Is listening to an audiobook the same as reading a print book? Some say yes; some say no. It’s certainly a different experience and a lot depends on the performance of the audio narrator. The important part is that it’s still a reading experience.
Audiobooks are perfect for the multi-tasker!
Perfect for your intellectual minds yet busy lives…
Try listening to an audiobook while driving, working out, walking your dog, or doing chores. One of my first audiobook experiences was listening to Harry Potter while driving to work. It made my formerly dull drive so entertaining that I looked forward to getting back into the car. I also love listening to audiobooks while working out or folding laundry.
Free audio books!
There’s a perfect program for you this summer! Whether you’re a veteran listener or looking to try it for the first time, there are plenty of options for free downloads, but the two I want to focus on is SYNC and our library’s own OverDrive subscription.
SYNC gives away two full audiobooks each week through the summer!
No need to create an account. SYNC offers free downloads through their website, to be delivered through OverDrive [see below], with no limits on the number of simultaneous listeners. You can load the books on most listening devices and as long as you don’t accidentally delete them, you can listen to them anytime after your initial download. There are some very exciting titles this year including The False Prince, Grave Mercy, and The Raven Boys–all of which, I highly recommend. You do, however, need to download them during the specific time period the titles are offered. Check out the full schedule here: http://www.audiobooksync.com/free-sync-downloads/sync-schedule-13/
SYNC pairs a current YA novel with a classic, so it’s great for book discussions!
Thousands of titles on OverDrive!
With your library card, you have access to thousands of titles in OverDrive. From bestsellers to academic materials, OverDrive will surely have something for you!
Want to know how this works? Review these instructions on our website.
If you’re a new audiobook listener, I recommend selecting either an Odyssey Award winner (best audiobook award) or try a popular audiobook narrator. Two of my favorites are Jim Dale and Katherine Kellgren. Jim Dale is most well known for his reading of the Harry Potter series; Kellgren is an award-winning audiobook narrator of many young adult and middle grade books including L.A. Meyer’s Bloody Jack series and the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place.
If you prefer CD, don’t forget to check our library catalog first!