How to start listening to audiobooks

And what to do while listening to them

In last week’s post, I talked about why you should start reading audiobooks.

Why you should read audiobooks

This week I’m going to give you some tips on how to start listening to audiobooks.

Can’t I just hit play?

You’d think that, but in my humble opinion, no. I mean, you can. I can’t stop you from grabbing the nearest audiobook and hitting play. But you probably wouldn’t enjoy the experience, especially if you’ve never listened to an audiobook.

There’s no right way to start though, and everyone’s audio journey will be different. Here are some tips that might work for you:

Tips on how to get into audiobooks

1. Start with novellas

Going straight for a 30-hour audiobook from the jump is a bold move, and I applaud you if you can make it through.

Generally, audiobooks are slower than physically reading the book, and if you’re not used to them, you’ll get bored.

Novellas are the perfect place to start. They’re shorter than a regular novel, but they’ll feel longer because your reading time goes from an hour to four hours (depending on the book).

2. Try full-cast, dramatised audiobooks first

The narrator is a really important part of an audiobook, and while I have nothing against single-narrated books, the full-cast ones are easier to get into.

You know who’s talking, and there are even sound effects. It’s like watching a movie, but only with your ears.

3. Don’t go straight for the high fantasy

I have a friend who’s read the entire Cosmere universe on audio and I am in awe of her. That’s something I wouldn’t dare try. I’m sure the audiobooks are really good, but I lose track of the finer worldbuilding details if I can’t go back and consult a map or a previous chapter.

I’d suggest starting with romance, or contemporary fiction, so that you don’t have to focus so intensely on the audiobook.

4. Start with 15 minutes

Build yourself up to listening for hours at a time. Start by listening to 15 minutes of your book before bed, then increase to 30 minutes. Or listen to an audiobook on your drive to work, but only one day in the week. Then the next week switch to two days.

Audiobooks are a time investment, and in the beginning, it might take you a bit longer to get through the audiobook. When I started, I used to listen to one book a month, max. Now I listen to three or four.

5. Don’t give up

Okay, this is just me further encouraging you to give audiobooks a shot. Be patient, you’ll get there.

What to do while listening to audiobooks

I brainstormed as many ideas as I could for this one. I don’t personally do all of these things. For the most part, I just lie in bed and listen, but if you need to keep your hands busy, try these:

• Wash the dishes

• Do the laundry

• Clean your house/apartment

• Organise your bookshelf (or anything that needs organising)

• Go for a walk

• Listen while driving (really good for long road trips, but sometimes while driving in the city I need to concentrate on the road too much to listen)

• Knit or crochet

• Colour (adult colouring books, or kids colouring books, whichever is the most fun for you)

• Work out (sometimes I need more rage while working out, but if you’re on the treadmill an audiobook makes the time fly)

• Play a mobile, PC, or console game (I know some people can listen to audiobooks while playing Sims or Stardew. I can’t, but maybe it’ll work for you)

• Stare at the ceiling (advanced)

• Paint your nails

• Build a puzzle

• Have a picnic and stare at the trees (avoid the sun though)

• Take a long train ride or airplane ride (book one specifically to listen to an audiobook. Buy another audiobook for the return trip)

• Do your grocery shopping (someone told me it helps with the overstimulation in grocery stores, but that didn’t work for me personally)

• Hide from party guests in a bathroom with your audiobook

• Run a marathon (you could finish at least one Brandy Sandy if you’re slow enough)

• Play an audiobook in the background while disposing of a body (nothing to see here officer)

There we go, just some totally innocent things to do while listening to an audiobook. Hope it helped!

Let’s chat!

💬 What do you do while listening to audiobooks?

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