Voracious Bibliophage's Audiobook Favs

“Scintillating, ethereal, and utterly captivating. And with narration by Jim Dale, who could say no? Morgenstern writes in sparkling prose, slowly weaving tapestries that come together in beautiful, unexpected ways, though when you look back, the stage had been set from the beginning. The Night Circus is a beautiful tale of being open to the magic in the world and choosing your own path through it all. Now if only I knew where the Cirque was making its next stop. Perhaps I'll email the proprietor... ”

“Uprooted by Naomi Novik is like every fairy tale you've ever heard turned on their head. You have the girl trapped in a tower, a dragon, and a prince. You've heard this story before, but this one isn't so simple. I mean, if it was, what fun would that be? Novik draws heavily on her Polish roots and it creates a story that feels like home. Warm, inviting, and full of secrets that don't leave the walls. The antagonist is written in such a way that you can almost feel the Wood staring at you while you read, but the fact that it doesn't outright speak makes it more menacing. With a rich cast of characters that follow their own moral compasses, a beautifully built world, and a magic system that feels authentic, this book will leave you wanting more.”

“A creepy, sinister, can’t-put-it-down story of a town that survives and then relives the crimes of a child serial killer. For those who love psychological thrillers (with the absence of gore but plenty of plot twists and turns), The Whisper Man is a grand ride into the minds of those who kill and those who are victims. You’ll find yourself looking over your shoulder when reading this book. Don’t stand too close to an open window...”

“The Grace Year is a brutal, feminist gut-punch of a book that grips you tight and never lets go. Ugly crying will happen and readers are likely to get some serious lockjaw from gritting their teeth in suspense. Narrator Emily Shaffer nuanced performance of main character Tierney James is unforgettable, as she captures each little passive aggressive snipe, every accidental slip of the tongue, and all the fraught emotions that come with being a teenage girl. The comparisons to tense-reading favorites, The Handmaid's Tale and Lord of the Flies, are accurate and certainly well-earned.”

“A deliciously delightful and utterly enchanting debut sure to dazzle fans of the Harry Potter series, “Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow,” by Jessica Townsend, caught me from the very first chapter. I absolutely couldn’t put this gem down after meeting Morrigan, a cursed child destined to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. Complete with monsters lurking in the shadows, a Magnificat named Fenestra and the magical city, Nevermoor, home of the Wundrous Society, Townsends tale is a treasure for all ages and will leave you longing for more. Will Morrigan figure out her talent in time to save herself from the wicked Wundersmith or is she doomed to die a dark death and disappear for all time? Fantastically fun and fast paced read…I loved it!! Read by Gemma Whelan, you'll be anxiously awaiting the next installment "Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow due out in late November.”

“I have never been so entertained while being utterly clueless. This stream of consciousness tangential novelette is a bit of a wild ride. Although seemingly a quick read it stands to take your time as you discover this is a tale of philosophical proportions. After discovering he has had poison for breakfast, we follow Mr. Snicket as he investigates the ingredients of his meal, recounts memories, divulges the secrets behind writing, and finally solves the mystery plaguing him in a manner most surprising. Bonus points for being narrated by Patrick Warburton.”

“At its simplest, we could just say this is a story about the human condition. Backman’s wry and deceptively simple storytelling provides us an exquisite and astute study of the little complexities that fills our lives with joy and pain. Through his rich story exploring second chances, missed opportunities, and unintended consequences, he captures the essence of what it means to be human and the complexities of navigating relationships with each other by exploring what we say and do not say to one another. The audio version is absolutely spectacular. The narrator brings each character to life with unique and spot-on personalities that I cannot imagine creating myself in my head. Her delivery of the dialogue and story is spot on and kept me laughing throughout.”

“Written as an oral history chronicling the astronomic rise and fall of a Fleetwood Mac-esque rock band in the late '70s, DAISY JONES & THE SIX is a gorgeous, dishy, and profound book that I devoured in something like two days. The story races like gangbusters and cuts straight to the hearts and souls of the superbly-drawn characters, who all have a lot to say about music, creativity, fame, family, love, collaboration, and (of course) sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far!”