The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

His Dark Materials, Book Two: The Subtle Knife

Author: Philip Pullman

Reader: Philip Pullman and a full cast

Short Review: Like The Golden Compass, this is a wonderful adventure told by a surprisingly-talented author-narrator and a full cast. The book is a bit less fantastic, in a sense, because some of it is set in our world, but no less enjoyable.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

His Dark Materials, Book I: The Golden Compass Author: Philip Pullman Reader: Philip Pullman and a full cast Short Review: A fantastic tale of adventure, rebellion, childhood, growth, and bears told by a surprisingly-talented author-narrator and a full cast. Long Review: I’m a big fan of this book and the others in the trilogy, so […]

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

Author: James Fenimore Cooper
Read by: Robertson Dean

Short Review: A beautifully-read version of a book I don’t actually like very much.

Fragile Things: Stories Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman

Read by: Neil Gaiman

Short Review: An assortment of magical trips into assorted Gaiman worlds in the form of short stories and poem, all narrated by the gentle cadences of the authors voice.

Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

Housekeeping: A Novel

Author: Marilynne Robinson

Read by: Becket Royce

Short Review: Robinson’s prize-winning, gorgeous, intricate novel about women and the fragility of family, and of sanity, and the need to create and maintain a sense of home, no matter what happens. It is read well, if not perfectly, by Beckett Royce.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita
Author: Vladimir Nabokov
Read by: Jeremy Irons

Short Review: Nabokov’s beautifully-written, disturbing story of a pedophile’s love for a young girl, read by the inimitable Jeremy Irons.

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1)
Author: Lemony Snicket
Read by: Tim Curry
Audio Book Extras: Interview of Lemony Snicket by Leonard C. Marcus

Short Review: Tim Curry! Lemony Snicket! Creepy and dark, yet strangely endearing. And you get to hear an interview with the ever elusive Mr. Snicket.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer

Read by: Jon Krakauer

Short Review: An author-narrated memoir of one of the most tragic seasons on Mt. Everest.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

Read By:Lenny Henry

Short Review: Funny, dark, whimsical, captivating and carried to your ear via the melodic and varied voices of the incredible Lenny Henry. One of those audio books that will make you find excuses to listen to just one more chapter.

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich

The Master Butchers Singing Club
Author: Louise Erdrich

Read by: Louise Erdrich

Short review: A beautifully written historical novel set in Germany and North Dakota between the two World Wars.

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Read by: Campbell Scott
Short Review: A dystopian “speculative fiction” (Atwood’s term) novel tracking a young man’s experiences in pre- and post-apocalyptic world, complete with a ridiculously sheltered genius caste, chaotic plebe lands, corporations run amuck, transgenic species, genetic engineering and cloning to the nth degree, a new, broken Eden, with a side of crushing love-triangle thrown in for good measure.

You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore

You Suck: A Love Story
Author: Christopher Moore
Read By: Susan Bennett
Audio Bonuses: Interview with Christopher Moore

Short Review: Super fun and irreverent vampire romp through San Francisco, stellar reader to whom I could listen all day long.