BOOKS OF THE YEAR AUDIOBOOK
OVERVIEW Last year saw a continued rise in audiobook popularity. There was a continued trend of mainstream publishers producing audio, and Penguin Random House had a particularly strong year, garnering three spots on this shortlist. These eight titles have all been produced with high production values, using star narrators and often adding exclusive audio-only content to draw in listeners. This, combined with increasing marketing budgets for audio, ensured huge success of these eight titles.
MY SISTER,
THE TESTAMENTS The fastest-selling PRH audiobook ever (globally and in the UK), the title has multiple narrators, including actors Ann Dowd, Bryce Dallas Howard, Mae Whitman, Derek Jacobi and Tantoo Cardinal, with author Margaret Atwood. The campaign focused on narrator events, which engaged fans.
THE HANDMAID’S TALE With a goal to revamp the original audiobook ahead of the release of The Testaments, this was PRH’s first audio-only publication and marketing campaign. The narration was atmospheric thanks to the TV series’ Elisabeth Moss, who is now distinctly associated with Atwood’s stories.
2
PUBLISHERS 1 W F HOWES
2 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO
3 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO
4 AUDIBLE 5 BONNIER 6 BLOOMSBURY
7 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO
8 MACMILLAN 09
THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO Christy Lefteri’s protagonist Nuri has experienced the horrors of the Syrian War, but this is a story of hope. Art Malik was the perfect narrator, with the necessary emotive range for such a sensitive story. This soon became a staple on audio bestseller lists.
THE MADNESS OF CROWDS There was a wide calling for Douglas Murray to narrate his second audiobook, and as a leading voice in political and sociological discourse, the choice brought authenticity to the subject. Murray’s hard work paid off, as 40,000 copies were sold in four months.
THE SERIAL KILLER Featuring British-Nigerian actress Weruche Opia through- out, this release really brought Oyinkan Braithwaite’s two distinct protagonists to life. Opia’s narration was praised as “vibrant” and “fresh” by one reviewer, and earned it a place as an Audible Editor’s pick.
THE BODY Narrated by Bill Bryson, this release features exclusive audio content—appropriately, an additional chapter all about the ear and hearing. The narrator’s “gentle, humorous and intelligent” voice added another level to the narrative. It was Audible’s top selling non-fiction title of the year.
THE SECRET COMMONWEALTH This was PRH’s biggest ever children’s audiobook, with a substantial number of UK downloads. It is the second time that Michael Sheen has brought Philip Pullman’s work to life, having previously won a Nibbie for the La Belle Sauvage audiobook in 2018.
GOTTA GET THEROUX THIS The author’s distinct voice made this a standout audiobook of 2019, selling over 55,000 copies digitally. A big selling point was the additional chapter on one of Louis Theroux’s most contro- versial and intriguing subjects: Jimmy Savile.
1
6 8
4
5 7 3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
