For many of us, the last few months have been a mix of working from home, exercising at home and trying to improve how we cook at home. Some of us have even been rediscovering abandoned hobbies and listening to old (and sometimes new) classics while the pace of life adjusts to COVID-19.
Authors around the globe have certainly stepped up to the challenge, with the 2020 release calendar packed with new titles, as well as updated audio for some of the most popular audiobooks available now. There’s no shortage of exciting new listens as we settle into the end of the year, so we’ve picked out some of our favourites narrated by the authors who’ve had plenty of time at home.
The Sandman
Neil Gaiman’s cultural phenomenon is brought to life, giving voice to the rich, dark world of original graphic novels. James McAvoy plays the titular character of The Sandman - an inhuman figure that doesn’t say much, but says it with so much deliberation - and recorded the lines in his spare bedroom at home when the studio paused production in March of this year. Step into dream’s nightmare with this classic of the fantasy genre, told through Gaiman’s poetic prose.
The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories
An exclusive selection of Anton Chekhov’s wonderful short stories, selected by Richard Armitage and narrated from his wardrobe den while recording at home during lockdown. From “The Kiss”, a tale about a kiss in the dark, to “The Student”, where we hear a young man lift his spirits through religion, these are six short stories to listen to and remember how we felt in the quiet moments at home.
Come Again
Robert Webb’s debut novel deals with time travel and living in the moment, and it’s the perfect listen for those of us thinking back to simpler times before lockdown started. Olivia Colman was Webb’s first choice to narrate the voice of main character Kate, who is thrown back in time to the week she met her beloved late husband, wondering if she can change the course of events. It’s comforting to hear her tell us we’re going to be alright, from her home to ours.
Maurice
E.M. Forster’s pivotal LGBT+ novel Maurice was written just before the First World War, but didn’t see publication in his lifetime, due to his concerns over society’s attitude to homosexuality. Finally published in the 1970s - a time when the liberation movement was in full force - this new 2020 recording comes at a moment in history when people are fighting more than ever for equal rights around the world. An emotive narration by Ben Whishaw, recording from home, makes the performance even more special.
Far from the Tree
A spine-chilling mystery of a Northern detective, written from his home on an old farm by author Rob Parker and narrated by Warren Brown. Brown makes a fantastic DI Foley thanks to his experiences as DS Ripley on Luther, and this gripping thriller makes staying in your hometown feel more like an edge-of-your-seat experience than a bore.
SAS Great Escapes
Dramatic escapes and tense encounters are at the very heart of author Damien Lewis’ SAS Great Escapes, an Audible Original performed by Leighton Pugh. Listen to stories of overcoming incredible odds and what happens when people help each other to survive: an uplifting experience presented from home by the author and performer during lockdown. A reminder of how, when times get tough, we’ve got the courage to get through it.
Plan for the Worst
Hustle through history with Jodi Taylor’s 11th entry in the Chronicles of St Mary’s, a madcap romp that takes you sightseeing through all the cities you’ve missed during lockdown. Narrator Zara Ramm’s descriptions of duvet days and watching the rain through the window will seem very familiar to those taking being at home in their stride, and Taylor’s prose once again brings a smile to the face of anyone heartily fed up of four walls.
Clockwork Sherlock
Need distracting from the real world? Ian W. Sainsbury invites you into the world of Clockwork Sherlock, teaming up famed VR detective Holmes and ex-soldier Captain Jo Barnes on a mystery that’s part future-tech and part good old sleuthing. Recorded at home by narrator Shvorne Marks, Sainsbury’s new series is the escape from lockdown fans of gripping suspense are looking for. Plenty of action included, so it’s perfect for listening to during home workouts.
They Disappeared
New for 2020, They Disappeared is the latest entry in the Jackman & Evans and was written from the heart of the Fens, author Joy Ellis’ home and inspiration for many of her works. A tour-de-force thriller that combines Ellis’ talent for eerie suspense with narrator Richard Armitage’s gripping voice, listeners will be taken on an urban exploration of the times. Recorded in Armitage’s home studio - really his wardrobe, but he makes it work - this crime thriller is definitely one for a rainy day.
Little Whispers
When the ordinary turns sinister: author K.L. Slater’s latest thriller Little Whispers rings true in a 2020 where school runs and suburban life have changed beyond recognition. It’s a woman-centric listen with all the tension you’d expect from a character-focused psychoanalytic audiobook. Narrated by Lucy Price-Lewis, who lends her voice to the frustration we’ve all felt with having to clean our houses so often these last few months.
Still looking for inspiration? Why not take a look at our top audiobooks and podcasts for lockdown life here?
