When I first came to college everyone told me that I shouldn’t bring any free reading books because all my free reading time would be spent reading textbooks and studying. I hate to admit it, but they were right. I had little to no free reading time and when I did, I spent it watching Netflix or giving my brain a break to do something that did not require focus. Entering my local city library in my campus town, they told me about their ebooks and audiobook library app called Libby. On a whim, I decided to rent an audiobook and listen to it on my way to classes. I was hooked. I began placing holds on books I had wanted to read but didn’t have the time to. The audiobooks were also great for my car rides home when my playlists and music became annoying. Below are the ways for you to listen to audiobooks too and some of the best ones I’ve read!
Services
Audible
Price: $14.95 per month (however you can get a 33% student discount by signing up with UNiDAYS making it $10.02)
Content: Audiobooks only
Books per month: 3 titles each month – 1 audiobook of your choice + 2 Audible originals
Scribd
Price: $8.99 per month
Content: Audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, and more
Books per month: Unlimited, but restrictions may apply to some titles
Libby by Overdrive
Price: a library card at a participating library
Content: Audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, newspapers, and more
Books per month: As many as your library card allows
Spotify (I know surprising right?)
Price: Free, or $9.99 for premium($4.99 a month with verification of being a university student)
Content: Audiobooks
Books per month: as many as you can find to listen to
The books to listen to:
Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
Memoirs are some of the best books you can listen to. The person whose life you are listening about is reading the story to you. Anna tells us her life story about her start in acting as a kid from Maine to her time in the Twilight Saga movies. It is a life story that will keep you laughing and teach you a few lessons along the way of her hysterical life.
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Set to the background of the 1970’s music industry following a band on the rise Daisy Jones and her bandmates The Six recount their history as rock legends and the rise and fall of their lives in one of the most popular bands at the time. With a full cast (every character has their own narrator) Daisy Jones and the Six is a wild ride of a book that will hook you from the beginning and not let go until the very end.
The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Another full cast recording set in space the Illuminae files are not for the faint of heart. Onboard spaceships the series is full of twists and turns that are made all the more real by the full cast and background noises produced.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
If you miss the Obamas, or want to learn some great life lessons, listen to the former first lady tells you about her life before, during, and after the White House. The story of Michelle’s life is full of stories that make you think, appreciate, and understand life more.
The Hidden Power of F*cking Up by Ned Fulmer, Eugene Lee Yang, Zach Kornfeld, and Keith Habersberger otherwise known as the Try Guys
If you love the internet’s band of white guys and the hot one, you’ll love their new book. Since conception at Buzzfeed, the Try Guys have taken the internet by storm. Trying things that scare them for the sake of the internet and their book which will make you laugh and feel good all at the same time!
Sadie by Courtney Summers
Told in the format of a crime podcast, this is the story of sisters, murder, and revenge. Sadie’s little sister was found dead in their small town and never solved. Now Sadie is out to find the truth and bring the killer to justice. Being followed by the town radio personality after hearing about Sadie’s story, will the killer be caught in time?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
Relive the story of the boy who lives, but let him tell it to you. The beloved story we all know and love is even better in audiobook form. If you’re feeling nostalgic, or need a reread, but don’t have the time – this is perfect for you!