It seems like at every conference I attend, e
very webinar/teleseminar I listen to, everywhere I turn, there are recommendations for books I absolutely MUST read. With so many recommendations, how will I ever get to all of them? After all, I’ve been reading the same book for the last six months – and it is a good book! I just never seem to be in the mood anymore. I used to love reading books. First it was actual books and then I used the Kindle.
But after looking at a computer all day, the last thing I really want to do is read!
Then last month, I tried an audio book. I love it! I’ve listened to two books in two weeks. Woohoo! I had been putting off audio books for a while. I mean, I’ve listened to teleseminars and I didn’t think I would like listening to books being read to me. I’d have to carry pen and paper with me so I could take notes, so it’s not like I could listen while I’m walking. And then what if the reader talks really slow? My mind would be wandering! And I thought I could read faster than I could listen.
Boy, was I wrong…
I decided to give Audible.com a try. I have an app on my phone and I can do a couple of really cool things! If I hear something noteworthy, I don’t have to scramble for the pen and paper – I can create a bookmark on my phone. When I create that bookmark, I have the option of typing in a note. So let’s say it’s a website I need to check out, I bookmark it and type “website”. So I can multi-task while I listen!
Hear something I want to hear again? With the push of one button, I can rewind 30 seconds. I can also rewind or fast forward, but I like the nice 30-second rewind.
If the reader is a slow-talker, I can speed him up. So no mind wandering happening here!
So if you dread reading a book like me, then I highly recommend audio books. And if you’re already listening to books, share what you’re using.
I love audio books when I drive to stop me from getting “road rage.” It’s amazing how listening to a story helps me calm down and not be in such a hurry to get somewhere. My favorite was “World Without End” by Ken Follett. It is 45 hours, and I found myself taking the long way so I could listen longer. I also love Dean Koontz books on tape. Somehow they seem more descriptive as I’m listening.
Funny about taking the long way to listen longer! Maybe you don’t drive as fast either??