Staff Picks: Audiobooks

Audio Book Concept by dalydose

Whether embarking on a summer road trip, making the daily commute, or just doing chores around the house, the right audiobook can make the hours fly by! Not to mention, June is Audiobook Month. For today's blog post we've gathered together some suggestions from Carnegie-Stout's audiobook collection, including some staff favorites.

You can always stop in to browse or ask at the Recommendations Desk for suggestions, and don't forget our collection of Downloadable Audiobooks (and eBooks too). If you're planning a big road trip for this summer, you might want to submit a Personal Recommendations request!

Janet Evanovich's mystery series featuring bounty hunter Stephanie Plum are a favorite of many staff members. One for the Money, the first book in the series, is narrated by C.J. Critt. Set in New Jersey, the books have a colorful cast of characters and some hot love interests. Amanda says this series "will have you laughing so hard its difficult to see the road."

If you're looking for a laugh, Sharon recommends The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson or anything by Ellen Degeneres. Mr. Bryson's hilarious memoir of growing up in 1950s Iowa would be a good choice for a family with older kids on a long trip, and is available on CD and as a downloadable file. At this time, Carnegie-Stout only owns Ms. Degeneres' latest, Seriously- I'm Kidding, as an audiobook, but we do have a number of other witty comediennes you might want to check out too!

Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy is narrated by Carolyn McCormick (Dr. Elizabeth Olivet on Law and Order), and Sharon and Angie say it's worth the wait for these popular books! Ms. McCormick is also the narrator for James Patterson's popular Women's Murder Club series, and Chelsea Cain's series featuring serial killer Gretchen Lowell. You can search for a favorite narrator in our catalog under Author as Last Name, First Name. Then select CD Audio Book under Item Types on the left.

But of course, sometimes the best narrator is someone you know. Maybe your favorite book hasn't been released as an audiobook, or maybe you enjoy taking turns reading aloud as a family activity. Michelle has fond memories of reading The Tale of Despereaux and The Summer of the Monkeys on family road trips. We invite you to share your favorites in the comments section!


Other Favorite Audiobooks include:
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (Biog)
Blood Red Road by Moira Young (YA)
By Myself and Then Some by Lauren Bacall (Biog)
Echo Park by Michael Connelly (Fiction)
Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith (Biog)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Fiction)
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (YA)
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron (814.54 EPH)
Life by Keith Richards (Biog)

The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Fiction)
Marley and Me by John Grogan (636.752 GRO)
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Fiction)

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick (Fiction)
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (YA)
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Fiction
Will Grayson, Will Grayson byJohn Green (YA)