Audio Made Simple

Audio books are good for your heath.

Most of us have made New Year’s resolutions or goals related to health and fitness. Whether you want to lose weight, or lower cholesterol, or run a marathon, one thing is pivotal, you must move more.

But if you’re here, on my website, you probably love to read as well—a very sedentary occupation.

Audio books change the game.

About three years ago I discovered OverDrive and Audible. Before I found I could download an audio book onto my phone in seconds and listen as I hiked, cleaned house, drove, or worked out at the gym, I rarely imbibed. I thought I had to buy CD’s and listen on my ancient car player on long drives. Now I consume one to two audio books a week depending on my schedule.

Here are 5 reasons I love audio books and you should too:

1. They encourage me to move. I look forward to my gym workouts because I can justify sneaking in a few chapters on a weekday morning.
2. They slow me down. I’m a very fast reader and have been known to skim read during exciting, or boring, sections of a book. Audio forces me to listen to the language. I hear the author’s clever turns of phrase, their lovely metaphors, their sparkling dialogue.
3. They make me more discerning. To the above point, because I’m listening instead of plowing through pages, I’m more aware if an author has taken short cuts and not put their best work forward.
4. They introduce me to new authors. There are much fewer audio books on the market than print or digital. In order to satisfy my addiction, I’ve had to dabble in new genres, find new authors, and expand my reading world. I’ve found authors I love whose books I would otherwise not have picked up.
5. My house is cleaner. If I’m really into a story, I will look for more chores to do. I’ve washed my kitchen cupboard doors and sorted the junk drawer when the only chore on the list was to clean out the refrigerator just to get to the exciting climax.

Okay, you’re sold. Audio books sound great, but you’re concerned about the technology.

Never fear, if you have a smart phone it’s simple. The two programs I use most are the public library’s digital and audio platform, which is a little more complicated, but free. And, Audible.com, more simple and has more books, but does cost money.

You can either purchase books on Audible for the cover price, or sign up for a monthly membership which saves you money on each title you purchase.

Membership costs $14.95 monthly, but they give you a free month and two free books when you sign up provided you stay a member for two months. Which means you can get The Sanctity of Sloth for free!

Step 1: Sign up here for an Audible account and get The Sanctity of Sloth for free.

Step 2: Go the the App store on your phone and find Audible

Step 3: Download the free app and follow directions to connect to your account.

Step 4: The book will be on your bookshelf. Select it and start listening.

That’s it!

If you already have Audible, or aren’t sure you want to join but would like to save money on an audio copy of The Sanctity of Sloth, follow these steps.

Step 1: Go to the book’s page on Amazon here. 

Step 2: Purchase the Kindle version of the book and click the box to add the audio for only $7.49

Step 3: Download the free Audible App on your phone.

Step 4: Select the book from your shelf and start listening.

There you go. Fitness made fun and easy. Let me know how it goes.