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8 Books You Should Listen to Instead of Read

June 11, 2021 by Lauren 22 Comments

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. 

I like paperbacks and hardcovers, audiobooks and electronic.  I buy, borrow and check out.  It usually makes no difference to me.  A good story is a good story.  But there are a few books I’ve consumed over the years that I’m partial to on audio.

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 So here are:

 

8 Books You Should Listen to Instead of Read

 

  1.  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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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!
  8. 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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1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate)

 

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My 5 Tech Must-Haves

April 18, 2018 by Lauren 14 Comments

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I have a love/hate relationship with technology.  I am fully aware and extremely grateful that only through the magic of the internet am I able to practice my passion for writing and have ANYONE read it.  But now that I’ve had professional help to make my blog look beautiful, I am paralyzed to make any changes to it.  I just don’t know enough.  I can’t even figure out how to use click to tweet in my posts (if you have this skill, I would love a tutorial).  I also love watching TV, but the streaming service we use to save money buffers constantly (first world problem I know).  I enjoy keeping up with my friends on social media, but hate how much it pulls me away from reading and more noble pursuits.  It’s a great relief to me that I can reach my 13 year old daughter on her cell phone when she’s not with me, but because of her phone, I also can’t “reach” her.  Let’s just say I’m well acquainted with how the top if her head looks as I constantly fight to keep her off of it and engaged with the people around her.

 

These are just a few examples of my dichotomous relationship with tech.  There are others,  but I might descend into a dark hole and never emerge if I try to unearth all of them.  Despite all of it’s flaws (or maybe the flaws are mine), there are some tech treasures that add value to my life – and even my walk with Christ.  And when others share their favorite anythings, I pick up valuable tips.  Maybe you will to.  So here are my current top 5  uses for technology.  You know – the ones that don’t cause me anxiety.

 

  1.  You Version and Bible Gateway.  We have the ability now to carry the entire bible around with us in our pocket.  How cool is that?  You Version is an easy to use app for looking up scripture passages in multiple translations.  They also have built in Bible reading plans to give you ideas for your personal study time.  Bible Gateway is my favorite way to search for a word from the Word when I can’t remember where it’s located.  Topical and key word searches make it easy to pull up what you need when you need it.
  2. Podcasts!  I love them.  I am that old person now that rarely wants to listen to music.  But I subscribe to enough podcasts to keep me informed and entertained until the proverbial cows come home.  When I want a giggle, I love The Big Boo Cast with Melanie Shankle (one of my favorite authors) and Sophie Hudson, the Popcast – which is all about pop culture (I love this one so much that I bought tickets to a live event next month), and Poddy Break with comedian Tim Hawkins.  When I need spiritual inspiration, I turn up The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey and That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs.  When I’m in the mood for both belly laughs AND biblical wisdom, Front Porch with the Fitzes fits the bill.  And those proverbial cows are safe with them (only regular listeners will catch that).  One of my podcasts is different from all the others, Yogamazing.  This video podcast is full of practices of varying lengths and styles and allows you to select your workout based on your needs for the day.  Don’t have much time?  You can find 10 and 15 minutes sessions.  Want to try yoga, but feel self-conscious about jumping into a packed class?  Try some of these first in the comfort and seclusion of your home.  And a new workout is downloaded to your device for free every week!
  3. I heart blogs.  If you are reading this, you already know about mine and I can’t thank you enough for following along with me.  While writing and promoting my blog, I discovered an entire community of like-minded, inspiring and engaging authors out there.  Some of my faves:  The Big Mama Blog by Melanie Shankle.  Her entries are quick and easy reads full of fashion and humor.  Jennifer Bleakley is a new friend who is about to have her first novel published.  And Kristin Hill Taylor is an avid reader and Jesus lover who writes eloquently about both.  The truth is, it’s hard to pick out favorites in this category because I read so many every week!
  4. Online shopping!  You might see this as good or evil, depending on whether you are a fellow female or, well, my husband.  But it’s sooooo convenient (which is why my husband is not a fan).  We all know that you can order up just about anything in 2 days from Jeff Bezos’ giant, but here are a few other options that I like.  Latitudes is a fair trade business that provides work  to artisans in isolated areas around the world.  They sell jewelry, home decor, coffee and more!  And clothes.  Who would rather try on clothes in the comfort of your own home than in a crowded department store?  This girl.  That’s why I love Simply Bliss Boutique and Market 22.  They both stock super cute boutique style clothing at affordable prices.
  5. Last is apps!  I know we have all tried a million over the last few years, but I have 2 current faves.  goodreads!  This is social media for the literary minded.  Before you decide you don’t need another social platform (trust me, I don’t either), you don’t really use it that way.  It allows you to make lists of books you want to read (I no longer forget as soon as someone tells me) and the phone app will scan book codes to instantly add.  Then your list is RIGHT THERE WITH YOU when you go to the library or book store.  You can move them to a “currently reading” list and then a “read”.  Once you have completed one, you can rate and review the book for others if you want.  Once you are “friends” with others, you can see what they are reading for suggestions!  I love it and use it constantly.  Second is The Echo Prayer Manager.  This app allows you to quickly plug in prayers requests when you hear or think of them.  When you enter the throne room, you can scroll through all your requests as a reminder, but you can also add reminders on requests if you want to pray at a specific time.  I also use this feature to prompt me to check back in with others I have been lifting up.  Both of these apps are free!  You’re welcome.

You may be light years ahead of my feeble uses for tech, but I love to get good recs and thought maybe you would too.  And now I’m dying to hear what you love!  Comment below with your personal tech treasures!

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About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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