Hearing Voices

 by Ellen Meister

I never liked the idea of audiobooks. The written word, after all, is for reading. I couldn't understand why would anyone who could see the printed page would choose to listen to a book.Then I got my first tablet, and the temptation to try it was just too great. After all, if I could squeeze an extra book a week into my busy life by listening while driving and cooking and folding laundry, I was all for it.

I've only had my tablet  a few weeks, and I’m already so hooked I must have an audiobook at my disposal at all times. I’m loving it that much.

Here are the books I've listened to so far …

BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey

The decision to listen to this one was a slam dunk. Tina Fey is a riot, and she was her own reader. So listening to the audiobook—a hilarious conversational memoir—was like having Tina Fey as my very own bff for a week. Plus, listening to it on audiobook meant I never had to look at the cover, which just gives me the creeps.

ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoy

Okay, I admit it. I never finished reading Anna Karenina. It’s been on my shelf for years taunting me, and I couldn't bring myself to revisit it. So I figured I’d give it one last shot by downloading the audiobook, and the result was glorious. It was vivid, rich and wonderful. So glad I listened

THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien

Since I had such great luck with ANNA KARNENINA, I thought I’d try another book I've never been able to get through. THE HOBBIT, which always felt so insufferable to me, seemed like a great candidate. Alas, it was even more insufferable to listen to. I gave up early on. No idea why people enjoy this book so much.

ELSEWHERE by Richard Russo

It’s hard to overstate how much I love Richard Russo. I think he’s one of the greatest living American authors, creating characters so heartbreakingly authentic I get sucked into every one of his novels and go into mourning when I finish. So when I read Meg Wolitzer’s review of Russo’s memoir about his mother, I knew I had to read it. And since Russo himself narrated the audiobook, the decision to listen was easy. Needless to say, I loved every minute of it.

EMMA by Jane Austen

It’s been years since I've read this wonderful novel, and I wanted to see (or rather, hear) if it was as good as I remembered. I’m in the middle of it now, and it’s sublime. You won’t find a better example of an author using an unreliable narrator to tell a story. This book is masterful. (And the reader, Juliet Stevenson, is extraordinary.)

What about you? Do you listen to audiobooks? Please feel free to post your recommendations below. Thanks!

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Ellen Meister is the author of four novels. Her newest, FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, comes out in hardcover, ebook and audiobook next month. For more information, visit her website, ellenmeister.com.