audiobooks that are better than the physical book
audiobook recs!!!!
This post is not about whether audiobooks are reading, if you want to having boring discourse, go somewhere else. This post is about some of my favourite audiobooks! Six books that are genuinely almost better for having been listened to rather than read physically.
Before we get into each book, I made a quiz for you to get your own perfect rec off this list! Results at end end!
Daisy Jones and the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones and the Six follows the story of a fictional rock band, their tumultuous journey to fame and how they eventually fell apart.
The story is told in the format of transcribed interviews with band members, lovers, managers, journalists, the list goes on. It’s a book that is literally written to be listened to. The audiobook is narrated by Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, and Pablo Schreiber, each of whom do an insanely good job at distinctly voicing all the different characters. The emotions of each character come though in a way that really elevates the story and heightens the intensity of the already tense relationships.
The TV adaptation of this book is also genuinely great, and there is an album on spotify of the fictional songs in the book. If you wanted to you could really create an immersive reading experience between the audiobook and the album.
Yellowface - R.F Kuang
Yellowface is truly a trip, a story about author, Juniper Hayward, who after witnessing the death of a fellow author, Athena Liu, steals her manuscript and sells it as her own. What follows is an insane journey, where Juniper justifies her increasingly outlandish and controversial actions.
Juniper is an unreliable narrator, and the entire action of the book is very much influenced by her warped perception, so the audiobook makes you feel like you’re trapped inside her mind. It’s written in first person, which means that in audiobook form, you feel especially immersed in Juniper’s mind.
The book is incredible on its own, and covers really important themes, but the audiobook format really turns up the dials on the psychological thriller aspects of the story. Narrated by Helen Laser, this story, and audiobook, are truly one of a kind.
The Briar Club - Kate Quinn
If you are a reader of the weekly digest’s you will have seen me rave about this book already. The Briar Club, follows a group of women from all walks of life, all brought together in the boarding house they live in. The novel is historical fiction set in in the 50’s, but the characters are really what make this story shine.
In audiobook format, these women are impossible not to fall in love with. The novel follows a structure of long chapters, each following a different Briar House woman, all narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. Maarleveld voices each character distinctively and and with phenomenal emotion. They all sound like their own people, but there isn’t that sense of the narrator really putting on a voice that you sometimes get in audiobooks. Especially since the characters in this story have a slew of different accents.
The story is told in a limited third person point of view, where the house itself also features as a character, so in audiobook format you really get the feeling of being a fly on the wall during it all. Supremely satisfying novel, and addicting audiobook.
I’m Glad My Mom Died - Jennette McCurdy
I’m Glad My Mom Died is the autobiography of iCarly star Jennette McCurdy (Sam).
The book is written in first person and narrated by McCurdy herself. It makes for a very intimate listening experience. McCurdy’s voice - if you watched iCarly as a teen - is intensely nostalgic, which juxtaposes the intense content of the book in a strange and satisfying way. The book is introspective and honestly details some pretty harrowing experiences, but is earnestly written and delivered. It’s a book you won’t be able to stop thinking about and in audiobook format feels like a listening to a friend.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Series (TSIP) - Jenny Han
TSIP series follows a messy love triangle between Isabella (Belly) and two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah throughout their teenage and early adult years. It’s a charming and story that does hit some emotional beats well, namely the relationship between their mothers, who are best friends.
The series is by no means particularly great on its own, BUT the audiobooks are narrated by the actors from the tv adaptation— which is shockingly good.
The actors all have fantastic voices and are really acting their roles rather than just narrating them. It makes the story all the more compelling, and if you’ve ever heard Lola Tung speak, you’ll know what I mean when I say that she has the kind of voice you could listen to for hours.
If you’re looking for a fun, summery, easy story, this is the listen for you— especially in preparation for the third season coming out July 16th.
The Girl on The Train - Paula Hawkins
This extremely popular, decade old, psychological thriller follows a troubled woman named Rachel, who imagines a fictionalised life for a couple she watches through the window of her commuter train very day. Her illusion of the couple she names “Jess and James,” falls apart after she sees something shocking, this event leads her down a path of secrets, lies, and intrigue.
Psychological thrillers are just made to be listened to, and Girl on the Train is no exception. Listening to the inner workings of the characters minds heightens the dizzying and suspenseful way this story is told. Written in first person, it is of course, all the more immersive as an audiobook.
Narrated by Clare Corbett, Louise Brealey, and India Fisher, the story comes to life and will have you on the edge of your seat. It is also one of the shorter audiobooks on this list at about 10 hours, which is great for how addicting this story is.
Quiz Results!
Mostly A: Daisy Jones and the Six OR Yellowface
Mostly B: The Briar Club OR The Summer I Turned Pretty
Mostly C: I’m Glad My Mom Died OR The Girl on The Train
I had so much fun writing this post! Audiobooks are sometimes just a means to an end, but when they’re good, they’re so good! Let me know if I convinced you to pick up any of these! And remember to always listen to the preview before buying an audiobook, they’re there for a reason!