Tag: Neil Gaiman

Five Reasons To Listen to Audiobooks on Spotify

October 4, 2023

Looking to finally finish those books on your bedside table? Audiobooks offer a refreshing way to get around to all the titles you’re simply too busy to read, even on the go. Not only that, but audiobooks also provide a new way to experience stories you already love and are an immersive and efficient way to discover new favorites. Here are five more reasons you should add audiobooks to your literary diet: 

  1. There’s ample research showing that reading is beneficial to people of all ages. And studies have shown that memory retention and learning when listening to audiobooks may be the same as reading a print book (and sometimes better than an e-book).

  2. Audiobooks may bring some of the benefits of reading into your life, including by potentially reducing stress, improving mood, sharpening intellect, or supporting empathy and creativity.

  3. Bringing music, podcasts, and audiobooks together on a single platform like Spotify means listeners can find a content ecosystem around their favorite creators, authors, and stories. For example, fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, or Jenny Han can now listen to much of their favorite authors’ catalogs on Spotify and hear any number of analyses from literary podcasts, and find playlists inspired by their stories.

  4. Listeners will be able to take their audiobooks wherever they go; Spotify works on over 2,000 devices from more than 200 brands. Plan managers can also download audiobooks for offline listening. So taking an audiobook with you is as easy as putting your phone and headphones into your pocket—and something you can do even while multitasking.

  5. With our automatic bookmarking feature and Spotify Sleep Timer, you won’t lose your place or need to spend hours rewinding. 

Eligible Spotify Premium users in the U.K. and Australia can now look forward to 15 hours of audiobook listening per month on any audiobook marked “Included in Premium.” Learn all about it.

7 Compelling Book-To-Screen Adaptations That Are Now Available as Audiobooks

September 29, 2023

A person looking at a flying saucer in the night sky

“Which was better, the book or the movie?”

It’s a common argument that has withstood the test of time and has only gotten stronger as more and more hit television shows and movies inspired by novels have been released. And now with audiobooks, you can listen to the original book before watching its screen version to compare, contrast, and settle the argument of which was better once and for all. 

So, whether it’s a coming-of-age tale set over several beautiful summers or a hilarious full-cast romp to stop the apocalypse, here are some of our favorite book-to-screen adaptations available now on Spotify. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Written by Jenny Han

Narrated by Lola Tung

Some summers are just destined to be pretty. 

In Jenny Han’s coming-of-age romance novel, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Isabel “Belly” Conklin measures her life in summers. To her, everything good and magical happens between the months of June and August, when her family reunites with friend Susannah and her two sons, Jeremiah and Conrad. The boys have been Belly’s brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it ends up just the way it should have been all along.

Good Omens

Written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Narrated by Rebecca Front, Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Adjoa Andoh, Allan Corduner, Arthur Darvill, Chris Nelson, Ferdinand Frisby Williams, Gabrielle Glaister, John Hopkins, Katherine Kingsley, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Lemn Sissay, Lorelei King, Louis Davison, Matt Reeves, Peter Forbes, and Pixie Davies

Dive into this brand-new, full-cast audiobook production of Good Omens from internationally bestselling authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, and tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to the Divine Plan. Except the somewhat fussy angel Aziraphale (played by Michael Sheen) and the fast-living demon Crowley (played by David Tennant)—both of whom have lived among Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture. 

All that and someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist . . .

Lovecraft Country

Written by Matt Ruff

Narrated by Kevin Kenerly

Also adapted into an HBO® series by J.J. Abrams, Misha Green, and Jordan Peele, Matt Ruff’s novel Lovecraft Country makes visceral the terrors of Jim Crow America, melding historical fiction, pulp noir, and Lovecraftian horror. 

When his father goes missing in 1950s Chicago, 22-year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner embarks on a road trip to New England to find him, accompanied by his uncle George—publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide—and his childhood friend Letitia. On their journey to the manor of Mr. Braithwhite (heir to the estate that owned one of Atticus’s ancestors) they encounter both mundane terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the weird tales George devours. 

A chimerical blend of magic, power, hope, and freedom that stretches across time, touching diverse members of two Black families, Lovecraft Country is a devastating kaleidoscopic portrait of racism—the terrifying specter that continues to haunt us today.

The Good Nurse

Written by Charles Graeber

Narrated by Will Collyer

After his December 2003 arrest, registered nurse Charlie Cullen was quickly dubbed “The Angel of Death” by the media. But Cullen was no mercy killer, nor was he a simple monster. He was a favorite son, husband, beloved father, best friend, and celebrated caregiver. Implicated in the deaths of as many as 300 patients, he was also perhaps the most prolific serial killer in American history. 

Cullen’s murderous career in the world’s most trusted profession spanned 16 years and nine hospitals from New Jersey to Pennsylvania. In The Good Nurse, journalist Charles Graeber presents the whole story, nearly 10 years in the making. 

Based on hundreds of pages of previously unseen police records, interviews, wire-tap recordings, and videotapes, as well as exclusive jailhouse conversations with Cullen himself and the confidential informant who helped bring him down, this true crime audiobook weaves an urgent, terrifying tale of murder, friendship, and betrayal.

Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda

Written by Jesse J. Holland, Linda D. Addison, Maurice Broaddus, Christopher Chambers, Milton J. Davis, Tananarive Due, Nikki Giovanni, Harlan James, Danian Jerry, Kyoko M., L.L. McKinney, Temi Oh, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Glenn Parris, Alex Simmons, Sheree Renée Thomas, Cadwell Turnbull, and Troy L. Wiggins

Narrated by J. D. Jackson and Joy Sunday

T’Challa faces the gods of his parents. Vampires stalk Shuri and a Dora Milaje in voodoo-laced New Orleans. Erik Killmonger grapples with racism, Russian spies, and his own origins. All these stories and more are here in the anthology Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda.

The first mainstream superhero of African descent, the Black Panther has attracted fans of all races and colors who see in the King of Wakanda reflections of themselves. Storytellers from across the African diaspora—some already literary legends, others rising stars—have created for this collection of original works inspired by the world of the Panther. With guest characters including Storm, Monica Rambeau, Namor, and Jericho Drumm, these are stories of yesterday and today, of science and magic, of faith and love.

The School for Good and Evil

Written by Soman Chainani

Narrated by Polly Lee

Welcome to the School for Good and Evil, where best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With her glass slippers and devotion to good deeds, Sophie knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and join the ranks of past students like Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White. Meanwhile, Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks and wicked black cat, seems a natural fit for the villains in the School for Evil. 

The two girls soon find their fortunes reversed: Sophie’s dumped into the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School for Good, thrust among handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are? Soman Chainani’s The School for Good and Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Written by Jenny Han

Narrated by Ali Ahn

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them . . . all at once? 

In Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. That is, until one day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Eligible Spotify Premium users in the U.K. and Australia can now look forward to 15 hours of audiobook listening per month on any audiobook marked “Included in Premium.” Learn all about it. 

Kick Back With 9 Audiobooks To Help You Unwind

September 29, 2023

illustration of a person surrounded by leaves relaxing

Whether it’s chilling on the couch or crashing into bed, nothing beats settling into a nice long rest at the end of the day. And few things are more frustrating than when your body wants to rest but your brain wants to keep the party going. Thankfully, there are plenty of audiobooks to help relax the mind. Thanks to tips and advice from a number of bestselling authors, these titles can help you calm your mind and allow you a well-deserved moment to recharge. 

So, if you’re trying to get over a bout of insomnia, or just want to incorporate more mindfulness into your end-of-day routine, here are 9 audiobooks to help you unwind.

Dimming the Day: Evening Meditations for Quiet Wonder

Written by Jennifer Grant

Narrated by Christine Kiphart

Research suggests that we should refrain from screens at bedtime, but it can be hard to give up social media and news without something to take its place. In this audiobook, author Jennifer Grant offers gentle meditations that help you direct your gaze away from screens and uncertainties and toward the natural world to help you unwind. 

Dimming the Day guides you to focus on the wonders of earth, from the ordinary head of a dandelion to the exquisite beauty of a fractal. You are invited to replace anxiety with awe, distraction with focus, and worry with true rest. Calm your mind and settle into stillness.

This Book Will Make You Sleep

Written by Dr. Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar

Narrated by Tania Rodrigues

Many people go through patches when they find it hard to sleep, whether it’s problems dropping off at night or waking in the early hours with thoughts buzzing. Sometimes it seems impossible to get that elusive night’s sleep we so badly crave, but This Book Will Make You Sleep aims to help you break negative patterns, get more rest, and improve your well-being. 

Dr. Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the very latest developments in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to guide you through techniques centered around healthy sleep habits so you can feel more rested and happier, and immediately reap the benefits in your everyday life.

Mindfulness Meditation for Releasing Anxiety

Written by Glenn Harrold and Russ Davey

Narrated by Glenn Harrold

According to authors Glenn Harrold and Russ Davey, people who practice mindfulness are less likely to get caught up in worries about the future or regrets over the past. They say being mindful makes it easier to notice and enjoy the pleasures in life, and that properly reacting to stressful or difficult situations allows you to feel calmer and more balanced in everyday life.

Mindfulness Meditation combines acclaimed meditation techniques with dreamy pianos, calming soundscapes, heavenly choirs, and Tibetan chanting, creating a powerful session designed to help you make lasting and meaningful changes to your life. 

Bedtime Stories for Grown-ups

Written by Ben Holden

Narrated by Ben Holden, Sandra Duncan, Esther Wane, Gareth Armstrong, and Luke Thompson

There are few routines more precious than the bedtime story. This led author Ben Holden to question why we discard this invaluable ritual as grown-ups. Bedtime Stories for Grown-ups deftly explores not only the science of sleep, but it also challenges how we think about life—a third of which we spend asleep. 

Illuminating storytelling and a treasure trove of timeless classics and contemporary gems from William Shakespeare, Haruki Murakami, Charles Dickens, Roald Dahl, Vladimir Nabokov, and Neil Gaiman are woven together to replicate the journey of a single night’s sleep.

Midnight Meditations: Calm Your Thoughts, Still Your Body, and Return to Sleep

Written by Courtney E. Ackerman

Narrated by Robin Eller

It’s hard to wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to fall back asleep. Midnight Meditations wants to help gently guide you back to sleep as quickly as possible. These 150 peaceful, soothing meditations help you welcome and embrace the rest, relaxation, and restorative sleep every night has to offer. 

This book aims to help you discover how to calm your racing thoughts, stop chasing sleep, and start receiving an undisturbed night’s rest so you can make the most of your days.

Sleep Reimagined: The Fast Track to a Revitalized Life

Written by Pedram Navab

Narrated by Pete Cross

According to Dr. Pedram Navab, insomnia looks different for everyone. Whether it’s caused by stress, a traumatic life event, or even a snoring partner, he says poor sleep can affect the quality of your waking life. With his book Sleep Reimagined, Navab wants listeners to know that falling asleep can be just as easy as waking up. 

Equipped with his six-step cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I) program and relatable case studies of different sleep disorders, Navab says listeners can be guided to new and improved sleep in as little as four weeks. Through therapeutic relaxation, practicing sleep restriction and stimulus control, restructuring attitudes toward sleep, and using mindfulness intervention, this audiobook aims to help listeners better understand sleep and take steps toward rewiring their arousal systems. 

The Insomnia Diaries: How I Learned To Sleep Again

Written and narrated by Miranda Levy

After a single catastrophic event, journalist Miranda Levy had one sleepless night, then another, and then another. She sought help from anyone she could: doctors, acupuncturists, reiki practitioners, hypnotists, therapists, personal trainers—but nothing seemed to work. 

In The Insomnia Diaries, Miranda recounts her experience with the severe, crippling sleep disorder that affected every aspect of her life for years and reveals how she ultimately recovered. Part memoir, part reportage, this book helps anyone who struggles to get a good night’s sleep better understand their options for relief as they seek rest.

Deep Restful Sleep: Meditation for Deep Restful Sleep and for Inner Strength

Written and narrated by Virginia Harton

Containing two full meditations, Deep Restful Sleep aims to help you to develop inner strength while you fully recharge. 

According to author Virginia Harton, the intention of the first meditation is to help you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally stronger. She says that inner strength sometimes gets covered up by the strains and stresses of life. The second meditation is designed to help relax the body and the mind while focusing on your breathing as Harton’s gentle voice creates a secure environment conducive to sleep. 

Fast Asleep, Wide Awake: Discover the Secrets of Restorative Sleep and Vibrant Energy

Written and narrated by Dr Nerina Ramlakhan

In the eyes of Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, sleep problems don’t start when you put your head on the pillow. The physiologist and renowned sleep expert says that everything from thought behavior to the choices you make during the day can impact how you sleep at night. 

Using tools and techniques based on Western science and Eastern practices, Fast Asleep, Wide Awake combines the Ramlakhan’s professional experience with academic and personal insights as she shares her view that sleep problems are not just about sleep, but rather about how we deal with life and its inevitable challenges. 

Eligible Spotify Premium users in the U.K. and Australia can now look forward to 15 hours of audiobook listening per month on any audiobook marked “Included in Premium.” Learn all about it.