Best audio books you can recommend?

Forgot to add: even if I’ve read it already, I can go time and time again to Michael Palin Reading his travel books. Whereas i’ve found the narrators of Bill Bryson’s books to be... patchy. Not all narrators are born equal, and getting the author to read their own book doesn’t always work.

Michelle Obama’s book was actually relatively light on the politics. I listened to it (I don’t listen to much) but I guess the White House was perhaps less than a third of the book. I very much enjoyed it, as much for hearing about her background and her family growing up and her work life balance issues.

“If you belong to a library you can listen to audio books for free.”

I do this too but I have to fill in a lot of gaps with paid for books

I'm currently listening to the complete BBC radio series of John Le Carre's Smiley book, read by Simon Russell Beale and the cast. Really good, especially enjoying then in order.

I’m “rereading” terry Pratchett in audiobook form at the moment. Previously enjoyed rereads of lots of Dickens, Eliot, Gaskell and Trollope in audio form. They are long and meaty books

I loved the narration of fingersmith, and the rivers of London books are well read. Burial rites by Hannah Kent was excellent. Also Robert Galbraith

If you belong to a library you can listen to audio books for free.

Btw you can get audiobooks for free from the library but the choice is a bit limited.

I know why the caged bird sings, Maya Angelou, her autobiography, was very good.

I wonder if I might not have loathed The Goldfinch as much if I’d listened to it

Yy to west Cork. Also not audible but the podcast of S town is great

I can't see a 2 for 1 Sale on audible though think I've bought all I want from the bogof sales

My favourite of the last year is
Where the crawdads sing

Also in no order

Restoration - Rose Tremain
The examined life
Our endless numbered days
The power of one (and sequel-Tandia)
A little life
His bloody project
Circe & song of Achilles
The silent companions
Asking for it
Everyone brave is forgiven
All the Neapolitan novels - my brilliant friend etc, (but speed needs to be 1.5 imo due to narrator)
Jess Kidd & Sally Rooney - both great!

'West Cork' on Audible was really fascinating. When I began it I didn't realise it was a true story which makes it tragic. I was very absorbed by it.

Oh and

Life Class and Toby's Room by Pat Barker read by various

IQ84 & Lianne Moriarty good here too.

Please let us know some of your faves too! Hope you make a fast recovery. I have loved

The goldfinch
The hearts invisible furies
Any Sarah Waters
Any Amy Tan
Eleanor & Park
Why be happy when you could be normal
Currently on the crimson petal & the white-vg

Will have to check my account as I've gone blank!

Off the top of my head I've really enjoyed

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters narrated by Juliet Stephenson

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier read by Anna Massey

The Girls by Lisa Jewell read by Gabrielle Glaister

The Regeneration Trilogy by Pat Barker read by Peter Firth.

I think the good narrators make all the difference.

I like non fiction 20th century history as well!

And there is currently a 2 for 1 sale on Audible...

Good housekeeping are giving an audio book free each month if you fancy a magazine to read. Good offers on subscription

I like Fiona Barton books, they are a good listen.

Sweetpea and In Bloom by CJ Skuse. It has its own thread on MN that was start recently. Dark, funny and inappropriate.

I second Lianne Moriarty

I particularly enjoyed the audio versions of Naomi Novik's two fantasy novels Spinning Silver & Uprooted.

Looking through my book lists, ones I've listened to & thought good from the last couple of years include:

Damien le Bas - The Stopping Places (kind of autobiography, read by the author)
Matthew Despond - Evicted: Poverty & Profit in the American City (sociological investigation, long but really excellent & very well read)
Serhil Plokhy - Chernobyl: history of a tragedy
Oliver Burkeman - The Antidote: Happiness for people who hate positive thinking (kind of an anti-self-help book, I've listened to this several times)
Marcus du Sautoy - What We Cannot Know (read by the author, does what it says on the tin, not only fascinating but I wanted to kidnap him & make him talk to me about science forever, he has a wonderful voice)
Neal Stephenson - Snowcrash (obviously a classic, but I enjoyed it on audio)
William Gibson / Bruce Sterling - The Difference Engine (I've always found this unreadable despite being a classic, but it worked brilliantly for me as an audiobook)

As you can see I mostly like non-fiction / SFF, so maybe a bit different from your usual tastes.

I found listening to the HPs a new experience! And it’s great value to get them using credits too.

Lianne Moriarty books are read by a brilliant Australian who really brings the characters to life IMO.

I have been slowly plotting through the Matthew Bartholomew series - terribly formulaic medieval whodunnits but I enjoy the characters and the narration. They’re my easy listening.

Also the Chronicles of St Mary’s series.

All of these are enjoyable but not challenging.

I found the HP audiobooks read by Stephen Fry added greatly to the written text.

Most of the Marian Keyes I've listened too on audiobook was good.

The new Malcolm Gladwell “talking to strangers” is excellent.

The sisters brothers - absolutely brilliant- have recommended to several and all have thoroughly enjoyed it