It’s probably a toss up between the Discworld series and the Bobiverse series.
Edit: for standalone book it would probably be Project Hail Mary.
Shameless plug:
lemmy.world/c/bobiverse
Seconding the Discworld series, but specifying that while the Random House Audio version narrated by Nigel Planer is excellent- The newer version by Penguin Audio with Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy and either Indira Varma or Collin Morgan are absolutely top shelf.
I was put off before I started them because I assumed it was the “Narrated by a full cast” type of thing which is usually terrible. This is one main narrator (either Collin or Indira if it’s a wizard or witch heavy book, respectively) and then a new voice for the “author’s asides” that makes you feel like Sir Terry Pratchett is telling you little secrets himself and then one special character gets their own voice actor who is just perfect and adds even greater depth to the magic of these books.
Bobiverse is also fantastic.
AND The audio version of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir gets a little extra something by being an audio version. If you haven’t read that I recommend going in completely blind with no spoilers at all if possible, don’t read a single thing about it first.
(Edit: just saw that Chainweasel just edited to also add Project Hail Mary… maybe we should be in a book club together, lol. )
Edit 2: The Children of Memory series by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a very special one that has stayed with me and I still get misty thinking about it. Just wonderful.
AND The audio version of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir gets a little extra something by being an audio version. If you haven’t read that I recommend going in completely blind with no spoilers at all if possible, don’t read a single thing about it first.
agreed. went in without spoilers, and even the book version is surprising in what you’re likely refering to
Hitchhikers Guide series read by Adams himself. His voice is just so good. Stephen Fry a close second.
Children On Time trilogy. Together with Three Body Problem generally the best Scifi I’ve read or listened to.
The Lord of the Rings series read by Rob Inglis is awesome. That’s probably my favorite way to consume the series.
World War Z. Because of the cast.
The Hyperion books by Dan Simmons. Hyperion has full cast, the rest doesn’t, but still very high quality narration.
Honourable mentions:
- Alastair Reynolds and John Lee collaborations. Lee has the perfect voice and tone for Reynolds’ precise (and somewhat aloof) language.
- Neil Gaiman books. Gaiman does his own narration, and I can’t imagine his books without his voice.
Dishonourable mention:
- John Scalzi, read by Will Wright. Wright reads as if every line in Scalzi’s works was hillarious. Scalzi is a very funny writer, but his books have somber set pieces, and Wright ruins the immersion there.
Anything read by Wil Wheaton tbh, I just don’t like him as a narrator. (I’m pretty sure you meant Wil Wheaton lol)
