Today, I honor books in audio format and the narrators who bring them vividly to life. I listen more and more audio so I’m glad to have a category to honor my favs. These are in random order.
In the Dark by Loreth Ann White, narrated by Susan Hanfield, thriller
Slow build to riveting, mastery of a huge cast of characters and the mounting tension in the story.
Who Speaks for the Damned by CS Harris, narrated by Davina Porter, historical mystery
Characters, Setting, and plot are fab, stellar storyteller and enhanced an already fantastic story.
The Ladies Room by Carolyn Brown, narrated by Donna Postel, women’s fic
Starting over in mid-life and everyday happenings, voice brought story to life and gave color the the people with good accent
Network Effect by Martha Wells, narrated by Kevin R. Free, sci-fi
Murderbot and Art 4evR, brings the non-human to life and natural at suspense building with a nice degree of wit to leaven things
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, narrated by Kim Mai Guest, Johnathan McClain, Candice Moll, Lincoln Hoppe, Donnabella Mortel, Jonathan Todd Ross, Erin Spencer, and Steve West, Young Adult Sci-Fi
Strong plot and exciting scenes, a cast that matched the characters so I felt I was there and captured the sci-fi genre well
First Place Witch by Danielle Garrett, narrated by Amanda Ronconi, Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Fun and light, great continuity of voices across the series, prize for voicing a hilarious ghost cat
The Tory by TJ London, narrated by Shane East, Tara Langela, Patrick Zeller, and Marnye Young, Historical Fiction
Grew the main characters, authentic backdrop, and engaging, exciting voice portrayals eliciting so much emotion.
Below the Bones by Kendra Elliot, narrated by Christine Williams, Romantic Suspense
Atmospheric and engaging, took me right inside the story and lives of characters.
Down the Long Hills by Louis L’Amour, narrated by Michael Crouch, Western fiction
Exciting survival adventure, vocalized children and adults with equal prowess with a flavor of the west.
Lydia Bennet: The Pilgrim by Don Jacobson, narrated by Amanda Berry, Time Travel Romance.
Drew the emotions, main character growth, details, and narrator captured large cast, accents, and time periods superbly.
So, those are my top audio picks. Any catch your eye? Have your own fav audios from this year’s listening? Do Tell!
My thanks to Anne @ Books Are My Heart for hosting the event. Here’s the link to her info page if you want to check out her blog and further about the week-long event: https://booksofmyheart.net/2020/11/29/top-10-of-2020/
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Kaufman and Kristoff’s audiobooks are always so good. They go hard on the production with them.
I agree. It feels like I’m right in the middle of the action.
Some amazing choices. There are several here I enjoyed too. Thanks for joining our celebration of special reads of this year.
Anne – Books of My Heart
Thank you, Anne! One of my more challenging lists this week since I judged on the balance of story and narration work.
YES!! So happy to see THE TORY on your list. It was one of my favorites, too. The Traitor is coming Spring 2021!
It had to be there. 🙂
It looks like you had a great year of audio listens, I just love how those narrators really awaken a story for us.
I haven’t listened to any of these, but I do have Kendra Elliot on my watchlist.
I’ve loved every Kendra Elliot book I’ve listened to and am glad I have several more to go. 🙂 You are so right about the gift the narrators contribute to the stories.
And again, I haven’t read/listened to any of these. However, I’m a fan if Loreth Ann White. I didn’t get this one because it sounded so much like others. Like 10 Little Indians. Still tempted though. My favorite listen this year was probably The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
This was my first Loreth Ann White so it was all new for me. I was enthralled. 🙂
Oh, I’d not heard of your fav. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks, Lorna!
It’s so unique Sophia. I loved it. Also, if you have KU there’s several of White’s books/series to listen/read for free.
I do have KU for the next two months. I’ll have to see about that backlist of hers. 🙂
The Tory was awesomeeee!
Yes!!!!
These all sound like great listens. I’ve only heard of the narrator Amanda Ronconi and I’ve listened to the first Beechwood Harbor book which I enjoyed. Two of my favorite listens this year were Bonds of Brass and a Flock and a Fluke.
Amanda Ronconi and Nicole Poole were a pair of my favs since my first audios. I look forward to a re-read of Bonds of Brass and I’ll be it’s even better in audio.
I loved In the Dark, too! The audio was wonderful, the story gave me an Agatha Christie vibe.
Yes! Total And Then There Were None chiller. 🙂