the best author-read audiobook I've listened to recently has been Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky[0]. He did a really good job and I would never have guessed it was the author himself. As you say, it's a very different and difficult job.

[0] https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0CMXTZZN2

Absolutely! I listened to it just a couple weeks ago - I was amazed at how good his narration was! He had various voices, accents, great pacing, etc. Tchaikovsky is as good of a voice actor as he is an author. (Actually, maybe a bit better.)

The best author narrated books, by far, are narrated by Douglas Adams. He's recorded all his books, and they're all great. There's something special hearing the words coming straight from the genius himself.