Don't Settle for Just One (Narrator)

A great story and talented narrators equal fascinating audiobooks for your listening pleasure

Welcome readers! There’s been an influx of many new readers in the last couple of weeks. I’m excited that you’re here, and you can catch up on any of the previous newsletters here. Most of the past newsletters are evergreen content—still interesting, relevant, and just waiting for you to spend some time with.

I’m not an audiobook expert; I admitted in this newsletter that I’m a newbie and still learning. I’m still experimenting with different narrators and genres. While I have a lot more learning to do, I have discovered one of my favorite types of audiobooks—full cast, sometimes called ensemble cast audiobooks. Instead of one narrator reading the book in one voice or possibly voicing multiple characters, a full-cast audiobook is the reading of the book using multiple voice actors to play the different characters. I hope to work more audiobooks into my reading life once I retire and have more time to listen to them. I’ve listened to a few so far and have several more on my list for the future.

Here are a couple I’ve listened to and a few I’m looking forward to:

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - A novel about the rise of a band in the 1970s (think Fleetwood Mac) and its lead singer. I wasn’t into rock music, so I had no intention of reading this. Others convinced me to read it, and after trying several times to read the book, I saw that readers were raving about the audiobook. This is one of the first audiobooks I listened to and loved. The narrators brought the characters to life in a way that words on a page couldn’t. Like most all multi-narrator audiobooks, it takes time to associate a narrator with a specific character, but once you have that mastered, it becomes magic. There is a 10-episode miniseries on Amazon beginning on March 3rd. This People article tells you about the show, the cast, and the music for the miniseries.

Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland - Set in the ‘30s, this novel sets in motion three decades of a family dealing with secrets, heartbreak, and romance from a tragedy that was kept quiet. I read the book as a NetGalley ARC and enjoyed it so much. The storytelling was so good, the family drama heartbreaking at times, and the characters so well developed. The audiobook wasn’t on my radar then, but it is now. I wish I had listened to it instead of reading it, as I think the experience would have had so much more depth to it. It’s on sale, I just purchased it, and it’s on my audiobook TBR, and I can’t wait.

Good Talk by Mira Jacob - A memoir told in conversations with the author’s six-year-old son and others about things that shaped her life and answering his questions about race, elections, sexuality, and love. I haven’t read the book or listened to the audiobook, but several people tell me that if I like memoirs and want to try a memoir on audiobook, this is the one to listen to. I think it’s also unusual that it uses a full cast as memoirs are usually in one voice, the authors. It’s also a “graphic memoir,” and I have not had any success reading graphic novels, so I think it is audio-only for me.

Sadie by Courtney Summers - From the publisher, “A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial—like podcast following the clues she's left behind. And an ending you won't be able to stop talking about.” I have not read the book, nor have I listened to the audiobook, but multiple reviews say that “if you listen to one audiobook this year, this should be the one.” This one sounds like it’s headed to my audio TBR also.

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton - From the publisher, “An electrifying novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic interracial rock duo in the 1970s, their sensational breakup, and the dark secrets unearthed when they try to reunite decades later for one last tour.” This is Walton’s debut novel and has received so many good reviews. At the advice of one of my “book twins,” I started reading this a week ago, and now I’m thinking I should be listening instead. I have a few Audible credits that I need to use soon…

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Audible Originals are audio content produced by Amazon for Audible consisting of audiobooks, podcasts, and other types of content. Different levels of Audible memberships have different access to this content, and there’s content for adults and kids too. I’ve listened to a couple of full-cast originals, and I’ve really enjoyed both of them.

Young Rich Widows by Kimberly Belle, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Vanessa Lillie - One of my favorite suspense/thriller authors is Kimberly Belle. When I heard on a podcast that she and three other authors wrote this Audible original, I knew I had to listen to it. Four law firm partners are killed in a plane crash, and their widows are thrust into the middle of everything that comes next. The writing was fantastic, and the narrators (not the authors) brilliantly captured each character's essence. The chapters alternate POVs of each character, and you soon have a favorite, and maybe one you don’t like very much. I’ve heard there is a sequel to this, and I can’t wait for it.

The Miranda Obsession by Jen Silverman - Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actress Rachel Brosnahan plays Miranda in this short audiobook along with a full cast and a few celebrities such as Josh Groban and Milo Ventimiglia. Told in a series of phone calls, the listener learns about each of these dysfunctional people and their obsession with Miranda. One review says, “…a sort of pre-internet catfishing story; back when "the telephone" was the primary form of contact and photos were sent by mail.” I haven’t listened to it yet, but at 2.5 hours, that’s my “listening” sweet spot.

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Do you listen to audiobooks? Do you have a genre preference? Do you have favorite narrators? Since I’m a newish audiobook listener, I’d love some recommendations from you. You can tell me in the comments below.

I discovered so many full-cast audiobooks during my research; there are way too many to list here. I was surprised to find so many for young adult and middle-grade listeners. These age group audiobooks are great for family road trips as all ages can enjoy listening. I’m a big fan of both of those age groups, and I know several of you are too. I can’t wait to introduce you to some of these audiobooks for the kids in your family, even the grown kids too.

Have a wonderful week and an even better reading week. Happy reading!

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