How to Start a Love Affair with Audiobooks | CrimeReads

For me, there were two big barriers to the format. First, you have to enjoy not only the story, you have to enjoy the narrator and the way they tell it. That's a huge leap that can leave you flailing for any surface. The narrator is going to read into your ear for six to thirty hours, depending on the length of the book. What if their accent doesn't fit the story? What if the timbre of their voice reminds you of an ex? What if every word from them is just nails on a chalkboard for no reason at all? Are they too fast? Too slow? Too emotive or reading with all the personality of a voicemail message system? The wrong narrator can make your shoulders tighten and your lip curl.