Do you love to read? Do you have an overwhelming amount of books on your to-be-read list? Do you find that you don’t have enough time in your day to read as much as you’d like? Let me share with you my little reading hack! I LOVE to read, but I was finding that by the time I finally was able to open my book and cozy up for a good reading session…I’d get sleepy and couldn’t keep my eyes open or focus on the book that I sooooo wanted to read! Or even worse, there simply wasn’t enough time to read! So, my TBR list just kept growing, while I was struggling to find the time to enjoy reading my book. Very frustrating until I discovered audiobooks!!! I have found my solution!
A little backstory…Our local library always has fabulous programs for all ages. One summer they, started a walking book club. Meaning, you listen to the book…while you walk. It’s a win-win! Get in your daily steps and get some exercise while listening to a book! Easy right? Not so fast…I quickly found out that I was a TERRIBLE listener. My listening comprehension was subpar! I kept having to rewind the audiobook because I was like “Wait, what did they just say?” I think I spent more time rewinding the book than I did listening to that first book. I had to train my brain to listen to audiobooks! But once I got used to it and could truly comprehend the book that I was listening to, it opened a great reading opportunity for me! TBR list….watch out…I’m coming for you!!
I love to go for daily walks for my health and wellness. If I don’t have someone with me to talk to, I take my book with me…it’s on my phone! I also have a lot of daily “chores” in my house that I need to get done. You know…all those things I’ve always had to do and that used to keep me from reading the books on my TBR list. Now, while I’m doing laundry, vacuuming, putting groceries away, organizing the pantry, cooking, washing dishes, etc…I listen to my audiobooks! This method makes me look forward to all these “chores” because I get to dive even further into my TBR list! I don’t listen to audiobooks when I’m sitting on the couch or lying in bed…this is my time to read my physical book or watch TV and movies with my family. And yes…I always have a physical and audiobook that I’m reading simultaneously. And no, I don’t get them mixed up!
I have a subscription to Audible and I am on the Premium Plus Plan. They have a fantastic selection of books and always offer great sale prices too! Pro-tip…I’ve learned the hard way, always listen to the free preview and listen to the narration voice. Not all narrators have a voice that I want to listen to for an entire book, while some have voices that I wish I could listen to more! On a couple of occasions, I’ve forced myself to listen to a narrator just because the book was good and I had already purchased it, so I just tried to make the best of it. Also, read the reviews, I find that helpful too when choosing my next listen. I can’t recommend Audible enough! I use it daily!
If you’d like give Audible a try please follow this link for a free trial.
If you don’t need a free trial but know you’re ready for an upgrade in your subscription…check out Audible Premium Plus
Or better yet, maybe Audible isn’t for you, but you know a loved one that not only loves to walk but also loves to read. Maybe you’ve been thinking of getting that loved one a gift that they would LOVE. Here’s some awesome news!! You can give gift subscriptions to Audible! You can gift a 1, 3, 6, 12 month subscription! That is truly a gift that keeps on giving!
Of course I can’t go on and on about how much I love audiobooks without giving you a list of some of my all time favorites!
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid…After I listened to this one, I realized how much I love Taylor’s writing style, which led me to LITERALLY listen to all of her books. There is seriously not anything of hers that I dislike. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, Atmosphere…just to name a few.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach, A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman, What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney, Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez, Things We Never Got Over (All 3 books in the Knockemout series are great!)by Lucy Score, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, and Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton. These are just a few of so many of the amazing books that I’ve listened to in the last couple of years. I have been absolutely crushing my to-be-read list thanks to my discovery of audiobooks. Happy listening and by the way, I’d love to hear your favorites…I’m always looking for more audiobooks to add to my list!
Psalm 61:2-“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”.