Audible books to run to

[Phun]

Any recommendations?

I’m doing C25K and getting to the longer runs and music isn’t doing it for me any more.

I’m after something absorbing but fairly fast paced, nothing too highbrow. Preferably female authors, but will take male if you can guarantee well written female characters that aren’t just plot points/wish fulfilment for male characters.

What has been your favourite recently?

Oooooh - I'm watching this with interest! I only ever listen to audio books when running. I can't cope with anything too 'complicated' on audio, so I have to select carefully.

I listened to Marian Keyes 'Grown Ups' last year. I reckon anything by her would be good on audio. I'm currently listening to Graham Norton's latest book, which is a very easy listen (apparently his first 2 books were better though).

Mike Gayle books are also easy listens.

Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club saw me through a few long runs (although I'm not quite sure how it got to the top of the best seller list for so long - it was enjoyable but not that amazing!)

My favourite listen so far has been The Beekeeper of Aleppo. I half listened, half read. It was narrated by Art Malik, and I could have listened to him reading out loud all day long. Almost made me want to train for another marathon...

I would suggest always listening to the sample before you download. If the narrator really grates on you it will drive you mad. I've had to abandon a couple of things for that reason.

Not audio books, but I love the Radio 4 comedy shows to run to - I'm sorry I haven't a clue, The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, Just a Minute etc.

And I am also partial to the Popmaster Podcast!

Both on BBC Sounds.

Thanks @ReviewingTheSituation, I have tried various podcasts but not the Radio 4 shows you mention, I’ll give them a go 🙂

I didn’t know Graham Norton had written books!

Mike Gayle looks just the thing too.

Station eleven

Ready player one

Outlander books are very fast paced and absorbing with brilliant narrator.

I think you can get the Flight of the Conchords BBC comedy. So funny.

What about the Michelle Obama book.

@Guineapigbridge

I think you can get the Flight of the Conchords BBC comedy. So funny.

What about the Michelle Obama book.

The Michelle Obama book was a recent success, but I generally prefer fiction so didn’t want to get off track by mentioning it

@PanicBuyerOfGin

Outlander books are very fast paced and absorbing with brilliant narrator.

Sounds promising!

Not fiction, but I have just finished Hungry by Grace Dent which I loved .

Not what you asked at all but I listen to podcasts for running and there’s some brilliant ones out there

Podcasts don’t have enough narrative. I need something strong enough to distract me from the endless ‘this is too hard, perhaps I should stop for a bit’ thoughts 😄

Perhaps I’ll go back to them once I’m casually running 5k three times a week…

Harry Potter. But I can only run to books I know well, so that when I zone out it doesn't matter.

Anything by Graham Norton, love his melodic voice very distracting.
Playing Nice by JP Delaney was nail biting and I enjoyed.
I listen when running or walking as well.

When I did couch 25k I listened to Jurassic Park :)

Doesn’t at all fit your female criteria but anything by John LeCarre sprang to my mind when I read your title. Excellent as audiobooks, v engaging

On a similar note, Agatha Christie can be great fun storytelling and it doesn’t matter if you drift in and out a bit. I can’t listen to anything anyway literary when running as o can’t concentrate enough

Not for everyone but I like listening to audio books of books I've already read, maybe years previously not just read!
I find I sometimes have skimmed over parts whilst reading that I listen to. But also if I do miss any of it, doesn't matter too much as I know what's happening.
Works for me

The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman would fit the bill nicely - female author and protagonist and lots of action. It's fantasy with very clever magic built around libraries, books and language.

The Strike books by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling).

I have listened to 5 by John Boyne and find them thoroughly absorbing. The main characters are men, but I found the female characters well-drawn, particularly in The Heart's Invisible Furies.

While running this year have listened to Half of a Yellow Sun (excellent), Hamnet (also excellent), The Pull of the Stars, American Dirt, The Lying Life of Adults and now listening to Americanah. All good enough to distract me and really enjoyed them all.
I second The Heart’s Invisible Furies - if doing male authors.

I loved Hamnet! I think I got more from listening to it than I would have if I'd read it. I also loved The Pull of the Stars.

I like the suggestion of listening to books I’ve already read, and the Strike books would fit with that.