Listen close: The best audiobooks of the year
There are the Oscars, the Grammys, the Tonys and Emmys, but what about the Audies? That would be the award for the Audiobook of the Year.
The Audio Publishers Association just announced the five finalists for its top prize, each of which would make a perfect companion for long hours in the car. (Summer road trips, anyone?)
If you want to kick back and listen to some of the best books of the year, let these mellifluous voices take you away — through history, to Hollywood and even to a haunted graveyard.
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"The Bully Pulpit," written by Doris Kearns Goodwin and narrated by Edward Herrmann
The story: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Goodwin takes on Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and "the golden age of journalism" in her latest mammoth read (it's 909 pages — or 37 hours). The Associated Press called it "a tale so gripping that one questions the need for fiction when real life is so plump with drama and intrigue."
The voice: The audiobook was one of the final projects for actor Edward Herrmann, who died in 2014. Hermann's voice will be familiar to many, as he's narrated his fair share of History Channel programs and charmed viewers in his role as Richard Gilmore on "Gilmore Girls."
"The Graveyard Book," written by Neil Gaiman and narrated by Derek Jacobi with a full supporting cast
The story: Neil Gaiman, known for his fantastical novels, dives into the young adult genre with a story about the only living resident of a graveyard: a peculiar boy named Bod. Raised by ghouls, ghosts and other creepy creatures, can Bod survive in the world outside the cemetery? "The Graveyard Book" took home a Newbery Medal.
The voices: Harper Audio pulled out all the stops for "The Graveyard Book" audio adaptation. It's narrated by English thespian Derek Jacobi, but each character comes to life (or death?) with a spirited voice from the full-cast of voice actors.
"Mandela: An Audio History," written by Nelson Mandela and narrated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Joe Richman
The story: Originally released as a series, the collected audiobook tells the story of apartheid using rare sound recordings. More than 50 first-person interviews are woven into recordings of Nelson Mandela's 1964 trial, pirate radio broadcasts from the African National Congress and more recently uncovered material.
The voices: Joe Richman, founder of Radio Diaries, narrates the fascinating research process that unearthed the rare Mandela recordings. Archbishop Desmond Tutu also lends his voice to the project.
"What I Know For Sure," written and narrated by Oprah Winfrey
The story: Film critic Gene Siskel once asked Oprah: "What do you know for sure?" She's been answering that question ever since in a monthly column for O, The Oprah Magazine. This audiobook offers the collected wisdom she's gathered during her groundbreaking career.
The voice: Oprah. Need we say more?
"Yes Please," written and narrated by Amy Poehler
The story: One of the funniest women in Hollywood looks back at her humble beginnings, complete with bad middle school fashion and improv shows with no one in the audience. Poehler talks about confidence, friendships and having a "face for wigs."
The voice: Amy Poehler's at the helm, but she's enlisted her whole Rolodex of celebrity friends to chime in on this audiobook. Surprise audio-cameos abound.