Audible Listener Favorites

I knew I always liked The Great Gatsby, but having not read it since high school, I couldn’t remember exactly why. After listening to Jake Gyllenhaal’s superb narration, I was reminded of what I found so great about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic. Gyllenhaal strikes the right chord as Nick Carraway, who exists within the hyper-privileged world of Long Island’s upper crust but manages to avoid becoming jaded and swept up by the materialism of his cousin, Daisy, and the titular Gatsby. Fitzgerald’s elegant yet simple prose still holds up, and Gyllenhaal treats it with the utmost respect, allowing the vivid descriptions of mansions, landmarks, and 1920s New York to flow at just the right pace. While ultimately tragic, The Great Gatsby is full of light and beautiful moments that kindle nostalgia for the Roaring Twenties, and I was glad to have been reintroduced to a favorite book this way. (Chris, 5-Star Review, "Jake Gyllenhaal Absolutely Nails It")

$28.95

This is the 2nd part of Ken Follet's Century Trilogy and I recommend reading The Fall of Giants before Winter of the World. Follet is a masterful historic fiction writer. He fully researches the time period for the story's background and creatively weaves his characters in and out of real events. If you like history, then you'll love his epic sagas. Although, you cannot have a weak stomach. It was a horrendous time in history, but people still had to go on living their lives. His characters can be viciously cruel as they are passionately intriguing. He spares nothing when telling a story. As much as he'll have you turning pages quicker than speed reader Evelyn Wood, he'll also have you wanting to slam a fist through a wall into one if the character's head. His books have a tendency to elicit a wide range of emotion, but they are addicting! Narrator John Lee is well cast and a fantastic reader. Can't wait for the last part! (Eileen, 5 Star Review, "Epic History Lesson Page Turner")

$17.95

The structure is ideal. The craftsmanship is wonderful -the novel was constructed and finished like some complex engineering creation, say a high rise or, perhaps a tennis court, cantilevered over the sea. This is not a slight -great art often depends on great craftsmanship. The language shines though for me, Edoardo Ballerini's reading may have taken it farther than reading it myself. I rarely laugh out loud listening to novels, particularly since I might be listening with my wife or the three year old asleep next to me. BUT, this made me laugh out loud twice. Once at dialogue and once at a plot twist. Naturally, Beautiful Ruins makes me want to visit Liguria AND perhaps rent Cleopatra. (Kenneth, 5-Star Review, "Fantastic - this novel is bulletproof")

$20.95

I've never read Clines before, but if the rest of his work is on par with 14, I think I will have read all of his work by the end of the month. I devoured 14. I missed a project deadline at work because of 14. I really want there to be a 15, 16, and 17, even though I am perfectly aware that would make no sense. Bottom line? This was a fun book with a fantastic narrator. Nothing deep really, but it didn't need to be. It was perfect fantasy/horror genre pulp. The entire thing is destined to be a movie that will inevitably fall far short of the story Clines has written. For Clines' financial sake, I really hope that happens anyway. Keep up the good work Peter. (Edward, 5-Star Review, "Long Time Listener, First Time Reviewer")

$21.95

This is an incredible book. Without the slightest bit of fantasy or hyperbole, the author shows the reader that the real demons are those inside of us. It's difficult to write about the unparalleled brilliance of this story arc, it's sidebars and underlayers, and the author's out-of-the-box imagining of the characters, without hugely spoiling. It's a bit techno-thriller, a bit relationship commentary, and there is a lot of narrative whiplash where the story takes a sharp turn and you're left with "well, I didn't see that one coming". The author's writing style couldn't be more sophisticated and loaded with complex imagery and phraseology - I found myself writing down word-bytes that were just off-the-charts clever and overflowing with wit. (Pamela, 5-Star Review, "It Doesn't Get Any More 'Noir' Than This")

$17.95

I am so glad I got this book based on other Audible reviews. I can't believe how much I liked it. I don't particularly like the title or cover art and I expected this one to be a fluffy romance. Wow, was I wrong! I was hooked from the very beginning. It had interesting and unique characters, mystery, romance and some surprising plot twists. I'm not a huge fan of historical romances, but this one was amazing. I was up at all hours of the night listening. Just excellent. 5 Stars!!"(Katheryne, 5 Star Review, "Just WOW! Don't let the title or cover fool you.")

$21.95

There are only a very few books I've listened to twice in immediate succession. After I finished it the second time, I had to wait a couple of days before I could read any other book, in either print or sound This is not only one of the best audiobooks I've experienced; it's one of the best books I've ever read. I'll be buying a print copy to pass around my family. I've always liked Richard Ford (especially The Lay of the Land), and this book was something of a surprise. You can see the connections with his other work, but this seems to have sprung all at once (a very focused and intense book) from some rather different place. I wish Ford a long and productive life! And I thank him for this book. Also, an excellent reader. (Schneider, 5-Star Review, "After the last word, went right back to the beginning")

$17.95

A few years ago, I'd seen the movie version of this novel (which is also excellent, by the way), and I'd put it on my mental list of things to do to read the book. And then, of course, I promptly forgot about it...until I saw this Audible.com version with COLIN FIRTH reading it! What a treat! The story is fascinating and dark and wonderful, and Colin Firth's reading of the novel is exceptional. As usual, his voice is wonderfully nuanced and emotive, and the timbre of his speaking style pairs especially well with the nature of this story. The voices he does for the different characters are not incredibly differentiated, but all of the voices seem to subtly evoke the deep emotions of each person. Overall, it is just a fantastic listen--I highly recommend it! (Ellie, 5-Star Review, "This book is SO GOOD!!)

$17.95

This is by far the best non-fiction book I've read in a very long time. Working as a manager of a software firm - I've long known that the best developers, the silent type, thrieve in solitude and letting them be alone will get you the best results. At the same time I've often wanted to foster better team spirit with open landscape seating etc. This book got me thinking and reflecting on both my workplace and friends and family around me. The perfomance truly matches the sense and meaning of the book - so even thou it's a bit too slow for me it really works. (Magnus, 5-Star Review, "Insightful, thoughtful, and fun")

$23.95