I have plenty of friends that tell me they don’t have time to read, and to these non-readers, I always ask, “have you tried audiobooks?” Usually people will tell me that they can’t focus on audiobooks and they get too easily distracted while listening, but I promise that by some work of magic (or maybe science), your brain somehow gets used to it.
There were many years that I sadly stopped reading completely because I was too busy to stop and lounge on my couch, curled up with a good book. Then, I decided to give audiobooks a try and my life has been forever changed. Audiobooks are not just for long commutes. I listen while I’m getting ready for work, cooking, cleaning, or while I’m doing other monotonous tasks that I really do not enjoy. I know this sounds like a hot take coming from a librarian, but I rarely ever read books anymore. Audiobooks are my preferred format because I have more time to listen than read! I wish that everyone would recognize that reading and listening both stimulate the brain in similar ways. Research shows that “reading and listening both result in comprehension, which the brain accomplishes by translating written or heard words into words in the mind.”
Audiobook Apps
We have two wonderful apps that give you access to a ton of great audiobooks for free with your library card. They both allow you to download audiobooks straight to your phone, which means you’ll never leave home without an audiobook! Traveling this summer? Make sure you tap the “download to your device” button in the app, so you can even listen on long flights! You can find out more information here on our website.
My Favorites & Why They Are Awesome
The Honeys
by Ryan La Sala
Uses other sounds throughout the book, other than just voice narration, to create a fully immersive experience.
The Anthropocene Reviewed
by John Green
Non-Fiction book that John Green narrates himself – need I say more?
Happy Listening!
