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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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Shopping in the Time of Corona(virus)

May 22, 2020 by Lauren 14 Comments

Social distancing guidelines save me money.  No restaurants to go to, no stores to frequent = savings!  Which bodes well after 2 part time jobs placed me on hold.  The longer this drags on, though, the more I find myself online shopping.  Especially Amazon, ’cause Prime, baby!

 

I can’t think of a kinder thing to do than sharing my quarantine acquisitions with you in case you need a little (almost) instant gratification.

 

Bought For Someone Who Needed Encouraging

I Ain’t Doin’ It: Unfiltered Thoughts from a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land.  If you need to laugh, order this now.  If you want to laugh so hard you need a Poise pad, listen to it on audio.  

The One Year Book of Hope by Nancy Guthrie

To Fight Off My Teen’s Boredom

 

Guitar capo and picks

Ingredients to make homemade lip balm

Paint by numbers

 

For Me

A high-protein, low-calorie snack with a cheesy, salty crunch.  Yes, please.

I got industrious and cleaned out my car.  These things helped spruce it up.

‘Cause hot flashes.

I am so over shaving cream and love how this feels and smells.

Since I’ll probably be working out at home for the foreseeable future.  The 8s I ordered don’t appear to be available right now, but they have other sizes.

My phone went to electronics heaven so I needed to “outfit” my new one.

 

And finally, for a little summer spring in my step.  My old lady feet protest any sandal but Yellow Box these days.

Each item may be viewed or purchased by clicking on it’s picture.  These are affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, even a product different from what is shown, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.  And happy socially distanced shopping!

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

How to Waste Your Time by Laurie Hess of Meditations in Motion hit the spot for me this week.  Not only because I speak yoga, but because I have concluded that I don’t ever truly rest.  I stink at sabbathing and I want to do better.  I NEED to do better for my mental and physical health.  Even when I’m watching TV, I’m doing something.  Multitasking.  Laurie reminded me that my worth does not come from productivity and that being still is a command of God!  And she gives some serene sounding ideas to help you chill out.  Thanks, Laurie!

 

Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

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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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