Hearing Can Be Reading, Too

After being bored to death during my long, morning commute, I actually heard a news story that got my attention. It seems audio books are becoming increasingly popular with commuters. Since then, audio books have kept me stimulated during those otherwise tedious wasted drives.

Purchasing Hillary Clinton's re-release of her earlier work as a book on tape and listening to it at the gym, I was able to thoroughly work on both my body and my mind. And I finished the book before some people even heard it had been published. Likewise, when packing for a trip to visit distant family, whether flying or taking the train, I am sure to bring along several audio books on CD. Not only do they provide interest as I travel they also provide something to talk about when I arrive.

In the past I would unwind after a long day or week by watching television, a medium of entertainment I have observed precipitously becoming less stimulating in recent years. But I rarely decided to pick up anything with words on it in the evening or on the weekends simply because I was worn out from so many hours of scanning so many reports at work. Now, my spouse and I select an audio book that interests us both to listen to for a while before dinner. With our eyes and hands unoccupied we are able to either unwind and listen or to get to work on one of our endless home improvement projects.

On any given day, I am reading three books: one I listen to in my car driving to and from work, one I take to the health club with me, and another my wife and I listen to at home when we really can’t stomach another situation comedy. I enjoy the boon of having a reputation as the most well-read person in my office; moreover, being up to date both on current issues and topics of historical relevance gives me a valuable perspective on the day's important events.

I'd like to share more but I just found out that Bob Newhart's new book is available as an audio book on disc. I hate to rush off, but I have some reading ahead of me.

---------- Audio, paperback and hard cover books can be found at www.99Books.US.