The Audio Was Better.

smart phone with headphones

In many of my book reviews and recommendations I suggest that you try the audio version.  Audiobooks allow us to move through our reading lists more quickly; we can “read’ while performing tedious tasks. Stories have been passed down orally for millennia. We have mouths and ears. We are supposed to tell and we are built to listen.  Most libraries have a well-rounded selection, and Librivox offers many titles free. See the list below for some books which this bookseller believes are better heard than read:

TitleAuthorNarratorGenre(s)Why audio?
Once Upon a RiverDiane Setter-fieldJuliet Steven-sonMagical realism / British literatureLovely voice, unhurried pace
Lincoln in the BardoGeorge SaundersRainn Wilson, Nick Offerman, and othersLiterary fictionDon’t miss this star-studded performance.
The Member of the WeddingCarson McCullersSusan SarandonSouthern fiction / Coming of AgeAuthentic reading lends mood.
HeftLiz MooreKeith Szara-bajka, Kirby HeyborneAmerican literary fictionNarrators highlight the kindness of an unlikely hero.
Anything by David SedarisDavid SedarisDavid SedarisHumor, explicitSedaris’ voice causes full belly-laughs.
Anything by Liane MoriartyLiane MoriartyCaroline LeeChick litPerfect voice for this chick-lit drama.
Merrily Watkins SeriesPhil RickmanEmma Powell (first narrator was Rebecca Lacey)Spooky cozy mystery Quiet delivery evokes full moons and candles.
Flavia de Luce SeriesAlan BradleyJayne EntwistlePeriod British cozy mysteryEntwistle captures Flavia’s spirit perfectly.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache SeriesLouise PennyRalph Cosham, Robert BrathurstCozy crime fictionCosham passed in 2014; Brathurst is a worthy successor.
The Murmur of BeesSofia Segovia (translated by Simon Bruni)Xe Sands, Angelo Di LoretoMagical realismNarrators bring life to the story and set the perfect pace.
The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England and The Time Traveler’s Guide to Eliza-bethan EnglandIan MortimerJonathan Keeble, Mike GradyBritish historyNarrated with an informal wamth that keeps the reader’s interest.