AudioBooks.

I love audio books  Before my position with the library I had never listened to one before. Now with commuting everyday I am so thankful that I have discovered them and wish I had done so much sooner.

In the past three months I have listened to Summer by Karen Kingsbury and Harry Potter 1-4. I am now about to start Take One by Karen Kingsbury (even though I read the first four chapters before I realized that it was available on audio book from the library) and Harry Potter 5. Both of which are eagerly waiting in the car to be listened to. I feel like the ultimate multitasker when I am driving and reading.

For work I have to drive a fair bit. I travel between library branches which could be up to two hours driving in one day. That plus it takes just over 30 minutes to drop my husband off at work each day, so that is an added hour. Plus the random driving everyone does, it is actually shocking how many hours people spend in their cars. I would say an average day for me is driving for about two hours. So that is two hours of 'reading' that I can get accomplished.

In perspective that is not a whole lot, Harry Potter 5 The Order of the Phoenix for example is 27 hours, so for me I should be able to finish it in about two weeks. That is however if whoever I am driving with allows me to listen to my audio book and does not talk. The rule when dropping the husband off is that if what he is going to say is over a minute he needs to pause the book. When listening to Harry Potter I am not as diligent with pausing when interrupted because I have read the books a few times already and have the movies memorized so I know what is going to happen, in the end he lives.

So just a recommendation if you do a lot of driving or have a ton of books on your 'must read' list (mine is growing everyday!), then I would totally check it out. Some great sources for free books (because did you know Harry Potter 5 for example is up to 75$, that is CRAZY) first and foremost, the library. They have tons and to me getting a set of cds is the easiest. The car remembers where you left off and starts and stops when the car does. There are also what are called playaways at the library which is like a portable device with the book preloaded. Downside is you need a cable to connect it to the car and to remember to stop it when you are finished. Also, online from your library you can download and put on an ipod or any mp3 player. Chatham library uses Overdrive, which has a ton of selection, but you only get 2 weeks to listen, which could be hard.

So all in all I LOVE audio books  I would highly recommend if you have never tried one before, do it. Also, for  Harry Potter the guy reading has an accent and does voices. They are totally better then the ones in my head so a big thumbs up to him.