So for the last few months, I've been walking ~6 miles every night and part of what gets me out the door when I really don't feel like it is that I listen to audiobooks on my iPhone.
So far, I've listened to
1) about half of the Dark Tower series (good, but actually about halfway through The Wastelands and I got kind of bored).
2) Savages by Winslow - it was okay, but there are significant parts of it that are Valley Girl speech or thinking and listening to that in a guy's voice was... disconcerting.
3) Right now, I'm about halfway through the second book in The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie and these books are great! I was turned onto them by a recommendation on the podcast and so far they have delivered, but I figure that I only have about 3 more weeks and I'm be finished the third in the trilogy.
So, recommend me some audiobooks!
I'm driving to work now (about 30 minutes), so I've been doing some audiobooking on the way.
I tried listening to The Hunger Games trilogy...but the prose was as stilted as the delivery. I had to stop.
Picked up Gary Vanyerchuk's Thank You Economy, and if you ever watched Wine Library TV, you know what you're getting. As far as business books go, this is fairly entertaining, and Gary goes off script every couple of minutes to update the book, do a shout out, or just goof around. Well worth some audible credits.
Currently working on Simon Sinek's Start With Why. There's some very good ideas in this book, but Sinek's over reliance on Steve Jobs and Apple as an example borders on necrophilia.
I'll update some Fiction when I can.
George R R Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice is great. All but one book is done by Roy Dotrice, who is amazing.
Both versions of the Harry Potter series (US and UK) are well done from a voice perspective. I had no intent to listen to them, but had gotten the first one from the library for my step daughter and got hooked based on the voice work as much as the fiction.
The Dresden books are pretty good. They're narrated by James Marsters who played Spike in Buffy. First couple of books he was kind of getting the hang of audiobooks, but they get better as he adapts to the genre.
Another series that's great is Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. Great fantasy humor done read very well.
I've only done the audio of one of these, but The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentlemen Bastards) by Scott Lynch is a good caper fantasy book.
I've enjoyed several of the Neil Gaiman books, and he even reads some of them himself.
This is off the top of my head. I'm sure I can come up with more that I've enjoyed.
I listen to tons of audiobooks. Probably one a week. Currently going back to listen to Cryptonomicon by Neil Stephenson.
If people are put off by the high costs of audiobooks, I'd recommend your library. You can check out tons of books on CD, but you also download tons from many libraries for free through the Overdrive service. Check your library's website to see if they have some kind of download option. Sometimes there's a wait list for popular stuff, but with their growing catalog, I still always have something to listen to.
Some are downloaded as MP3's that are the easiest to deal with, others can be converted to an iOS supported DRM. But I listen to them on my cheap Sansa Clip MP3 player that handles even their WMA time limited downloads. The files for the wma files are time limited, but I've found that as long as I've loaded them to the Clip, you can play them forever, you just can't transfer them to another device once the check out expires. And the Clips also supports Audible.
It also doesn't eat my valuable phone battery. (There's still an Overdrive app if you want that, and they also have ebooks as well).
If you can't tell, I've gone all in on audiobooks in the last ten years. It started when I was covering a bunch of sites across the state of TN to make the drives easier, but now I listen all the time around the house, when doing yardwork, during commutes, etc.
I've made audiobooks from BBC radio doing Terry Pratchett stories. I also have the BBC doing Oscar Wilde and others. Mostly you have to torrent the radio shows, since you can't listen to them, but to the best of my knowledge, it's not breaking any laws unless you were doing it for profit. I'll email you the files if you want to drop me a note via gwjmail with your address.
I use Chapter and Verse to compile other audio things into audio books. http://lodensoftware.com/chapter-and...
For example, I love Daniel Pinkwater, and on his site, he's read a few of his books. You can download each file, then use C&V to compile them into a single file which still has chapter stops and everything. It's a brilliant bit of shareware. I've used it with podcasts too. Like NPRs "Selected Shorts" podcast, where I wanted to put certain themes or actors together for a car trip or whatever. And old radio shows from the national archives...just all kinds of stuff you can turn into an audiobook.
I too advocate the Overdrive Media service.
As for what to listen to:
Ender's Game series
Ringworld series
King Killer Chronicles
anything by Isaac Asimov, there is a ton of it out there
most things by Vernor Vinge
there are a lot of Star Wars audiobooks
The Empire of Man trilogy by David Weber and John Ringo
I've lost count of how many audiobooks I have listened but, as I think of more I'll list them.
Iron Druid Chronicle series and Jeff Somer's books are some of my favorite audibles.
I also love everything by Pratchett as well.
Also personally I'm completely stoked by finally being able to find some Steven Brust books as audible. They released 18 so far in the past couple months.
The best audiobook I've come across is World War Z. I belief it's abridged, but it has a really good cast.
I like that as well.
Iron Druid Chronicle series and Jeff Somer's books are some of my favorite audibles.
I also love everything by Pratchett as well.
Also personally I'm completely stoked by finally being able to find some Steven Brust books as audible. They released 18 so far in the past couple months.
The Iron Druid stuff is on Overdrive. Cool. I'll check those out.
Not an audio book, but have you heard We're Alive? I see people talking about World War Z, so this narrative podcast might be ip your alley.
I enjoyed World War Z also. Unabridged is often just too wordy for audio book form.
Other podcast novels worth checking out would be Scott Sigler's stuff. I would start with "the Rookie" or "Infected" depending on your taste.
http://www.podiobooks.com/title/infe...
http://www.podiobooks.com/title/the-...
Also can't have "We're Alive" mentioned without recommending One Eighteen Migration, a truly intriguing story about zombies and the end of the world.
http://www.118migration.net/
A really good sci-fi / horror title is Crescent from Phil Rossi. I also liked Eden and Harvey.
http://www.podiobooks.com/title/cres...
Check out these past threads:
http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/4...
http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/4...
http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/2...
I too advocate the Overdrive Media service.
I've lost count of how many audiobooks I have listened but, as I think of more I'll list them.
I signed up for Overdrive through the local library today, and they had almost nothing available. Of the limited titles they did have, pretty much everything was checked out. It was a sad selection though, like the kind of books you'd find for a quarter at a garage sale, but not anything that had critical review. But of a digital audiobook, they have a single copy of something, so if it's loaned out, it's loaned out. (How you have a single copy of a downloadable file; I do not know...but that just seems absurd.) They may be a factor of what the local library contributes, I dunno...but the service seemed really worthless when I looked at it today.
The best audiobook I've come across is World War Z. I believe it's abridged, but it has a really good cast.
Tigerbill wrote:I too advocate the Overdrive Media service.
I've lost count of how many audiobooks I have listened but, as I think of more I'll list them.
I signed up for Overdrive through the local library today, and they had almost nothing available. Of the limited titles they did have, pretty much everything was checked out. It was a sad selection though, like the kind of books you'd find for a quarter at a garage sale, but not anything that had critical review. But of a digital audiobook, they have a single copy of something, so if it's loaned out, it's loaned out. (How you have a single copy of a downloadable file; I do not know...but that just seems absurd.) They may be a factor of what the local library contributes, I dunno...but the service seemed really worthless when I looked at it today.
Yeah their "Rules" are a little wierd. My sister worked for our local library and said not only do they have only so many copies of a digital book ,they can only check it out so many times before having to renew their subscription to it.
I enjoyed World War Z also. Unabridged is often just too wordy for audio book form.
Blasphemy. I love long audiobooks. I'm currently listening to Cryptonomicon, which is 43 hours long 
Tigerbill wrote:I too advocate the Overdrive Media service.
I've lost count of how many audiobooks I have listened but, as I think of more I'll list them.
I signed up for Overdrive through the local library today, and they had almost nothing available. Of the limited titles they did have, pretty much everything was checked out. It was a sad selection though, like the kind of books you'd find for a quarter at a garage sale, but not anything that had critical review. But of a digital audiobook, they have a single copy of something, so if it's loaned out, it's loaned out. (How you have a single copy of a downloadable file; I do not know...but that just seems absurd.) They may be a factor of what the local library contributes, I dunno...but the service seemed really worthless when I looked at it today.
It's stupid restrictions by the publishers to try to protect their own sales. But you can work the system to always have stuff to listen to. You just have to find a bunch of stuff you want to listen to to get on the waiting list for, then they'll start coming in. If you put them on the right types of devices that don't expire them as they're scheduled (like my Sansa Clip), or find stuff with MP3s, you can build a library to play them as you get in the mood, even months later.
Think of it like Netflix Streaming on the selection. You know the most recent stuff isn't likely to be there yet (although some publishers are better about it and you can be surprised). But there's a good amount of stuff there if you dig around, at least in the fiction genres.
It depends on the writing. I tried listening to American Gods and it was just too long winded. I enjoyed reading Cryptonomicon, dunno how I would go listening to 42 hours of it!
Loved American Gods, too.
The abridged stuff always feels weird. I can tell where the jumps are, even when I haven't read the book most times. I guess I'm not looking to just hit the high points of a story, I want the whole picture. Which is also the reason if I'm interested in a story and a movie is coming out based on a book, I'll read the book first.
Yeah I know what you mean. That's why I usually prefer podcast novels or dramas over straight audio books. Because they've been written with the audio format in mind the pacing is a lot better.
I'm reading Wheel of Time at the moment and every book Jordan always has to describe how dangerous warders are or how much cleavage various types of dresses show. If it was an unabridged audio book I think I would go mental :).
We've done Ready Player One, Reamde, and Redshirts together via Audible. Starting Going Postal now.
Have to give Iron Druid, Dresden, and World War Z all +1s.
I'd also recommend the Artemis Fowl series.
I'm going to be adding some John Scalzi books to our Audible account next.
From a female perspective, my wife loves the Molly Harper "Nice Girls (don't have fangs, etc.)" books.
Jim Dale did the audio for Harry Potter and he is fantastic. I actually think he puts Roy Dotrice to shame in the Song of Ice and Fire books. Harry Potter actually makes for wonderful audiobook listening, since the story is never super-complicated, but it is always fun and the characters really come to life with Dale's work. Jim Dale also narrated the Peter Pan prequel novels, "Peter and the Starcatchers" being the first one.
If you like shorter stories, check out EscapePod, PseudoPod and PodCastle - weekly podcasts of short Sci-Fi, Horror and Fantasy, respectively.
Dresden books are excellent, and the reading is great. There should be an Emmy or Oscar for Marsters' reading of Changes.
I felt like the abridgement of World War Z actually helped. Only one part stood out to me when I read it as being "missing" from the audio.
For all you parents out there: Go the Fu** To Sleep.
It's short, it's predictable, and it's a great way for parents to find humor in the sleep habits of infants and toddlers.
The only reason I put it in this thread is because Samuel L. Jackson has done the narration for the audiobook. Absolutely hilarious.
For all you parents out there: Go the Fu** To Sleep.
It's short, it's predictable, and it's a great way for parents to find humor in the sleep habits of infants and toddlers.
The only reason I put it in this thread is because Samuel L. Jackson has done the narration for the audiobook. Absolutely hilarious.
Oh yeah! And it's free on Audible (I believe).
I always recommend Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, specifically those read by Patrick Tull. I've listened to a ton of books from many genres and these remain my favorite.
Once you're in the mood for Stephen King again, Duma Key was a good listen.
I use an even older Sansa Clip player that finally seems to be going senile, but it's been a tough little guy that's survived countless drops and bangs.
I use an even older Sansa Clip player that finally seems to be going senile, but it's been a tough little guy that's survived countless drops and bangs.
These are the best if you get into audio books. The only thing I wish was better was the high speed playback options. Worth it for the battery savings alone. Also the great bookmarking.
I'll throw down some with a few repeats.
Lies of Lock Lamorra - Scott Lynch
Anything by Terry Pratchett
The Redwall books are well done.
The Freakanomics books.
George R R Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice is great. All of the books are done by Roy Dotrice, who is amazing.
FTFY. 
A Song of Ice and Fire (Audible.com)
I second A Song of Ice and Fire audio books. Roy Dotrice is excellent and having the story told to you feels very, "mythology by firelight." Every time I played it I wanted to be sitting by a campfire with my warrior brothers huddled under warm furs sharpening our war axes as the shaman retold the history of our lands. Also, no one can do Tyrion Lanister and Varyes like Roy. Just phenomenal voice acting.
The BBC audio performance of Lord of the Rings is also quite good for the whole family. I like to put that on the stereo in the living room and listen to it with my kids. I would like an unabridged reading/performance but it is a great radio dramatization.
Right now I am listening to the Hyperion series (written by Dan Simmons), which is very well done. They use a few different voice actors. Not everyone can do as many voices as Roy Dotrice...
The greatest number of characters voiced in an audio book is 224, achieved by Roy Dotrice (UK), who performed distinct and distinguishable voices for every role in the 28-disc unabridged version of George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, released on 13 January 2004.
A Game of Thrones is the first book in George R.R. Martin's 'Song of Fire and Ice' series of fantasy novels. The full audio book comprises 28 x 72 min discs. It would take almost a day and a half to listen to the entire work: 33 hours 36 minutes. A complete list of the names of the characters voiced by Dotrice and the pages they appear on is included in the scanned claim attachments.
Recommendations:
Fiction:
Redshirts by John Scalzi (read by Wil Wheaton)
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard (and its sequel)
The Magicians and The Magician King by Lev Grossman
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Games of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Kraken by China Mieville
Nonfiction:
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan, Cacilda Jetha
The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout
Supergods by Grant Morrison
The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Christianity by Diarmaid MacCulloch
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Heavy, did Roy go back and record Feast? At release he wasn't able to do it, so another guy did it. I think the version I listened to was done by the guy that did some of the Goodkind books.
Edit: John Lee originally did read Feast.
They must have went back and re-recorded. I listened to Game through Dance in one long run and it was all Dotrice. I bet the fans demanded he do it or possibly the audiobook performed badly without Dotrice doing it. I cannot imagine listing to the audiobooks in any voice besides Roy Dotrice's.
This is a good thread. I moved, and my daily commute changed from ~40 minutes each way to 80-90 minutes each way, more on some days. I'm on book 5 of the Trader's Tale series, which has been great, and I have the We're Alive and One Eighteen Migration series on my ipod.
Turns out my local library has a really extensive collection of audiobooks. Most are WMA, so I'll be putting them on my ipod for the car. How are those about actually expiring? The lending period on audiobooks is only 7 days, which definitely won't be long enough for a lot of the books on my list. Will the files stay playable on an ipod after the period, or will I have to renew and re-download or something?
Cool. The library's page actually has different icons for "WMA audio" and "Apple-thing compatible". The first book I tried to get a few weeks ago was WMA but not Apple compatible, and wouldn't go on my ipod. I didn't try putting it on my old phone because my car doesn't play things off it so good.
I've been looking again today, and it looks like the majority of the books are both WMA and Apple compatible. For the few that aren't, I might try with my new phone. If I can, I'd rather avoid having to buy another device, so hopefully one or the other will work. Good news that the files should be non-expiring.
My library has the NPR versions of the Lord of the Rings version, but the BBC one is the version that gets recommended. Is the NPR one anywhere near as good?
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