Looking for audiobook recommendations (roughly Natively Level 30 & under) which can be got from audiobooks Japan (specifically) or any other source except audible (not interested in getting an audible subscription).
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I mean I just mentioned お探し物は図書室まで | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp in my log (not in a flattering way but… 
It is relatively easy)
仮面病棟 is I think ~L32 on Natively but I think it should be doable if the small scattering of medical vocab doesn’t bother you. I think that’s the only reason it got pushed up that high.
The 謎解きはディナーのあとで series is L31 on Natively, so just above the cusp.
君に読ませたいミステリがあるんだ by the same author is L29.
窓ぎわのトットちゃん is L26. I haven’t read/listened to it so can’t vouch for it, but I know it’s popular as a children’s book.
殺した夫が帰ってきました is L28
夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口 is L29
かがみの孤城 is L27
世界から猫が消えたなら is also L27
彗星とさいごの竜 is L22 on Natively, but imo it’s probably actually a smidge higher than that. Still firmly in the 20s though.
I’m sure there’s more I’m forgetting, but that’s all I have offhand for specifically audiobook.jp
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Seconded! The audiobook is really fantastic!
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I posted this and then saw your update! Thanks for the great list. Most of my listening this year has been podcasts supplemented by anime & movies. However, now that I’ve started reading novels, I’m hoping to add more audiobooks into the mix next year.
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Great to have another thumbs up. Will be looking into getting this for next year - thanks!
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I’m enjoying 魔女の宅急便.
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Thanks! This looks promising too!
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I can third the production (but I haven’t finished the book so can’t vouch for it fully 
)
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There is also 漱石 project. I was listening to こころ. (Though 吾輩 was harder and I failed.)
There are shorter stories with audio here.
I also listened to かがみの孤城 (purchased on audiobook.jp, not subscription) and 魔女の宅配便 (Audible subscription). Both are good, but I like the former more.
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Thanks for these great suggestions & recommendations!
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Things I really enjoyed:
おいしいごはんが食べられますように | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L31
Didn’t enjoy as much but well produced and not too hard:
コーヒーが冷めないうちに | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L26
三姉妹探偵団 | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L27
変な家 | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L27
medium 霊媒探偵城塚翡翠 | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L32
また、同じ夢を見ていた | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L25
かがみの孤城 | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L27
Haven’t read / listened to yet but looks promising:
パレード | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L32
生命式 | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L31
蛇にピアス | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L29
流浪の月 | 日本最大級のオーディオブック配信サービス audiobook.jp | L32
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I can’t make any direct recommendations myself as I’ve not listened to any audiobook, in any language 
However… why let a small thing like that stop me from barging in, right? 
Since this one has been mentioned a few times already… it’s likely a winner?
I’ve not read it but another novel from the author was very, very good.
The book was nice enough and I can think of a few scenes that would likely turn out great in the audiobook version. Plus, from comments I’ve seen in the BC threads the audiobook for it is well done.
Haven’t read it (it’s on my list) but the film adaptation was very nice and I imagine it would make for a good audiobook, too. I expect there’ll be at least one scene of domestic violence, though.
The film version was too generic and predictable and frankly boring… I’d never bother with it (written or in audio form), but that’s just me.
Did not last more than 20mins into the film… just not my cup of tea. Didn’t realize it was adapted from a novel.
Ah scratch that, I did try an audiobook once 
Sorta… some months ago I started Ten Nights of Dreams from their website but found it too tough.
I’d think they are all on the rather-difficult side of things, due to the dated language?
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Ten Nights is on a harder side too, due to being dreamy and confusing in addition to the language. Other works don’t have to be hard (i.e. it depends).
かがみの孤城 is somewhere in the middle for me. It depends on the genre or style you like.
おいしいごはん and トンネル are good too, by my preference.
I have yet to read or listen to 同じ夢. Somehow it’s frequently mentioned.
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Oh I agree the film version sucked. I even wrote in my review of the book to skip the movie 
I think the cat doesn’t even talk in the movie if I remember correctly. It lost a lot of the charm and tried too hard to be serious
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Another fabulous list！Another fabulous WK member! Thank you.
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Very happy to have you barge in! Everyone’s one been so generous with opinions about books (written/audio or film format), looks like I’ve got lots of options now for 2026
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Good to hear this too.
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That is one I’ve listened to - has good production values and if you like the book, you’ll probably like the audiobook as well
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