How to Fit Audiobooks Into Your Life (and 5 Recommended Titles)

I get asked frequently how I find time to read, especially as a mother to small children.

One of my biggest secrets is audiobooks.

I check out books on CD from my local library or download titles from my library’s digital book collection directly to my computer, phone, or iPod (most libraries have online collections that include audiobooks).

Of course, once you have your books ready to go, you need to find some time to listen. Here are a few of my tricks for fitting in some listening:

• Always have an audiobook in the car. When I was commuting thirty miles each way to work a couple of years ago, I was blazing through books, but even now that my driving mostly consists of going to the grocery store and to Target, I’m amazed by how much ten minutes here and there adds up. And when I do have a bit of a longer drive, I’m thrilled that I can fit in more of my latest listen.
• Use audiobooks to make chores more interesting. My husband can always tell when I’m listening to something great because our house is suddenly MUCH cleaner than normal. I find myself looking for mindless chores to do (like scrubbing the toilets or folding laundry or organizing the fridge) just so I can listen some more. I also like to listen while I cook.
• Listen while you exercise. No commercials (unlike the televisions at the gym) and even if you’re exercising outdoors, you can still get in some entertainment.
• Try listening on double speed. My iPhone and my iPod both have the option of listening to audio at double speed. It took me about ten minutes to get used to it with the first book I listened to at a faster pace, but now when I listen to something at regular speed, it sounds like the person is talking in slow-motion. I can get through twice as much in the same amount of time and I don’t even notice the difference anymore.

And if you’re anxious to get started listening to something right away, here are a couple of titles I’ve really loved the audio versions of:

1. Still Alice by Lisa Genova – Alice is a well-respected Harvard professor, happily married, and a mother of three adult children – everything seems to be pretty perfect. But then she is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. Watching her first wrestle with denial and then eventually lose more and more of her abilities is both heart-breaking and absolutely gripping.  Fair warning that you will almost certainly develop a paranoia that you have early-onset Alzheimer’s while you read it.
2. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein – This is historical fiction at its best. Set during WWII, this follows two girls working for the British air force, one of whom is a spy. When she’s caught by the Gestapo, she begins revealing her story, including her work for the Allied forces, her friendship with Maddie, and her fears about what the Gestapo will do to her when she’s run out of information to share. The story and writing is unbelievably good, and the audio is just as strong as the book itself, bringing the characters, the war, and the intensity of the whole situation to vivid life.
3. If I Stay by Gayle Forman – This YA book is one I read in print first, and then loved so much I went back and listened to it. It follows Mia after a horrific car accident that changes the course of her life and calls into question all the plans she’s had for her future. It will almost certainly make you cry – I recommend you don’t listen to it in public. I made the mistake of listening to it while sitting in an airport terminal.
4. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell – I love Malcolm Gladwell and his books read more like novels to me than non-fiction. This one, about people who have achieved outstanding things, discusses what the common factors of these people are, ranging from ice hockey players to the Beatles. You’ll probably find yourself repeating the stories in this book to everyone you know (or maybe that’s just me!).
5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – If you’re looking for something that’s just plain fun, this is one that had me laughing out loud in the car (and then listening to the subsequent books in the series). When Clary’s mother goes missing, she discovers that an entire underworld of vampires, demons, and Shadowhunters exists and that she’s somehow connected to this mysterious world. (Bonus! The movie is coming out in August).

Any audiobooks you’ve really enjoyed? I’d love more recommendations!