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Original poster

Audible recommendations for chemo

42 replies

namechange0998776554799000 · 06/08/2023 09:58

Have just started chemo and been too ill to watch the many hours of TV I'd downloaded. Planning to get an Audible trial and need some recommendations. I normally read crime/thrillers, but can't tolerate anything with any gore due to the sickness! Also don't want anything upsetting, emotional, too emotive. Not a big fan of romance and can't think of any biographies I'm particularly interested in. Any ideas?

OP posts:
foxp3 · 06/08/2023 21:47

WandaWonder · 06/08/2023 13:10

Is there anyone you like the voice of doing normal things like we like Bob Mortimer so when we go away next we are considering an audio book of his, just one example of a way to find some

Another is bill bryson

Literally came here to say Bill Bryson. The narrator is always the same (I think?) and I now have him in my head as actual Bill Bryson 😂
It's my late night can't sleep listening. Doesn't matter if your attention drifts. Very gentle humour.

Timeforabiscuit · 06/08/2023 21:41

There is a comedian named Todd Barry, and his voice and humour are so dead pan - both his live shows and book are excellent, his comedy is quite low key his voice is just so calming.

CattingAbout · 06/08/2023 21:36

If you haven't heard it already, the BBC comedy series Cabin Pressure is fab. It's really very funny, if you can find somwhere to stream/download it.

DisforDarkChocolate · 06/08/2023 19:29

I loved Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It made me feel joyful.

The Stranger Times is fun and a bit surreal. Excellent narrator which helps.

Humankind by Rutger Bregman will help you feel positive.

If you're in for a long time I loved A Dance to the Music of Time by Antony Powell, a definite glimpse into a lost world. 4 books in total.

Other Minds by Peter Godfrey-Smith, if you've ever had a possing interest in octopus this is the book for you.

I hope it all goes well.

OddBoots · 06/08/2023 19:27

Can you see if your local library supports Libby and/or Borrowbox so you can listen to their books and if you find you can't get into it you haven't lost out?

tarmum · 06/08/2023 19:25

Hi. Just finished ‘None of this is true’ by Lisa Jewell on Audible. It was more like a play as several voices plus short punchy chapters. I was so captivated I kept walking around the house with earphones. It’s a mystery drama, but nothing nasty. Wishing you well with the chemo.

TheDogsMother · 06/08/2023 19:21

For something a little lighter and humorous I really enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith's Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency and the rest of the series. These are from a while back but the series is still on Audible.

TwigTheWonderKid · 06/08/2023 19:07

Have you listed to or read The Cazalet Chronicles? Also The Forsytes

Riverlee · 06/08/2023 18:36

Patricia Fischer series
Albert and Rex series

both by Steve Higgs.

They cozy mystery series but very light, although decent stories. Nothing too taxing in them at all.

TV series I enjoyed when I’ll
Shakespeare and Hathaway (BBC) - another cozy mystery series, but superb
Mallory towers (BBC) - kids series but innocent and enjoyable

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Original poster
namechange0998776554799000 · 06/08/2023 13:20

Some good recommendations here and a great point about attention span - I was thinking I might struggle to follow a fiction plot...
I do like things like Mock the week, would I lie to you, so was thinking about some comedians to cheer me up. Will look at bob mortimer

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 06/08/2023 13:10

Is there anyone you like the voice of doing normal things like we like Bob Mortimer so when we go away next we are considering an audio book of his, just one example of a way to find some

Another is bill bryson

Cigarettesandbooze · 06/08/2023 13:08

Bozzicle · 06/08/2023 10:30

Been there too - I know how you feel.

I enjoyed Stephen Fry's Mythos, also Lessons In Chemistry, Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader was also perfect (and short - my attention span was shocking during chemo).

With you on the paltry attention span. One thing I noticed is I had no head for fiction at all. Could really only manage nonfiction.

Bozzicle · 06/08/2023 10:30

Been there too - I know how you feel.

I enjoyed Stephen Fry's Mythos, also Lessons In Chemistry, Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader was also perfect (and short - my attention span was shocking during chemo).

Cigarettesandbooze · 06/08/2023 10:28

I loved Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and read it when starting chemo. I wanted something kickass and it did the job perfectly.

CattingAbout · 06/08/2023 10:27

Lessons in Chemistry (Bonnie Garmus) is fab

Original poster
namechange0998776554799000 · 06/08/2023 10:16

Yes I've read Richard Osman's, very good light reading - more like those would be perfect

OP posts:
M0rT · 06/08/2023 10:03

Richard Osman's books could be good, they are crime but very gentle and humourous.
I watched things like dinner ladies on chemo, comfort tv.