The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

30. Audiobook Is Narrated By The Author


Sometimes, the best narrators are the authors themselves. For this prompt, choose a book where the audiobook is narrated by the author.

Remember that although the audiobook is narrated by the author, you don’t necessarily have to listen to that version. You could choose to read the book in any format!

For example: The audiobook version of “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson is narrated by Stevenson himself. However, if you pick that book, you don’t have to listen to it on audio. You could decide to read a paperback version, on e-reader, translated into another language, etc.

Check out our Goodreads List for examples

Fry's Ties: Discover the life and ties of Stephen Fry

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

Stories I Only Tell My Friends buy Rob Lowe
Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Avecedo
As You Wish by Cary Elwes
The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

OMG, I listened to 25 audiobooks in 2021 and 17 of them were read by the author. Virtually any autobiography written by someone still alive will be read by the author. Dolly Parton, Keith Richards, Julie Andrews, Barack & Michelle Obama, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Fran Lebowitz, Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling, Rob Lowe, Jenna Fischer, Melinda Gates even Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anthony Bourdain....the possibilities are endless.

Poet X by Acevedo

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

A very punchable face -Colin Jost
Not my father’s son -Alan Cumming
What happened to you -Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
Talking as fast as I can -Lauren Graham
Anything by David Sedaris
Is this Anything? -Jerry Seinfeld
Dad is Fat -Jim Gaffigan
Fierce, Free and Full of Fire and any other book by -Jen Hatmaker-they also have bonus content for listeners.
The stranger in the life boat -Mitch Albom

Richard Paul Evans has done the audio version for his books

Know my Name- Chanel Miller

I listened to The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. It can also be used for Prompts 5,10,28,33, and 46.

No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality - Michael J. Fox

Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra
Becoming by Michelle Obama
A Promised Land by Barrack Obama

Neil Gaiman pretty much reads all of his own work. I love listening to him.

I just finished listening to 1776 by David McCullough. Good stuff!

The Secret History

Will by Will Smith

I listened to If You Ask Me...but you probably won't by Betty White!!
Short, sweet and so humble! Also, sent our donation from my family to a local cat shelter in her honor today!

***** of *****

Susie wrote: "Poet X by Acevedo"
Also by the Elizabeth Acevedo, Clap When You Land is another book narrated by the author.

Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner

The Deep

I'll be listening to Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.

First, We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson

Just finished Open Book by Jessica Simpson 3 stars

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett. A lovely, generous book about the people in her life and how they have influenced each other, from her three dads to her second husband to a woman she met later in life yet formed a strong bond.

I read Thinking about It Only Makes It Worse by David Mitchell.

A Full Life by Jimmy Carter. Spoke of his entire life, not just presidency.

I enjoyed CHATTER by Ethan Kross. If you have any amount of negative or not helpful self talk,I highly recomment this one!

The Real Sherlock
It’s about the man behind the myth, Sir Conan Doyle.

I listened to Little Weirds by Jenny Slate.

Jenny Lawson reads her books.Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, Broken, and Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir.

I read Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

Listened to Margaret Atwood reading her latest poetry collection, Dearly.

The Mars Room

Conquistadora by Esmeralda Santiago

LATER: tried it, couldn't finish.

If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) - Betty White

I just finished listening to The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman who , as far as I have looked, narrates all of his books. Good book. 4 out of 5 stars

I listened to These Precious Days: Essays

I read Astrophysics for People in a Hurry for this prompt. I did listen to the audiobook while I read the physical book, he has such a good narrating voice. It was a good reading experience.

I listened to "Will" by Will Smith

I already filled this prompt but I just listened to Born Standing Up by Steve Martin. Very enjoyable. He narrates all of his books.

I read Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick, 2.5 Stars. I like her, I just didn't find the book funny like I expected to.

I re-read something I haven't read since high school - Lord of the Flies

Welcome to the United States of Anxiety: Observations from a Reforming Neurotic

Lindsey wrote: "I read Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick, 2.5 Stars. I like her, I just didn't find the book funny like I expected to.

"

This is what I read as well! I agree with you about the book being not as funny as I expected! I still love Anna Kendrick!!

”Det skolan inte lärde dig” by Hampus Hedström. He write about dyslexia, his time in School and life. J

“The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery

I have the book 1776 on my bookshelf to read I think I will consider that one.
Donald Trump book is read by her I think.
I also have that one

I listened to one by Dolly Parton with her narrating and samples of her songs at times as well

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton 6/6/22

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Troy by the ultra-talented Stephen Fry