I have a huge obsession with audiobooks. This is the first year where I’ve been doing longer drives on my own. (Until I moved to Connecticut, I had never driven more than two hours!) I love listening to music for short rides, but I have to listen to something interesting for longer drives. It makes the time fly by, and I find myself so much more alert.
I alternate between podcasts and audiobooks. For podcasts, I love Awesome Etiquette, Stuff You Should Know, Stuff You Missed in History Class, and the first season of Serial.
For audiobooks, I’ve learned the hard way that I do NOT enjoy fiction books in audio form. I’m so picky about the narrators that it can ruin the entire experience. What I do enjoy, however, are great non-fiction books. Bonus if they’re narrated by the author!
Some audiobooks I’ve enjoyed:
– When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
– Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
– Bossypants by Tina Fey
… and recently, I just finished You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero.
IT IS AMAZING. I have a love/hate relationship with “self-help” books. I do read them from time to time, but I don’t always buy into them completely. You Are a Badass is one of the best I’ve read. Or, in this case, listened to. It’s relatively short (just under six hours for the audiobook), and Jen does a great job narrating it. I constantly felt myself nodding in agreement, smiling at the jokes, and making a million mental notes on things I can improve on.
“How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life.” Sign me up!
Even if you’re not a self-help book fan, give this one a try. It’s different and totally geared for young women. Some of the chapters are common sense, but I still found it refreshing to listen to. Very motivating too! A couple of my friends did the hard-sell on this book, and I’m glad I finally got around to listening to it. I also texted my sister the minute I finished it so that she could read it ASAP– you know I mean something’s good when I’m forcing my little sister to read! (I’m going to make my mom read it too.)
I found the chapters on money and finances to be the most interesting. She addresses money, which can feel generally taboo, in such a straight forward way. And, I just found out that she’s coming out with a book all about finances next year. I can’t wait!!
PS I’ve been renting audiobooks from my local library. I use the Hoopla app, and it’s amazing. Some titles aren’t available, but it’s definitely worth looking into.
I started listening to audiobooks last year when I made my move from the city to the burbs. I totally agree with you on the non-fiction/fiction preference. HOWEVER, I’m currently listening to Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee which is narrated by Reese Witherspoon. Amazing. Highly, highly recommend it. (P.S. It’s on Hoopla)
Loved the book You Are A Badass!
I haven’t listened to audiobooks before, but I have read When Breath Becomes Air, and it was such a good book!! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
I totally agree with your narrator comment. Some audiobooks I’m so excited to listen to only to come to come to be disappointed with the narrator. In terms of self-help, I suggest 10% happier I can’t remember the author’s name but it was very interesting. // ▲ fredsguidetolife.com ▲
I started reading this book a few months ago and then life got super busy! I did love it though. I’m so into podcasts and I need to get into audio books too… it’s great to know you can rent them from a library!
Danielle @ afloat on a full sea
I’ve never listed to audio books because I can’t give up the feeling of holding a book or my Nook but I think audio books would keep me entertained on my work commutes everyday.
I LOVED Wildflower!! These are great recommendations.
For those podcasts you mentioned, other than Serial which you have to listed to in order, what is a good episode to start with? Or to better phrase it, what one or two episodes will really get me hooked?