If you have been following me for a while, you know that audiobooks are my format of choice. Listening to an audiobook is an immersive and captivating experience. Contrary to popular opinion, studies have proven that there is not much of a significant difference in comprehension between reading and listening.
For those just starting out or planning to explore the medium, a great narrator can make all the difference. Enhancing and sometimes even defining the experience. The right narrator can even make a mundane story a joy to listen to. It would not be wrong to say that they can make or break an audiobook.
That said, narrators are often under-appreciated. Much like translators, they rarely get the recognition they deserve. Needless to say, it is difficult to identify and pick the best narrators.
We’re way off the Audiobook Month (June) but do we really need a dedicated month to appreciate the charm of audiobooks and celebrate the narrators? As an avid audiobook listener, I share with you a list of my favorite narrators and recommendations for what I consider their best works. Voices that bring books to life.
Stephen Fry
At the top of the list is the incomparable Stephen Fry. The first audiobook series I listened to was the Mythos series written and narrated by the legendary actor. There has been no looking back since.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Sherlock Holmes collection by Arthur Conan Doyle, P. G. Wodehouse series, and of course the Harry Potter series. You will be spoilt for choice.
Julia Whelan
Coming in a close second is the fantastic Julia Whelan. If you have enjoyed a Emily Henry book on Audible, you probably have heard her narrate. Educated by Tara Westover. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Need I say more? The award-winning narrator has more than 500 titles under her belt.
Don’t miss Thank You for Listening authored and narrated by Julia herself. A piece of fiction, it can also be considered a behind-the-scenes look at audiobook production. Definitely recommended.
Bahni Turpin
Bahni Turpin is an award-winning powerhouse narrator with titles across genres, be it non-fiction essays or young-adult fiction. A voice that pulls you in and keeps you hooked. I know I have a good audiobook in my hands with her name in the credits.
Some of her popular titles that are my favorites include The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, Everything, Everything, and The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon.
Deepti Gupta
As a South Asian reader who enjoys listening to audiobooks, nothing irks me more than the anglicized (and often weird) pronunciation of desi words and names. Why publishers choose to pick a narrator who does not even take the time to learn the correct pronunciation also baffles me.
Deepti Gupta is an award-winning ownvoice narrator. I listened to her on-point narration of Lioness of Punjab by Anita Jari Kharbanda and have been a fan ever since. I do hope more audiobooks narrated by her will be available in India soon. I am particularly looking forward to listening to the Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri, The Book Of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra, and All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir.
Hugh Fraser
Taking a cue from a fellow blogger and lifestyle journalist Noor Anand Chawla’s Poirot Project, I have been planning to reread the Agatha Christie series. In audiobook format this time. The audiobooks narrated by Hugh Fraser on Storytel are a goldmine.
You might recall Hugh Fraser as the actor who played Captain Hastings in the Poirot TV series. The books including the ever-popular And Then There Were None, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd are such a delight to listen to. Do check them out.
Some more recommendations
Celebrity narrators have always been popular with audiobooks. Tom Hanks, Richard Armitage, Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Or closer home, Rahul Bose. A word of caution, though. A celebrity narrator does not automatically reflect a good book. Case in question, Heartburn by Nora Ephron narrated by Meryl Streep.
Check out some top-notch narrations that I have enjoyed.
- The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (narrated by Tom Hanks)
- Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (narrated by Richard Armitage and Stephanie Racine)
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda)
- The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch)
- Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (narrated by Lynnette R. Freeman and Simone Mcintyre)
- Smoke and Ashes by Amitav Ghosh (narrated by Ranjit Madgavkar)
- Aanandi by Jyoti Jha (narrated by Jyoti Jha)
- The Strange Death of Anindyasundar by Anish Deb (narrator by Rahul Bose)
Do you read audiobooks? Who is your favorite audiobook narrator? Do share in the comments below.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
Photo credit: Canva.com
November 29, 2023 @ 7:36 am
You are absolutely right Ritu. Narrator is the main thing where at least I can rely. I found I don’t like audiobook it is just because of narrator. Your post is really helpful. I will going to try out again Audiobook with your narrator. 🙂 Thanks a lot.
November 30, 2023 @ 6:04 pm
Some audio books have worked for me, while some I gave up midway. Last year I did more audio books. This year Kindle reading or paperbacks worked more for me.
December 3, 2023 @ 2:37 pm
As I began reading our list, I thought to myself that Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha would make for good orators from crime fiction books and Shah Rukh Khan for romance. They have good diction. Karan Johar would do well with most genres.
From your list, I have Bahni Turpin to begin with.
I think in today’s day and age, sound mixing and narration create a beautiful world of books.
December 4, 2023 @ 8:34 pm
Ritu, every week, I look forward to your post, wondering, what interesting topic you’ll bring in for the week. I’ve always avoided audiobooks thinking that it would not be as immersive an experience as reading a book on my own would be. But after reading your post, I am tempted to try once. Thank you for writing this and making me wish to do something I’ve been avoiding for ages.
December 4, 2023 @ 11:12 pm
Well Ritu I am not yet habituated with audio books but tried audio drama and while listening that in many cases i found that my mind get diverted because of the work I am doing physically at time of listening. Keeping this fact in mind I believe that chances are high in my case that audio will fail to impress me. By I am impressed with level of love you have for audio books and their narrators. You love for book is showing new shades of you every day.
December 6, 2023 @ 1:04 pm
I love listening to audiobooks. This has been my companion when it comes to multitasking as watching while doing something had never helped me finish a chore properly. Anyways, I’m glad you made this as I never paid attention to this matter.
December 8, 2023 @ 8:08 pm
I have listened to some of your audiobooks. Reminds me of the storytime on Radio when we were younger. It is the way the story is narrated. Good thing that you are sharing about the voices. They should be appreciated too.
December 9, 2023 @ 9:54 am
Totally agree with you about audiobooks and narrators. A good narrator can really make a story more interesting. Stephen Fry is an awesome choice; his voice makes books so much better. I love to listen audios whenever I am working in kitchen. It’s true that people who read audiobooks don’t get enough credit. Thanks for sharing your favorite narrators.
December 18, 2023 @ 2:46 pm
I really like your post Ritu… its an avenue that you have opened up as I have absolutely no idea about audio books and narrators so for a novice like me it’s great. I know quite a bit now… thanks to you.
December 24, 2023 @ 4:36 pm
Audiobooks have not been my choice I would want to read the books you have listed as would be intellectual treats for sure.
December 24, 2023 @ 7:39 pm
These days I find Audio books easy. My favourite is (Actor) Michael Sheen’s narration if Dorian Gray. Apart from that i like Maria Cusick. The narrators you highlighted I am sure had breathed life into the stories,I will check them put.
December 26, 2023 @ 4:34 pm
I love to listen to audiobooks, especially motivational books. You are absolutely right that the narrator has a great role to play in making the book successful. Sometimes I don’t listen to a book because of the narrator, and instead I read that book. Very insightful post.
December 27, 2023 @ 3:34 pm
Thank you for the good picks on audio books. I have not really had an audio book read but your suggestion definitely are pushing me to give it a try.
December 28, 2023 @ 11:43 am
I completely agree with your appreciation for audiobooks, and it’s true that a skilled narrator can significantly enhance the listening experience. Stephen Fry’s narration, especially in the Mythos series and Harry Potter, stands out for its excellence. Julia Whelan, known for her work in Emily Henry’s books and others like “Educated,” is a fantastic narrator with a vast portfolio. Deepti Gupta’s attention to correct pronunciation makes a significant difference for South Asian readers like me. Cheers to these unsung heroes of audiobook narration!
January 6, 2024 @ 1:22 pm
Stephen Fry is truly a gem in the world of audiobooks. His narration of the Mythos series and the Harry Potter series is simply unparalleled. His voice brings the stories to life in a way that’s enchanting and immersive. Listening to audiobooks narrated by all these talented individuals must truly enhance the overall storytelling experience. Thanks for sharing these recommendations!
January 17, 2024 @ 10:02 am
This is definitely something I would want to try. I do listen to podcasts but audio books would be so interesting as the time I would spend reading a book I can just listen to it just like how we listen to music which I don’t do much.
January 24, 2024 @ 9:00 am
Thanks for the shoutout! You know my thoughts on audiobooks (have never even enjoyed podcasts tbh) but if ever I try them out, will have to start with Hugh Fraser’s Christies 🙂