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
Ok. We can be friends.
The Expanse is among my favourite sci-fi of all time. Others include Chris Claremont and Johnathan Hickman writing the X-Men, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Atwood’s Maddaddam trilogy. Three-Body may get there, but I read it amid reading the Expanse. Maybe the physical books will shift my mind some.
Three-Body was a great read and such incredible insight to a different perspective of sci-fi. The reveal of Dark Forest theory absolutely stopped me in my tracks. Death’s End was such a great conclusion to that storyline.
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 is political/corporate intrigue set in the 24th century after humans have extended mining to the rings of Saturn. There are three major political camps:
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the United Nations of Earth and Luna — a bloated, old, slow, and traditional nation that has the only source of live soil samples, punishing universal basic income, and 30 billion mouths to feed. They are the “takers”.
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the Martian Congressional Republic — a trim, agile, militaristic, and focused nation that makes technological advances and works hard to stay alive on a hostile world. They are the “dusters”.
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the diffuse factions known under the umbrella term “Belters.” They are the workers, the downtrodden, the neglected, and the subjects of the great nations’ impunity. In a few short generations, their bodies changed, adapting to the ravages of microgravity and zero G. Their needs are simple: air, water, food. Their work is hard. Their lives are nasty, brutish, and short. But, they love fiercely, have a language and culture all their own, and refuse to bow before Earth and Mars.
“In fair Sol system, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”
Thank you!
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The Expanse series is narrated by Jefferson Mayes. He is absolutely magnificent and really does bring the books to life.
Thank you!
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!!
Read The Passenger, then Stella Maris.
Blood Meridian is an amazing, terrifying, shocking, and eye-opening book. Ill never see another “Western” the same way again. It is among McCarthy’s most visceral.
I cannot recommend to anyone that they read this book. Much in the same way I love films like Requiem For a Dream, Dancer in the Dark, or Melancholia, I can’t inflict them on others. Blood Meridian is this perspective in book form.
If you’ve steeled yourself, by all means embark on Blood Meridian. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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/
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!
Is it cheating to say all of Terry Pratchett?
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.
Just an observation: I love how much you all love The Expanse. Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. You’ve made my day.
And as always, thanks to James S.A. Corey — Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck — for creating and publishing this world that has linked us in such inspired interaction.
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.
His American accent isn’t great, but I agree, the other voices are superb
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.
NOS4A2.
A very creepy and fun read. Also very fun to listen to Kate Mulgrew read it for you.
Project Hail Mary. The speech makes a lot more sense with the audio book, but the physical cult is still really good.
Historical narratives or biographies. Can listen to audiobooks while driving or walking, but many have illustrations or photographs.
I only have the audiobooks for black leopard red wolf and moon witch spider king, but I’m tempted to grab the physical books too. I loved both of them. They’re a weird category for me where I absolutely loved them but need to be careful about who I recommend them to because they can be brutal
