A Treasure Trove of Audiobooks

Working on a drawing while listening to an audiobook from the Loyal Books
site (up on my computer screen) is great fun.

A Treasure Trove of Audiobooks
by Annette Bartlett-Golden

Packing up at the end of a small family reunion in the Blue Ridge, my sister happened to ask me if I knew of any good audio books she and her children could listen to on the long drive home. Immediately I thought of the website Loyal Books (formerly Books should Be Free) and the many wonderful stories on the site I’ve listened to over the years. As it says on its home page, Loyal Books offers “Free Public Domain Audiobooks & eBook Downloads”. Although you won’t find the latest bestsellers, there are many classics and old favorites, and with over 7,000 books to choose from, there’s sure to something appealing.

The audio versions are read and recorded by volunteers from all over the US and perhaps other places, too. Since the narrations are of variable quality ranging from superb (one book was read by an excellent group of actors) to mediocre, it’s good to have a list of recommendations. Here is a short list of favorites:

Children and Fantasy

• The Phoenix and the Carpet by Edith Nesbit ~ British, children, young adult, fantasy
• The Story of the Treasure Seekers*  by Edith Nesbit ~ British, children, fantasy

*This book “has had an immense influence on children's literature and was reputedly J.K. Rowling's favorite children's book” according to the preface on the Loyal Books site.
 
Adventure & Mystery

• The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit ~ British, children, adventure, children

• The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss ~ children, young adult, adventure
• The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ~ adventure, mystery
• The Grand Babylon Hôtel by Arnold Bennett ~ adventure, comedy

Humor

• More William by Richmal Crompton ~ children, young adult, humor
• A Damsel In Distress by P. G. Wodehouse ~ humor
• The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde ~ humor, ghost stories, comedy

 
If you’re already a fan of Loyal Books website, what are your favorites?