this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2023
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I have a lot of time to fill with audio, but audiobooks are challenging for me because I have trouble paying attention consistently enough and processing physical descriptions fast enough to keep up with the narrator. I end up losing my place or having to rewind a lot. Slowing down playback doesn't help/introduces other problems.

I'm also easily put off by narrators that have repetitive quirks (e.g. ending every sentence like it's a question, or doing goofy voices) or that read in such a flat and consistent way that it becomes droning. So my preference, by far, is for narrators who basically act the book like they're in an audio drama or a movie. This seems more often the case for first person books.

On a similar note, audiodramas with full casts and music or sound effects are especially welcome.

I'm looking for something short because that makes it much more likely I'll finish. Long series are fine though if each book ends well, not on cliffhangers.

YA and even middle-grade are fine.

I'll also take "so bad it's good" suggestions.

Scifi and fantasy are my usual go-to's, but I'll take any genre, especially since adult fantasy and scifi usually has too much description for my audiobook tastes.

Horror would be good. Or maybe a comedy? Something gripping. Page-turners.

Basically I just really need something entertaining but snappy and very easy to follow, with a narrator who sounds like they're acting instead of like they're reading a script.

I'm already aware of actual play d&d podcasts - those are sometimes great, but I can get tired od them after a while and I'd like to find more variety/options with this post.

Thank you for any suggestions!

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[–] Sharpiemarker@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Iron Druid Series by Kevin Hearne. The narrator is great, imo.

If you like audiobooks with sound effects, like old television shows, Star Wars the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn is fantastic.

There's also a fan-read version of The Hobbit out there that you can download for free, if you know where to look. And it's great as well.

[–] Lowbird 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hey, I realize this is aaaages after you replied (sorry), but I did eventually dig up that fan-read The Hobbit version and holy crap is it ever something. I'm blown away by it. Thank you!

I'm going to give the Thrawn trilogy a go soon via audiobook, too. :)

[–] Sharpiemarker@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

Oh awesome! Glad to hear you're enjoying it 😊. I was impressed as well! If you find any other audiobooks you enjoy, send them my way.