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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

My 2014 Favorites: Audiobook Fiction

My list of 2014 favorites continues today with audiobook fiction.  I make this a separate category because listening adds another dimension to a novel, and narration can make or break the book for me. An outstanding performance may improve a mediocre novel, but poor narration detracts from even the best writing. The audio productions listed below represent my favorite combinations of writing and narration this year.

In the order I listened to them, my audiobook fiction favorites include:



The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Narrated by Jenna Lamia, Adepero Oduye, Sue Monk Kidd
An excellent production, I doubt I would have enjoyed this as much in print.




An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
Narrated by Dan John Miller
This was a print/audio combination for me and my favorite classic of the year.





Dollbaby: A Novel by Laura Lane McNeal
narrated by January Lavoy
I loved this debut novel - my favorite narration of the year.




narrated by Cassandra Campbell
This is my favorite novel of the group. Cassandra Campbell delivers an outstanding performance, as usual, but I'm sure it is every bit as good in print. I'll post my review in January.


Tomorrow I'll share my nonfiction favorites of 2014.

My favorite fiction read in 2014 is here.

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32 comments:

  1. Sarah's Book ShelvesDecember 30, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    I bet Dollbaby was fantastic on audio! All those spunky characters...I would have loved to have heard their voices!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 6:54 PM

      Sarah - Dollbaby would be worth an audio reread!

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  2. LesDecember 30, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    I can't wait to listen to The Invention of Wings and Dollbaby. Hope my library gets the pretty soon!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 6:55 PM

      Les - They are both amazing! I recommend them without hesitation.

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  3. Sheila (Bookjourney)December 30, 2014 at 10:05 AM

    Adding to my list!

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  4. UnknownDecember 30, 2014 at 10:45 AM

    Thanks for sharing your list JoAnn. I don't usually listen to books, but read The Invention of Wings and Everything I Never Told You and loved both. I've been curious about Doll Baby.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 6:56 PM

      Pat - I think you would love Dollbaby. My mother doesn't listen to audiobooks so I got her a print copy. It was her favorite book of the year!

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  5. Beth FDecember 30, 2014 at 11:23 AM

    Ok, so I need to get to Everything I Never Told You. Loved the Monk and Dollbaby (as you know). And also as you know, I'm not listening to Dreiser anytime soon. :)

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 7:00 PM

      Beth F - Yes!! Everything I Never Told You is as good as everyone says and Cassandra Campbell is excellent, as always. So you probably don't want to join me in a Sister Carrie readalong? ;-)

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  6. Vintage ReadingDecember 30, 2014 at 12:40 PM

    Ooh I've been wavering over buying the Celeste Ng, if you recommend it I'll give it a go!

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 7:01 PM

      Vintage Reading - Do not miss Everything I Never Told You... I'm sure it's wonderful in print, too!

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  7. JaneGSDecember 30, 2014 at 1:25 PM

    I agree that the audio production of The Invention of Wings enhanced the book. Without the two actresses putting so much oomph into their parts, I might not have understand each's pov as well.

    I'm becoming a big fan of the print/audio experience--especially for those long, dense classics.

    Happy New Year.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 7:07 PM

      JaneGS - I think audio is the only way to go withThe Invention of Wings! Having the author read her note at the end was a nice touch, too.

      Long classics are perfectly suited to the print/audio experience! I would never get though as many without that audio boost. Trying to decide which ones to choose for 2015 now. I've become a big fan of audio/print combinations for nonfiction, too.

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  8. AnonymousDecember 30, 2014 at 1:53 PM

    I have Wings out from the library - hoping to start it soon!

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  9. MissSusieDecember 30, 2014 at 2:24 PM

    Dollbaby was my favorite audiobook too.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 7:08 PM

      Miss Susie - Can't believe I've never listened to January Lavoy before!

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  10. Katherine PDecember 30, 2014 at 5:02 PM

    Great list! I'll have to look for Doll Baby and Invention of Wings. They're both on my TBR so this would be a great way to get to them sooner.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 30, 2014 at 7:09 PM

      Katherine - I hope you get a chance to listen to them both next year, especially Dollbaby!

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  11. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaDecember 30, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    Haven't read any of these, but good to know the audios are good.

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    1. JoAnnDecember 31, 2014 at 1:03 PM

      Diane - They are definitely worth adding to your list!

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  12. AthiraDecember 31, 2014 at 8:55 PM

    I have not read any of these books but I would certainly love to read them. I'm going to look them up, especially on audio.

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    1. JoAnnJanuary 2, 2015 at 7:33 AM

      Athira - An American Tragedy is very long, but the others are about average length and outstanding on audio!

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  13. DarleneJanuary 1, 2015 at 12:52 PM

    I loved The Invention of Wings and Dollbaby on audio as well. They were fantastic! I agree that listening to a book makes it a totally different experience. One I seem addicted to. Lol.

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    1. JoAnnJanuary 2, 2015 at 7:34 AM

      Darlene - I seem to be addicted, too!! ;-)

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  14. Melissa (Avid Reader)January 2, 2015 at 1:52 PM

    I loved the first two on your list, so I'm definitely adding the others to my must list.

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    1. JoAnnJanuary 4, 2015 at 10:09 AM

      Melissa - Dollbaby is now an all-time favorite audio and I totally understand why amazon named Everything I Never Told You as book of the year.

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  15. LisaJanuary 3, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    I really enjoyed The Invention of Wings but I'm sure the audio would have added a lot. Based on your recommendation, I've already added the other three to my must listen list!

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    1. JoAnnJanuary 4, 2015 at 10:10 AM

      Lisa - Both narrators for The Invention of Wings were amazing... they added so much to the story! I hope you love the others as much as I did.

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  16. MelindaJanuary 8, 2015 at 9:54 AM

    I can't wait to read Everything I never told you!

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    1. JoAnnJanuary 8, 2015 at 8:16 PM

      Melinda - It's SO good... hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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