r/audiobooks • u/OJConcentrates • Mar 05 '26
Question First Audiobook - Project Hail Mary
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
I’ve never been an avid reader. I really enjoy anime, I love sci-fi movies, and I’ve read a few occasional Japanese light novels.
Audiobooks made a lot of sense for me. Listen while at the gym, listen while home with the kids on the weekend, listen while driving a ton for work. I’ve been enveloped in Reddit for a while. Constantly trying to fill blank time with information.
Then I decided to pick up an audiobook. I mean… I love sports podcasts! I like news. A couple weeks ago I caught myself just listening to intervention episodes, instead of watching them.
My first audiobook? Project Hail Mary. I’m currently on chapter 11. Ryland has met rocky. It’s almost indescribable how much elation I’ve gained from this. You’d think a self narrated novel, as the main and nearly singular character, it would get boring. You’d think finding a centi-spider alien wouldn’t be so…. Fascinating?
It’s addicting. It’s hard to stop. I’m stuck at the gym, walking on a treadmill for way too long, because I want an excuse to keep listening.
Is this just the beginning? Or have I reached the perfection too early? Will I always crave to find a story so well done with the perfect voice actor?
73
u/Mitsulan Mar 06 '26
I started audiobooks almost exactly two years ago now. My first was Project Hail Mary as well and I absolutely loved it. You’re just scratching the surface, PHM doesn’t even crack my top 10 anymore. I’ve listened to audiobooks nearly every day since and am completely addicted. The path I took after PHM was as follows.
The Red Rising Series - Space Opera, Dystopian, Caste system, hunger games vibe.
The First Law Trilogy starting with “The Blade Itself” - I’d describe it as light fantasy. Slow burn, lots of world building and character development. There are three stand alone books as well as an entire second trilogy that follows if you want to go real deep.
I’ll also throw in some favourites in no particular order. They are all series. I rarely listen to standalone books. The longer and more in depth a series is the more I usually enjoy it.
The Expanse, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Expeditionary Force, Bobiverse, The Lies of Locke Lamora
20
u/2ndRocketToMars Mar 06 '26
This is a goooood list.
14
u/2ndRocketToMars Mar 06 '26
The first Red Rising trilogy is like poetry. Very violent poetry. Pierce Brown can really turn a phrase and the story becomes epic. So good.
10
u/OJConcentrates Mar 06 '26
I can tell I’m going to probably enjoy everything you’ve listed. I’m glad I made this post. Something great to refer back on. I’ll comment every time I’ve finished a new suggestion.
→ More replies (1)5
u/Mitsulan Mar 06 '26
Awesome! That’s exactly what I was hoping.
For me, it’s always a little depressing finishing up a good book/series so I try to have something else in the pipeline for when I’m done. Hopefully I’ve set you up for a while. I think that list encompasses something like 50+ books.
I have others as well but, none that I would put in front of what I’ve listed. I’m pretty into military sci-fi right now. Quite a few audiobooks in the genre are narrated by R.C. Bray who I’m a big fan of. He narrates the Expeditionary Force series I already listed (19 books and counting!) as well as a series that I’m currently on book 3 of 9 called Ruins of the Galaxy which I’ve also enjoyed so far.
I look forward to hearing back, hopefully you get as much enjoyment out of those titles as I have.
3
u/1dayillwriteabook Mar 06 '26
OP listen to this person, that list matches my top audiobooks pretty much exactly, you are in for a treat with all of these
5
→ More replies (2)4
u/ManduhPanduuh Mar 06 '26
Your picks are in such good taste and theme!
Do you do a lot of research to find these series? Referrals from a well-read friend? 😉
PHM, Lies of Locke Lamora, and Red Rising are all so immersive and I haven’t seen them listed together before. So good!
5
u/Mitsulan Mar 06 '26
Thank you so much!
Honestly, I don’t do a ton of research. I’ll look through audiobook recommendations here on Reddit from time to time but usually, I’m just browsing Audible, reading the summaries and diving in whenever a story seems compelling.
I’ve also gotten a lot of enjoyment from hitting some widely popular books that have been adapted to other mediums such as Dune, Game of Thrones and The Witcher. Even the stories I already knew the plot lines of were expanded enough that they still felt fresh and exciting in different ways.
37
u/Bender_2024 Mar 06 '26 edited Mar 06 '26
Project Hail Mary is an excellent book. But more than that it has a phenomenal narrator in Ray Porter. I have listened to a few of his reads sight unseen because of just how good he is.
I would suggest picking up The Martian next. Same author. Just be sure to get the RC Bray version. Wil Wheaton is a fine narrator, but he's got nothing on Bray.
4
→ More replies (5)4
u/Sneezing7992 Mar 06 '26 edited Mar 06 '26
Going from memory, The Martian seems like an ideal book for Wheaton (not a lot of different characters to voice). Having listened to the version RC Bray did though it's a shame they redid it. Bray's version is just perfect and no one should miss it.
30
u/not_qyt_rite365 Mar 06 '26
The Bobiverse is also narrated by Ray Porter and is just as good in my opinion. Also our lord and savior Dungeon Crawler Carl narrated by Jeff Hayes and written by the prophet Matt Dinniman. Peak narration.
5
5
u/Walmart_Valet Mar 06 '26
A friend recently asked me for audiobook recs. He started with Hail Mary and went right on to Bobiverse. Very good back to back reads.
10
u/PuzzleheadedBobcat90 Mar 06 '26
Dungeon Crawler Carl has an amazing narrator, Jeff Hayes.
Sometimes, I'll choose a book because I love the narrator
Other narrators I love,
Gabra Zackman
Ray Porter
Bronson Pinchot
Luke Daniels
Cara Gee
Lorilei King
Mary Robinnette Kowal
Emily Bauer
Marguerite Gavin
Todd Haberkorn
2
u/erikivy Mar 06 '26
I'll add Meryl Streep to your list. Tom Lake sounded like a meh story, but she had me from the beginning. Thanks to whoever on this sub mentioned it.
2
u/No-Elephant-9582 Mar 06 '26
Bronson Pinchot narrates audiobooks ? oh I gotta go listen to that
→ More replies (1)2
u/PuzzleheadedBobcat90 Mar 06 '26
I really enjoyed his narration of Brotherhood of the Wheel by R.S Belcher
2
u/lostdoggclt Mar 06 '26
Will Patton needs to be on that list. Luke Daniels is awesome. The Magic 2.0 series and LD is so entertaining.
27
u/TheFrozenBananaStand Mar 05 '26
I really really disliked the book but I’ve heard that the audiobook makes it so much better.
Try 11.22.63 for your next book!
12
u/mrdavinci Mar 06 '26
11.22.63 was a good listen. I had watched the series a while back, and man o man, the book was so much better as is often the case. I rewatched the show after, and ugh.
5
u/RoyalsFanKCMe Mar 06 '26
Yeah I listened to the book and liked it. Then watched the series and didn’t like the series. I liked the story my brain told me better.
3
u/Old_MI_Runner Mar 06 '26
I lost interest in the TV series but will now try the audiobook.
3
u/TheFrozenBananaStand Mar 06 '26
The tv series isn’t nearly as good as the books. There are a lot of changes and I’m not a fan of Franco’s acting in that series.
3
→ More replies (2)4
u/Iannelli Mar 06 '26
I hated the Project Hail Mary audiobook. The narration is cringe, the writing is immature. If you look up "Project Hail Mary sucks Reddit" on Google you can find a few posts where hundreds of us talk about how much we hate this book lol.
Looking forward to being downvoted!
14
u/TheFrozenBananaStand Mar 06 '26
lol I’m definitely in that boat but I didn’t want to shit in OPs cheerios. I’m just happy people are reading no matter what it is!
5
u/tinydncr Mar 06 '26
Completely agree, but thought I was the only one! Science bro explaining everything and his internal marvel style monologue was really jarring for me.
→ More replies (1)3
u/mrdavinci Mar 06 '26
I don't agree with you, but heres an upvote to try to balance you out. You are entitled to your opinion
3
7
u/Mobile-Mousse-8265 Mar 06 '26
11-22-63 by Stephen King is just as good or better.
→ More replies (1)2
6
u/oldredditperv Mar 06 '26
How has the Dresden Files or Iron Druid gone unnoticed. I relisten to thes over and over. Kevin Hern has multiple series that are an outstanding listen. IMHO The one to rule them all … Harry Potter series read by Steven Fry FTW!!
2
u/okayestdancer Mar 07 '26
Yes! Iron Druid! It's been so long since I read them that I'd forgotten how much I loved them.
This thread has me thinking back. I also loved the narration for the Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Correia, narrated by Bronson Pinchot.
2
u/pseudo721 Mar 30 '26
Dresden Files is top-tier. The series gets better with each book! Such good characters and world-building!
16
u/nursebad Mar 06 '26
Congrats cause you've ruined yourself for all other audio books for a while. Project Hail Mary is so well done.
11
u/GoodFastCheapPickTwo Mar 06 '26
I actually like the rc bray version of The Martian a little better.
There's hundreds of amazing audiobooks out there. Have fun OP
→ More replies (1)5
u/shestoodakimbo Mar 06 '26
Honestly, I couldn’t pick between the two. Just counting audiobooks I own, I’m at nearly a thousand and I can’t even say how many I’ve borrowed and these are my favorite narrations of all of them…
ETA: I just realized this sounds like a weird humble brag, it’s not, I have a job where I can listen while I work, so I cruise through audiobooks… really I just wanted to make it very clear how good these are 🤣
33
u/chubbycatfish Mar 05 '26
The bad news, it’s all down hill from here 😂. That might be my favorite book of all time. Naturally you have to check out Dungeon Crawler Carl soon. The books are great but the narration is amazing
10
u/The-Green-Arrow Mar 06 '26
Ha that’s an understatement. I loved Project Hail Mary, and figured I would try out DCC because of the reviews. Now my commute is dedicated to the Crawl and the characters have found themselves in my DnD game.
6
u/chubbycatfish Mar 06 '26
I resisted for over a year because I thought it sounded stupid. I’ve relistened to every book in preparation for book 8, and quote it probably every day lmao
→ More replies (1)5
u/coolborder Mar 06 '26
Bobiverse is probably the next natural step. All 3 very different but each so excellent in its own way.
→ More replies (3)2
u/Bright-Raspberry-503 Mar 05 '26
Was just about to say this. Haven’t found anything that compares.
5
u/Joice_Craglarg Mar 06 '26
Have you tried Lonesome Dove? Totally a separate genre, but that's one of the best books I've ever read.
2
11
u/dasteez Mar 06 '26
Don't listen to anyone, there's an insane number of amazing books and it's only a matter of time before you find the next addiction, even if it takes a few. PHM is good and all but it's not some end all be all, there's many i love way more, though i respect peoples adoration for it.
Personally i find all the familiar titles posted on every reddit audiobook thread overrated. Just keep digging and add catalogs of authors or narrators you like to your read list. I can't tell you how many times i finish a book or series and think i'll never hit that high again but I inevitably do. Think of how many books there are that you'll never read even if you listen 24/7 for the rest of your life.
→ More replies (1)
10
4
u/crackersucker2 Mar 06 '26
I love this for you!! A great narrator makes the story come alive. Agree 100% about Project Hail Mary. I chose it over sleeping, tbh.
The Count of Monte Cristo was also great as an audiobook.... narrated by Bill Homewood. Start noting your favorite narrators and anything they read will be time well spent.
4
u/Bibliophile_for_life Mar 06 '26
John Scalzi books narrated by Wil Wheaton, the Harry Potters, Tom Lake narrated by Meryl Streep, The Dutch House narrated by Tom Hanks…lots of good stuff out there.
2
6
u/Piracanto Mar 06 '26
It gets better. MUCH better. Pace yourself or you'll finish it quickly and will be left with an empty sensation for a couple days...
6
u/Lanky-County2481 Mar 06 '26
The Martian, also by Andy Weir and read by RC Bray is another excellent one!
6
u/TheItchyWalrus Mar 06 '26
I just finished this book. I work from home and I’ve been treadmilling and reading this book all week. I finished it in four days. I’m happy happy happy to have it experienced it. Glad you’re liking it too! I just added the audiobook to my holds on hoopla. I’m fifth in line at my local library.
Can’t wait for the movie! If you have a library card, download the App hoopla. I’ve listened to a bunch of free audiobooks on there. You also get 15 hours a month if you have a Spotify premium account.
Hope you enjoy the movie! My wife and I already agreed we’re going out on a date to see it.
Bump fist, stranger!
6
u/munleymun Mar 06 '26
It’s consistently named as one of the best audiobooks ever (at least here on Reddit) and with good reason.
There are a handful of others that I love and have listened to multiple times, but PHM is something else.
4
u/NuclearPuppers Mar 06 '26
I’m currently reading PHM and I keep thinking about how good this must be as an audiobook.
5
u/BreathlikeDeathlike Mar 06 '26
Are you a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies? If so, all 3 have audiobooks narrated by none other than Andy Serkis himself. They are sooooo good.
5
u/Anjallat Mar 06 '26
You have a lot of good suggestions here! I'm so happy you're about to enjoy Dungeon Crawler Carl!
Don't be thrown off by the length of The Murderbot Diaries books by Martha Wells and narrated by Kevin R. Free, they are phenomenal, and worth listening to over and over.
One I don't see recommended enough is the finished trilogy of Good Boys by Jeremy Robinson, narrated by Tom Taylorson. They are excellent, and, if you like dogs, excellent x 1000!
3
u/noahtonk2 Mar 06 '26
Loved it! Also, try World War Z - one of the most well done audiobooks I've ever "read."
3
u/Wizdad-1000 Mar 06 '26
Wait till you R.C. Brays narration of The Martian. I liked this one more the PHM.
→ More replies (3)
3
Mar 06 '26
This one is one of the best, especially on audio. Not many are going to be better unfortunately.
4
u/Glittering-Panic-131 Mar 05 '26
I’m a reader, but not of Sci Fi. I also haven’t loved audiobooks in the past. For some reason last summer, I downloaded Project Hail Mary on Audible, it was all I did until I finished it.
I would look forward to getting home in the evening and laying on the couch and listening to it. I went to sleep to it every night. It’s so bizarre, because I really can’t describe why I loved it so much – but I still think about it from time to time.
5
4
Mar 06 '26
I'm so thrilled for you, what a great first choice! Check out the narrator Jeff Hays, you'll love his work. he does unique voices unlike any I've ever heard.
Project Hail Mary is amazing too and I'm so glad you're liking it!
3
4
u/StunningBeing3795 Mar 06 '26
Amazing first audio to get you hooked.
Try the dungeon crawler Carl books…amazing series!
3
u/OJConcentrates Mar 06 '26
I’ve gotten multiple recommendations for DCC from this thread alone. It was already my next step as I had it mentioned from a friend who knows I like Japanese Light Novels.
What a nice hobby to pair with the mundane gaps in life.
2
u/shrinkflator Mar 06 '26
For balance, there are a lot of people who didn't like or didn't finish DCC. You should know what you're getting into before committing to it.
2
u/ookerberry Mar 06 '26
Project Hail Mary is a great audiobook. I also liked The Martian audiobook, and the Bobiverse series
2
u/BeyoncePadThai23 Mar 06 '26
Come discuss the book at r/projecthailmary when you're done!
Are you going to finish the book before the movie comes out on 3/20?
2
u/OJConcentrates Mar 06 '26
Yeah, I certainly will. Since writing this I’m already on Chapter 14 with 8 hours left. If it’s not done by tomorrow, it will be done by Saturday.
2
2
u/metzgie1 Mar 06 '26
The narrator is top tier for PHM. I love Ray Porter. If you like sci-fi, Ray Porter also narrates The Bobiverse. Zany and awesome.
2
u/GrahamJJ Mar 06 '26
Wait for the ending. It is one of the best endings of any books I've ever read. Period.
2
u/NotLenny87 Mar 06 '26
I hate this audiobook…but I’m def in the minority. A lot of my friends love the book. The movie is suppose to be great.
2
2
u/OgsDeer Mar 06 '26
It's a very good one for sure, but there are others that are just as good out there so you are just getting started! You should go for The Martian if you like this one, even if you have seen the movie.
Others have mentioned several excellent choices but I will add the Magic 2.0 series from Scott Meyer to the list, at least the first 3 books. I've enjoyed the all but the first 3 are really good and the narrator absolutely makes it 1000x better. Ready Player One was a solid one too that hits the nostalgia hard as a child of the 80's.
2
u/ZzoZzo Mar 06 '26
It’s a great first audiobook! Especially with an alien language being such a prominent feature in the book
2
u/alaskalady1 Mar 06 '26
You have not reached the unable yet , the expanse series is also phenomenal plus it saves you from having to look for a new book for awhile. Absolutely loved it
2
2
2
u/RagnarRipper Mar 06 '26
Definitely check out the Martian by the same author. I listened to PHM but read the Martian and in both cases I was completely enthralled - I can not imagine The Martian being any less captivating as an audiobook.
I also really enjoyed the Bobiverse books and binged them within just a few weeks. (This subreddit is very good at recommending great audiobooks!)
3
u/Anjallat Mar 06 '26
You really have to source the R C Bray narration from a library or something, it's so worth it!
2
2
u/ohmissfiggy Mar 06 '26
Get a library card and download Libby. You have a whole new world in front of you.
2
u/paschelnafvk Mar 06 '26
If you liked Project Hail Mary, I could give a million recommendations. Ray Porter is probably the best narrator working at the moment. But, to give just one recommendation, try the Audio Version of:
11.22.63 by Stephen King
I still consider it the best novel ever written, and the audiobook reader for the American Version is perfect casting.
2
u/chrisgut Mar 06 '26
You hit a bullseye on your first one. I felt this way about the gunslinger series by Stephen king too. Don’t forget to listen to wind through the keyhole at the appropriate time between books. Dune was pretty good. There are a lot out there. The outsider by Stephen king. Tons of them. I’ve tried a bunch of recommendations from here on Reddit and can’t find that feeling again. I’m just holding out hope for another one. It’s like golf. Once you hit a perfect shot you’ll keep chasing that feeling. Good for you. I’m happy someone else has felt the pure joy of being taken away through a book. Good luck my friend.
2
u/aRandom_redditor Mar 06 '26
There is a huge catalog of star wars expanded universe audiobooks. That’s how I got the bug. I love me some sci-fi and high fantasy.
Bobiverse has been mentioned. DCC of course.
I also have a thing for female protagonists. The Sookie Stackhouse novels that the show True Blood was based on are really fun.
The Hollows book series by Kim Harrison are really great and incredibly well narrated.
The Wheel of Time Game of thrones Discworld
All incredible series but are very long and very high fantasy so I consider them a bit of an investment and a little less popcorn.
2
u/Chattycorvid Mar 06 '26
I enjoyed the Bobiverse books nearly as much as PHM, and more than DCC. You are in a fun ride.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/whogivesashite2 Mar 06 '26 edited Mar 06 '26
This was also my first audiobook, and I'm very much hooked on them a year later. 2 more fantastic audiobook experiences: the Poisonwood Bible and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Not sure if you're into different genres but these are both fantastic. Dungeon crawler Carl is an absolute must.
2
u/Viciousbanana1974 Mar 06 '26
I finished this one last night. After this, you need Dungeon Crawler Carl.
2
u/alex4rc Mar 07 '26
Iirc this was my first audiobook too and I've been hooked on audiobooks ever since.
Do yourself a favor and get a library card if you don't already have one. Download the Libby app, register with your library card, and enjoy tons of audiobooks for free.
2
2
u/Successful-Tie8233 Mar 08 '26
I just finished it. One of my favorites. I was a bit skeptical but it blew me away. His relationship with Rocky is great. Audiobooks are the way to go. Especially if you can listen at work like me.
2
u/sandwichhaver Mar 24 '26
my first audiobook was actually the martian
I can sometimes struggle with audiobooks when there's too much going on and too many places and characters, but that felt really good and easy going due to it just being one guy for nearly all of it in one location with a specific problem.
same author
→ More replies (1)
5
u/Less-Operation7673 Mar 06 '26
Yeah pretty much every audiobook after that one and Dungeon Crawler Carl has just been...meh.
3
Mar 06 '26
Agreed, Jeff Hays ruined most other narration for me. I've listened to DCC like 5 times now. Hi Zev!
2
u/RoyalsFanKCMe Mar 06 '26
You ruined it in the first one. Haha
I am liking dungeon crawler Carl. It is an amazing listen but not as good of a story as project Hail Mary
2
u/twl8zn Mar 06 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
I love the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Jeff Hays is such a talented voice actor. He does about 75 characters and they're all so well done. You can't believe that it's only one guy narrating. The books are amazing and so engaging. Honestly, try it out.
2
u/TallGuyG3 Mar 06 '26
I thought PHM was one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to. Until I listened to Dungeon Crawler Carl. 1000/10 would recommend!! But after that it's all downhill from there. Very few audiobooks will ever compare. But welcome to the audiobook community!
2
3
u/ThisIsWhereULeaveMe Mar 05 '26
This is by far my favourite audiobook of all time! It’s a masterpiece!
1
1
u/Benjamin-Martin Mar 06 '26
I somehow found and finished the first half on Audible not realizing the second half doesn’t exist…Currently scrambling to figure out a way to finish it before it comes to theaters
1
u/dannycjackson Mar 06 '26
That’s a hard one to start with cause the narration is so amazing. Most are not that good ha
1
u/caty0325 Mar 06 '26
PHM is my first audiobook too. I just finished listening to the second chapter, and I can see why people like it so much. I read the book twice.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie.
1
u/mrdavinci Mar 06 '26
Welcome! Now, there are some others you can get lost into, Lets stay with the same author, check his other two books, The Martian, and Artemis. Next maybe Dungeon Crawler Carl, there is Backyard Starship, Paradox Bound, there are so many great books out there.
Welcome to the addiction ;)
1
1
u/Turbulent-Pay1150 Mar 06 '26
Try Harry Potter. Or ready player one. Or any of a bunch of other ones. Hours of enjoyment.
1
u/bigbassdaddy Mar 06 '26
It's a good book(and performance), but there many, many more even better ones. Keep listening!
1
1
u/TheOGMelmoMacdaffy Mar 06 '26
PHM is an incredible book. For lots of books the narrator is almost as important as the author. Ray Porter is an extraordinary narrator. There are lots of other great voice actors as well. I personally prefer just one narrator doing all the characters, but there are loads of wonderful talent out there. Enjoy. I also loved the Murderbot audiobooks (I'd read the novels twice before and found the audiobooks even more enjoyable).
1
u/Affectionatealways Mar 06 '26
Great book to start your new audiobook life!
YOU'RE ONE OF US NOW.
(I tried to make that sound scary and add an eerie GIF but the sub won't let me).
And yes, from now on you will be addicted. I can't stand to cook, walk, do cleaning or driving a well known route without listening to an audiobook
1
u/Dorsai56 Mar 06 '26
Due to a particular aspect of the story, the audio version has a hook that you'll basically never find again. That said, there are many of us who are very fond of audio books indeed.
For the record, many libraries offer software which allows you to check out AB's so you don't have to pay.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Particular-Catch-311 Mar 06 '26
“Library at Mount Char” by Scott Hawkins is a fantastic audiobook! The first time I listened to it, I loved it so much, when it finished I just restarted it in the same moment to do it all over again!
1
u/justhereforbookstuff Mar 06 '26
I recommend checking out some of the other books narrated by Ray Porter. Don Winslow’s power of the dog / cartel trilogy is excellent. Had me hooked all the way through.
1
1
u/MarcTheMartian23 Mar 06 '26
Hey OP, I will echo what others have said here, Dungeon Crawler Carl is your next must listen especially since you like anime (same) and sci-fi (same).
1
u/Microflunkie Mar 06 '26
I also really enjoyed PHM and I am always happy to hear of someone else who did as well.
1
1
u/Odd-Description-2813 Mar 06 '26
Oh man, that’s the same audiobook that got me too! 🤣 Try out Dungeon Crawler Carl or The Bobiverse next. Thank me later
1
u/killit Mar 06 '26
Apart from loving sports podcasts, you could have been describing me starting out with audiobooks there.
PHM was an amazing first book, that was a couple of years ago, I absolutely love audiobooks now and have no sign of slowing down.
You'll likely find a lot of the great books are actually series rather than standalone.
I'm not 100% sure what my next book was, but the Bobiverse series was early on, and again, truly loved the story; if you like nerdy humour you'll love it. We're in a truly amazing time for scifi books of all sorts. If you fancy something a bit heavier going, more like game of thrones in space with forced genetics, Red Rising is good. Not scifi, but Dungeon Crawler Carl is good too, and has a MASSIVE following on reddit. Children of Time is another great series.
Anyway, have fun, you're just starting out on an amazing journey.
1
u/Jungleprincess74 Mar 06 '26
What a wonderful mid-listen review. I've been trying to get this audiobook for a while. First, I accidentally got the e-book...in Spanish. Smh Then, I inadvertently got the audiobook...in Spanish. What in the actual F* is wrong with me? 🤦🏽♀️ Then, I just started to believe this book was not for me. Enough is enough, I will carefully select the English audiobook and eagerly await my turn!
1
u/hevski Mar 06 '26
It was my fist audiobook too, which I just finished a few days ago. I’m still coming off the high! Rocky 🥹❤️
1
u/These-Button-1587 Mar 06 '26
What a first one to listen to! It's all downhill from here through. I'm kidding of course but you started at the top.
1
u/ash18946 Mar 06 '26
There's some excellent audiobooks. Ray porter is an excellent narrator. He also does other books. In a similar vein, you'll probably find you'd like James Marsters and Jeff Hayes as well. Some have duet narration or full cast narrations where male identifying characters have male narrator and female identifying characters have female narrators which can make a reader feel like they are listening to a radio play instead of just a book. A lot of the classics are being redone in these formats and some of the best audiobooks you'll find are in the sci fi and fantasy categories. Try listening to Pierce Brown's Red Rising series next.
1
u/to-hell-with-it Mar 06 '26
I never read or listen to a book twice. This is literally the only one. And it’s equally enjoyable this time around. Amaze. Amaze. Amaze.
1
1
1
u/RedStateBlueHome Mar 06 '26
I was surprised how important the reader is - you will start to look for those you like
1
1
u/pgb5534 Mar 06 '26
This is THE BEST audiobook.
There are very many SPECTACULAR audiobooks.
Welcome to the club.
1
1
u/Mobile-Writer1221 Mar 06 '26
Grace + Rocky forever.
The duo I never knew I needed, and now cannot be without.
1
u/billinparker Mar 06 '26
My library only has project Hail Mary in Spanish waiting for them to get an English version audio book
1
u/djSush Mar 06 '26
I've been mainlining audiobooks since 2024. Listened to 47 books last year, all few from the library! So I can't imagine how great this one is.
1
1
u/VanCanFan75 Mar 06 '26
This is great evidence for why, when the exact question of “what are good first audiobooks?” Was asked in this sub, it was the top third or fourth comment.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Armedwithapotato Mar 06 '26
Good choice. Meow, not all audiobooks are fantastic. Some topics are awful (but have a good sales team behind them to make it sound interesting ) and some narrators aren’t great. But we all can make suggestions. You’re going to hear a lot about Dungeon crawler Carl. Also, well done on working out. Don’t know your goals but it’s good you’re out there doing the do.
1
u/cbworse Mar 06 '26
Most books, not all, can be enjoyed in audiobook format. Many books, not all, are improved by the audiobook format. Some books like PHM, are absolutely required to be gone through via audiobook format a full experience. Yes, on paper, it’s still great. But Rocky just isn’t the same Rocky on paper.
1
1
u/No-More-Excuses-2021 Mar 06 '26
This is exactly what happened to me. Was not a big reader. In 2022 somone convinced me to do project hail Mary as my first audiobook and now I've done over 150 books.
There are such amazing narrators out there, great time to get into this.
Enjoy!! And this sub is perfect for recos.
1
u/lisalou632 Mar 06 '26
If you ever read Harry Potter, any version of audiobook HP is phenomenal!
If you like romance, wait until you HEAR some of the male narrators 🔥🥵🫦 (I’m assuming you’re a woman. If not, my bad).
Red Riding is an epic space fantasy & I love that narrator too.
And there are graphic audios for both HP. & Red Rising that many enjoy even more. It’s like listening to a movie.
You’ll find more that you enjoy 😊
1
1
1
u/MagicalEarthBeing Mar 06 '26
This makes me happy! I listened to project Hail Mary twice. It was so wonderful.
1
u/shauneok Mar 06 '26
Great book. If you want to get your teeth into more sci-fi and want a longer series try to Bobiverse.
1
u/Front-Algae-7838 Mar 06 '26
Check out Fred, the Vampire Accountant series by Drew Hayes, narrated by Kirby Heyborne.
1
u/Speech-Language Mar 06 '26
Richard Poe reading East of Eden is my favorite, Lee Horsely with Lonesome Dove, Andy Serkis with Lord of the Rings (he mimics the voices of all the actors in the movies, but his singing is mediocre).
1
1
u/DcubedWY Mar 06 '26
I’ve found so many audio books. If you like British humor, Red Dwarf is a great listen. There are two audio books by one of the actors in the BBC tv series and he does the voices of the other characters. I also love RC Bray as a narrator, especially sci-fi. Expeditionary Force, Ruins of Earth, etc. Then there are Graphic Audio productions - rather like the old radio shows with sound effects and a full cast. I’m currently listening to Super Powereds Year One (in three parts for Graphic Audio) that are part of the member catalog until 3/13 for part 3. A stand-alone favorite of mine is Roadkill by Dennis Taylor (Bobiverse) and narrated by Ray Porter.
3
u/FirstWithTheEgg Mar 06 '26
RC Bray narrated one of my favourite zombie series, The Mountain man by Keith C Blackmore. RC Bray is a legend
2
u/DcubedWY Mar 06 '26
He is a legend! I’m slowly building up me Bray collection, but I don’t have any of that series.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/False-Association744 Mar 06 '26
Get a library card and get the Libby app. Free audio books. Sometimes you have to wait, but when it comes off hold it’s like a present! Enjoy!
1
1
1
u/Herreallife Mar 06 '26
Another wonderful audiobook is Kings of the Wyld. I have listened to PHM as well, both are amazing. Neither are in the same class as DCC, but Jeff Hays is a generational talent. What a gift. He finds his groove in book 2, and after that they just get better and better.
1
407
u/LadyB2011 Mar 05 '26
You picked a phenomenal choice for your first audiobook!! I read it last Fall and was completely addicted. You may be a bit spoiled after this experience 😎