Chat Between Chapters: Favorite Narrators for Audiobook Month #JIAM #LoveAudiobooks

  June is Audiobook Month. Let’s chat about our favorite narrators.

 Julie:

So you probably know by now that Audiobook is pretty much my main way of reading these days. If at all. I fell in love with Audiobooks on my long commute in Houston and I still enjoy them with my shorter commute or lack thereof when I work from home. I like to audiobook when I spreadsheet. I can’t read when people are home because of all the distractions, but audiobooks let me multitask when I’m doing solitary activities. Yay audiobooks.

Why are some narrators my favorite?

• Pleasant voice and cadence
• Does different voices and accents well
• Gives characters personality

So let’s list out some of my favorite narrators.

• Lorelei King-  tops the list of my favorite narrators by a landslide! Amazing personality and sass in her characters. I’d listen to anything she reads!
• Tavia Gilbert–  lots of personalities and fun voices though sometimes she gets a little too into the scene lol
• Davina Porter – the amazing voices of everyone in Outlander. She made the series worth continuing even when it started to get tedious
• Laurel Schroeder – love her narrations of the fun urban fantasy series I’ve been reading. upbeat and cute voices.
• Zachary Webber – can’t leave our favorite male narrator out – love when he narrates a book

Lynn:

I agree with Julie. There isn’t a lot of time in my schedule to sit and read a book, sadly. But luckily for us, we have audiobooks! They are a great motivator for me when doing mindless tasks at work, cleaning the house, and especially for me, exercising. I loathe the treadmill. But having a great audiobook to listen to makes me loathe the endless walking slightly less.

I look for these traits in a narrator:

• Different voices for sure. I want to be able to easily differentiate between characters. That should include main characters and secondary characters.
• Full cast recording – sign me up!
• Author narrating: This one has been hit and miss. But I do think at least with most authors, they understand the inflection and tone from writing the novel. Plus, it’s like I’m sitting in the room with a front row seat to the author’s thoughts.
• Actors that I really like: Richard Armitage reading poetry. I think that sums that up!

I agree with Davina Porter and Zachary Webber. They are both on my list of favorite narrators! I’d add:

• Rebecca Soler: She reads the Marissa Meyer books we all love (the Cinder series) as well as many other YA books.
• Wil Wheaton: He’s perfect at reading the Sci Fi that I love, including Ready Player One.
• Jennifer Ikeada: I love high fantasy. But I have the patience of a gnat. Books that are 20+ hours are my downfall with boredom. Ms. Ikeada makes listening for long hours enjoyable.

Who are some great narrators that you recommend?