I don’t find a specific thread so I thought I’d start one…
I listen to audio books a lot. I listen when I’m doing my daily walk, in the car, and on airplanes.
My preferred genre(s) are celebrity autobiographies read by the author, and historical fiction (I enjoy learning the historical aspects while allowing for creative license).
Right now I’m listening to Billy Porter read his book Unprotected: A Memoir (2021) - first, let me say, this is one of the most engaging audio books I’ve listened to - it’s brilliantly read, and his story captivating. I’m giving this one 11 out of 10!
Recently finished Sly Stone’s Thank You (Falettime Be Mice Elf Agin) (2023) - this one is read by Dion Graham, who embodies every word. There’s music and even a recorded piece of Sly towards the end. Absolutely riveting. 10/10
Another favorite was Pete Townshend’s (of The Who) Who I Am (2012) - listening to him tell his stories was like sitting at the kitchen table listening to a friend. 10/10
And finally, Carlos Santana reading The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light (2014) was a treat. I’m a huge Carlos fan (and have seen Santana play live more times than I can count) - 10/10
Any book written by Lisa See that I’ve read or listened to has roped me in within minutes. These are historical fiction set in SE Asia. Her Shanghai Girls (2009) hooked me on her as a writer and I’ve read or listened to every book she’s written - with The Island of Sea Women (2019) being a recent favorite - it’s set on the island of Jeju (Korea) and recounts the fascinating story of haenyeo, all-women free divers that harvest abalone & sea urchins - the women are the primary breadwinners, while the men perform ancestral worship and stay at home. Lisa raises up the voices of women and young girls telling their stories in a compassionate and compelling way.
I just listened to Jeanette McCurdy’s book I’m Glad My Mom Died. We don’t have cable (Nickelodeon), so I had no idea who she was, but I found it moving and funny and sad.
I listened to Leslie Jordan’s How Y’all Doing and found it delightful.
I love listening to David Sedaris audiobooks and am currently listening to the Best of Me.
Really I like almost anything read by the author.
Logical Family by Armistead Maupin was very good - I listened to that recently.
I listen to a lot of audiobook memoirs while commuting. Here are some I enjoyed:
Trevor Noah - Born a Crime
Viola Davis - Finding Me
Michelle Obama - Becoming
Ketanji Brown Jackson - Lovely One
Bono - Surrender (includes music)
Garry Marshall - My Happy Days in Hollywood
Mel Brooks - All About Me!
Cary Elwes - As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride
Kunal Nayaar - Yes, My Accent Is Real
Simu Liu - We Were Dreamers
All About Me!: My Remarkable Life in Show Business- Mel Brooks
Audition- Barbara Walters
The Rule Breaker-Susan Page (biography of Barbara Walters- similar to Audition, but a more objective point of view)
Five Presidents-Clint Hill
Mrs. Kennedy & Me- Clint Hill
Greenlights -Matthew McConaughey
Have I told you this already? -Lauren Graham
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post- Allison Pataki
An Unfinished Love Story- Doris Kearns Goodwin
The Kingdom of Prep- Maggie Bullock (J Crew story)