If you mispronounce a word it sticks out. Way out. Enough to mar an otherwise great recording.

Correct pronunciation in an audiobook is the equivalent of correct spelling in a print book. If you have any question whatsoever about the correct pronunciation of a word, check it. Even if you are 99% sure. Look it up in your dictionary. If it is not there, ask someone. Call your local library's research desk. Most libraries have a very large dictionary and will be able to look up a word for you and tell you.

If you took notes of possible problem words during your first read-through, get out that list and check the pronunciation of each of them. If you had any wrong, put a note in the margin near the word.

Don't rely on your friends unless they got very good grades in English. Often everyone in a group makes the same mistake, because no one knows better.

Even common words can trip you up, because many words require that you stress different syllables depending on what part of speech the word is being used as. If you have ever listened to computer-generated voices, you become acutely aware that the computer is pronouncing the word wrong in context. For example, how you pronounce the word “record” depends on whether it is a used as a noun or a verb:

• Noun: He broke the REH cord.
• Verb: He is going to ree CORD the meeting.

When you spot a pronunciation issue, make a mark next to it (an asterisk will do). Then in the margin by that line, make a note that will help you remember you the correct pronunciation. “Rhymes with” is one way: for example, for the word “prosody”, you could put “rhymes with curiosity” in the margin. You don't need to learn phonetic spelling.

That being said, watch out for English spoken by an English person. The pronunciation (especially which syllable is emphasized) can be quite different than the American pronunciation. Go to a reliable source (an online British dictionary) to make sure.