Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Audiobook recommendations- shall we share our highlights & duds??

260 replies

Movingonmymind · 01/01/2016 14:25

So far, I have loved The Paying Guests, Christmas Carol (narrated by Tom Baker), Pompeii by Robert Harris. Also non-fiction Pompeii by Mary Beard and Born to Run. HATED Harry Quebert affair as badly-written, sexist tripe and also a cheapy Northanger Abbey download with a really clangy narration- should have forked out for the Juliet Stevenson narration. Wondering what next and any alternative sites to Amazon/audible?

OP posts:
Quogwinkle · 01/01/2016 18:09

I loved Alan Cummings' autobiography Not My Father's Son too. I had no idea he had had such a dreadful childhood. But it isn't a misery memoir (which I don't like).

For me, the best audio book last year was A God In Ruins by Kate Atkinson, read by Alex Jennings. Was superb.

Sometimes I like to download the classics for free from Librivox, which you can get as podcasts via iTunes. And audio books from the library via Overdrive.

Original poster
Movingonmymind · 01/01/2016 17:10

Love his character in the Good Wife. So he's Scottish. Who knew?! Another one for my wish list, thanks!

OP posts:
applecatchers36 · 01/01/2016 17:05

Alan Cummings autobiography ' not my fathers son' was powerful. Lot's of twist & turns, great narration. Enjoyed it a lot.

Original poster
Movingonmymind · 01/01/2016 17:02

Wpw, really? Had no idea- seem audiobookd there but not to download, shall check mine now.

OP posts:
verona · 01/01/2016 17:00

I download audiobook from my local library with overdrive app. Choice and quality
a bit limited but it's free.

Original poster
Movingonmymind · 01/01/2016 16:44

Listening to a sample of BB, fab! Never heard such a breathless, energetic rendition, so much joie de vivre. And he's a trained undertaker?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Movingonmymind · 01/01/2016 16:37

Thanks, found that- seen a couple of those via Google search before, think it's all down to the quality of the individual narrator. Am quite fussy and impatient, i think!

Love Robert Powell, but can't find his version Sad, BBC is missing a trick there. Also Brian Blessed, shall check out that autobio, thanks!

OP posts:
Gliblet · 01/01/2016 16:14

If you can access Youtube, look up an account called "Free audiobooks for intellectual exercise" - they've put up audio versions of a lot of out-of-copyright books. I've mostly listened to the HP Lovecraft audiobooks from their list and they're very well read.

If you see a copy, I got my mum Brian Blessed's autobiography as an audiobook for Christmas, read by the man himself - it's an excellent recording. And if you see it available anywhere the BBC did an adaptation of Alan Garner's 'Weirdstone of Brisingamen' years ago read by Robert Powell. I had it on cassette but would pay good money to get my hands on a digital/downloadable recording. Quite apart from the story being fabulous Robert Powell is an excellent narrator.

Original poster
Movingonmymind · 01/01/2016 15:57

Thanks, shall chrck those out Smile. Struggle to find a working cd pksyer in this house so limited to £££ audio doenloads.

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 01/01/2016 15:35

I have an unabridged version of mansfield park which is favourite Austen and is very well done.

I have a drama adapation of tale of two cities which I got from the works a couple of years ago which I really enjoyed.

I can recommend the chronicles of barchester which were dramatised on radio four - obviously abridged but I enjoyed them.

I finally found a copy of the hobbit and Lord of the rings radio dramatisations which I enjoy and last year an unabridged reading of all the books. I love both these versions though i appreciate not everyone likes Tolkien.

I have two audio collections for austen and Dickens. Both have various books on but they are abridged down to two or three hours. They are ok.

At the moment I'm about to start listening to sense and sensibility and sea monsters which I bought in a charity shop yesterday for £1 - I don't have high expectations!

I love audio books. I have loads! I'm drowning in CDs and books Smile