Get to “Reading” with Audiobooks
June was audiobook appreciation month, and let me just say, I appreciate audiobooks. I’ve never been closer to meeting my reading goal as I am this year, and the year is only half over. I love audiobooks for a variety of reasons: they’re easily accessible, they allow for multitasking, it’s the equivalent of being told a story (and who doesn’t love being told a story). Audiobooks are also great for epic books that may be intimidating to read, or books set in alternate universes with made up words! I love to have both the audiobook and the ebook and either follow along in the ebook, or pick up from where the audiobook left off if I have some time.
How to Access Audiobooks
Audiobooks are as readily available as “regular” books or ebooks. You can purchase them through audio streaming services, access them through services like Spotify, audiobook subscription services like Audible or the Kindle Unlimited service that offers “books with narration” through your kindle for some titles. My favorite way to access audiobooks is through my local library. The library makes it easy to borrow audiobooks with the Libby app (or Hoopla, in some areas). I almost always finish the audiobook well in advance of the due date and usually can get the next book on my list that same day. You can always check out audiobooks on CD from the library if you have a way to play them.
When to Listen
The great thing about audiobooks is the ability to multitask. You can “read” and get other things done. Here are a few suggestions of what to do while listening ::
- Driving: have a long commute or taking a road trip? An audiobook is a great way to pass the time and avoid the constant channel changing. Don’t have a long commute? that doesn’t matter. My “commute” is about 15 minutes and I still queue up my audiobook.
- Household Chores: mopping isn’t exactly my favorite task, but if I know I get to catch the next chapter of my new book, it makes it a bit more bearable.
- Cooking: One of my favorite ways to consume an audiobook is while I’m cooking. Often times my family is in another room and I have the kitchen to my self to cook and to be entertained at the same time.
- Nothing: Who said you have to do anything. Maybe you’ve never been a reader and want to get started, or you’ve lost the energy to read, but miss it then try out audiobooks. Don’t know where to start? Try these.
Do Audiobooks Even Count as Reading?
My first audiobook experience was actually more of a “book on tape.” A friend’s family had taken a summer family road trip and listened to an audiobook during their journey. They had purchased the CD and she let me borrow it. I loaded it on my ipod and I was immersed in the world. A few months later a coworker asked if I had ever read the book and my answer was “sort of.” She thought it was hilarious that I “listened” to it.
Of course there is the endless debate, do audiobooks count as reading? Why yes, yes they do! At least I think they do and so do many others. I was reading/listening to Funny Story by Emily Henry and I loved this exchange between two characters talking about why one with dyslexia didn’t read:
‘What about Audiobooks?’ I say.
‘Does that count?’ He asks.
‘I’m a librarian,’ I say, ‘If anyone gets to decide whether it counts or not, it’s me’”.
(Emily Henry, Funny Story)
Thanks Emily Henry for solving that debate!
