I’ve written before about the topic of listening and stitching in this article on entertainment options for needleworkers.

In the previous article, I went into lots of detail about some of the things I listen to while I embroider, and since then, not a lot of things have changed. I’m still an audiobook junkie, I love listening to specific kinds of music when I’m in the mood to, and I dabble with podcasts now and then.

Today, I’ll tell you what books I’ve listened to lately and then I’ll open the topic up to you! Perhaps we can share some recommendations for good material to listen to, especially among audiobooks and podcasts!

When it comes to books to listen to while stitching, there are certain genres that appeal to me. I like mysteries of the classic detective variety; I like classic literature; and I like non-fiction.

Classic Detective

For light and entertaining listening, I like mysteries (of the classical detective variety – think: Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy Sayers, Gladys Mitchell, Arthur Upfield, and so forth). There are so many books and series in this category that, if you like “cozy” mysteries, you’ll never run out of listening entertainment. I prefer authors who really excel when it comes to the written word.

Recently, in this category, I started listening to Josephine Tey. It took me a bit to get it, but the first one (The Man in the Queue) grew on me by the end, so I might venture into another.

I’ve also enjoyed a few of the Bess Crawford stories by Charles Todd, although they’re striking me as all very similar and a little unrealistic for the time period they’re set in. The writing gets a bit trite, too, with very repetitive phraseology.

The best relatively new-to-me series in this category is Charles Finch’s Lennox series. The details of the setting (Victorian London) are nicely done, making the books plausible and enjoyable. Anachronisms (whether in character, objects, or settings) always grate on my nerves when I’m reading or listening to a book, so I really appreciate the research and detail in these books. There’s nothing too out-of-place. The books are well-written, without being trite or simplistic. The language is comfortable. Plus, the characters are appealing and the stories are fun.

Non-Fiction Audiobooks

In the non-fiction category, I enjoyed Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World, read by David Colacci. It was riveting.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind narrated by Chike Johnson is a fabulous tribute to human endeavor and the narration is superb.

I also listened to Ten Hours Until Dawn, read by Joe Barrett, which I took up after visiting Gloucester, MA last spring. Heroic and poignant.

Literary Classics

In the literary classics category, Audible put out an original series last year, dramatizing Jane Austen’s Emma, and it was quite enjoyable.

The Sea Wolf by Jack London and read by Frank Muller was fantastic. I’ve read the book before, but it didn’t do much for me. Listening to it read by a great narrator was a completely different experience.

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh and read by Jeremy Irons is also a masterpiece. It’s long, but wow! Jeremy Irons was magnificent!

I listened to a couple Willa Cather books. She’s always been a favorite author, but her books don’t translate as well into audio. I prefer reading them.

The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter read by Johnny Heller was really enjoyable.

Podcasts

For textile related podcasts, I plug into FiberTalk and Stitchery Stories when the mood strikes. There’s a new-to-me podcast called Thread Cult that focuses more on sewing in the fashion and couture industry. I’ve listed to a couple of those, and will probably explore them a little further.

What About You?

Any good recommendations for listening while stitching? Have you heard any audiobooks lately that you really enjoyed? Do you know of any interesting podcasts you’d like to share? Feel free to join in the conversation below and make some recommendations! I love exploring new listening interests, and I’m sure there are other folks in the wider Needle ‘n Thread community do, too!