Traditionally, a “beach read” is a book that is light, entertaining, and easy to read while you are spending time on a beach or enjoying a leisurely moment. These five audiobooks will transport you to atmospheric, distant locations; some are sunny and sandy, while others might have you experiencing a bit of a chill and some thrills. Enjoy!
LIES AND WEDDINGS
by Kevin Kwan, read by Jing Lusi
Random House Audio
Let’s ease into our foray of atmospheric, escapist beach reads with Kevin Kwan’s latest tale of the super-rich that takes us across several continents—and highlights classism, racism, and environmental destruction. Jing Lusi’s portrayals of the men and women of differing classes is excellent. Her characterization of the Countess of Gerhamsbury, a Chinese woman married to a British Earl, who tries to upstage her snooty counterparts, is particularly memorable. If you enjoyed CRAZY RICH ASIANS, give this a listen.
WHALE FALL
by Elizabeth O'Connor, read by Dyfrig Morris, Gabrielle Glaister, Gwyneth Keyworth, Jot Davies, Nick Griffiths
Random House Audio
AudioFile Earphones Award
We are off to the coast of Wales for this haunting story, set in 1938. Gwyneth Keyworth gives a powerful performance in her nuanced portrayal of 18-year-old Manod, a young girl living on an isolated Welsh island. Dyfrig Morris, Gabrielle Glaister, Jot Davies, and Nick Griffiths add to the novel's ambiance with evocative renditions of folklore and historical narratives. Well-crafted sound effects add a deeper layer of period authenticity to the novel's exploration of profound cultural differences within ostensibly similar societies.
THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD
by Stuart Turton, read by James Cameron Stewart
Tantor Media
We head to a post-apocalyptic world in this multifaceted mystery. James Cameron Stewart's masterful performance drops listeners onto an isolated island shrouded in buried secrets and impending mayhem. There's a haunting quality in his portrayal of the villagers on an idyllic island that is run by three scientists and inhabited by 122 survivors of a deadly fog. Stewart's narration is perfectly paired with a suspenseful tale to delight fans of psychological thrillers.
ONE PERFECT COUPLE
by Ruth Ware, read by Imogen Church
Simon & Schuster Audio
Imogen Church's portrayal of soft-spoken Lyla heightens the tension in this nod to one of Agatha Christie's most beloved mysteries, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE. Lyla and her boyfriend have been cast in a TV game show in which five couples compete for the title of "The Perfect Couple." As the contestants are cut off from the mainland and hunted by a murderer, the game show becomes an exercise in survival. Church efficiently reveals Lyla's swings from sheer panic to steely determination to outwit the killer. Fans of Ware and Christie, as well as enthusiasts of survival-themed TV shows, may especially enjoy Church's rendition of this thriller.
GODDESS OF THE RIVER
by Vaishanavi Patel, read by Sneha Mathan
Hachette Audio
AudioFile Earphones Award
Immerse yourself in this audiobook about Ganga, the Hindu mythological goddess of the river. Ganga experiences mortality before she is transformed back into a goddess who is unable to shed her bonds with the human experience, and the mortal son she has been forced to leave behind. Sneha Mathan's hypnotic storytelling enhances this reimagined rendition of this legend.
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