Engaging Your Auditory Senses

Are you new to audiobooks, or undecided on where to start? 

The power of a good narrator should not be underestimated. Some award-winning actors have brought their considerable talent to audiobooks, adding layers of emotional depth to already great stories. 

Some of my favorites are Tom Lake by Ann Patchett narrated by the inimitable Meryl Streep and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig narrated by actress Carey Mulligan.

When the narrator is also the author, particularly in the memoir genre, the reader feels an even stronger connection to the story. Two of my favorite memoirs were read brilliantly by their authors: You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith and Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. 

Narrators with rich, unique voices, or a distinct accent or dialect can elevate a story from good to captivating by engaging your auditory senses. I particularly enjoyed Snow by John Banville narrated by John Lee who has an English accent with hints of his family’s Irish heritage.

When you find a narrator that you enjoy, try searching for other books by the same narrator, either in the Libby or Palace Project search function or the FCPL catalog search bar, the same way you search for an author. Libby also gives you the opportunity to listen to a "sample" of the audiobook before doing a full download, which is a great way to decide if you would enjoy the narration.  

Happy listening!

Tracy MacNaughton

Information Specialist