Believe it or not, I only really “discovered” the incredible-ness of audiobooks this past year. I’m such a visual person, that audiobooks never appealed to me. But at my husband’s encouragement, I listened to one audiobook.
And I was hooked! I realized that I could listen while I folded laundry, cleaned the kitchen or bathroom, cooked, or did some knitting.
However, even though I knew that listening to audiobooks would be a great way to help use my time more efficiently when my hands are busy and my mind is free, I didn’t do a good job of being intentional about listening to audiobooks and only ended up listening through a handful in 2011.
In 2012, I want to be more intentional about listening to audiobooks. With this in mind, my husband helped me come up with a list of 12 audiobooks to listen to–one for each month. I figure that if I get in 10-20 minutes of audiobook listening most every day, I can easily go through one or more audiobooks per month.
Here’s my list:
12 Audiobooks I Plan to Listen to in 2012
January — Developing the Leader Within You
February — The Go-Getter
March — The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers
April — Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality
May — The Little Big Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence
June — Business By the Book
July — The One-Minute Entreprenuer
August — Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard
September — Made to Stick
October — The Mentor Leader
November — Rhinoceros Success
December — Guerrilla Marketing
As I finish each of these, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on them in my Good Reads posts. Have you read or listened to any of these books? I’d love to know what you think!
Nicole K says
Just wanted to add this source for locating Audiobooks online http://www.learnoutloud.com. I found it in my very, very long list of favorites as I was orginizing my favorites folder. Looks like they offer a free download each month and also have a free section for children, http://kids.learnoutloud.com/Kids-Free-Stuff. HTH.
Mary says
We LOVE audiobooks here. We spend a lot of time in the car and listen to children’s stories. We are listening to the Chronicles of Narnia right now, downloaded for free from http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/series/the_chronicles_of_narnia
I have an older van so there is no iPod plug in but my husband installed this- http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-FM-MOD02-Universal-Modulator-Satellite/dp/B001QBG614/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325198041&sr=8-2
so I can hook it right up and listen. The kids know that when the stories are on, they have to be quiet and listen. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Ami says
My son (8 yo) has always loved audiobooks. He’s recently listened to all of the Chronicles of Narnia from the library. I HIGHLY recommend looking at the juvenile audiobooks at your library…and really try to hear the Chronicles of Narnia – we love it! Our library has many children’s classics on cd. Because I can only read so much to the kids myself, it has allowed us to enjoy more classics by repeatedly listening to great authors and works like Laura Ingalls Wilder, A.A. Milne, Paddington Bear, and E.B. White. I never read much children’s literature beyond Little House books in my childhood so I absolutely love enjoying children’s literature so much now!
Kim says
I agree! Using audio books got us off TV when my kids (now 18) were little and we canceled cable and started home educating. I, like you, could only read so much before my voice would go. EB White was a favorite when he read “Charlotte’s Web” himself. I loved hearing how the author imagined the voice of the goose. We also enjoyed “The Giver” and many more. There were some failures along the way as well. But I highly recommend seeking audio books that use famous actors as readers, or the authors themselves. Jim Weiss is a great reader also.
Kacie says
I listened to my first audio book recently — “The Prodigal God.” WOW, Crystal, add this to your to-read list! You’d love it.
I would like to borrow another from my library to see if I really can work with the format, though.
I think a book that I’m interested in but something that can be listened to without being at my full-attention might work best for me.
Crystal says
Just added it to my list of “hope to listen to” books! Thanks for the recommendation!
ashley says
How do you decide what to read and what to listen to? I saw some people mention being better visual learners than auditory, and I know from experience that the reader makes a huge difference. Are these among your considerations? I always appreciate being able to understand others’ logic. Thanks.
Kris says
I love audiobooks–I load them on my ipod touch and away I go. I listen in the car mainly as I drive 70+ miles a day for my job. I do hook my ipod up to my kitchen stereo and will listen while in the kitchen. Our library system (Iowa) has a NEIBORS program which lets us check out ebooks and audiobooks withour library cards. I use this a lot and haven’t ever bought an audiobook. Now, I will admit, I take the time in the car to listen to dave ramsey or NPR podcasts or fiction. My list would not look as educational as your list, but I’m happy with it! 🙂
Jen lann says
My friend invented the Playaway it is an audiobook on what looks like a iPod. I love them by u can adjust the speed of the readers voice and it stops and starts in same place unlike CDs where if u remove from cd player it’s impossible to find where u left off. Even better our local library carries them. Check it out Playaway. I listen to them in the car makes my commute fly by.
Ps I just listened to happies mom book and enjoyed most of it!
Mary says
I’m planning on listening to Goals by Brian Tracy again. It’s been one of the most powerful books I’ve ever heard. When I approach goals the way he suggests (mainly writing them down daily – you’ve got to hear why!!) our success accelerates!
I’m also constantly reviewing the audio version of Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover because no one keeps me fired up about our staying on track like Dave!!
Patti says
Our library also has MP3 players you check out with the book already on them. All you do is purchase a pair of your own earphones for $1.00. When I got my iTouch, my brother gave me a speaker from Staples that is wonderful (very small and cute – costs $10). I took that with me to work to listen to books when I am doing boring things like cleaning out closets, etc.
I have also checked out audiobooks from our library and bought some, too. My all time favorite so far was “The Help” on audio. It was great to hear it in the Southern voices!!
Jan says
Try Overdrive- if you have a library card you can get thousands of ebooks and audiobooks
Amy says
Does this work for any library card or a specific city/state? Thanks!
Ashley says
When I worked data entry at USPS I would go through a LOT of audio books (especially during Christmas time). I quickly learned that it isn’t always the book; a lot of times the READER really makes the book come alive. I think I’ve listened to every single Dean Koontz audiobook I could get my hands on for the simple fact that they always found great readers that really brought the characters to life.
My library system allows you to download audiobooks as well. Or, if you don’t have a lot of extra time, my library allows me to “order” the audiobooks I want online and they will have everything waiting for me at the front desk the following day. I’ll be honest, I haven’t read a book (other than a textbook or required school reading) in years. Between my 30 minute one-way commute to work, driving to school, and running errands, I’m in the car at least 10 hours a week. I can usually get in a few good books a month that way.
Jan says
I agree about the narrator or reader of the book- it makes or breaks the experience
Lucky @ Making My Own Luck says
Me too. I love the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books because of the lady that reads them.
Bridgett says
interesting – I may give an audio book a try.
Britni @ Our Eventual Homestead says
My husband is reading Guerilla Marketing right now, I gave it to him for Christmas to help with his business. He likes it so far but hasn’t read enough to have much of an opinion yet. It is on my “to read” list for 2012. I also included The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers on my list.
I used to listen to audio books but have since been listening to a lot of podcasts. I may have to check out a few audio books this year.
The Prudent Homemaker says
Do you only listen when your children are asleep? I have often wanted to listen to many things but I have found that it is impossible to do with 6 children who are awake and constantly wanting to talk with me.
Heather says
That’s what I was wondering. I don’t even listen to music anymore (except at Christmas), because the kids are always needing to talk to me.
The Prudent Homemaker says
I think I remember you saying that your children get up much later than mine. Mine have been early risers for a long time. I used to get up at 4:00 to get ready before they were up at 5:20! They’ve started to sleep later, but they’re still pretty early for most children.
Lucky @ Making My Own Luck says
I listen at night before I go to bed, or while I’m cleaning up the kitchen.
Ramie Schulteis says
Many libraries have audiobooks to lend. The state of Kansas even has a free audio download site called One Click. This site will also offer ebooks, too. All you need is a Kansas library card (different from a local library card) ask your local public library. The Kansas site is only for residents of Kansas but I know other states offer this service. (I am a KS librarian!(
Jessica says
I love audiobooks, and should listen to them more! I’m like you though, a very visual learner. I really appreciate your lists and especially the customizeable worksheets. I’m a fiction gal myself. 🙂 Thanks!
Joanna says
I’ve tried listening to audiobooks before, but I can’t seem to retain the information through listening to it, so I end up having to read it all over again to get anything from it.
Joyce@Joyful Creations at Home says
Silly question….what can I listen to them with? Can I load them onto a MP3 player?
Duane@My Child's Bookshelf says
You can use an iPod/iPad, mp3 player, computer or smart phone. It somewhat depends on where you get them from as to what devices are compatible.
Tracy says
I love audiobook but that sure sounds like a boring list of books! Why don’t you have any fun books on your must list?
Crystal says
To me, these are very interesting books–especially when listened to as audiobooks. 🙂 I *love* to listen to books on business/marketing, etc., because I’m a small business owner and get so inspired by them. However, I know that I’m weird in my book tastes. 🙂
Duane@My Child's Bookshelf says
I LOVE the list! As a small business owner myself, I find these types of books are invaluable. And I’m sure they are at least part of the reason your business is so successful! 🙂
Lisa says
I’ve turned into a real fan of non-fiction. These are “fun” books to me as well.
Trish @ Finances With Funk says
Wow. I love that you pointed this out. The last three years I have finished my, “books to read for the year goal” a few books short. I used to listed to audio books all the time when I had to travel a lot for work but in the last 5 years I totally forgot about them. I am so adding some this year. Thanks.
Mica says
If you decide not to follow the plan exactly, I will understand. I like audiobooks, but I think that not every good book makes a good audio. Depends a lot on the reader!!
Janille says
I listen to audiobooks constantly. I do a lot of traveling and they really help the time fly by – although I don’t listen to them while in the city in traffic. I’ll have to check out some of your “reads.”
Heather says
You said you’d be posting reviews via Goodreads – what is the link for your profile there?
Jennifer says
My library system here kcls.org has it’s own audiobook/ebook application for smart phones. Though my phone isn’t the smartest…I always have free books to read or listen to while I work or do chores. I love this set up, everyone should look to see if their library offers something similar because that way I am not tied to a cd player.
Elizabeth Sue says
My husband hates to read books, but loves audio books. He likes to listen to them on the way to and from work. He really enjoyed “Linchpin” and “48 days to the work you love.” Both helped him switch careers and land his current job he adores!
Maria says
I enjoyed Switch, though I had to switch to reading it on paper instead of the audio book version because I learn better that way. I appreciated all of the stories and examples used to illustrate the theories.
Julie says
Do you plan to purchase each of these audio books, use the library or have another money saving idea on how to use these?
Crystal says
Recently, I’ve been buying the iTunes gift cards with my Swagbucks and using them to buy audiobooks. However, I’ve also found that our library has a lot of audiobooks and there are a lot of audiobooks available in public domain through places like http://librivox.org/
Robin says
Do you listen to them on an ipod? I am behind with technology, so I am trying to figure out the best way to do this.
Crystal says
I usually listen to them on my phone or computer.
erika says
I’m inclined to read rather than listen, so while I understand this post is regarding audiobooks I wanted readers to be aware that the Kindle version of ‘Go-Getter’ is currently FREE for download in the Amazon bookstore.
Jamie says
Thanks for the tip, Erika!
Ebony says
Great tip!! thanks so much!
Duane says
Thanks, Erika! Just downloaded it. Can’t wait to start reading it as soon as I am done with EntreLeadership.