There are only a few books that I’ve experienced both ways. I’m wondering if this is an area for exploration.
The Expanse and Three Body Problem trilogy. My #1/2 favourite series of all time. Narrator is great in both series IMO.
The expanse is just absolutely marvelous
I loved 3 body, can you share more about the Expanse? I’ve not heard anything about it other than I think a TV show maybe?
The Expanse series is narrated by Jefferson Mayes. He is absolutely magnificent and really does bring the books to life.
The Hitchhikers trilogy. All 5 books of it. Every interpretation adds a little something to the mix.
Someone else said all of Pratchett, and I’ll agree. My Discworld end goal is to own the physical, digital and audio book for each discworld novel.
I’ll also add in the Bobiverse books, and project hail mary. While both are excellent in their own right, the audiobooks are really something special.
I’ll start:
My fortunes converged with Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy. My reading of the physical copy was first, and the book sung.
Then, on opening the audiobook, the two actors really captured the cat-and-mouse interaction — each thinking the other is the prey — with such clarity and perfect tone. It was amazing.
If you’ve happened to read a fair amount of Cormac McCarthy would you suggest I read Stella Maris or Blood Meridian first? Cheers!!
The Martian. This one has different flavor between the 2.
Close second etc would be The Expanse.
Honorable mention: Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers
Chris Barrie does a better job of voicing Lister than Craig Charles!
Not truly an audiobook, but the BBC has a performance of The Lord of the Rings that’s really good. It even has Ian Holm (Bilbo from the movies) in it. But he was younger then, so he plays Frodo.
Lord of the rings performed by andy serkis is quality as well
I have yet to listen to Andy Serkis do LoTR, Rob Inglis does a great narration, but the fan-made, unauthorized, copyright infringing masterpiece by Phil Dragash is the best imho.
The one by Phil Dragash is magnificent. Truly a work of art and love.
Is it cheating to say all of Terry Pratchett?
https://bookwyrm.social/book/205776/s/dungeon-crawler-carl
Such a great series full of funny and gut punching moments.
The books are fun to read, but the audiobook blows it out of the water. https://soundbooththeater.com/series/dungeon-crawler-carl/
Expanse series as already mentioned and I’ll throw in The Rivers Of London series, narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. Absolutely glorious. Can’t see how anyone could do the series better.
NOS4A2.
A very creepy and fun read. Also very fun to listen to Kate Mulgrew read it for you.
Anything with a full cast audio… oh, and the hardcore pornography written by Anne Rice but the audio version read by Elizabeth Montgomery (Bewitched).
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sleeping_Beauty_Quartet
Screwtape Letters read by John Cleese:
I own quite a few books this way. I read first, but then enjoy my rereads via audio books on drives, runs, etc. Often big epic fantasy novels that you discover more on a reread.
Anything I liked enough to get signed and had the opportunity. So half a dozen books maybe. All business books, nothing most people would be interested in.
Well one exception, Humble the Poets second book I was part of the kick starter and my name is printed in the book so I have both copies of that and it’s not signed. But I want it to be signed one day!
Historical narratives or biographies. Can listen to audiobooks while driving or walking, but many have illustrations or photographs.
I don’t own any physical books, I don’t get on with reading well and consume all books in audio book format. However if I were to choose something that I love that if I had the money to waste would buy just to own then it would be Stephen Kings Dark Tower books.
I can’t learn anyting through audio ( apparently many autistics can’t, due to inferior connections in that area, or something ),
but wanting both the ebook & the physical book is true for textbooks:
you can search the ebook, you can give-away the physical one, when you no longer need the text.
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