June is Audiobook month! If you happen to listen to our Burning for Bridgerton or But the Book Was Better podcasts, you have probably heard me say that I “read” that episode’s book via audiobook. Now, before you say audiobooks don’t count, hear me out. Audiobooks are perfect for busy moms– and let me tell you why.
Look, I love reading. Unfortunately, I did not discover that until sometime in my mid-20s. Being a mom and working full time leaves me little time to actually pick up a physical book. And when I have a moment, it’s unlikely my hands (or eyes) will be free. So, what’s a reader to do? Put in some earbuds and press play. Or hook up your phone to your car stereo and listen while you commute or run errands. I even have friends who make audiobooks a family thing with their young adult readers. And there’s really no question that audiobooks are great for kids too.
Yes, I listen to audiobooks, and I love it. Audiobooks are perfect for busy moms for so many reasons. Audiobooks leave my hands free so I can listen while I cook or clean. I run around the house with one earbud in to get my to-do list done while still listening to the latest new releases.
If you’re starting to believe me that audiobooks are perfect for busy moms and want to give audiobooks a try, here are a few things I want you to consider:
Start with what you love
When I first started listening to audiobooks, I only listened to non-fiction. That was the type of book I enjoyed “eyeball” reading most of the time. Now, I listen to mostly fiction with a variety of genres sprinkled in. Your taste in books may change over time, and that’s okay!
Talk to me, baby
Narrators make all the difference. They make the audiobook world go round. And you may love them, or find their voice like fingernails on a chalkboard. Most audiobook narrators have actual professional acting training and experience. Depending on the book, they will also perform the various characters in different voices. You can also adjust the speed of the audiobook. I prefer my books slightly speedier, usually between 1.25 and 1.5 times faster than normal, which makes it more of a conversational speed.
Accessibility
Is it difficult to read written words? Try audiobooks! Would you rather not weigh down your purse or bag with your current book? Whenever I kept a book in my purse, it would end up destroyed. Audiobooks are stored on your phone, so you don’t have to worry about your book getting all wrinkled or how heavy it is. There is nothing wrong with listening to a book instead of reading it! Audiobooks are perfect for busy moms- it’s like they were made with us in mind.
Samples
If the voice telling you your story doesn’t sound amazing to your ears, you probably aren’t going to enjoy the book. All the audiobook providers I’ve seen offer samples of the book’s narration, usually about 5 minutes long. If you come across a book you want to listen to, but the narrator is new to you, please listen to the sample first.
Review
If you loved an audiobook, review it! You don’t have to go all bookstagramer on your review, but even a simple star rating is nice. If you have a few minutes, a short, written review is awesome too!
You do you
Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot read. Don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed for how you read either. As long as you enjoy it, that’s all that matters.
Audiobooks are more popular now than ever before because they’re so much more accessible. Many public libraries have switched from their old CD audiobooks to digital books online through an app or website. Aside from libraries, there are also various subscription services out there that will let you access various audiobooks for a monthly fee.
- If you want to check out some audiobooks, your public library really is a great (and free!) place to start. They often have access to vast digital collections through the Libby or Hoopla or other apps. The Libby app is this audiobook lover’s choice.
- Audible through Amazon often offers free trials, but typically you pay $15/month and receive access to Audible’s free catalog and one additional audiobook each month.
- Scribd is another option and costs $13/month. This subscription allows access to the Scribd library of books, podcasts, magazines, and sheet music.
- There are many other ways to access audiobooks. You just need to find the system that works best for you.
However you add some enjoyment to your day, we are here to support it! Audiobooks are perfect for busy moms for these reasons and more. Why do you love audiobooks?
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