
It feels criminal to admit that I only started listening to audiobooks last December. I wasn’t well versed in audiobook subscription services and the fear of a boring narrator put me off. Then, when I was challenged with reading a book in a day to meet an author interview deadline, I downloaded the free trial on Audible, and my reading habits haven’t been the same since. Now I want to read at least one audiobook a month.
While audiobooks are a different experience to reading a physical/ e book, the process of digesting a story and being immersed in the world the writer creates in our mind’s eye is just the same. Perceiving audiobooks as not “proper reading” is not only closed minded, and discriminatory towards the visually impaired, but limits the way many people read and enjoy books.
Dear Dolly by Dolly Alderton
Narrated by Dolly Alderton herself, Dear Dolly is a source of big sisterly advice on love, relationships, friends and family. It was one of my New Year’s resolutions to read more non fiction, and after adoring Everything I Know About Love, I knew I should read more of Dolly’s worthy wisdom. It made me reflect on my own experiences and perspectives. I love how Dolly is never judgemental and serves as a healthy reminder to be kind to yourself and others.
While I haven’t read the hardback, listening to the audiobook made it all the more poignant, as Dolly spoke emphatically on her views and worldly advice.
I’m glad my mom died by Jennette McCurdy
Everyone and their dog has read this memoir, and I am here to reiterate how much of a powerhouse this book is. Narrated by Jennette herself, her story packs a punch as she shares her story of trauma, abuse, and growing up in the entertainment industry from a very young age.
It was so heart wrenching to learn how much Jennette struggled throughout the years from the hands of her own mother. This memoir is just as striking as the title suggests, and the audiobook makes it an utterly unforgettable read.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (narrated by Rachel McAdams)
Having Amazon Prime means my Audible subscription grants me access to a library of many audiobook titles for free. I had wanted to read Anne of Green Gables for a while, a book my childhood self was yearning to finally read. When I saw a version of the book narrated by Rachel McAdams included in my subscription, I knew it would be fantastic.
As an actress, Rachel brought the story to life. Her characterisation of Anne was so endearing. For me, the narrator will dictate whether I listen to an audiobook or not, even if it’s a book I’ve been wanting to read for ages; but if the narrator irritates me or their tone is too flat, I’ll buy the physical book instead. As I knew Rachel McAdam’s voice, and found her tone so soothing, it was the perfect match.
The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk
Now we come to the book which took my audiobook virginity. When I was interviewing Lindsey Kelk for an article with The Publishing Post last December, it was very last minute as I was unsure if the interview was going ahead until four days before my deadline. Determined to meet the deadline, I downloaded Audible, chose The Christmas Wish for my free trial, and devoured it in one day.
Stuck in a perpetual time loop, Gwen relives the same tragic Christmas Day at her parents’ house, searching for the anecdote to escape the Groundhog Day turmoil she’s trapped herself in. While you may want to hold off and put this book on your wish list for next Christmas, I highly recommend you give the audiobook a go for this one. The accents for the different characters were spot on, and made the romcom even more hilarious.
Take a chance on me by Beth Moran
Another book I swiped from the free catalogue for Prime members. Romcoms are my favourite genre to listen to as audiobooks because, while I often find romcoms cringey, having the book performed gives the characters more personality and wit.
The story follows Emma and Cooper. He has loved Emma’s sister, Bridgett, since they met at university studying neuroscience together, but she is about to marry her childhood sweetheart. The professor Bridgett works for agrees to a bet to conduct a compatibility test where they find two people, marry them, and see if they fall in love. Emma is the last of all her sisters to get married, and this compatibility test may be her only hope.
The absurdity of crazy professors and taking a leap of faith was brought to life by the humour and theatricality of the narration. It was a very fun and joyful little read.
Let us know your favourite audiobooks! We’re always looking for new recommendations.
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