10 Audiobooks I Love — books on her brain

My time to sit down and read a physical book is definitely more limited these days but I’ve still been able to get a decent amount of reading done so far this year. My solution? Audiobooks!

Audiobooks and airpods are actually a match made in heaven. I can pop in one airpod while completing literally any task and still have an ear out for the baby or the monitor if he’s napping. For a season he wouldn’t nap unless we were moving so we did A LOT of stroller/audiobook walks. I can listen for a few minutes in the car, while doing dishes, folding laundry…you name it. I find that it helps to bump up the listening speed. It sounds counterintuitive but with a faster speed, my mind is less likely to wander. I primarily listen to narrative nonfiction and memoir on audio and I love that it helps me get through books I might not otherwise. Here are 10 titles I LOVED listening to on audio. I recommend these all the time and I think there’s something for everyone! I also love using Libro.FM because I’m supporting indie bookstores and get to pick which bookstore benefits from my membership.

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT - Who knew crew could be so fascinating? I read this before moving to Seattle so I think I’m due for a reread. Bonus: it’s narrated by Ed Herrmann (the grandfather from Gilmore Girls)!

Bad Blood - I think the story of Elizabeth Holmes is EVERYWHERE at this point and there have been so many spinoffs of this story. That said, this is the first audiobook I ever listened to where I kept driving in order to keep listening.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me - It’s short, it’s easy to listen to, and I think Mindy Kaling is hilarious. I listened to this in an afternoon while peeling wallpaper.

Troublemaker - Did you also go through a phase of doing a deep dive on different religious beliefs and/or cults? Just me?

Catch and Kill - It took me a bit to get into this one because Ronan Farrow’s voice really irritates me. The subject matter is hard and this is an excellent piece of work.

A Very Punchable Face - I am not well versed in SNL pop culture so I actually had no idea who Colin Jost was before downloading this book. Yikes! That said, I still thought it was very funny and it made me want to watch more SNL.

Dear Girls - Ok let me first say this one has a LOT of really gross parts. Take TMI and then multiply it by a few. Now that you’ve been warned. I ADORED Ali Wong in ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE and was excited to listen to her book. There is a part where she talks about her own experience with miscarriage and I vividly remember crying in the car. I felt so seen and it made me love her more.

American Kingpin - The writing is not as good as Bad Blood but it’s definitely in the same kind of true crime vein. It feels too outrageous to be true which I think made for good listening. Another one that I found things to do around in the house in order to keep listening.

Fall and Rise - Only start this one if you are prepared to cry many times. It is EXCELLENT and it is HEAVY and it will make you SO SAD and it will be WORTH IT.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark - I could ONLY listen to this while driving to work during the daylight.