Welcome back for another great RIP guest, Stacy of The Novel Life.
Today, she is here to chat with us about the scary on audio.
I can't wait to try a few of these myself!
Today, she is here to chat with us about the scary on audio.
I can't wait to try a few of these myself!
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| Credit: Abigail Larson |
10 Creepy Audiobooks
I was staying by myself at a campground the evening I downloaded this audiobook. The door to the camper was locked. My faithful standard poodle, Obie, was taking up almost the entire bed. And I had a free credit, plus a penchant for something gothic.
Although it was early October the cooler weather was well on its way to settling in to the small North Georgia mountain town. I could not have dreamed up a more perfect atmosphere for a creepy ghostly tale.
The moment I started to listen to Marina by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, I knew I was in for a scary night. There’s something about listening to a well-made production audio that feels completely immersive. Any of the audiobooks below will satisfy your desire to get in the mood for Halloween, Fall and Goth!
Side note: The key to audio I have found is in having a quality narrator. Several of the novels below have multiple releases and narrations. I can vouch for the quality versions/narrators below.
Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Narrator: Daniel Weyman
Run Time: 7 Hours and 30 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: Atmospheric, creepy and the narration adds to the timeless ghostly appeal of Marina. This audiobook is what sold me on listening to audio!
Author: Elizabeth Kostova
Narrator: Justine Eyre, Paul Michael
Run Time: 26 Hours and 11 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: Not your typical vampire novel but one that feels almost entirely plausible! The narration will keep you sufficiently scared of things going bump in the night.
Author: Justin Cronin
Narrator: Scott Brick, Abby Craden, Adenrele Ojo
Run Time: 36 Hours and 52 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: An epic trilogy that will keep you thinking long after completion. The narration is like listening to a radio show. Not to be missed.
Author: Anne Rice
Narrator: Kate Reading
Run Time: 50 Hours
Why You Should Listen: Kate Reading is a phenomenal narrator taking you deep into the lives and horrors of The Mayfair Witches. Though the audiobook is the longest audio on this list, listening as opposed to reading will leave you afraid to turn out the lights! Promise!
Author: Max Brooks
Narrators: Christopher Ragland, Rupert Farley, Nigel Pilkington, Jennifer Woodward, David Thorpe, Adam Sims, Robert Slade
Run Time: 14 Hours
Why You Should Listen: As this is “an oral history” the story is told as a series of interviews. This translates well on audio, giving World War Z almost an Orson Welles, War of the Worlds feel.
Author: Jan Anson
Narrator: Ray Porter
Run Time: 6 Hours and 27 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: As long as you don’t get hung up on whether the story is true or not, this narration will scare the pants off of you. The narrator is top notch, creating a sense of eerie horror with each passing event. This one will give you nightmares if you let it!
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Narrator: Jim Dale
Run Time: 13 Hours and 39 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: Not your typical scary tale as The Night Circus is more fantastical with hints of goth, but it’s Jim Dale. You can’t miss out on anything Jim Dale reads - Jim Dale of Harry Potter audiobook fame! Dale takes every audiobook he narrates to an entire new level. The voice he uses for each character is unique and thrilling. You can’t go wrong with this one!
Author: Stephen King
Narrator: Craig Wasson
Run Time: 30 Hours and 44 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: The most remarkable audiobook I’ve ever heard in life. Not the scariest on this list by far, but it is a Stephen King novel so be prepared for creepy. Craig Wasson becomes the protagonist Jake Epping in a way that you feel like Jake is your new best friend sharing what happened when. . .
Author: Dan Simmons
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Run Time: 9 Hours and 49 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: A supernatural ghost story made all the better by Bronson Pinchot’s narration. When Dale Stewart, the protagonist, becomes stressed {ie, terrorized}, Pinchot’s narration reflects that inner turmoil. The setting is atmospheric and perfect, taking place on Halloween in Stewart’s long-deserted boyhood home. If you like a slower buildup with a supercharged ending, then this audio is for you.
Author: Caroline Kepnes
Narrator: Santino Fontana {Hans from Frozen - yup, that Frozen!}
Run Time: 11 Hours and 6 Minutes
Why You Should Listen: I hesitated adding this one to the list. It is gritty, explicit and downright disgusting in places but oh my gosh the narration takes this novel to an entirely new level. I both read and listened to You. The audiobook of this one will leave you breathless, looking over your shoulder and wondering if you’ll ever be the same again.
I’d love to know your favorite audiobooks! Do you find some narrators either make or break the book for you? Let’s discuss!
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P.S. For more information on Readers Imbibing Peril (RIP) Reads, check out the challenge here.
A scary audiobook? I've never tried one before but I can imagine that it must feel like being a kid again and listening to scary stories told by your friends. I think I'll check some of these books out. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteOh scary audiobooks are the best kind - especially if you have the perfect narrator! I always feel completely immersed in the story when listening on audio. If you do try one, please come back and share! I'd love to know how you liked it!
DeleteI am so excited to add more audios to be Overdrive Wish List!! I'm always looking for good ones to listen to!
ReplyDelete