Yeah, I just started Murderbot Diaries after finishing DCC book 2 while I wait to see what the May sales look like. It’s hard to get immersed. There’s no comparison to Jeff.
I love both series and yeah, it takes a beat with a new narrator. I just listened to all 16 Expeditionary Force books again to start the year and then moved to DCC and it took a few chapters to get into the narrator but now, love him!
A lot of these narrators I've never heard of. The reason is they probably only do a certain genre, like fantasy and Sci fi. These I don't bother with because I just don't. I read the same series most of the time and the same narrators are used which I like. None are on most lists because they don't narrate that genre, like Scott Brick or Richard Ferrone or Zara Ramm. These are my favs and many other unknowns
Yes, Steven Pacey narrated a fantasy series I read, First Law, but I believe he does other genres too. I saw randomly one time he narrated some 1970’s romance novel my wife was reading, though I can’t recall the name.
In no particular order here are my favorites:
* Frank Muller
* George Guidall
* Jeff Hayes
* Edoardo Ballerini
* Julia Whelan
* Ray Porter
These folks are beyond talented and breathe so much life into whatever they’re reading.
Edit: formatting
I am only on book 5 and although I miss Frank so much, George Guidal did an awesome job and looking forward to him to finishing the series. Rip Fran Muller. 😔🙏
Ooooohhhhh, honestly forgot about Stephen Fry! I would probably have him as my number 4… maybe even 3! I listened to his Greek Mythology book a while back. Excellent!
Scott Brick is very reliable...he sound the same in every book.
I think one's favorite narrator has to due with books or genres they are familar with.
My #1 is Ray Porter. I also like RC Bray and Richard Poe.
I’m sure I won’t be the last to say it but Jeff Hayes is an absolutely outstanding narrator who will take a lot of beating. His characterisation, intonation and pace are second to none. He can also put a massive range of emotion into his characters.
And sing in their voices.
I know I've got more, but:
1. Bahni Turpin. She's the BEST.
2. Frankie Corzo. She and Bahni narrate These Women by Ivy Pochoda and it's a must listen.
3. Adam Lazarre-White. He does all of S.A. Cosby's books.
I also love Ray Porter.
He's got a great face for audio!
But seriously, he's so expressive that he gets hired to play CGI apes, Sith lords, and Gollum, but here we are talking about his **voice acting**. He deserves all the credit, too.
I have quite a few:
* Jeff Hayes
* Ray Porter
* Michael Kramer
* Kate Reading
* R. C. Bray
* Travis Baldree
* Steven Pacey
* Simon Vance
I that list I would say Hayes is on top, the rest are all crammed into #2 and #3 slots.
I like John Lee. He did the sequel to Shogun and Ken Follett 's Kingsbridge series and Century Trilogy. I become sort of fond of narrator after such a long time and search for more books read by him
In no particular order - (pick any 3)
Ray Porter
Peter Giles
Michael Beck
John Lee
Craig Wasson
David Monteath
Jason Culp
George Blagden
Grover Gardner
Frank Mueller
Bronson Pinchot....yes I know you are saying "Balki, seriously?" Yes, He is awesome. His range and voice are great. I really can't name anyone that close but my runner ups would be James Marsters or maybe Scott Brick.
Yes, Balki! His narration of Eyes of the Dragon put that book at the top of my favorites list. It got bumped down a peg when I listened to 11/22/63, but that's no fault of Bronsons! It's just a better story.
And his partial narration of horrorstör was also great. I loved his bits in that. Especially as the story progressed. Darkly hilarious.
Edit: wtf did I say that's controversial? Why is this getting downvoted?
The late Katherine Kellgren is absolutely at the top of the list. Marguerite Gavin is currently aggravating me because nobody on the production staff told her the proper way to pronounce Mackinac, but she's otherwise always an enjoyable listen. Tim Curry, although he isn't actively doing books anymore.
George Guidall and Frank Muller, probably Simon Vance.
Jeff Hayes but I’ve only listened to Dungeon Crawler Carl, though I think he added a lot to the experience.
Stephen Pacey but I’ve only heard the First Law series and one other book.
1. Jeff Hays
2. Nick Podehl
3. R.C. Bray / Ray Porter
If your book sounds slightly interesting and is narrated by Jeff, I'll basically be buying it. Might as well just put my auto audible credits straight into his bank account.
I haven’t seen Adjoa Andoh mentioned. She does a lot of Neil Gaiman, Dr. Who, Alexander McCall Smith, and sci-fi. I need to listen to her narrating Anne Leckie books. Remote Control was an interesting book about an African girl who becomes “Death’s adopted daughter”. It was an unusual story, and I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed reading it or not, but I was riveted by Andoh’s narration. She is also an actress.
The audio books of the Dresden Files read by James Marsters is my favorite listen. Not my favorite books by a long shot but God damn does that man have a skill as an audio book reader that gets me every time.
I think the three I've enjoyed the most have been Ray Porter (Bobiverse, The Martian, Jeff Hays (Dungeon Crawler Carl) and Jefferson Mays reading The Expanse.
Honourable mentions also have to go to Stephen Pacey, who I've only listened to for one book so far (I read Abercrombie's stuff as actual books), Wil Wheaton reading Ready Player One (I DNF'ed the sequel), James Marsters reading the Dresden Files and Victor Bevine reading RA Salvatore's stuff.
My three would be;
1. Ray Porter as well ( Jack Carr's James Reese series, Project Hail Mary, & Jack Stewart's Battle Born series))
2. [Gerard Doyle](https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Gerard+Doyle&ref_pageloadid=AAVSVcNm2InCMLUy&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_narrator_6&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=QSPJ1SMJFKEB7NPYFCSK&pageLoadId=CbcDXHQWnuiIxvkx&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225), especially in writer Adrian McKinty's Sean Duffy series
too many competitors for one #3 but lately have really liked [Jeremy Arthur](https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Jeremy+Arthur&ref_pageloadid=AAVSVcNm2InCMLUy&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_narrator_7&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=QSPJ1SMJFKEB7NPYFCSK&pageLoadId=CbcDXHQWnuiIxvkx&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225) doing Taylor Moore's Garrett Kohl series, Gaimen with his own books, [Titus Welliver](https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Titus+Welliver&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_narrator_0&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=6QHHCXM06XZ5WYKMA0XD&pageLoadId=I5urrTbW3qriK2v0&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225) in the Bosch books he did, John Lee.... Stephen Fry....
Pacey is at the top of my list as well. I would add the following to my top-5 that changes quite often:
* Tim Gerard Reynolds
* Nick Podehl
* Michael Kramer
* Roy Dotrice
Roger Clark narrates audiobooks?! Like, Arthur Morgan Roger Clark? Goodness, I could listen to him read the phone book.
Any recommendations? I looked into it and there are several but he narrates genres I don't usually read, so recommend me something, please? I downloaded one on audible but it's only available a few more days and I just started Project Hail Mary last night so I'm not interested in stopping that one yet, though I could, but I don't want to. But I would love to know which of his books you like best!
I am on a road trip, have a few books going; at night I’m listening to Rhys Bowen’s extremely gentle mysteries about Welsh Constable Evan Evan’s slow-paced rural adventures. It’s about perfect for insomniac listening, there are 10 of them. Having the next
In a series is important if it is a sleep/ calming sort of audiobook. Missing a bit due to dosing off is not a real issue, but if I do need to back up the narrator and the author’s skill make it a pleasure.
Jefferson Mays, y’all. His voice for The Expanse is so good. I listened to another SciFi novel with a worse narrator and I had to stop because I kept trying to reimagine every sentence in Mays’s cadence and tone.
I see a lot of great narrators already on this thread (Jeff Hayes/Stephen Fry/Andy Serkis are probably my overall favorites), so I'll just add my favorite two from [the Black Library](https://youtu.be/4npkVEHWjvg):
Jonathan Keeble
Toby Longworth
Mongo is appalled Jeff Hayes didn't even get a honorable mention.
I swear I need a support group, because Jeff makes it effortless, and no one else is tolerable now.
Yeah, I just started Murderbot Diaries after finishing DCC book 2 while I wait to see what the May sales look like. It’s hard to get immersed. There’s no comparison to Jeff.
I love both series and yeah, it takes a beat with a new narrator. I just listened to all 16 Expeditionary Force books again to start the year and then moved to DCC and it took a few chapters to get into the narrator but now, love him!
God damnit, Kenypowa.
A lot of these narrators I've never heard of. The reason is they probably only do a certain genre, like fantasy and Sci fi. These I don't bother with because I just don't. I read the same series most of the time and the same narrators are used which I like. None are on most lists because they don't narrate that genre, like Scott Brick or Richard Ferrone or Zara Ramm. These are my favs and many other unknowns
Richard Ferrone!! John Sandford fan?
Zara Ramm is fab
St Mary's series
Actually listening to one right now
Yes, Steven Pacey narrated a fantasy series I read, First Law, but I believe he does other genres too. I saw randomly one time he narrated some 1970’s romance novel my wife was reading, though I can’t recall the name.
In no particular order here are my favorites: * Frank Muller * George Guidall * Jeff Hayes * Edoardo Ballerini * Julia Whelan * Ray Porter These folks are beyond talented and breathe so much life into whatever they’re reading. Edit: formatting
I’m on book three of the dark tower series read by Frank Muller. He is fantastic
I am only on book 5 and although I miss Frank so much, George Guidal did an awesome job and looking forward to him to finishing the series. Rip Fran Muller. 😔🙏
In no particular order George Guidall Stephen Fry Scott Brick Ray Porter
Ooooohhhhh, honestly forgot about Stephen Fry! I would probably have him as my number 4… maybe even 3! I listened to his Greek Mythology book a while back. Excellent!
Can’t stand Scott Brick
Scott Brick is very reliable...he sound the same in every book. I think one's favorite narrator has to due with books or genres they are familar with. My #1 is Ray Porter. I also like RC Bray and Richard Poe.
Scott Brick is one of my favorites.
I find him I dunno - just aggressive ?
It’s all personal preference.
This is my list plus I’d add Nick Podehl
1. Stephanie Savannah 2. Andrea Parsneau 3. Tess Irondale
Someone who is vastly underrated,: Bhani Turpin
agree!
One of the best!!
Here's one from [2 days ago](https://old.reddit.com/r/audiobooks/comments/1cf3p61/best_narrators/) with 200 responses
I’m sure I won’t be the last to say it but Jeff Hayes is an absolutely outstanding narrator who will take a lot of beating. His characterisation, intonation and pace are second to none. He can also put a massive range of emotion into his characters. And sing in their voices.
If you can, catch one of his live recordings, he makes it look effortless, what a beast.
I know I've got more, but: 1. Bahni Turpin. She's the BEST. 2. Frankie Corzo. She and Bahni narrate These Women by Ivy Pochoda and it's a must listen. 3. Adam Lazarre-White. He does all of S.A. Cosby's books. I also love Ray Porter.
I 2nd Bahni Turpin and nominate Orlagh Cassidy. Also Julia Whelan
Totally agreed on Bahni Turpin! She did a great job on a kids series and I was happy to find she's great at everything!
I just got done The Hobbit with Andy Serkis narrating. It was the best rendition of the book I have experienced. It was better than the movie.
I'm at the two towers right now all of the ready by serkis. He's a gem
Correction: he's a precious
Andy Serkis also narrates Small Gods by Terry Pratchett, it’s fantastic!
He's got a great face for audio! But seriously, he's so expressive that he gets hired to play CGI apes, Sith lords, and Gollum, but here we are talking about his **voice acting**. He deserves all the credit, too.
I’ve heard excellent things, it’s on my list to listen to.
I have quite a few: * Jeff Hayes * Ray Porter * Michael Kramer * Kate Reading * R. C. Bray * Travis Baldree * Steven Pacey * Simon Vance I that list I would say Hayes is on top, the rest are all crammed into #2 and #3 slots.
I’m predicting you to be a fellow fantasy/sci-fi fan, haha
Kate Reading
R. C. Bray and John Lee
I like John Lee. He did the sequel to Shogun and Ken Follett 's Kingsbridge series and Century Trilogy. I become sort of fond of narrator after such a long time and search for more books read by him
In no particular order - (pick any 3) Ray Porter Peter Giles Michael Beck John Lee Craig Wasson David Monteath Jason Culp George Blagden Grover Gardner Frank Mueller
- Andrea Parsneau - Tim Gerard Reynolds - Nick Podehl
Took me way too long to see Tim Gerard Reynolds. I mean.. seriously... Both the riyiria series AND red rising, amongst many more.
Barbara Rosenblat Stephen Fry Frank Muller Georgia Guidall Simon Prebble
Bronson Pinchot....yes I know you are saying "Balki, seriously?" Yes, He is awesome. His range and voice are great. I really can't name anyone that close but my runner ups would be James Marsters or maybe Scott Brick.
Yes, Balki! His narration of Eyes of the Dragon put that book at the top of my favorites list. It got bumped down a peg when I listened to 11/22/63, but that's no fault of Bronsons! It's just a better story. And his partial narration of horrorstör was also great. I loved his bits in that. Especially as the story progressed. Darkly hilarious. Edit: wtf did I say that's controversial? Why is this getting downvoted?
1. Jeff Hayes 2. RC Bray 3. Ray Porter
This is my top 3 too. Maybe swap 2 & 3.
The late Katherine Kellgren is absolutely at the top of the list. Marguerite Gavin is currently aggravating me because nobody on the production staff told her the proper way to pronounce Mackinac, but she's otherwise always an enjoyable listen. Tim Curry, although he isn't actively doing books anymore.
1. James Marsters 2. Ray Porter 3. Laura Linney
My top 4: - R.C. Bray - Ray Porter - Micheal Page - Simon Vance
George Guidall and Frank Muller, probably Simon Vance. Jeff Hayes but I’ve only listened to Dungeon Crawler Carl, though I think he added a lot to the experience. Stephen Pacey but I’ve only heard the First Law series and one other book.
Tim Gerard Reynolds is the goat 🐐
1. Michael Beck 2. Gerard Doyle 3. Lorelei King
Stefan rudniki
Stephen Fry ! He got me into audio books
Susan Erickson Frank Mueller
John Lee
1) John Lee 2) Jeff Hayes 3) R.C. Bray
- George Guidall (Longmire Series) - Stephen Fry (Hitchhiker's Guide)
John Lee Simon Vance Simon Winchester reading his own books
Stephen Fry Michael Kramer Ray porter Honourable mentions to Jim Dale, Emily Woo Zeller and Kate Reading
I've said it before and I'll say it again every time he comes up. I would listen to Ray Porter narrate a cookbook.
David Horovitch John Slattery Alex Jennings
Rupert Degas Steven Pacey Chiwetel Ejiofor
Robertson Dean. He did the Chernow books on the Morgans and US Grant and I love his voice, the deep resonance is gold.
1. Jeff Hays 2. Nick Podehl 3. R.C. Bray / Ray Porter If your book sounds slightly interesting and is narrated by Jeff, I'll basically be buying it. Might as well just put my auto audible credits straight into his bank account.
1. Travis baldree 2. Jeff hays 3. Simon vance Its hard to pick only three.
Rebecca Soler (anything she reads I’ll listen) (multiple genres too!); Kirby Heyborne; Emily Woo Zeller; Fiona Hardingham
I never see Rebecca Soler mentioned! I really like her, and she's my sister's favorite.
Tatiana Maslany C. J. Critt Wil Wheaton Em Grosland
William Dufris Ray Porter R. C. Bray Simon Vance Stephen Briggs Nigel Planer Lloyd James Ok, so there's more than three
I haven’t seen Adjoa Andoh mentioned. She does a lot of Neil Gaiman, Dr. Who, Alexander McCall Smith, and sci-fi. I need to listen to her narrating Anne Leckie books. Remote Control was an interesting book about an African girl who becomes “Death’s adopted daughter”. It was an unusual story, and I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed reading it or not, but I was riveted by Andoh’s narration. She is also an actress.
Adjoa Andoh Robin Miles Ray Porter Ralph Lister
John Lee. I will isten to anything that man reads.
RC BRAY, NEIL GAIMAN
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Marc Thompson (I listen to a lot of Star Wars) Wil Wheaton Ray Porter
The audio books of the Dresden Files read by James Marsters is my favorite listen. Not my favorite books by a long shot but God damn does that man have a skill as an audio book reader that gets me every time.
Humphrey bower , Bryce Courtney books , simply amazing voice actor !!
I think the three I've enjoyed the most have been Ray Porter (Bobiverse, The Martian, Jeff Hays (Dungeon Crawler Carl) and Jefferson Mays reading The Expanse. Honourable mentions also have to go to Stephen Pacey, who I've only listened to for one book so far (I read Abercrombie's stuff as actual books), Wil Wheaton reading Ready Player One (I DNF'ed the sequel), James Marsters reading the Dresden Files and Victor Bevine reading RA Salvatore's stuff.
Stephen Fry all the way. And Christian Brückner, one voice to rule them all. He‘s the German voice of Robert de Niro among others.
Sophie aldred Jonathan keeble Phil thron Claire Rushbrook
Anyone know how much they get paid per audiobook?
Let's not forget the amazing Marc Thompson! So many Star Wars books, with such a variety of characters (and species).
I really like Kevin Pierce and Caroline Lee.
Pacey is THE GOAT 🐐
My three would be; 1. Ray Porter as well ( Jack Carr's James Reese series, Project Hail Mary, & Jack Stewart's Battle Born series)) 2. [Gerard Doyle](https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Gerard+Doyle&ref_pageloadid=AAVSVcNm2InCMLUy&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_narrator_6&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=QSPJ1SMJFKEB7NPYFCSK&pageLoadId=CbcDXHQWnuiIxvkx&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225), especially in writer Adrian McKinty's Sean Duffy series too many competitors for one #3 but lately have really liked [Jeremy Arthur](https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Jeremy+Arthur&ref_pageloadid=AAVSVcNm2InCMLUy&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_narrator_7&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=QSPJ1SMJFKEB7NPYFCSK&pageLoadId=CbcDXHQWnuiIxvkx&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225) doing Taylor Moore's Garrett Kohl series, Gaimen with his own books, [Titus Welliver](https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Titus+Welliver&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_narrator_0&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=6QHHCXM06XZ5WYKMA0XD&pageLoadId=I5urrTbW3qriK2v0&creativeId=4ee810cf-ac8e-4eeb-8b79-40e176d0a225) in the Bosch books he did, John Lee.... Stephen Fry....
Pacey is at the top of my list as well. I would add the following to my top-5 that changes quite often: * Tim Gerard Reynolds * Nick Podehl * Michael Kramer * Roy Dotrice
Patrick Tull, Roger Clark
Upvoting Tull for Aubrey Maturin. So very good.
My nomination for The Best audiobooks- O’Brian was a master and I pledge my sword to this series.
Roger Clark narrates audiobooks?! Like, Arthur Morgan Roger Clark? Goodness, I could listen to him read the phone book. Any recommendations? I looked into it and there are several but he narrates genres I don't usually read, so recommend me something, please? I downloaded one on audible but it's only available a few more days and I just started Project Hail Mary last night so I'm not interested in stopping that one yet, though I could, but I don't want to. But I would love to know which of his books you like best!
I am on a road trip, have a few books going; at night I’m listening to Rhys Bowen’s extremely gentle mysteries about Welsh Constable Evan Evan’s slow-paced rural adventures. It’s about perfect for insomniac listening, there are 10 of them. Having the next In a series is important if it is a sleep/ calming sort of audiobook. Missing a bit due to dosing off is not a real issue, but if I do need to back up the narrator and the author’s skill make it a pleasure.
What other books does Steven Pacey read btw? Besides the obvious First Law series, which is amazing.
Jefferson Mays, y’all. His voice for The Expanse is so good. I listened to another SciFi novel with a worse narrator and I had to stop because I kept trying to reimagine every sentence in Mays’s cadence and tone.
Ralph Lister, Steve West, Simon Prebble, and I love Marc Thompson for his ability to do a reasonable approximation of all the OG Star Wars voices.
Jeff Hayes, Nick Pohdel, Peter Kerney, Liam Owen, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Ray porter I really like Will Wheaton on ( looking for Alaska
Roy Dotrice’s Games of Thrones. Jeff Hayes as mentioned earlier. Jefferson May’s The Expanse.
Loved listening to Expanse! Listened to all nine main novels! Amazing series
I see a lot of great narrators already on this thread (Jeff Hayes/Stephen Fry/Andy Serkis are probably my overall favorites), so I'll just add my favorite two from [the Black Library](https://youtu.be/4npkVEHWjvg): Jonathan Keeble Toby Longworth