新葉投旅筆記
3 C's of life: choice, chance, and change.
By GroK
### Top 20 Highly Recommended Audiobooks on Audible (Based on Indie Bookseller Favorites)
While Audible doesn't publish an official "all-time highest rated" list, I've drawn from a curated ranking of the top 20 most recommended audiobooks by independent booksellers across Libro.fm's vast catalog—titles that consistently earn rave reviews and sky-high listener ratings (often 4.5+ stars) for their storytelling, narration, and impact. These span genres and are all available on Audible, making them timeless picks regardless of category. Here's the lineup, with key details for each:
1. **Tom Lake** by Ann Patchett, Narrated by Meryl Streep
A generational tale of family secrets and theater, elevated by Streep's warm, immersive performance that transports you to Michigan summers.
2. **Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow** by Gabrielle Zevin, Narrated by Jennifer Kim & Julian Cihi
An epic friendship saga in the video game world, blending love, loss, and creativity with dual narration that captures every emotional pivot.
3. **I’m Glad My Mom Died** by Jennette McCurdy, Narrated by Jennette McCurdy
A raw, humorous memoir of child stardom's dark side, delivered with unflinching candor that turns pain into cathartic laughs.
4. **James** by Percival Everett, Narrated by Dominic Hoffman
A bold reimagining of *Huckleberry Finn* from Jim's perspective, unpacking racism and humanity through Hoffman's gripping, soulful voice.
5. **A Deadly Education** by Naomi Novik, Narrated by Anisha Dadia
A fierce magic-school thriller with high-stakes sorcery; Dadia's narration makes the danger and wit pop off the page.
6. **I Have Some Questions for You** by Rebecca Makkai, Narrated by Julia Whelan & JD Jackson
A twisty boarding-school murder mystery turned podcast probe, with narration that builds suspense like a heartbeat.
7. **Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You** by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi, Narrated by Jason Reynolds
A vital remix of history on race, Reynolds' rhythmic delivery making it urgent, funny, and hopeful all at once.
8. **Now Is Not the Time to Panic** by Kevin Wilson, Narrated by Ginnifer Goodwin & Kevin Wilson
A quirky tale of teen art and obsession, Goodwin's charm adding layers of nostalgia and whimsy.
9. **Happy Place** by Emily Henry, Narrated by Julia Whelan
A sunny-yet-sharp friends-to-lovers romp at a beach house, Whelan's voice dripping with relatable heartache and joy.
10. **Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone** by Benjamin Stevenson, Narrated by Barton Welch
A meta whodunit packed with clever twists and family dysfunction, narrated with sly, chuckle-inducing timing.
11. **Chain-Gang All-Stars** by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Narrated by Shayna Small, Aaron Goodson, Michael Crouch & Lee Osorio
A dystopian satire on prison profiteering, with ensemble narration that amps up the satire and tenderness.
12. **Lessons in Chemistry** by Bonnie Garmus, Narrated by Miranda Raison, Bonnie Garmus & Pandora Sykes
A witty '60s-era tale of a trailblazing chemist and her quirky crew (including an iconic dog), full of feminist fire.
13. **Thank You for Listening** by Julia Whelan, Narrated by Julia Whelan
A meta rom-com about audiobook narration itself, blending tropes with genuine spark and insider laughs.
14. **The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store** by James McBride, Narrated by Dominic Hoffman
A vibrant community epic on race and resilience, echoing literary greats with timeless, character-rich depth.
15. **The Fox Wife** by Yangsze Choo, Narrated by Yangsze Choo
A folklore-infused mystery with romance and fox spirits, Choo's own narration weaving magic seamlessly.
16. **How Not to Drown in a Loving and Grieving Sea** by Angie Cruz, Narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell & Rossmery Almonte
Wait, title is "How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water" – a hilarious, heartfelt Dominican immigrant story bursting with vivacity.
17. **Mexican Gothic** by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Narrated by Frankie Corzo
A chilling gothic horror laced with colonial critique, Corzo's tension-building delivery keeps you hooked.
18. **The House in the Cerulean Sea** by TJ Klune, Narrated by Daniel Henning
A feel-good fable of found family at a magical orphanage, warm and hopeful from start to finish.
19. **Good Night, Irene** by Luis Alberto Urrea, Narrated by Barrie Kreinik & Luis Alberto Urrea
A WWII Red Cross adventure blending history, horror, and humanity – donuts and all – with poignant flair.
20. **Clap When You Land** by Elizabeth Acevedo, Narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo & Melania-Luisa Marte
A poetic verse novel of half-sisters bonding through grief, with dual voices that pierce the soul.
--------------
When I ask differently, using another AI-ChatGPT gives me the below 20
Here are 20 highly rated audiobooks (both fiction & non-fiction), many of which are among Audible’s bestsellers or top-rated by listeners. Some may have very large numbers of ratings + high average scores. If you tell me a preferred genre I can tailor the list more.
?
Top Highly Rated Audiobooks
1. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir — extremely popular, many 5-star ratings.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear — non-fiction, self-help, often on top bestseller / high rating lists.
3. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins — newer non-fiction with lots of listener interest.
4. The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown — fiction thriller, strong ratings.
5. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry — classic fiction, very well rated.
6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, narrated by Sissy Spacek — a classic, very high listener ratings.
7. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown — a long-time popular thriller.
8. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey — memoir, well regarded.
9. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel — non-fiction, acclaimed for insights + narration.
10. The Help by Kathryn Stockett — historical fiction, strong reviews.
11. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, narrated by Jim Dale — fantasy classic, very highly rated.
12. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty — fiction / domestic drama, popular with listeners.
13. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins — psychological thriller, has many ratings.
14. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson — non-fiction / self-help, often rated high.
15. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz — spiritual / self-help classic.
16. 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene — non-fiction, has many listeners and strong reviews.
17. The Art of War by Sun Tzu — classic, many people still listen to the audiobook; well rated.
18. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson — biography, strong listener interest.
19. Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith — non-fiction, praised.
20. Outlive by Peter Attia, MD & Bill Gifford — health / longevity non-fiction, well received.
?
因為很多ChatGPT list 我都讀過， 就讓它告知下麵幾本沒有讀過的：
Excellent choices — those four (Project Hail Mary, The Help, The Four Agreements, and Worthy) are all strong but very different in tone, genre, and emotional range. Here’s a deep yet concise overview of each, focusing on themes, narration quality, and what makes them stand out as audiobooks:
?
1?? Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir
Genre: Science fiction, survival, first contact
Narrator: Ray Porter — widely praised performance
Key Features:
• A lone astronaut, Ryland Grace, wakes up in a spaceship light-years from Earth, with no memory of who he is or why he’s there. Gradually he realizes he’s humanity’s last hope against an extinction-level event.
• Combines hard science (physics, biology, astrophysics) with humor and heart — similar in tone to The Martian, but deeper emotionally.
• The audiobook narration is exceptional — Ray Porter gives distinct, realistic voices, especially for the alien character Rocky, whose sound design (done through audio engineering, not just voice acting) adds immersion.
• Themes: sacrifice, collaboration across species, isolation, redemption.
Why listeners love it:
It’s not just clever science fiction; it’s an emotionally resonant story of friendship and survival, brought vividly to life by a world-class narration.
?
10?? The Help — Kathryn Stockett
Genre: Historical fiction, social drama
Narrators: Octavia Spencer, Bahni Turpin, Jenna Lamia, Cassandra Campbell
Key Features:
• Set in 1960s Mississippi, told from the alternating viewpoints of three women — two Black maids (Aibileen and Minny) and one young white writer (Skeeter).
• Explores the racial and social divides of the American South during the Civil Rights era.
• The audiobook has a full cast of narrators, each voicing her own character — making it feel like a living radio drama rather than a single-voice reading.
• Themes: courage, dignity, friendship, social justice, and change through storytelling.
Why listeners love it:
The audiobook is emotionally charged, deeply human, and perfectly cast — many say it’s even better than reading the text because the Southern accents and emotional inflections bring authenticity.
?
15?? The Four Agreements — Don Miguel Ruiz
Genre: Spirituality, personal growth, philosophy
Narrator: Peter Coyote (calm, resonant voice)
Key Features:
• Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, Ruiz distills a guide for personal freedom into four core “agreements”:
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
• The book blends philosophy, self-reflection, and practical spirituality — simple to hear, but profound in meaning.
• The audiobook’s soothing narration enhances its meditative quality; many listeners re-listen repeatedly.
Why listeners love it:
It’s a compact, timeless guide to emotional clarity — powerful yet gentle. Often described as a “re-centering” experience.
?
19?? Worthy — Jada Pinkett Smith
Genre: Memoir, self-discovery, personal healing
Narrator: Jada Pinkett Smith (herself)
Key Features:
• A candid exploration of Jada’s life — from her upbringing in Baltimore to fame, marriage, motherhood, depression, and spiritual awakening.
• Addresses her relationship with Will Smith, Tupac Shakur, and her own path toward self-worth and inner peace.
• The audiobook shines because she narrates it herself — her tone shifts between strength, vulnerability, and reflection, creating a raw intimacy.
• Includes emotional pauses, laughter, and emphasis that only the author could deliver authentically.
Why listeners love it:
It feels less like listening to a celebrity memoir, and more like hearing a woman reclaim her voice. Especially powerful for those interested in self-healing, boundaries, and resilience.
?
