The mountain of required reading is all too familiar to the average college student. And if you’re anything like me, there’s been times where you cast aside an enjoyable book for the sake of course readings. Enter audiobooks! I rediscovered audiobooks during my freshman year of college and it has completely revolutionized my reading life. Whether you’re trying to get back into reading or simply trying to read more, audiobooks may be the solution you’ve been searching for.
What makes audiobooks so appealing is their portability. You can listen to an audiobook just about anywhere: during your daily commute, walking around campus, or even performing miscellaneous tasks around your dorm. They also offer a unique and enthralling storytelling experience. With renown narrators and even sound effects, audiobooks can breathe an entirely new life into already-beloved stories. And all you need to do is press play!
So how can you begin listening to audiobooks? Audible and Libby are great places to start! Audible is the world’s largest audiobook supplier, with an extensive collection of titles to choose from. However, if you don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription or each audiobook, Libby might be for you. Libby is a free app that allows you to borrow audiobooks through your local library.
But no matter which method you choose, here are five audiobooks that you’re bound to love!
1. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This novel follows the fictional band, Daisy Jones & The Six. Everyone may know them as one of the most famous rock bands of the 1970s, but no one quite knows why they broke up at the height of their fame. This story seeks to answer that question. Written as a thrilling oral history, “Daisy Jones & The Six” chronicles the rise and fall of the titular band, as told by the band members themselves. Taylor Jenkins Reid thrusts readers into a world of vice and rock n’ roll as we follow the band navigating the triumphs and pitfalls of fame. The novel is formatted in an interview style, making it very conducive to the audiobook medium. With a full cast of narrators, this audiobook is a truly immersive experience and elevates the story to another level entirely. This story will captivate you from start to finish. And if you’re still not satiated after this nine-hour audiobook, you can look forward to its upcoming mini-series adaptation!
Via amazon.com
2. One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus
Five students walk into detention, but only four walk out alive. After the mysterious death of Simon Kelleher, Bayview High is in shock. But no one more so than Bronwyn, Addy, Nate and Cooper, who watched it all unfold. But was it really an accident or something more sinister? Simon was an outsider and the creator of a notorious gossip app that ruined dozens of students’ reputations. And Bronwyn, Addy, Nate and Cooper were next in line to have their darkest secrets published before Simon’s death. Appearing to have a motive, the four students become the prime suspects of a murder investigation. And despite having nothing in common, they must band together, clear their names, and solve this perplexing mystery.
A delectable combination of “The Breakfast Club”, “Pretty Little Liars”, and “Gossip Girl”, “One of Us Is Lying” is full of suspense and thrilling plot twists. The audiobook also has a full cast of narrators, who bring each distinct member of the Bayview Four to life. This thrilling mystery, as well as its narrators’ notable performances, will have you on tenterhooks until the very end. And once the mystery is finally solved, you can also look forward to the novel’s upcoming television adaptation.
Via amazon.com
3. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Following up a critically acclaimed debut novel like “The Hate U Give” might seem like an impossible feat. But when you’re Angie Thomas, the sophomore jinx clearly does not apply to you. “On the Come Up” follows Bri, a sixteen-year-old aspiring rap artist. When her mother unexpectedly loses her job, Bri and her family are forced to face shutoff notices and potential homelessness. And what was once her dream, now seems like a very real solution to her family’s economic troubles. But wanting to make it big is no longer enough. Bri needs to make it if she’s going to save her family.
Bahni Turpin lends her voice to this captivating audiobook. Unlike reading the book physically, the audiobook gives you the unique experience of hearing Bri’s lyrics as they were meant to be heard. Turpin also does a commendable job varying her cadence, diction and tone while reading for different characters. With the perfect combination of Thomas’ immersive writing style and Turpin’s incredible narration, “On the Come Up” promises an unforgettable listening experience.
Via amazon.com
4. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Like Professor McGonagall predicted in the first chapter of “The Sorcerer’s Stone”, every child in our world does know Harry Potter’s name. But in case you’ve been in Azkaban for the last twelve years, allow me to fill you in on the plot of this cultural phenomenon. When Harry Potter turns eleven-years-old, his life is forever changed when he learns that he is a wizard and is accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Whisked away into the Wizarding World, Harry learns that he is known as “the boy who lived”. For he is the only known wizard to survive Voldemort’s fatal curse. The same curse which killed his parents and sent the dark wizard into hiding. With murmurings of Voldemort’s return, Harry must stop Voldemort from returning to full power and wreaking havoc on the Wizarding World.
Whether you loved the series as a child, or have yet to visit the Wizarding World, these audiobooks offer a truly magical experience. With Jim Dale’s masterful narration, J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters come alive. Dale even provides a unique accent and diction for each character, making the audiobooks all the more entertaining. But don’t take my word for it, I’ll let you hear his iteration of Molly Weasley for yourself.
Via amazon.com
5. The Shatter Me series by Tarereh Mafi
In this imagining of a post-apocalyptic society, diseases are ravaging the population, birds don’t fly anymore, and the world is ruled by an organization called The Reestablishment. Amidst all the chaos is Juliette Ferrars, a seventeen-year-old girl with a lethal touch. Juliette has spent the last 264 days in a cell due to her supernatural abilities. But when she is joined by a mysterious cellmate, Juliette soon finds herself whisked away to Sector 45. There she will be trained as a weapon for The Reestablishment. Juliette has two choices: become the monster they’ve always believed her to be or fight back and find others like her.
Kate Simses’ beautiful narration perfectly complements Tarereh Mafi’s flowery and lyrical writing style. The audiobooks also incorporate sound effects to further add to this captivating series. And there’s no time like the present to catch up on this book series! The final book, “Imagine Me” is expected to be released in March of next year.
Via amazon.com
Happy listening, collegiettes!