Are you a bookworm? Wish there was more time in the day to read? Ever consider audio books? I was a skeptic. I am now a convert and a champion of Audible. Let me tell you why…
This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I recommend the products that I find awesome, I hope you do too! For additional information, please see my Disclaimers here.
Finding Time
In 2018 I began my quest to live a more authentic life. To stop making excuses for myself that I was too busy to devote time to activities in life that I enjoyed and filled my soul up. I continue to discover that time moves to quickly…it seems as though sometimes I find a way to stand still in that stream of time and I see how quickly the water is moving. But then, I am swept away again. Only to realize later that I have been carried another month, or two, or six into my future. That despite my active intent to slow life down, I still struggle with the daily mindfulness to stop, look, slow down and make mindful decisions with my time.
One glaring reminder of my loss of time is the stack of books on my bedside table. The books I started on vacation or when I had a brief conviction to read 10 pages every morning. But then time sweeps me away again in life’s busy-ness and before I get back to that book, I feel I need to start on page one again, to give the story it’s due attention.
Reading is an activity that is center to my wellness. I want to relax, I read. Learn, I read. Improve, I read. However, it is something that I do not always find a way to fit into my daily routine.
I am also a book lover. The smell of old books when you open the cover. The feel of a book in your hands, like an old friend. Hence, I have long resisted the idea of audio books and e-readers. When my first child was born and I spent many nights in the nursing chair, I invested in a Kindle. I enjoyed many hours reading in the wee hours and plowed through a host of books in the subsequent births of my other 2 children. Now that my children are older, I no longer sit up in the middle of the night for hours and my Kindle has found it’s way into that stack of books by my bedside.
Audible Audio Book Deal
Thus, I began looking for a way to make reading more of a priority. Audible is a library of digital audio books with an app that can be downloaded to smart phones. A 30 day free trial with 2 free audio books and 2 free Audible Originals sparked my interest and I gave it a try.
Let me start with what you get. The 30 day free Audible trial gives you two free book downloads. There are hundreds to choose from, including all the best sellers. I choose Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and City of Girls also by Elizabeth Gilbert. Big names include Michelle Obama, Brene Brown, and George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones).
Free Audio Books
In addition to the audio books, you get 2 free Audible Originals, books released only as audio books for Audible. Also, unlimited access to guided meditation, audio guided fitness programs, and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post delivered free in audio to the Audible app every day. Even better, if you don’t like the audio book you selected, you can easily exchange it for another! You can cancel anytime to avoid being charged to continue the membership, but the audio books are yours to keep. It is worth it for that alone!
Can I tell you…I feel like I am stealing time! My first book, Big Magic I finished in 3 DAYS!! I felt like I had a personal relationship with Elizabeth Gilbert for those few hours, listening to her tell me her wanderings on creativity and confronting fear. I have a long commute and the Audible App easily connects with the Bluetooth in my car. It can be said that listening for 45 minutes on my way to work and 45 minutes home, sure beats all those commercials on the radio!! When I walk my dog at night, I slap on my headphones and steal another 30 minutes of “reading!”
I think of all the other ways I can now fit reading into my day…folding laundry, cooking dinner…I am sold! It has got me interested in ways I could use this for my children, such as long car rides with the family. Now I prefer my children practice the habit of reading books, as there is obvious educational value in that. But on long car rides, my one child struggles with motion sickness if he is reading or using a tablet. This is a solution for the car boredom!
The Deal
After the trial period, you can enroll in Audible Gold Membership. The cost is 14.95 a month and you get one audio book for free, plus 2 Audible Originals. Additional audio books can be purchased for 30% off the price and you still get all the other extras. You can cancel at anytime, and still keep your library.
If you are an Audible Gold Member, you can also add the Romance package for an additional $6.95 a month and this gives you unlimited access to the audio books in this library. They include books such as Sense and Sensibility and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. I have access to a free trial membership for the Audible Romance Package as well. Check it out here.
I still love my books. I will still put these old friends into my carry-on for trips. But I love this App and membership. It feeds my creative need and adds joy into tasks that I have to do by allowing my mind to be transported elsewhere.
If reading fills you up, I implore you to give Audible a try. Sign up here for the free 30 day trial.
Wander well…