Audiobooks can be a surprisingly hot button issue. Some people love them, some people see them as a necessary tool, and some just don’t care for them. Which are all perfectly fine opinions to have. Then there is the subset of people who don’t think audiobooks count as reading. Which is a bizarre notion to us.
Below is the Kali Krew’s list of audiobooks that we love for one reason or another.
Lilyn’s Picks
BEST
Outland by Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by Ray Porter
“Because it’s a fantastic story narrated by one of the most talented voice actors.” – Lilyn
Check out Lilyn’s review of Outland
The Martian by Andy Weir
Narrated by R.C. Bray
“You knew this was going to be on here because Bray is Watney. But there’s a twist this time (see below)” – Gracie
Check out Lilyn’s review of the good version of The Martian
WORST
The Martian by Andy Weir
Narrated by Wil Wheaton
“Those rat fucking audible bastards traded Bray for Wheaton and I will never be here for it.” – Lilyn
Tau Zero by Poul Anderson
Narrated by Neil Hellegers
“This amazing story is so horribly narrated and it’s cringe-worthy to listen to” – Lilyn
Check out Lilyn’s review of Tau Zero
Gracie’s Picks
Dark Dreams edited by Brandon Massey
Narrated by Various
“The stories are excellent and the narrators bring the stories to life so vividly. Sometimes with anthologies the stories can blend into another but there is no danger of that on this one. The narrators all sound unique and amazing” – Gracie
Check out Gracie’s review of Dark Dreams
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsey
Narrated by Yael Stone
“Be sure to get this book narrated by Yael Stone. The other book is abridged and for a book that’s rather short to begin with that’s ridiculous. Yael Stone also narrates it so well. She really brings the various characters to life” – Gracie
Check out Gracie’s Focus on the Frightful: Picnic at Hanging Rock
WORST
The Wine-Dark Sea by Robert Aickman
Narrated by Reece Shearsmith
“Reece Shearsmith might be a perfectly fine narrator for other books but this was not the one. Several times I had to go back when I realized the story changed because they just blended into each other. There was very little pause and almost zero voice change for male and female characters.” – Gracie
Review to come soon
Tracy’s Picks
BEST
Ritualistic Human Sacrifice by C.V. Hunt
Narrated by Andersen Prunty
“This extreme horror novella is quite the trip. Hunt’s writing, paired with Prunty’s narration, is stellar.” – Tracy
Kin by Kealan Patrick Burke
Narrated by Chet Williamson
“It was my second time reading this novel; it’s one of my all-time favourites. The audio experience further cemented my love for this book.” – Tracy
Sian’s Picks
BEST
The Troop by Nick Cutter
Narrated by Corey Brill
“Fab audio and super gory and ick content. Yay!” – Sian
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
“Great audio, voices and engaging. I never lost my place.” – Sian
Check out Nico’s review of My Best Friend’s Exorcism
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Narrated by Joy Osmanski
“I really enjoyed the audio on this one despite its narrative style” – Sian
Check out Sian’s review of A Head Full of Ghosts
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Narrated by Jim Dale
“It’s narrated by Jim Dale (whose voice I love and am used to having read Harry Potter) and so listening to that I just instantly knew I could listen to his voice forever.” – Sian
WORST
They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon
Narrated by Ray Porter
“I hate to say it but all the McCammon audiobooks I have listened to so far have been a snooze fest- this the worst of the lot” – Sian
Check out Sian’s review of They Thirst
All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai
Narrated by Elan Mastai
“This won Goodreads awards and was one of the first audios I listened to, before I realised that
A) I could speed up audios
and
B) DNFing books is a freeing way to live your life. Pure torture.” – Sian
Check out Sian’s review of All Our Wrong Todays
Cory’s Pick
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
“I’m putting in Red Rising again because I would have Tim Gerard Reynolds’ babies based on his voice alone” – Cory
Brian’s Picks
The Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O’Meara
Narrated by Mallory O’Meara
“It was read by the author. It made the story more personal” – Brian
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
Narrated by Billy Merasty
“If I’m reading a book with words used from another language not only will I butcher the pronunciation but I know that I’m butchering it. With this book a Native narrator reading a Native author’s book made the experience more immersive and authentic.” – Brian
Bill’s Pick
BEST/WORST
Dead Moon by Peter Clines
Narrated by Ray Porter
“It’s tied for best and worst because it’s the only one I’ve listened to because it convinced me that audiobooks were not for me” – Bill
These are some of our favourite audiobooks and their narrators. It’s interesting how the right (or wrong) narrator can affect the reading experience. Let us know your favourite audios!
GracieKat was the first co-host of Sci-Fi & Scary, Lilyn’s partner-in-crime, and sub-head of the Kali Krew. She reviews horror books, movies, and games for the site. She also does a weekly Focus on the Frightful feature, and is the site list-maker. She is also in control of the Sci-Fi & Scary podcast which will relaunch soon.
