June is Audiobook Month!
As you may (or may not) know, June is Audiobook Month and is sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association "to increase awareness and enthusiasm for audiobooks" (APA website). Sometimes called JiAM, it is basically a chance for more people to become aware of the awesomeness of audiobooks.
I personally love audiobooks for a couple of reasons. First, audiobooks allow me to begin and finish a book while doing other things. I listen as clean, take long trips, even exercise (theoretically exercise that is!). It makes monotonous tasks and long days a lot easier to manage. Plus, there is the bonus of knocking a book of my HUGE TBR pile while sitting at a desk at work. I'm a bigggg believer in multitasking.
And secondly, an audiobook can be just as enthralling and momentous as watching a movie. A good narrator can bring each individual character alive and make the setting and drama come alive in a way that traditional reading doesn't. Don't get me wrong, I love reading and a good book can keep me glued for hours, but there is something about hearing the words aloud that speaks to a part of my brain.
Here is a list of my personal favorites, both in terms of story and narration, that I recommend to everyone (or at least readers of romance):
-Series
--Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series narrated by Justine Eyre (PNR)
--the MaIden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt, skipping Lord of Darkness (HIS)
--the Beautiful Bastard series by Christina Lauren (ERO)
--Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series narrated by Phil Gigante
-Individual Titles
--It Happened One Wedding--Julie James, narrated by Karen White (CONT)
--Once Burned--Jeaniene Frost, narrated by Tavia Gilbert (PNR)
--Hammered--Kevin Hearne, narrated by Luke Daniels (UF)
--Devil's Bride--Stephanie Laurens, narrated by Simon Prebble
Remember, these are just a few. I could make a big list of all the titles and narrators I enjoy.
If you are already familiar with JiAM or the above audiobooks, be sure to check the web for other recommendations and blogs that are showcasing their own favorites. My go to blogs are AudioGals, The Book Nympho and Hot Listens because they are hardcore romance readers and love the spoken word.