Could you recommend a fiction/novel audiobook from the Audible store, please?

[Baldbloke]

I listen to audiobooks all day. I drive a lot during my working day. Audiobooks a great way of passing the time away.
For the past ten years or so I've been listening to non fiction, biographies, true stories and such. Never fiction. (Arguable point when I think of some of the dubious claims I've heard in some biographies

Anyway, the last time, 9 years ago, I listened to a novel (It was by J Grisham) our hero in this tale got in to a fight with a bad guy, was losing the fight, then turned his head to spot a loaded gun hidden under a rock just within arms reach. Reached for the gun. Bang, bang. Our hero wins. That gun was there by pure chance. No way did this piece of fiction lead up to that being a possibility. Nor did it follow up on that lucky discovery.
Now, I don't expect absolute realism. Books might well be very dull otherwise but it did seem a lazy way to conclude a tale. Quite disappointed.

I was never a great fan of fiction beforehand but that Grisham tale just put me right off fiction. Haven't listened to a non fiction since.
Don't get me wrong. I can watch a film now and again. I am choosy though. It has to be a good film. - Shirley Valentine is one of my favs. Die hard, love story and action films just bore me to tears.

Surely I'm missing out on some good fiction tales. I have to be. Fiction is just so popular.

Can you recommend a good audiobook to get me interested in novels, please?

Or, If you want to indulge me and encourage me to remain in my small world, recommend a blooming good biography

Thank you.

 

[Baldbloke]

Thanks for the suggestion Destination.
I had a quick look at a synopsis on Mike Brooks. It might be a bit of a stretch for me to start with a fantasy book genre.

I was thinking perhaps something a little more sedate to get me interested in novels. More along the line of George Orwell, Graham Green sort of thing.

 

[Baldbloke]

Try the Bobiverse books. Light sci-fi, very funny, thought provoking, nerdy as hell and the narrator is excellent.

Got myself the first Bobiverse book after this suggestion. Couple of hours into it so far. Seems quite entertaining. Thank you.

This, absolutely this.

/threadover

Giving it a go.

Not really what you asked, but based on listening history have you thought about Podcasts too? There are some really good ones. They wouldn't fill five full days, but would cover a few hours each day and are completely free

Ah, podcasts, yes. I'm a member of audible. Audible does a lot of free/inclusive podcasts. I've tried a few but the inane, pointless music in them tends to cause me annoyance. It spoils them for me. I've written to Audible suggesting they cut out this needless noise in their podcasts. Of course, they won't, but I like to let them know, anyway Then again, I'm like that with any tv or radio programme. Must be my age. (61 years young).

 

[Baldbloke]

Thanks peoples,

It's begining to look like the word "fiction" brings to mind the genre "science fiction" to many folks.

When I think of fiction I of course include science in that thought but also other authors. Like I mentioned earlier, George Orwell (I've read one or two), Graham Greene (Never read any of his. Are they fiction or travelouges or a bit of both?). Now I'm desparately trying to think of other authors, but, nah. I'm not well read. Hence, I ask for recommendations.

Anyway, for those who would like to try a true story, biography or memoir then two that spring immediately to mind are
Shantaram by Gregory Roberts.
and
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn.

I've listened to many, many audio books whilst travelling around. These two just spring to mind. I have a couple of hundred audible books in my Audible library. I'm sure I could find dozens to recommend.

P.s. For those that go through a lot of audiobooks, were you aware that Audible does a membership which includes 25 credits for £109? Works out at just £4 a credit. I love it when they do a 2 for 1 sale. Only issue with that can be many of the books on sale are either not particularly to my taste or I've previously bought them.

 

[Baldbloke]

I have read a few books by Patricia Cornwell.Fiction but not bad.

That's probably a good recommendation. My ex Mrs was a big fan of the Scarpetta series. P'raps I should try this. Thank you.

 

[Baldbloke]

Try The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.

Looks interesting. Had a quick look at the synopsis. Bought it on Audible. I'll give it a listen when I've finished my current book. Thank you.

A recommendation in return: The Bite of the Mango. by Mariatu Kumara.

 

[Baldbloke]

I will have a look into The Bite of the Mango, thanks.

The Power of One is my favourite book of all time, easily read it 20 times, not done the audio yet, so might have to give that a try.

I'm 3 or 4 hours in to Power of One, looking good so far. Thank you.
(Humphrey Bower is an excellent narrator.

 

[Baldbloke]

The Blade Itself

Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled and bitter relic of the last war, former fencing champion turned torturer, is trapped in a twisted and broken body - not that he allows it to distract him from his daily routine of torturing smugglers. Nobleman, dashing...

www.audible.co.uk

Thank you. A bit of a departure from my normal listens but that's a good thing. Broaden horizons etc. I'll keep that one in mind.

 

[Baldbloke]

I went through the Bobiverse series on recommendation from these forum, brilliant audio books so can also highly recommend. Also another good recommendation from these forums was John Scalzi's 'old man's war' series.

Sci-fi aside, The Count of Monte Cristo narrated by Bill Homewood, James Clavell's Asian Saga, John Le Carre books ( can sometimes get an Audible bundle on one credit ) and the Age of Madness series from Joe Abercrombie ( tied to the recommendation above - The Blade itself ) are all worthy listens.

Really enjoyed the Count of Monte Cristo, classic story and superbly narrated.

Bundles for a single credit? I'm going to have a look for bundles. Do you come across these bundles by chance, are they a now and again offer or is there a search feature for them?