Father’s Day is coming up soon—on June 15th! To celebrate those great men in our lives, here’s a list of top audio picks for all kinds of fathers, dads, pops, papas (or your preferred paternal nomenclature):
For Funny Fathers
By Jim Gaffigan
Read by Jim Gaffigan
Narrated by the popular comedian, Twitter sensation, and father of five himself, Jim Gaffigan gives listeners over 5 hours worth of hilarious stories and observations on dad-hood. And be sure to check your holds on Gaffigan’s follow up audio, Food: A Love Story (featuring side-splitting riffs on foods like poptarts, kale, and of course, bacon) coming this Fall.
Audio Praise for DAD IS FAT:
“Listeners familiar with the author’s stand-up comedy will love hearing this.”—AudioFile
For Pops Who Prefer Thought-Provoking Suspense
By Peter Heller
Read by Mark Deakins
From the nationally bestselling author of The Dog Stars, Peter Heller’s newest book, THE PAINTER, is an engaging audio, flush with fabulous and dangerous characters—from the protagonist’s fiery artist model girlfriend, to his wheeler-dealer art agent. An audiobook about art, love, suspense, and violence, THE PAINTER is not to be missed.
Audio Praise for The Dog Stars:
“A memorable novel is brought to life…will have listeners returning to it time and again.”—AudioFile Earphones Award
For Dads Who Dig Days Gone By
By Jeff Shaara
Read by Paul Michael
Jeff Shaara, son of The Killer Angels Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Shaara, returns with the latest installment in his bestselling Civil War series. Audio is the perfect format for experiencing history, and Shaara’s writing has an unparalleled ability to create a ‘you are there’ immediacy for the listener.
Audio Praise for Jeff Shaara:
“The portraits, vivid when heard, are drawn from the author’s exhaustive research. The listener may very well come to the conclusion that Shaara doesn’t just write historical fiction—he writes historical reenactment.”—AudioFile (A Chain of Thunder)
For Poker-Playing Papas
By Colson Whitehead
Read by Colson Whitehead
THE NOBLE HUSTLE is Pulitzer finalist and MacArthur Award-winner Colson Whitehead’s humorous memoir of his one-time stint in the World Series of Poker. For audio download only, listeners can experience Whitehead telling the story in his own voice about his search for meaning at the high stakes poker table.
Audio Praise for THE NOBLE HUSTLE:
“…when a book takes an introspective look at a subject the writer knows well, it can be a perfect marriage. And that’s what Colson Whitehead has brought here.”—AudioFile
For Thriller-Loving Dads
By Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler
Read by Scott Brick
Written by father-son duo Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler, and read by one of our favorite narrators, Scott Brick, CRESCENT DAWN is the 21st book in the New York Times bestselling Dirk Pitt series. And don’t forget that the newest installment in the series, Havana Storm, will be released in Fall 2014—just in time for dads finishing up CRESCENT DAWN this summer.
Audio Praise for Clive Cussler:
“Scott Brick’s rich smooth voice is the perfect choice….A fun audio experience.”—AudioFile (The Tombs)
Audiobooks for the Family
This Father’s Day, many dads may want to share their reading experiences with their children—and audio is the best format for that! Here are two great Listening Library titles perfect for family-shared listening:
By Gary Paulsen and Jim Paulsen
Read by Mike Chamberlain and John H. Mayer
Bestselling Hatchet author Gary Paulsen teams up with his son, Jim Paulsen, to write about a wild family cross-country road trip to rescue a very special dog.
Audio Praise for Woods Runner:
“The compelling story line, excellent narration, and intricate portrayal of history makes this audiobook a worthwhile listening experience.”—School Library Journal
By Carl Hiaasen
Read by James Van Der Beek
Newbery Honor-winner Carl Hiaasen’s hysterical Floridian novel about a boy whose gator wrangling father takes a new job with a reality TV show. CHOMP debuted #1 on the New York Times list, as well as Publishers Weekly list, and the IndieNext list. Also, don’t miss Hiassen’s newest novel, Skink–No Surrender, on sale in Fall 2014, and featuring his most iconic farcical Floridian character: Skink.
Audio Praise for CHOMP:
“Narrator James Van Der Beek delightfully captures the unique Cray family….Adults will also enjoy and learn from one of Hiaasen’s best novels yet.”—AudioFile
Happy Father’s Day!
