Answers to Go

Q. I would like to start listening to audiobooks. What are some of the best audiobooks available to listen to on the Libby app?

A. Audiobooks are perfect for multitasking, whether you’re stuck in traffic, baking some delicious cookies, or doing some spring cleaning. You can check out free downloadable audiobooks through the Libby app with your library card. There are tutorials for getting started with Libby available on the San Marcos Public Library’s website (sanmarcostx.gov/ eLibrary).

When looking for the best audiobooks, I recommend looking to see which titles have won or been nominated for an Audie Award. The Audie Awards is the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment.

One of my personal favorite audiobooks is “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman. It tells the story of Lyra Belacqua, a young girl who sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North. The audiobook includes a full-cast recording with a different voice actor for each character, as well as Pullman narrating. It won the 2000 Audie Award in the category Children’s Title. The Golden Compass is the first book in a juvenile fantasy trilogy.

“The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates won the 2020 Audie Award in the category Literary Fiction & Classics. AudioFile magazine says, “Joe Morton doesn't just give a stellar performance of Coates's audiobook. He embodies its characters completely, making the listening experience cinematic.” This book tells the story of Hiram Walker who was born into bondage. When his mother was sold away, Hiram was robbed of all memory of her, but was gifted a mysterious power. Years later, when Hiram almost drowns in a river, that same power saves his life. This brush with death births an urgency in Hiram and a daring scheme: to escape the only home he’s ever known.

“Daisy Jones & The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid was a finalist for the 2020 Audie Award in the category Multi-Voiced Performance. It's narrated by a star-studded cast. Actors Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, and Pablo Schreiber portray the lead roles, while several talented audiobook narrators portray the supporting cast. This gripping novel is about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer. Everyone knows “Daisy Jones & The Six” but nobody knows the real reason why they split at the absolute height of their popularity, until now.

Another favorite audiobook of mine is “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds. This is a verse novel read by the author. It was made to be read aloud, and lends itself very well to audio format. The majority of the story takes place over the course of a 67 second elevator ride, where fifteen-year-old Will decides whether or not he’s going to get revenge for his brother’s murder. On each floor the elevator stops, and Will is visited by people from his past who help him with his decision. This is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at gun violence.

For more book recommendations, call or email the library at 512-393-8200 or smpl@sanmarcostx.gov.