Before I had children, I would have described myself as a book worm. Now my reading consists of stories about princesses, llama mommas, and curious little monkeys.
Reading always came easy to me. Picking up a book and getting lost in the words was a comfort.
Since having children, I’ve tried to make it my goal to get back to reading books for myself. But honestly, after a long day at work, cooking dinner, cleaning up the kitchen, and getting the kids into bed I’m exhausted and reading feels like a chore.
Introducing the Libby App
While scrolling through social media, I saw a friend’s Facebook story about all the books she has already listened to this year utilizing the free Libby app. I immediately downloaded it. It is user-friendly allowing you to browse, place holds, tag, and easily download free audiobooks. You just need your library card to sign up.
For me, audiobooks have become a lifesaver and the best way for me to reclaim the joy of a good book. I pop in my earbuds and listen while cooking or cleaning. The commute to and from work has become something I look forward to each day. In just a few short months, I’ve been able to listen to so many.
Below is my list of favorites so far.
The Maidens
By: Alex Michaelides
Summary: Grieving wife, Mariana is a group therapist who receives a troubling phone call from her beloved niece, Zoe. One of her friends has been murdered. Mariana is convinced that the handsome and charismatic professor, Edward Fosca is behind it all. When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving her suspicions about Fosca starts to spiral out of control and could cost her everything – including her own life.
The Paris Apartment
By: Lucy Foley
Summary: Jess needs a fresh start. Her half-brother, Ben’s apartment in Paris sounds like just the thing. Only when she shows up – at his extremely nice apartment complex, he isn’t there. The longer Ben is gone, the more Jess starts to look into her brother’s situation. The more things don’t seem to add up the more she starts to suspect that each neighbor is hiding something that they will do anything to keep buried.
A Flicker in the Dark
By: Stacy Willingham
Summary: When Chloe Davis was twelve, six local teenagers went missing in her Louisiana small town. Her father confessed and was put away for life for the crimes. Now on the upcoming twenty anniversary, local teenage girls start to go missing again. Follow along as Chloe starts to suspect that someone around her may be involved…again.
A Good Girls Guide to Murder
By: Holly Jackson
Summary: A teen crime thriller that follows 17-year-old Pippa as she investigates the local murder of Andie Bell that took place in her hometown five years ago. Everyone in town has always been convinced that the boyfriend, Sal Singh was the killer. The more Pip researches, the more she isn’t so sure that Sal is guilty. But if it wasn’t him, then who was it?
Local Woman Missing
By: Mary Kubica
Summary: Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Then Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish into thin air just a few blocks away. Coincidence or could they be connected? Now 11 years later, Delilah shockingly returns and everyone wants to know what happened, but no one is prepared for what they find out. This chilling thriller takes secrets to a new level, showing what some people are willing to do to keep the truth from coming to light.
