Audiobooks that are in no way inferior to the original paperbacks

Technology has brought us so far that sometimes it feels like we are already living in a dystopian future like the ones once predicted in science fiction books. And yet society clings to this future that is more advanced than ever. With so much newness, it is hard to let go of some relics of the past. Although many believe that no new technology will ever replace printed books and the feel of paper in the hand, this transition is already happening.

The best part is that book replacements already exist in many forms. Today, we have Kindles, e-readers, e-books, and audiobooks. It’s strange that audiobooks have been around since the early 1930s. Yes, they have regained popularity with the proliferation of the internet and mobile devices, but they are not a new technology. In fact, they are more accessible than ever.

If you’re not a fan, now is the time to become one. Why? The reasons are simple: there are more audiobooks than ever, and some are leagues better than reading a classic book. If you love movies and TV, there’s no reason not to give audiobooks a try. The best way to fall in love is to listen to books that are considered better than originals and help readers delve deeper into the story’s universe. So let’s start with one you know best:

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien

This book has it all. It has many unique characters, a great setting, and an unprecedented story. It is rightly considered one of the best fantasy novels of all time. All the books in the series have been made into movies, and the same has been done for audiobooks. It is best to listen to this book as soon as possible. The narrator is Rob Inglis, and you will fall in love with his voice, which will forever associate you with LOTR. The best part is that this audiobook can save you a lot of time if you have not had it for a long time.

Likewise, if you’re traveling to Europe, you can save yourself a lot of hassle by clicking here. Finally, you have to know that this is a long listening experience, at 19 hours and 7 minutes. Less than a day for The Fellowship of the Ring is nothing, believe us.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

This is a funny title. Browse through all corners of the internet, Quora, Reddit and similar forums and you will find that this book is the top comment in the discussion about the best audiobooks out there. This novel is another science fiction masterpiece. It tells the story of an astronaut who is stranded on a mission and wakes up not knowing anything about the past events and all his crewmates are dead. The main character is called Ryland and the narrator of this particular book is Ray Porter. He has the perfect voice to tell this unique story and one can feel the tension between the fate of human existence and the risk. Trust us, this will be the best 16 hours and 10 minutes you have ever spent listening.

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo

Audiobooks are one of the best ways to consume books from other cultures. If you want to immerse yourself in 1930s Malaysia in this historical novel, you are our guest and we sincerely recommend it. It is about a young boy on an adventure to save his teacher’s severed finger. For many of you, the setting will be a completely new experience and worth exploring in this unique historical novel. It would be best if you also appreciated that the 14 hour and 8 minute long narration comes from the author, Yangsze Choo, himself.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

This book will take you back to one of the most stressful times in recent human history. If you are ready to recall the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, this audiobook must be on your listening list. The story is set during the pandemic but revolves around a mother telling her daughters the story of her teenage romance with a famous actor. The early COVID times were hell on earth, but listening to this book narrated by Meryl Streep and her unique voice will help you relieve the stress that has accumulated during that time. At only 11 hours and 22 minutes, this book can be classified as a light “read.”

22.11.63 by Stephen King

No list of this kind can be compiled without Stephen King. The idea that a tiny change in the past can change the future is described in an amazing way in this book. 11/22/63 is about a man who tries to go back in time and prevent the assassination of JFK. The book is fast-paced, which makes it ideal for the audiobook format. If you’re a history buff with a penchant for a bit of sci-fi action, this book is for you. It is read by Carlos Manuel Vesga and will keep your ears occupied for 32 hours and 42 minutes.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (2019)

Another fantastic audiobook based on the concept of time travel. It follows the adventures of four friends who can go back to a point in time of their choosing. Their time in the past is limited as they can only stay there if their coffee gets cold in present day Tokyo. Arina II narrates this book perfectly, summarizing the moments of the past and present in this book with surgical precision. At just 6 hours and 52 minutes long, this book could be a perfect introduction to the world of audiobooks.

“The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears

Let’s move a little towards pop culture. Michelle Williams narrates the memoir of Britney Spears and brings her struggles closer to the listener. Britney has had a rough few years that spanned a decade or more. She was mistreated by the media, her colleagues and, most importantly, her family. With Williams at the helm of the memoir commentary, the famous singer has at least regained some of her dignity. If you want to experience the exhausting life, downfall and success of a certain Britney Spears in 5 hours and 31 minutes, this audiobook can help you.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

One of the best crime novels of the early 2000s has been given a fitting treatment by Paul Michael. The Vatican conspiracies were never more interesting than in this portrayal in Dan Brown’s words and Paul’s voice. The book is well paced, but with Michael at the helm, you don’t miss a thing. It takes 16 hours and 59 minutes to read through, and trust us, if you’re on a long flight or a daily commute, the time will fly by.

Summary

The books on this list are the crème de la crème of audiobooks, and any of them can be a great introduction to the world of audiobooks, or a new book to listen to if you’re already a fan but haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Markus lives in San Francisco, California and is the video game and audio expert at Good e-Reader! He is very interested in new e-readers and tablets as well as games.