Alfred Enoch and Bonnie Wright, who starred in the Harry Potter franchise as Dean Thomas and Ginny Weasley, will lend their voices to narrate the audiobook based on the late Alan Rickman's diaries. Fans are excited, not only because Rickman is a beloved figure in pop culture, but because audiobooks are always a great way to experience books.
Indeed, audiobooks allow for a more immersive experience, especially for those people who are less visual. Fans on Reddit have multiple suggestions about their favorite audiobooks, including some famous titles and some that flew under the radar.
Dune
Frank Herbert's Dune is already a bonafide classic, especially after Denis Villeneuve's groundbreaking adaptation. However, nothing can top the book, which stands as one of the all-time best entries into the sci-fi genre. As it turns out, the audiobook is just as good.
Redditor DoctorTurkleton named it among their Top 10 favorites, while fellow user turkeylurkeywastasty agreed, claiming "the full cast narration of Dune was so, so good!" Herbert's world building is already exquisite, as is his politically and socially intricate plot, so it makes sense that an engrossing narration would increase the book's sense of wonder.
A Christmas Carol
The one and only Tim Curry is an acting institution. His versatility and range have made him one of the most iconic character actors in the business, known for playing deliciously wicked characters. Curry is the very definition of a scene-stealer, and his talents were also applied to the narration of Charles Dickens's classic, A Christmas Carol.
Mentioning how the narrator is crucial to an audiobook, Redditor photolouis named Curry's version of A Christmas Carol as one of their favorite audiobooks. SpaceUnicorn756 agreed, calling Curry's performance " a masterpiece." It's hard to argue, considering Curry is a one-of-a-kind talent, and his unique voice greatly enhances the already rich prose in Dickens's seminal novel.
American Gods
There's no doubt that Neil Gaiman is one of the best writers in the business. A creative mind like few others, Gaiman is famous for his layered, topical stories that successfully blend genres, ideas, and themes. His 2011 fantasy novel American Gods ranks as one of his best, even receiving an underrated live-action adaptation in 2017.
Redditor TwistTurtle considers most Gaiman audiobooks "are always top quality" but signals American Gods as a standout. In their opinion, the performances "stood out and enhanced the book." Indeed, American Gods features a massive cast of characters, and, understandably, providing them with unique and appropriate voices would elevate the story.
Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood
Many comedians inject their biographies with humor to make heavy themes more accessible. Trevor Noah gives a masterclass in this practice with his 2016 biography Born a Crime. The plot follows Noah's childhood growing up in South Africa during apartheid, with particular emphasis on his mother.
Reddit user idgelee praised Noah for doing "such a great job telling a story" and his narrating skills. As such a personal story, it makes perfect sense for Noah himself to provide the narration. The comedian, writer, and political commentator wears his heart on his sleeve throughout the narration, adding an even more personal and meaningful layer to the novel.
We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
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A science fiction adventure unlike any other, Dennis E. Taylor's We Are Legion (We Are Bob) came out in 2016 and spawned two sequels. It might not be as mainstream as other entries into the genre, but it has a legion of devoted fans who consider it among the finest published works of the past decade.
Case in point: Redditor fallwalltall praised the trilogy for making "a complete plot arc" and not trying to "drag the series through endless sequels. Indeed, the story offers a comprehensive journey for the main character, crafting an addictive narrative that fans will have trouble resisting. Reddit user stumpyoftheshire "finished all 3 audiobooks in 1 week." They're that good!
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir made his debut with The Martian, which later received a live-action adaptation that became one of Ridley Scott's most rewatchable movies. Weir's follow-up, Project Hail Mary, was another ambitious sci-fi novel, and its audiobook, narrated by Ray Porter, has many fans worldwide.
Redditor BrianFantannaAction8 described it as "fire" and claimed they "might have actually liked it more than The Martian." The audiobook employs melodic background sounds to enhance the experience, giving it an ethereal quality that perfectly fits the setting. Weir has all but confirmed himself as one of the leading voices in sci-fi, and Project Hail Mary is proof enough.
Harry Potter
The Harry Potter series is already a classic, but its audiobook adaptation might be even better than a traditional reading experience. Narrated by the iconic and versatile Stephen Fry, the audiobooks perfectly capture the charm of the Wizarding World thanks to Fry's vivid, clever, and unabashedly English reading that turns an already iconic story into an unforgettable experience.
Redditor greatpinkshark calls Fry's narration of the Potter books "hand down (their) all-time favorite." Fry's version of the series was many people's first approach to the magical world of Harry Potter, explaining why it holds such a privileged place in many people's rankings.
The Dutch House
American treasure Tom Hanks is famous for his significant contributions to cinematic history. However, the two-time Academy Award winner is also a gifted voice performer, lending his talents to the Toy Story franchise and the audiobook version of Ann Patchett's 2019 novel The Dutch House.
Redditors saenyc527 and pmiller61 had nothing but praise for Hanks' work on the audiobook version, with the latter claiming Hanks "raised it to a whole other level." The Dutch House is an intricate and decades-long story about loss and forgiveness, and Hanks adds a degree of gravitas that fits right in with the novel's themes.
The Count Of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas' timeless classic, The Count of Monte Cristo, should be a must-read for anyone passionate about literature. The novel has received several audiobook adaptations, but John Lee's 2005 version for Blackstone Audio is particularly famous among Reddit fans.
User King_of_Otters offered high praise of Lee's work, declaring it "(their) best audiobook experience." Lee is an experienced narrator, and his voice perfectly fits Dumas' prose. The Count of Monte Cristo is already a lively and fascinating story, but Lee's voice enhances the novel's best elements, creating a sensory experience that will leave fans shaking in excitement.
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
The power of Stephen Fry is undeniable, and his narration of the Douglas Adams classic The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is perfect proof. Fry delivers a pitch-perfect performance, effortlessly capturing the book's humor and bringing the universe to wonderfully vivid light.
Redditor MassumanCurryIsGood expressed their adoration for Fry's work on the audiobook, claiming they were "laughing more than any other (they)'ve read or listened to." It's no easy feat to narrate such a complex and beloved novel, but Fry took the challenge head-on and came out victorious.