Monthly Archives: October 2011

Halloween Audiobook Extravaganza

Adam Boretz -- October 31st, 2011

It wouldn’t be Halloween without two things: (1) Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, and Slash performing at the Scream Awards and (2) chilling, thrilling, and absolutely terrifying audiobooks.

Take a look below for some of our favorite Halloween Audiobooks. And let us know what YOU are listening to this Halloween in the Comments Section.

1. Dracula

2. The Haunting of Hill House

3. The Zombie Survival Guide

4. The Shining

5. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

6. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

7. Frankenstein

8. The Call of Cthulhu and Other Stories

9. The Graveyard Book

10. The Hound of the Baskervilles

Tintin Audiobook? Yes, Please!!

Adam Boretz -- October 28th, 2011

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We might be jumping the gun a little on this one, but when we saw that Hachette Audio is releasing a Tintin Audiobook, we couldn’t contain ourselves.

The audiobook is based on the novelization of the soon-to-be-released film The Adventures of Tintin based on the famous characters created by Hergé. The audio will be available on November 1 and is narrated by Nick Sullivan.

In lieu of an audio excerpt, check out the following official trailer for Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW6TkX1YOK8

Classic Literature Audio Pick of the Week

Adam Boretz -- October 27th, 2011

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Today we’re debuting a new feature here at Listen Up, our Classic Literature Audio Pick of the Week — which is actually pretty self-explanatory. In addition to our coverage of new and forthcoming audiobooks, we’re going to take a look at some of the best audio versions of classic works of literature.

And this week’s pick is (the incredibly topical) Herman Melville’s Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street. The audiobooks is narrated by Stefan Rudnicki and available from Blackstone Audio.

Check out THIS LINK to order your copy and hear an audio excerpt.

Audible Launches Neil Gaiman Presents

Adam Boretz -- October 26th, 2011

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Audible yesterday announced the launch of Neil Gaiman Presents, a bespoke line of audiobooks personally selected by author and audiobook buff Neil Gaiman and produced on the Audiobook Creation Exchange.

Gaiman has chosen some of his favorite works of fiction and nonfiction and — keeping their specific attributes for audio in mind — personally supervised the casting for each audiobook to ensure that the author’s work is performed by that ideal narrator.

The full list of titles comprising the Neil Gaiman Presents label at launch is listed as follows: Continue reading →

Best Audiobooks of 2011

Adam Boretz -- October 24th, 2011

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Over at PW, everyone is talking about about PW’s Best Books of 2011. And that got me thinking that our Annual Listen Up Awards for audiobooks excellence are just around the corner.

And so I turn to you gentle reader for input, suggestions, thoughts, feedback, and guidance.

What do you think was the best audiobook of 2011? Which audios were tops in the fiction category? In the nonfiction category? In the classics category? And what about full cast productions? And who deserves a nod for audiobook narrator of the year?

We want to hear from you! So make your voice heard in the comments section. And don’t be shy!

Zombie Apocalypse: Audio Edition

Adam Boretz -- October 21st, 2011

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In the event of the Zombie Apocalypse, the following items are essential: guns, non-perishable food, water, an axe, gasoline, a crossbow, camping equipment, walkies-talkies. In the event of the Zombie Apocalypse, the following items are probably not essential: audiobooks.

However, the audio edition of Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga’s The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor from Macmillan Audio is definitely essential listening for all zombie fans. The audiobooks is narrated by Fred Berman and — for those of you unfamiliar with The Walking Dead — is an offshoot of the popular comic books, which spawned the equally popular television show.

Check out THIS LINK for an audio excerpt — but beware, this clip is not for the faint of heart and contains “adult language” and zombie gore.

Alfred Hitchock: The Audio Archives

Adam Boretz -- October 20th, 2011

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If you’re a huge Alfred Hitchcock fan — like all of us here at Listen Up — then this one’s for you. Our esteemed colleagues at AudioGO are now offering an audio download of BBC Archive Voices: Alfred Hitchcock.

The BBC Archive Voices Series features interviews with icons from the world of entertainment, sports, politics and literature — many of which haven’t been heard since their original transmission. In his fascinating and often amusing interviews — ranging from 1955 to 1980 — Hitch talks about everything from being locked in a police cell as a child to being typecast as a director of thrillers.

The audio download is only $6.99 and definitely worth it. Check out THIS LINK for an audio excerpt!

Now Playing: Service With A Smile

Adam Boretz -- October 18th, 2011

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I’d pretty much listen to Martin Jarvis narrate anything — a phone book, the instructions that came with my toaster, whatever. So you can imagine my elation when I came across the audio edition of P.G. Wodehouse’s Service With A Smile, narrated by Jarvis and available from CSA Word.

It’s one of Wodehouse’s Blandings Castle novels — so that means plenty of beloved pet pigs, broken engagements, family secrets, and characters with names like Pongo Twistleton. In short: this delightfully funny audiobook is not to be missed.

Definitely check out this AUDIO EXCERPT and get your copy today.

Tantor Releases Audio Assortments For Libraries

Adam Boretz -- October 17th, 2011

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Our friends over at Tantor Audio are now offering Audiobook Collection Development Assortments for libraries — basically prepackaged, affordable collections of bestselling and classic audiobooks with a thematic link. Thus far, they’ve got 10 different assortments of 20 titles each, or 10 titles each for Library Format.

And these collections include some really great audiobooks. They’re offering everything from The Emperor of all Maladies and Fahrenheit 451 to David Copperfield and The White Tiger.

Check out the following links for the specifics of each assortment:

Audio Review Spotlight: Dead Man’s Chest

Adam Boretz -- October 12th, 2011

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Here at Listen Up HQ, we’re hard at work on the latest batch of PW audio reviews. And once again, we’ve got another great blend of fiction and nonfiction titles — all coming very soon. And in the meantime, take a gander at our review of Kerry Greenwood’s Dead Man’s Chest read by Stephanie Daniel and available from Bolinda Audio. And don’t forget to check out all the latest PW audio reviews.

Dead Man’s Chest
Kerry Greenwood, read by Stephanie Daniel. Bolinda Audio, , unabridged, seven CDs, 8.5 hrs., $29.99 ISBN 978-1-74267-911-2
In Greenwood’s latest installment of this long-running series, Phryne Fisher, detective, flapper, and bon vivant, packs up her entourage for a much-needed seaside getaway in Queenscliff, Australia. But when she arrives at her vacation house, the servants have all disappeared and it’s up to Phryne to solve the mystery. Stephanie Daniels—who has narrated most of the Phryne Fisher books—turns in another fine performance, perfectly capturing the tone and spirit of this Roaring ’20s cozy with precise, decorous narration. And the resort town setting allows Daniels to lend unique voices to a fresh set of characters. Among her best creations are Tinker, the scruffy and determined house servant, and a nosey neighbor who sounds as dry as an old match. Curl up with a cocktail and enjoy. A Poisoned Pen hardcover. (Aug.)