How To Read Twice As Much In Half The Time
I love reading. I’ve always been a book worm. In school I would start a new book every few days.
While I still try to read as much as possible, I’m a little ashamed to admit down to about one book a month (if that!)
The slower I progress through my book list, the more guilty I feel.
The problem with reading is that it doesn’t really fit in with our “on-the-go” lifestyle. You can’t read a book while you walk (unless you are exceptionally talented). Which is why I’ve started listening to audio books.
When you’re no longer constrained to sitting down to read, it’s much easier to make time to learn something new or escape to a far off land in a book.
Perfect times for stealing a few minutes for listening are:
- In the car
- At the gym
- On your walk to work
- While you’re doing housework
- In line at the store
- Whenever someone cancels a meeting with you (Nice way to turn a negative into a positive!)
I’m currently listening to 10% Happier by Dan Harris. He’s a newsman for ABC and was very skeptical about meditation. But now he’s hooked. I’m engaged because we’re in the same business but also because I’ve been trying to make meditation a “habit” but haven’t been able to do it. I’ll let you know how it goes when I get to the end of the book. (He has an app by the same name too)
Here are some audio book services for you to check out:
Audible – This is the service I use. Audible is linked up to Amazon and sells digital audio books, radio and TV programs, and audio versions of magazines and newspapers. They have the most extensive collection of audio content available so you can stay up to date with all the latest releases.
My only issue with it is I think they take advantage of their monopoly on the market. Audible costs $14.95 a month, which only entitles you to one “free” audio book, and you have to pay for any extra books. I don’t think it’s a great system for the consumer – yet here I am using it…
LibriVox – If Audible is a little out of your price range you can try this free app. The site allows volunteers from all over the world to read and record public domain texts. They have over 8,000 books in their library. Since the work is done by volunteers, the recordings are not always the best, but it’s a great place to start if you’re curious.
Skybrite – a brand new startup that aims to compete with Audible. It’s not quite free, but the $9.99 monthly fee gives you unlimited access to their entire book collection. So no paying for extra books.
Skybrite may not have as many books, but it makes up for it with a range of other programs. It also offers audio courses, spiritual talks and even stand-up comedy routines. So it’s good if you are looking for a more diverse service.
How do you listen to books on the go?
Like CR, I love my library for audiobooks — both digital and CDs. There is often a waiting list for new titles, but I have so many books on my To-read list, I can always find something else while I wait! Even with a young baby, I am reading so much more since I started listening to audiobooks — there is always laundry to fold and dishes/bottles to clean — even walks to the park are opportunities to listen to my book at a time I can’t devote to a paperback. When my son starts talking (and sleeping less during the day) I won’t be able to pop my headphones in as often as I do now, but we’re not there yet!
You’re right that Audible is a little pricey, but the advantage is that you get to keep the book to listen to again — great if you are a re-reader — and it doesn’t matter if you no longer subscribe to the service. There is a less expensive service I wanted to mention — Scribd — 8.99 per month, but you can only listen to past books you’ve used a credit on as long as you still pay the monthly fee. They don’t have as comprehensive a catalog as Audible, but there is still a lot to choose from. On the other hand, you also get unlimited ebooks, so you really do get a lot for that 8.99. I actually just finished the ebook of Listful Thinking on there, which led me here! I will probably only keep up that subscription as long as I am also using the ebooks — if I don’t take advantage of those, it doesn’t seem worth it to pay $9 a month for an audio I can’t keep. But if you never re-read, the issue of keeping the book or not would be moot!
Public libraries are great for e-books/audio books too! We like FREE!
Yes, another great resource! Thank you for sharing 🙂