I find it really interesting to know what other people listen to while they work so I thought I would create a little guide of how I work. I listen to a variety of things when I am illustrating and I tend to rotate between the radio, podcasts, music and audiobooks. Sometimes I watch (mostly listen) to a box set or youtube- something that doesn’t require full concentration though I tend to try and avoid this as I am not as productive.
I thought I’d start with a little guide to the Audiobooks I’ve been listening to!
I find listening to audiobooks really great when I have a lot of drawing to do, it’s generally harder to listen to these when I am writing or doing admin. I love to be immersed in another world and I find it can be inspirational listening to a great story.
Not all books are good for listening to. For me, the books that tend to lend themselves best to audio are fantasy fiction like His Dark Materials trilogy or the Harry Potter series. Stories that you know so it doesn’t require your full concentration but can also transport you to another world.
A good narrator is key so I tend to listen to a sample first, I’ve made the mistake of not doing this and having to listen to an irritating voice (or excessive mouth sounds 😳).
I don’t listen to books that I know I want to read because I am scared to ruin them things like the Salt Path, Circe, Where The Crawdads Sing, Normal People, I am I am I am, Gentleman in Moscow. As tempting as it is I think it’s best to save them to read as it’s not quite the same.
Audiobooks I’ve been listening to
Daisy Jones and The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is quite a different kind of Audio book to most of the ones I have listened to before, it was almost like a podcast documentary following the highs and lows of a fictional band in the 70s. It keeps you engaged as there are several voice actors playing the different characters and that makes it easy to follow.
Tom Hanks can do no wrong in my eyes and his gentle narration of this sentimental story was a perfect accompaniment to the slower winter months. I was drawing a lot whilst listening to this- including my Tidal Pool Gal. Thoughtful, contemplative and complex family relationships all centre around a Dutch style house in America.
I didn’t read this book when it came out but I absolutely loved this as an audiobook, definitely my favourite to listen to. A very unique story and so descriptive, I could really picture everything Theo was experiencing. It was a real mix of a thrilling mystery novel and coming of age story rolled into one super engaging audiobook. I really need to see that painting now!
Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death and Jazz Chickens, Eddie Izzard
I love Eddie Izzard, he’s hilarious and has such a brilliant voice. He has an infectious sense of humour and is an incredibly interesting man so this memoir of his life is such a joy to listen to. I don’t usually read too many biographies but this was fantastic, it’s like he’s talking directly to you. He also adds little appendixes to the appendixes in his books so it’s like you get a little extra treats!
Essentially an extended version of the podcast with more stories from Adam Buxton’s life, very funny and the perfect companion to listen to whilst you are working- he seems like such a down-to-earth guy.
Queenie, Candice Carty-Williams
I enjoyed listening to this but I don’t know that I actually liked it, does that make sense? The story is written from Queenie’s perspective, a British-Jamaican women navigating her mid twenties but she is starting to spiral out of control. I think the voice actor was great and nailed Queenie’s character. Overall it was an easy but not a relaxing story to listen to whilst working.
Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid
I loved this! Emira, a young black woman is falsely accused of kidnapping the white child she baby sits. It explores themes of race and privilege in a story that is so engaging and entertaining- very good to listen to whilst working.
Currently listening to:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid
By the same author as Daisy Jones and The Six. A journalist is interviewing a famous Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo who we learn more about as the the interview continues. I am enjoying it but I am not hooked.
Do you like listening to audiobooks while you work or do you save them for other times? Do you have any recommendations for me, I’d love to hear from you!
