The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Read by the author herself, The Secret History is the perfect novel to listen to while strolling around Edinburgh in the Autumn. Regarded as a fan favourite for dark academia lovers, the story follows a group of elite college students whose obsession with knowledge and beauty leads them to murder one of their own. Tartt’s understanding of her characters manifests in her delivery as she voices each of them with deliberate distinction. Her Southern drawl compliments the aesthetics of her story, immersing listeners in the atmospheric scenery of Hampden College.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Spanning thirty years, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a story about love and everything that comes with it. Narrated by Jennifer Kim and Julian Cih, the novel chronicles the personal and intertwined journeys of Sam and Sadie as they navigate the world by creating video games together. Zevin’s articulation of technology and Kim and Cih’s vocal execution combine seamlessly to present readers and listeners an incredibly accessible domain of the gaming world. This book is as multifaceted a piece of literature can get and it’s guaranteed to make you feel just as many emotions.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Narrated by none other than Meryl Streep, Tom Lake is a mediation of various forms of love that permeate every stage of our lives. Set on a cherry farm during the heights of pandemic, three daughters spend their days demanding their mother, Lara, to tell the story of her summer romance with academy winning actor, Peter Duke. The combination of Patchett’s writing with Streep’s voice creates an incredibly heartwarming effect, a feeling reminiscent of biting into a batch of freshly baked cookies. Exploring how the past can mean so much and so little all at the same time, Patchett provides a beacon of light in one of the darker periods of our contemporary world.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Best known for The Martian, Andy Weir presents another exhilarating tale about space. Set in the near future, Project Hail Mary centres around Ryland Grace who wakes up from a coma in the middle of space, unable to remember anything about himself. Alternating between scientific insights about the ways of the universe and sarcastic humour, Weir and the narrator, Ray Porter, take listeners on a cinematic experience as Ryland attempts to straighten his question marks into exclamation points. By closing your eyes and letting the story carry you along, you will feel like you are right there with him, floating in space.
I’m Glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Narrated by Jennette McCurdy, I’m Glad My Mom Died recounts the author’s struggles as a former child-actor and her abusive relationship with none other than her mother. Mostly recognised for her roles in Nickelodeon shows such as Sam and Cat and iCarly, McCurdy details the harrowing reality of the entertainment industry and her subsequent endeavours to pursue what truly calls to her: writing. Despite its disturbing contents, her unflinching tone and performance makes your heart swell with pride for not just McCurdy, but for all victims of abuse who have fought and continue to fight for their autonomy.
Illustration courtesy of Emma Lacy @emmalaceyart