Beginner’s Guide to Audiobooks

Beginner’s Guide to Audiobooks

Hello, have you ever listened to an audiobook?

I grew up in Europe, and my siblings and I always listened to audio-plays for children. Audio-plays are similar to full-cast audiobooks, but with special effect noises, like the radio drama’s here in the US. We had dozens of cassette tapes and CDs with children books that entertained us kids for 45 min a piece. While we were listening we colored, puzzled, or doodled.

So, when I came to the US and saw Audiobooks on CD at the library I had to give them a try. And I was hooked. Since then I listened to countless audiobooks that have left me spellbound for hours on end.

Just to give you a perspective. I get 80% of my audiobooks from the library, years ago it was on CDs now it’s through the Overdrive app (no late fees ever). But I also have an Audible account, and have collected over 100 audiobooks since 2014.

On average I listen to 3-7 audiobooks a month. Of course it always depends on how much time I have on hand, and how long the book is. I’ve listened to some that are over 40 hours long, and it can easily take a couple weeks to finish just one.

And since audiobooks are such a big part of my reading experience each year, I thought I’ll write a post about all the reasons why I love audiobooks.

ALL THE REASONS WHY AUDIOBOOKS ARE GREAT

Beginner’s Guide to Audiobooks

I actually read books I would not have read otherwise

This fact is 100% true. And it’s not just me. Many readers have noticed that they pick up books/genres they would not have read otherwise. For me, it’s non-fiction and memoirs that I don’t read very often. But thanks to audiobooks I’ve really come to enjoy them. BONUS POINTS: memoirs are often read by the author themselves.

So far I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Steve Martin, Trevor Noah, Tom Hanks (The Dutch House), Michelle Obama, Jessica Simpson, and Alan Cumming.

Some books are better on Audiobook

Thanks to exceptional narrators, some audiobooks are just better than others. Stories and characters come to life, thanks to skillful narration. The many different nuances and voices, the wit and sarcasm, and most of all the passion these narrators bring to their job.

And one of these BEST audiobooks I ever listened to is Harry Potter. I listened to the American narrator Jim Dale, but I heard that Stephen Fry does an exceptional job as well. In Jim Dale’s case, he brought the ENTIRE cast to life. Every character has its own voice, and the overall affect is brilliant, and a feast for anyone’s ears. He actually created 134 different voices for the series! MARVELOUS!!!

Another audiobook that stands out for an exceptional listening experience is Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The full cast of actors and amazing narrators brought to book to life in a way I have never heard before.

Relaxes while commuting

I live in one of the busiest areas in the US. Traffic is a nightmare, and rush hour has always been a tense and unhappy time for me. But when I discovered audiobooks, my life changed entirely, I should say my commute changed for the better. Listening to books relaxes me. It doesn’t take the focus away from driving, but it makes for a more relaxing commute.

I also LOVE going on road trips thanks to audiobooks. A trip that takes 9 hours means that I could actually listen to an entire book. How cool is that?

Chores are more fun

I hate doing chores, I’m sure I’m not alone, but it becomes much more pleasant while listening to an audiobook. Laundry, cleaning, dusting, organizing – everything goes easier while listening to a book.

Exercise & audiobooks

This has become my new favorite thing. I always had such a hard time wanting to go outside and take a walk. Nowadays I love going for a walk each day and listening to a book – it’s bliss!

I can read more books

The time I listen to audiobooks adds up. My commute usually lasts an hour each way, that’s two hours a day, 10 hours a week (without the weekend) – that’s one book I finish just during the commute alone. And I’m not even counting the times I’m online browsing while listening, or organizing and putting things away while listening to a book. And the hour or so I’m outside, walking AND listening.

Start them young – audiobooks are great for kids

I can only recommend introducing children to audiobooks early on. Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones, and the Arthur Adventure Series are all books available on audiobook, that are perfect for car rides, quiet time, and bed time. And I know that there are tons of books that have been recorded just the last few years, that weren’t available 10 years ago.

Audiobooks for seniors

Audiobooks are perfect for the older generation with low vision or limited physical ability. When I get to an age when reading becomes harder, fonts are getting smaller, eyes are getting tired. I’ll be the first one who switches to audiobooks.

Last thoughts

Audiobooks are on the rise. The audiobook library is growing by leaps and bounds, almost 50.000 new titles a year are being recorded. And one in five Americans are now listening to audiobooks.

So, if you would like to try your first audiobook, or if you are looking for new audiobooks here are some I would recommend to start with.

Check out my selection of best audiobooks to listen to…

Beginner’s Guide to Audiobooks