Top Five Audiobooks Of 2017 with BookBeat

Tuesday, January 09, 2018
Last year I was very kindly given a one year subscription to BookBeat and I've been using it over the past year (and loving it). It's the first time I've ever listened to audiobooks and if I'm honest, it did take me a while to get into them; however now I'm obsessed and it means that I can listen to books whenever I want and they contribute to my reading goal on GoodReads.

BookBeat is such an amazing audiobook service as unlike others, you don't have credits, you just pay £14.90 per month and you can listen to as many audiobooks as you want which is amazing value for money compared to other audiobook services out there. I also love their app as it's so easy to use. There have been some boring, slow or tedious audiobooks but there have also been some wonderful ones and today's post is all about my top five audiobooks of 2017 (although I only started the service in March/April).

Borne by Jeff Vandermeer ★★★★★
In 2017 I discovered my love for Jeff Vandermeer's books as I read the first book in this southern reach series and then the other two books on BookBeat. I really liked the trilogy so I had to listen to Borne as well which is a newer release. All of his books are very unusual so I think they will be something you either love or hate!

Borne isn't set in the same world as the southern reach trilogy but the world is just as weird...wait, weirder. I'm not going to say anything else about the audiobook as it's best to be surprised, intrigued and grossed out as you listen to it. I did like the narrator and it is one of the best fiction audiobooks I've listen to so far.

House Of Furies by Madeleine Roux ★★★★
Next up is a YA paranormal audiobook from an author that seems to be fairly prolific in that genre so it definitely shows. I loved the narrator for this audiobook (no matter how good the book is, it can definitely be ruined by an awful narrator) and I loved the spooky, atmospheric setting as well as the sweet romance. It's the perfect audiobook for dark winter nights or around halloween!

Victorians Undone by Kathryn Hughes ★★★★
I've listened to more non-fiction audiobooks in 2017 than fiction but there are actually only two on my list as the others have just been a little forgettable or boring, if I'm completely honest! This book was the first audiobook I ever listened to and I definitely chose well as this audiobook was interesting, intriguing and definitely gave me an intimate insight into the numerous historical figures it features. If you are looking for an informative non-fiction with an unusual twist and intimate details then check this one out!

Ancient Wonderings By James Canton ★★★★
The final non-fiction audiobook on this list is more like a walk with a friend or listening to someones thoughts rather than a list of facts. It mentions various ancient monuments, sites and objects but in a more relaxed, easy listening kind of way which I loved and it was such a nice change compared to the dull, information heavy audiobooks I was listening to at the time.

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro ★★★ (3.5)
Lastly we have an audiobook that links with the TV show of the same name - I love the TV show (I've only watched the first season so far) so I wanted to listen to the audiobook. From my memory, the TV show and the audiobook aren't massively different so you can just watched/listen to one or the other. I like the narrator (not so much the sound effects), the story on the whole and the creepy mystery.

Honorary Mentions
I'd like to mention a couple of fantastic audiobooks that I loved but that didn't quite make the top five including Coraline by Neil Gaiman and it's narrated by Neil Gaiman too (★★★) and We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which was a great lesson on the basics of feminism (★★★★★).

Have you listened to any of these audiobooks?

20 comments

  1. not sure how I feel listening to a book, Im old school and would rather have a copy in my hands to read :)
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  2. I've never listened to any audiobooks - I think I'd get distracted and would miss bits! xx

    Beautylymin

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  3. I've never actually listened to an audiobook as I'm really old school and much prefer reading a good old fashioned book haha! There's some great reading recommendations here though! xx
    www.imjustagirl16.co.uk

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  4. I’ve not got in to audio books yet but many of my friends have x

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  5. I have never tried audio books before but do like the sound of them. X

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  6. Personally not a fan of audiobooks-love the feel and touch of an actual book in my hands. Will defo check these out though but in book form xx

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  7. I really need to get into audiobooks. I used to love listening to my harry potters!

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  8. I've never listened to an audio book before but I like the idea of a subscription service that allows you to chose as many as you like a month.

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  9. I do like the idea of audiobooks I need to give it a try x

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  10. Ooooo they all look and sound so so good! I need to try these for in the car :)

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  11. I’ve still never listened to an Audiobook and it is something I should try x

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  12. Ancient wonderings sounds lovely to listen to! X

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  13. I've never listened to an Audiobook, but I know it's something I would love so I really need to!xo

    Char | www.charslittleblog.co.uk

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  14. I’ve not listened to an audio book before but these sound really good and it might be worth a shot as I struggle to find time to actually read books these days with 3 kids! x

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  15. I need to make the time and really try with audio books this year x

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  16. I struggle with audiobooks because I get distracted but I know so many people really recommend them!x

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  17. I need to try and get into audio books! It would be perfect to tune into when I'm tidying etc!
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  18. I'm really in to audiobooks (just got audible) so will have to download some of your recommendations x

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