This is a tad embarrassing, but I'll admit it anyway: I didn't know that audio-books existed until I started college. I've been working full time since I was 16 years old and had a full schedule with school. I didn't have a lot of time to read anything aside from what was required in my classes.
To keep my job and continue to support myself, I drove four hours each day just to go to my college courses during the week. At first, I tried listening to the radio to keep myself alert. That quickly declined into a useless endeavor because the radio stations were all playing the exact same thing every day. I couldn't stand it.
Next up was mix CDs, because my car is older and can't handle an AUX cord, let alone Bluetooth. CDs went the same way as the radio, after a week it was unbearably repetitive. In swooped my ever supportive parents with the gift of my first audio-book collection: "The Lord of the Rings."
Everyone should try audio-books. There are fully cast audio-books, like "The Lord of the Rings"where every character has a different actor voicing them. Even background scenery sounds are incorporated. It's like listening to a movie. There are abridged versions, which shorten the book yet retain the original story and unabridged ones that have a voice actor or the author narrating and voicing all the characters. There is so much to choose from!
I know you're probably now wondering how much it costs and where can you get them.
Free Versus Paid.
You don't have to spend money just to try audio-books. Public libraries have started curating and offering audio-books of both brand new and older content. Getting a local library card is FREE. I highly recommend you go to your local library's website and just search for audio-books. They can be downloadable to your portable device or be available on physical CD's. If you find something you're interested in and don't already have a library card, it takes two minutes or less to sign up and then you can reserve the book for pickup. Super easy! The Bellingham Public Library lists over 12,000 audio-books in the collection.
Let me stress that using your local library is FREE and allows you to listen to multiple books each month for FREE.
If your library doesn't have the specific book you're looking for and you already know that audio-books work well for you, try a subscription service. Audible is a highly recommended company for this; since it was purchased by Amazon it has expanded its selection and improved its customer service. You can even exchange audio-books you don't like for another audio-book for free if you use Audible. This article by LifeHacker.com compares the five best-rated audio-book subscription services in more detail. Most subscription services cost $9.99 a month, although Audible is the highest price I've seen at $14.95 a month. Free 30 day trials are offered by the majority of providers.
Though be warned! With subscriptions, usually only one book a month is free and you'll still have to pay to listen to more than one a month.
YouTube even hosts channels that read books to you, although the variety and quality of narration can vary. Hence why I highly suggest you check your local library.
Variety.
Start with your favorite genre first, of course. If the library doesn't have any of the newer audio-books you're looking for or does not have much to choose from for that genre, then try branching out. Even if you find just one new-to-you author that you enjoy, it's been a success. Borrowing audio-books that you normally wouldn't read is risk-free if you do so from the local library. Don't like it? Take it back. You didn't have to pay for it. This is also a great opportunity to point out that audio-books are not just limited to novel genres.
Educational audio-books are a great way to learn while on the go. There are companies solely dedicated to creating educational audio-books and content. Take "The Great Courses," for example, they offer courses on topics ranging from health to professional skills to history. The Great Courses has top professors and experts in any given field of study explain their craft or subject. Buying those courses outright can get extremely expensive though, with some courses costing hundreds of dollars.
Do you know how to use these courses for free? That's right, the local library. Local libraries carry educational audio content such as "The Great Courses" for the benefit of their communities. This could also be a great way to learn about a subject that is a struggle for you to grasp. With audio courses, you can pause, replay, and take notes at your own pace.
Portable.
Let's face it, the reason we don't read as much as we'd like is that we're busy. Whether it's work, school, family, hobbies, or home projects, there's always going to be something that can distract you from reading. The trick is getting into the habit of counteracting some of those distractions. While driving to work you could be listening to the audio-book version of the book you keep meaning to pick up.
Spice up your daily chores by listening to a book while you load and fold laundry, or as you wash the dishes. Add a new type of motivation to your daily workout routine by listening to an epic adventure tale. Most public libraries offer downloadable versions of audio-books so you can still listen to them for free and take them with you everywhere.
If you choose to use downloadable audio-books, then you can play them through Bluetooth to a speaker or listen through your headphones. Audio-book CD's are great for cars, like mine, that are lacking strong AUX cord or Bluetooth connectivity. Whether it's paid or free, there is a way to listen to a book on the go.
To be realistic, if you have enough time to read this article, you have enough time to get and listen to an audio-book. Be honest with yourself — you can at least give it a shot.
