Why You Should Change Your Mind About Audiobooks
Reading made accessible and newly engaging.
Written by Jake Levyns
The best experiences and the ones that remain with us longest are those that catch us off guard. For instance, the feeling you get after pressing play on a new album is unmatched to almost anything, and compared to other physical art forms, is rare to experience the same way twice. A similar reaction can be observed when reading a book you don’t expect to have an impact on your life. While more time to indulge in those quiet moments may not be possible the more your day-to-day changes, there’s another option to consider when that desire for something different arises: audiobooks! There has been much debate by bloggers and casual readers alike over whether the reading experience changes between platforms; long story short, it doesn’t, and further discussion on why either should be preferred over the other will tell you so. A rundown of their many benefits would do just as much. Keep reading for a few tips and recommendations.
You don’t need to set aside time to read.
Audiobooks are a near-perfect companion for any time of the day, whether you’re at your desk, exercising, or on a long commute, and may just be the secret to holding concentration while multitasking. Without even realizing it, you could have more time for reading and do so more frequently by listening to audiobooks, and you won’t be sacrificing any time in your schedule for priorities.
They can be accessed for free with a library card.
If you belong to your local public library, you are able to access thousands of titles from your mobile phone right now. Libby by Overdrive, for instance, has an easy to use database where books your library holds can be loaned for up to three weeks and downloaded for offline listening, all at no cost to you.
They are proven to increase mental stability.
The simple act of audiobook listening has long-term effects on one’s ability to carry out multiple tasks at once, as well as a miraculous finding of improved mental health over time. This immersion into another world and its characters, while being read to by someone else, immediately takes the responsibility off you to do so manually, which is shown to keep your stresses of the day left behind for longer. Think of all the sleep you could catch up on with a clear head and a revitalized interest in such accessible storytelling!
Our Recommendations:
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi, narrated by Suehyla El-Attar, Jennifer Lim, & Adina Verson
The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levy, narrated by George Blagden
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, narrated by Marin Ireland
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid, narrated by Candace Thaxton (Now a Netflix Original!)
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby, narrated by the author
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