Until 2021, I had never successfully gotten through an audiobook. I had listened to audio dramas and read lots of books, but for some reason, combining the two didn’t work for me. It took the birth of my son to really turn things around. In the first month home with him, reading made my eyes too heavy, but I didn’t want to stop altogether just because I became a mom. I also was trying to find something to help me stay awake during the night feedings – something calming that I could focus on that wouldn’t be too loud or disruptive at 2:00am.
So, I went to my trusty Libby app and just picked an audiobook that looked interesting. I have since become a huge proponent of audiobooks and have absolutely loved listening to them.
On that note, we’re going to share our three top reasons why you should download an audiobook!
1. They’re easy & convenient.
The entire reason I got into audiobooks is because of how practical it was for me in my current season of life. I didn’t need free hands to hold a book or turn the pages. I didn’t need a light to see. Heck, I didn’t even need to keep my eyes open! All I needed was to press play on my phone, and I could “read” while feeding my baby, cleaning the house, emptying the dishwasher, driving to the grocery store, et cetera.
2. They’re immersive & interesting.
This one is a bit narrator-dependent. However, if you find a good book with an excellent narrator, it makes a huge difference in immersing you into the story! Good narrators capture and convey characters’ fears, excitements, desires, and flaws with their voices. It truly makes books – and the people and places in them – come alive.
3. They help with learning & retention.
I find being able to just listen – without needing to figure out how to pronounce that unfamiliar word or character’s name or their dialects or decipher an author’s preferred grammatical structures – sometimes helps me better understand what I’m reading. Also, I’m certain I am not the only person in the world who skims (on purpose or on accident) when she reads. Listening prevents a reader from missing out on little details, important information, and the overarching themes. Of course, you run the risk of accidentally tuning out for whatever reason. But if you keep yourself focused on what is being read to you, I find you don’t miss as much of the story as when my eyes fly through the pages.
Just like regular books, I find audiobooks can be hit-or-miss. And it may take some practice to get used to listening. But, if you spot a good one, they can be truly enjoyable and change up your reading routine. If you’re someone who doesn’t have time to sit down and read but has a long commute to work or sits in the school pick-up line or spends a lot of time in the kitchen… Well, an audiobook may just be right for you! It’s worth a try! You may find they make a big difference to your reading journey.
Jessica’s Latest Audiobook Recommendations
Below are some recent audiobooks I’ve enjoyed if you need one to get you started:
- The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner, narrated by Alana Kerr Collins
- The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie, narrated by the author
- The Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton, narrated by Kyla Garcia, Rachel L. Jacobs, and Karissa Vacker
- It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa TerKeurst narrated by the author
- The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines, narrated by the author
- Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot, narrated by Marguerite Gavin
Jessica