Recording Audiobooks

I discovered the author (Roz Morris) of a novel I recently read, My Memories of a Future Life, recorded her own audiobook. And guess what? She did a killer job. It doesn't hurt that she has the best, most sophisticated English accent ever. Jealous? Me? Never.

I attempted to record the first chapter of Darkness Surrounding as a promo tool for today's local author event. Sadly, I caught a cold and a nasty cough to boot, so I had to cancel. Therefore, there won't be any further audio-booking until I cease to sound like a ninety-year-old man. In the meantime, I'm stalking around the internet for tips and advice.

I hate the sound of my recorded voice. Hate it. Loathe it. Despise it. I don't sound half bad when I hear myself blab on and on out loud, but once that crap gets recorded, it's a mindblower. Like, do I really sound like that? All the time? Really? (Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels this way!)

So here you go. I think I did better as time went on, but I'm only going to torture myself with posting the first 40 seconds or so, which were, by far, the most awkward to record.

DS_Ch1.mp3

What qualities do you enjoy about audiobooks? Is all-around slow reading better than sticking to something more realistic (i.e. getting into character, even if it means reading more quickly and with more emotion?). Are multiple narrators better than one narrator? Is there a type of voice that is irksome to listen to? 

I did not grow up with audiobooks, so I'm WAY behind on this stuff. Opinions are appreciated!