Audiobooks in German - Suggestions please

Language Corner
1
Someone at work mentioned that she listens to audiobooks in German to improve the language. I thought I'd live it a try and got a month free trial at Audible.

I have a very limited range of books I've read in English. It's very much fantasy like Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Tolkien, Asimov. The trouble with these sorts of books is that there is a lot of vocabulary which is non-standard and which will only confuse me.

Has anyone got any suggestions of good contemporary books, which have been translated from English to German?

Not even sure where to start so assistance is much appreciated!

2
Does it need to be translated from English? If not, I'd recommend Mein Nachbar Urs - Geschichten aus der Kleinstadt by Alex Capus. It's a collection of stories from Olten written by the author about his neighbours, who all happen to be called Urs. It's a really enjoyable read.

The audio version is read aloud by the author and as each chapter is self-contained I found it relatively easy to listen to. (I had already read the book, so that helped).

3
check out here:

https://librivox.org/search?primary_...rm=get_results

or on this website:

http://www.gutenberg.org/

4
Many of the best productions are free as in "paid by the German tax payer with their equivalent of Billag" - just go to any of the major state owned radio stations and find tons of free downloads, streams and podcasts:

WDR: http://www1.wdr.de/radio/hoerspielun...eicher114.html

ARD Radio Tatort: http://www.ard.de/home/radio/ARD_Rad...130/index.html

5
I listen to audiobooks to improve my German.

I used to buy them, I still do from time to time, but I discovered my local library: I pay 20F for a year subscription and can borrow 3 at the time, which I then download on my computer and my MP3 player so I can listen to them when walking or writing rubbish on EF.

6
Thank you all for your tips!

7
I like "Pu Der Baer". Ok it's for kids but it is great for hearing the sounds of the language. It's not too difficult.

Harry Rowohlt has a lovely mature male voice.

"Er kletterte und er kletterte und ..."

8
Hi, you might be interested in a thread i just posted:

High German/Swiss German - Die Schweizermacher