Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month! What? You didn’t know? It’s ok. You don’t need to get me anything. But I am gifting you a little something.
I usually keep multiple books going at a time. And I don’t play favorites with formats.
So here are:
8 Books You Should Listen to Instead of Read
- Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life by Beth Moore In addition to it being the winner of the Christian Book Award for Best Audio Book of 2021, I just love her southern drawl. Sometimes soft and often passionately exuberant, I loved hearing about how her once in a lifetime trip with her daughters inspired her to dig deeper into scripture.
- I Ain’t Doin’ It: Unfiltered Thoughts From a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land Listening to this book was like seeing a stand up comedian. Laughing until crying, tears running happily down my face and my leg. Give yourself this gift!
- The Polygamist’s Daughter: A Memoir by Anna LeBaron with Leslie Wilson. This true story is so unbelievable that hearing straight from the source lends credibility and also empathy from the listener. Both add so much to the overall experience.
- Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff The author’s childlike enthusiasm and sheer delight in other people both encourages and inspires me to love others better. You can hear it in his voice and feel it in your heart.
- Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand It’s been years since I put this audiobook on CD in my car to listen to while running errands. It is so gripping that my then 11 year old daughter requested I not listen to it without her in the car! It was almost like watching a movie of this story – which you can do now too.
- Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan I know Gaffigan’s humor isn’t for everyone, but I think he is hilarious. And he relishes nothing more than making fun of his chubby eating habits. It’s a master class in comedy.
- As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes If you love this cult classic movie as much as I do, these behind the scenes details are a true delight. But I consider hearing them from farm boy Wesley himself icing on the cake!
- Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen Although I liked Springsteen in the 80’s, like everyone else, I would not now consider him a favorite artist. It may have something to do with the hour we waited for him to start a concert we attended. But that’s neither here nor there. His story, read in that unmistakable voice, reminds me why he’s The Boss. From humble beginnings to living legend and personal failures in between, I almost felt like I knew him.
I realize that these are all non-fiction books – with the exception of Unbroken (which is based on a true story). I tend to gravitate that way, but I consider it a character flaw. I’ve made it a personal goal to read more fiction. So I would love recommendations in the comments. What novels should I listen to (or read)? And again, Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month!
Now for this week’s featured post from the link up!
Instaencouragements.com kicked off their summer bible study using the book Seeking Him by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Tim Grissom. The first post in the series, written by Julie, called Revival: Who Needs It had me talking back to the screen. “I need it!” “Our country needs it!” “We ALL need it!” Read it.
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It’s been a while since I listened to an audiobook but I have enjoyed a number of them that way. Thanks for the reminder to do so again in this busy season of my life. Thanks for hosting and lots of blessings!
Hope you find an enthralling one to listen to, Donna!
I second Unbroken! Loved that book. But I thought it was nonfiction biography. The movie made it a little more fictional. I don’t usually listen to nonfiction via audiobook unless it’s a biography or in a story format. With most nonfiction, I feel I need to mark pages and underline and such to point out the most important parts to remind myself of when I look back at it.
Some of my favorite audiobooks: The Mitford series by Jan Karon, read by John McDonough, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood, narrated by Katherine Kellgren (children’s books, but SO good! Kellgren adds so much to the experience), The Hobbit narrated by Ron Inglis, and Roots by Alex Haley narrated by Avery Brooks, Our Mutual Friend by Dickens read by Mil Nicholson. I listen to a lot of classics and love ones read by Nadia May, Juliet Stevenson, Simon Vance, and Simon Prebble.
Thanks for all the recommendations, Barbara!
The only audiobooks I’ve ever listened to are in the car with my boys. I love the changing voices of each character and we’ve listened to so many series.. everything from the Narnia series to the Boxcar Children and even all of Rick Riordan’s books.
What a great thing to do with your kids!
Interesting picks! I have found my way back to audiobooks. I will check these out. Thanks for the recommendations!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thanks for reading and I hope your next book pick is a great one!
I lean toward nonfiction books (but don’t consider it a flaw, Lauren! lol). I’ve read or listened to some of these myself, including Born to Run (loved it more than I expected!), but now I want to hear or read them all. Thanks for sharing this great list.
You are welcome, Lisa. I hope your next pick is a great one!
Great list of books, Lauren! The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies of all time. I have to check out the book about that! Born to Run looks pretty fantastic as well. I love biographies and autobiographies of all kinds! Thanks for sharing and linking with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
If you love the Princess Bride this book is a must! Time well spent for a fan.
Lauren, thank you for sharing this on Traffic Jam Weekend! It has been chosen as a fave feature for this week’s party that goes live on Thursday at 5:00 pm CST.
Thank you so much for the feature! And for hosting.
as someone who loves both audiobooks and traditional books, I really enjoyed this post! I’m gonna have to add Chasing Vines to my Audible library!
I hope you love it as much as I did Shante!
I love audiobooks, and I must start listening to more of them. Several of the ones you listed jumped out at me, Lauren. I didn’t realise Bruce Springsteen had written an autobiography – I think that will be first on my list! Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Have a wonderful weekend!
I hope your next pick is 100% enjoyable!
What a great list! I tend to prefer fiction for audiobooks—probably because I love to underline non-fiction. My copy of Chasing the Vines is SO marked up! It just so happens one of MY fiction novels recently came out in audiobook… it’s Christian romantic suspense, The Glass Bottom Boat. There’s one for your list! 🤗 Thanks for your recommendations!
Laura, I hear you on the underlining. And I’m so glad you told me about your book! I just got it! I decided on Kindle, though. Looks like the perfect summer read. Thanks for the tip.
I used to read books in there car but I am seldom in the car long enough anymore. And not driving so it makes it hard to listen to books.
However, I see several on this list that would be a good read. As you wish would definitely to my list.
Thanks for linking up with Legacy this month.
If you like that movie, definitely read the book.