Audiobooks became popular in the 1960s, shortly after the audiocassette tape and player were invented. They were primarily used in schools, especially those for the blind. However, audiobooks are now easily accessible to anyone and can be listened to on any device.
Authors are now releasing audiobooks of their novels to make them easily accessible. If you love hypnotic reading but are often discouraged by the time taken to read, immersive audiobooks are your safe haven. Whether you are just starting or experienced, you should try these seven immersive audiobooks to take you into another world.
- Convenience Store Woman
If you have ever felt like you don’t fit anywhere, then you should listen to the convenience store woman audiobook. This immersive audiobook is written by Sayaka Murata and narrated by Nancy Wu.
The convenience store woman is about a 36-year-old woman, Keiko Furukara. When she was young, Keiko Furukara often felt like a social misfit. She would often feel like an outcast around family or at school. However, when she reached eighteen, she got a job at a convenience store known as Smile Mart.
It would be hard to think that a job at a convenience store would give someone a purpose in life, but things were a little different for Keiko. Keiko was delighted to work at the store as the rules for social interactions were crystal clear, and she was happy to follow each letter. Keiko was so pleased with this job that she worked there for 18 years.
Despite everything going well in Keiko’s life, her family and colleagues pressured her to get a better profession and a man to marry her. Having no other option, she had to make a big decision that would impact her life and happiness.
- Celine
Celine is the perfect audiobook for you if you are mesmerized by suspense. Peter Heller methodically illustrates the life of Celine, a private investigator specializing in reuniting broken families.
However, things started dawning on Celine when Gabriella wanted to investigate her father’s death. Gabriella’s father was a photographer who went missing under uncertain circumstances on the Wyoming-Montana border. Even though this was a tough case for Celine to crack, she had all the gist to give Gabrielle all the answers she needed concerning her father’s death.
However, Celine and her partner noticed they were being followed when they headed to investigate the trail Gabriella’s father took. Someone desperately wants the case closed.
Peter heller’s mother, a chic private investigator, inspired Celine. The audiobook is narrated by Kimberly Furr, who does an outstanding job of illustrating the scenes.
- Well Met
While romcoms are not everyone’s cup of tea, the Well Met audiobook will melt your heart. This novel was released on 3rd September 2019, written by Jane DeLuca and read by Brittany Pressley.
Well Met revolves around the life of Emily, her sister April, her niece Caitlin and Simon. Emily was still doing her degree when April got into an accident. Therefore, she needed more time to heal. That being the case, she called Emily to help her with taking care of Caitlin.
So, Emily had to put a hold on her degree and move to Maryland. As she was in Maryland, she had to participate in the local Renaissance Faire, as Caitlin was a participant and needed a chaperone. While at the Faire, Emily loved the rehearsals and everyone else except Simon.
Simon runs the Faire, and he doesn’t think Emily takes it seriously; on the other hand, Emily thinks Simon hates her. Emily later falls in love with him when she thinks he looks sexy in the pirate outfit.
- The Unhoneymooners
The Unhoneymooners is an excellent classic if you enjoy a good laugh and some romance. The audiobook is about two identical twin sisters, Amy and Olive. According to Olive, Amy is a lucky twin who is always blessed with everything, including love. On the other hand, Olive is always the unlucky one.
Unfortunately, things then take a wrong turn when everyone gets food poisoning at Amy’s wedding except Olive and the best man Ethan. Ethan and Olive are sworn enemies, but they now have to withstand each other to go on an all-paid honeymoon in Hawaii as the bride and groom couldn’t go.
- World War Z
According to research, over 61% of Americans enjoy reading and listening to non-fiction. If you are among the 61%, you will probably enjoy listening to World War Z. This masterpiece was written by Max Brooks and narrated by Max Brooks, Alan Alda, John Turturro, and Rob Reiner.
World War Z is all about the invasion of zombies on a quest to eradicate all humanity. This audiobook feels all too real as each narrator is quite good at narrating their parts of the book. Max Brook also makes the book feel authentic by writing it in a documentary style. He further records the testimony of men, women, and children who witnessed the zombie apocalypse.
- Growing Up in A Coal Country
Growing up in a coal country is a two-hour and fifteen-minute narration by Suzanne Torren. Susan Campbell originally wrote the book in August 2010. In this audiobook, Suzanne narrates the agony 12-year-old boys would go through by quitting school so that they work in the coal mines.
The book also depicts how these boys united and fought against unfair work ethics. It also describes and discusses the living conditions of the miners and their families in the early 1900s. This audiobook is perfect for history lovers as it is a well-researched and documented book, so you can easily follow through on historical events.
- Parable Of the Sower
In this book, Octavia E. Butler skillfully describes the story of a young lady known as Lauren Olamina, who escapes to Northern California from Southern California. Lauren runs away because of societal and ecological pressure, causing climate change.
This is after her village is destroyed by a group of addicts, so she must learn to survive. Along the way to Northern California, she forms a religion known as Earth Seed, which aims to reverse climate change.
Wrapping Up
Audiobooks are a great way to read without touching or purchasing the book. The great thing about audiobooks is that you can listen to them while performing other tasks. You can listen to an audiobook while cleaning the house, running, or even doing yoga.
The above immersive audiobooks will ensure you have a good and adventurous time listening to them. Some books, such as World War Z, have several narrators, each making the audiobook more realistic and hypnotic.