Hey there! So lately, I’ve really gotten into listening to audiobooks while driving, showering or going through my hair washing routine (it’s a very long process). I used to not be one for audiobooks because I’m not always the best with sitting and listening but while I’m in motion/completing a task seems to be a very different story.
I also find that I’m more drawn to listening to adult romances on audio than YA (maybe its an unconscious attempt at manifestation, I dunno). It’s just something about listening to them on audiobook (especially when done well) that just does it for me! For instance, I was listening to Have We Met by Camille Baker (available on kindle unlimited, btw) and the narrator was talking about a scalp massage and I could feel it so much that I just yelled out “THAT IS SO HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT” (I’m sure it would’ve been funny to anyone listening). I submit my tweet about this as proof that I had done so, lol!
When an audiobook is read well, it can evoke so much emotion, which I think is almost as important as the story itself, for me! So, I’m going to list 5 audiobooks that I really enjoyed, 1 YA and 4 adult, and what I liked about them (I have some YA books to listen to hopefully this is like a part 1)! So let’s get into it!
Confessions Of An Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney: So if you read my blog, you know this is a book that I have featured (it’s also linked) and while I writing that review, I was in the process of listening to the audiobook. I wanted to see how it held up to narrative and I’m pleased to say that it did! I cackled just as much listening to it as I did while reading the ARC. The Narrator was really great at giving the different characters their own voices and keeping to the humor throughout the story! She gave voice to what I had only previously seen in my mind.
Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma: It’s not a secret that I absolutely loved this book. It gave me everything that I needed when I read it as an ARC and then again when I listened to the audiobook. The story is so so SO good, so funny, had great balance in its themes and has great steamy scenes! Both the narrators did an amazing job with this book and I would honestly listen to anything else that they narrate. Even though they didn’t read together, there was still a chemistry there so they did the characters & story justice (which is all I ask for in a re-read/listen). I’m so ready for the next book in the series!
The AI Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole: This is one that I found on audible and I really enjoyed it. It had a good plot twist, multiple points of view and multiple narrators & when it ended, I was searching for the next book in the series (which I haven’t seen posted since I last searched, which was before I wrote this post). There was some steam in this story which was good too. I’m hoping that the next book will be soon and they have multiple narrators like this one since it added so much depth to the story!
The Stand-In by Lily Chu: This was another book I found via audible and I really enjoyed it. The story was great, it gave a great twist, a nice balance to humor & grief and the narrator was HYSTERICAL! I laughed out loud several times while listening. She did an amazing job giving voice to the different characters. I do wish that there was more steam but that’s really just me. It played out like a C-Drama and if you’ve ever watched one, you know those give what needs to be gave! Lily recently came out with another story on audible with the same narrator but I haven’t listened to it yet (but I will soon)!
West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras: I really enjoyed this remix/retelling, the story and the cast of characters that we got to meet. It was such a feel good listen and I found myself not wanting it to end. The narrator did a great job with the voices of the various characters though I honestly felt that since this was a dual perspective, there should’ve been a second narrator but that’s a personal preference of mine to keep with the fantasy I tend to place myself in when I read. I also would’ve loved more steam but again, another personal preference. I’m very excited for the next book in this series (which I had been hoping for & which character I hoped)!
For me, an audiobook (both the narrator & story) should evoke emotion from me and make me not want to turn it off. The five that I mentioned did just that for me. While every audiobook doesn’t do it for me, whether its the narration or the story itself, I appreciate the experience that they provide (I honestly don’t know if I could ever narrate a full novel) and the breaks they give my eyes! Also, remember that listening to audiobooks is STILL reading (don’t be an ableist about it if you think its not) and good be a good way to get back into reading should you find yourself in a slump or find yourself at a crossroad as to what to read next!
Do you listen to audiobooks? Have you listened to any of the ones on this list? Are there any that you highly recommend? I’ve been searching for more by authors of color so if you have any recs (especially if they have multiple narrators), please send them my way! Do holler at me either here in the comments or on social media. You can find me on Instagram @bookishgirlmagic, Twitter @bookishgrlmagic and Clubhouse @bookishgrlmagic where you can find me mostly in book centered clubs/rooms (primarily on Tuesdays and Fridays). Also please subscribe to this blog if you haven’t already because it makes me feel like someone listened to my processing when a hug isn’t possible (or I don’t feel like being touched cause that’s a thing for me too)! As usual, I’m sending you tons of bookish love & wish you happy reading!
Bookish Girl Magic 