I currently have 143 books in my Audible Library.

I don’t even want to think about how much money that is, I’d probably die.

Audiobooks make reading so easy – especially these days when I don’t always have the time or the energy to sit and read a book. Usually sitting and reading a book results in me falling asleep anymore. I’m fortunate enough that I’m able to listen while I’m at work doing my job. It means I get at least 6 solid hours in – and I can read books.

I’ve been an Audible subscriber for about 6 years on and off and I truly love the platform. I do wish it weren’t so expensive, and that you could share audiobooks easier. For how much money I sink into the platform + buying eBooks and physical copies – it would be nice to be able to easily share them. My biggest gripe is the exclusivity of it all, but I’m still going to fork over the cash. I’m weak and I love easy access to the books.

I’ve looked into other platforms. I really should utilize them to help cut back on the asinine spending I do through Audible, but the instant gratification and owning the books is such a plus.

When I first started listening to audiobooks, I wasn’t sure if I’d comprehend what I was listening to. I’m a very visual person – it’s how I learn and retain information. So I was surprised that books were often sticking with me longer and were more vivid in my head after and while listening to someone read them to me. If I binge a series then I’m probably not going to remember what happens in each individual book, but audiobooks legit play out like a movie in my head. So much so, that there will be times I hear a line or a scene replaying in my head and I have to question where I’ve heard it before. What movie or show did it come from? Only to realize it was just a perfectly delivered line from an audiobook.

When compiling a list of my favorite audiobooks I came up with quite a few, so there’s definitely going to be a part 2 to this.

These 5 books have just been phenomenal reads overall, but the added bonus of the narration just put them over the top.

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Disenchanted (Disenchanted #1) – Brianna Suglaski

I’m currently reading this and let me just say that the narrator is amazing. So incredibly talented. I lowkey freaked out when she started singing.

Yeah, you read that correctly.

A character was watching some other characters perform and the narrator sang the dang song! I love this and have often said/whined that if there’s going to be music/lyrics in a book, then there should be a song to match, otherwise idk what it sounds like.

And then there are the effects placed on some of the voices to denote a certain thing and I love it. It differentiates and just adds to the story. And then there are the accents and omfg how I love accents.

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The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) – S.A. Chakraborty

The narration for this just brings this whole world to life and truly plays it out like a feature length movie in your head. I have no doubt that S.A. Chakraborty brought it to life with solely her words, but the narrator does such a phenomenal job at bringing the characters completely to life.

The whole thing is just a completely wonderful production that leaves you immersed and wanting more.

I love this trilogy and it’s richness and if you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for?

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Dark Skies (Dark Shores #2) – Danielle L. Jensen

You cannot tell me that this wasn’t a movie. It was cinematic as hell. The narrators brought the world and the characters to life. Danielle is a fantastic writer and a new favorite, but the two narrators just added the cherry on top.

They had me falling for Lydia and Killian from the beginning.

And while they had me falling for the characters and portrayed their chemistry so well, I seriously just remember the cinematic quality they added to the story as a whole. If I had to choose a book that 100% felt like a movie, it would be this one.

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Stain – A.G. Howard

You know, I was slightly worried when I saw that this book had a male narrator – I’m partial to female narrators, especially when the MC is a girl, but oh my fucking god. The man who narrates this, was beyond perfect for the role. His voice was the perfect “let me read you a fairytale” voice and he just transports you straight into this book.

I didn’t have super high expectations going into this book since the author’s prior release fell flat, but by the end I was utterly in love. This is a new favorite and I recommend it all of the time.

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Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) – Kerri Maniscalco

It’s been years since I read/listened to this and there is still a scene from this book that I can picture. I don’t know if I would still be able to envision it if I’d just read it, but the narrator brought the tension and fear and longing to the forefront and it still hits me when I think about it. It’s such an intense, high stakes scene and honestly one of my favorites ever.

The narrator brings Audrey Rose and Thomas to life and portrays their rivalry and chemistry to perfection.

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I don’t think I’ll ever stop listening to audiobooks. They’re just so wonderful and so easy. They allow me to read and do other activities at the same time – it’s brilliant.