A couple of years ago, I shared 10 literary fiction audiobooks narrated by their authors after noticing I’d listened to a handful of novels narrated by their authors. Since then, I’ve listened to even more novels narrated by the author so I decided it was time for another list. It’s not unusual for nonfiction authors to narrate their own audiobooks but it’s still pretty uncommon for fiction authors to do it. Audiobook narration is its own skill set, which is part of why I’m so impressed when I find an author who knows how to tell a good story and perform it. The best audiobooks aren’t a subst ..read more

Yesterday I shared my favorite books of 2023 and today I’m sharing my favorite audiobooks. Each list holds twelve titles, with no duplications. Please think of these as companion posts: there’s no hierarchy at play here; this is simply a format distinction that allows me to cram more favorites into my year-end wrap-up! (I will say that this year I listened to more backlist titles on audio than I read in print, so if you’re all about the not brand new, you’ll likely prefer this list.) Choosing favorites is HARD. I share the details of my parameters (and also how I have a missing six weeks from ..read more

The last time I did a big Quick Lit-style roundup of not just the good books but good listens I’ve enjoyed lately was late summer, when I shared 18 audiobooks I’d enjoyed recently. That’s an unusual and specific number, and it’s entirely coincidental that today’s fall round-up also includes 18. It’s obvious that I’m continuing to listen to audiobooks at a brisk clip, for all the same reasons I shared in that post, including that I typically listen while I’m walking the dog, folding laundry, watering houseplants, doing dishes, and even when I’m working out, if the pacing is right. That adds up ..read more

Dear Readers, today I’m delighted to welcome MMD team member Brigid Misselhorn to the blog! Brigid is indispensable around here, AND she’s one of my favorite people to talk books with. Some of my favorite 2023 reads have come at her recommendation, and perhaps soon you’ll be saying the same thing! I’m so excited she’s sharing this robust roundup of gently chilling and thrilling fall reads today. I enjoyed it so much and I think you will, too. Welcome, Brigid! -a Even though I live in a perpetual summer in South Florida, fall and Halloween time have always been my favorite time of year. It all ..read more

This summer I’ve been listening to audiobooks at a fast clip, and I thought it would be fun and useful to bring you a Quick Lit-style roundup of not just the good books but good listens I’ve enjoyed lately. (We haven’t done an audiobook roundup like this since this time last year, yikes!) I know many of you are avid audiobook listeners, and are always on the lookout for books that are particularly well-suited to that format. I’m a longtime audiobook fan, but my listening took a big dip at the dawn of the year. It’s interesting to observe the domino effects of a change in routine: I got just a ..read more

I’m a big fan of seasonal reading, often opting to deliberately read books during the season in which they are set. When you tailor your reading to the season, your books reflect the setting, moods, and even weather of the season you’re living in. I don’t do it all the time (it would be hard to preview all those Summer Reading Guide books during the winter months if I did) but I appreciate selecting seasonally appropriate reads with care and the resulting reading experience. And I love audiobooks! A question proposed for our recent What Should I Read Next Patreon Ask Us Anything—”Was audio re ..read more

Last week I shared my favorite books of 2022. Today, I’m sharing my favorite audiobooks and podcasts. This year I didn’t duplicate titles on these lists so make sure you check them both out! When choosing my favorite audiobooks, I especially want to celebrate audiobooks that elevate the reading experience. Did a narrator bring a little something extra to the story, something I couldn’t have gotten from reading in print? In my mind, that is the mark of a truly great audiobook. For me, an additional mark of a great listening experience—of any good book, for that matter—is that I’m still thinkin ..read more

When you feel a scholarly urge to pick up a classic this season, you may automatically find yourself reaching for a beautiful and sophisticated-looking edition. But might I persuade you to consider downloading the audiobook instead? Audiobooks are perhaps my favorite way to experience a classic novel, and with good reason. When it comes to making sense of of older—sometimes antiquated—language, many readers find their comprehension soars in this format. Instead of searching for subtext or translating older phrasing we would never use today, readers can rely on talented narrators to ..read more

Because so many readers are always on the hunt for not just good reads but good listens, I thought it would be fun to share an assortment of what I’ve been enjoying lately in that format. When it comes to a great listening experience, I’m looking for a great story, well told. I generally prefer fiction and memoir on audio—perhaps that’s no surprise given today’s list! The proliferation of books prominently featuring fine arts is entirely a coincidence, but one I certainly enjoyed and was delighted to notice. I’ve been on a roll with audiobooks lately. My theory is that since I’ve consciously ..read more

I’m a huge fan of audiobooks, and finding a rhythm for listening with my ears has brought great enjoyment to my reading life these past few years. (Thanks to the extra reading time, I also finish more books than I used to. A fun bonus!) Every reader has their own audiobook style. Personally, I love to listen to great stories, not information. This means that I listen to mostly fiction on audio, saving my nonfiction for print reading. The one exception is memoir. I LOVE to listen to a good memoir on audio. In fact, some of my very favorite listening experiences have been celebrity memoirs. My ..read more