Have you ever listened to an audiobook? If not, you should give it a try! Audiobooks are a great way to make your work commute more enjoyable, power through tedious chores, or to just have something on in the background as you relax. Although many people may not consider listening to audiobooks as “real” reading, in my opinion, it absolutely is!

 

When listening to an audiobook, you are still interacting with the story in the same way by following the plot, making assumptions as to what comes next, and imagining the characters in your mind just as you would while reading a print book. Listening to audiobooks builds your vocabulary and critical thinking skills just as well as reading a print book. Next time you are looking for a good book to read, try picking up the audiobook version instead, I promise you will enjoy it. It’s a great way to consume more books!

 

The library currently has over 2,000 physical audiobooks in our collection that can be played on a CD player or other similar device. If CDs aren’t convenient for you, no worries! With a Bridgeport Public Library card, you have access to thousands more digital audiobooks, or eAudiobooks, available at your fingertips to stream or download on the WVDELI (Libby.) Need help getting your account set up? Give us a call and we will be happy to assist. If you are new to audiobooks, continue reading to get some recommendations that you may enjoy listening to.

 

If you like non-fiction: Try Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. This book offers a powerful examination of our interactions with strangers--and why they often go wrong. The audiobook is narrated by the author.

 

If you like memoirs: Try Educated by Tara Westover. This book has been called “one of the most acclaimed books of our time.” It’s an unforgettable memoir about a young woman who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family, and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University. The audiobook is narrated by Julia Whelan.

 

If you like thrillers: Try The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. This book is a shocking psychological thriller about a woman's act of violence against her husband--and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. The audiobook is read by Louise Brealey and Jack Hawkins.

If you like general fiction: Try The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. This is a richly moving story that explores the deep-rooted bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go. The audiobook is read by Tom Hanks.