Since I commute to Ann Arbor for work, I'm in the car for about an hour and a half everyday. While I would much rather be zipping about in a driverless car and watching movies on the inside of my windshield, a la Wall-E, I have to face the unfortunate fact that it is still 2013. (Though the one saving grace of this commute is that I no longer have to commute on the dreaded 25-C in Washington, D.C.) So to fill the otherwise blank, mindless time, I've taken to listening to audiobooks. While I didn't listen to all of the books below, I read them last month and think they would each make fabulous commuting books. Read on for my justifications.
Daring Greatly, Happier At Home, Quiet, and What Alice Forgot each garnered the following rating from me, your average commuter:
(OMG, hedgehogs!) These books are extremely compelling; moreover, they made me want to start changing things in my life right away and for the better.
- Daring Greatly knocked my socks off. Her argument--that being vulnerable is actually a fundamental act of courage--is incredibly empowering.
- Happier At Home makes a similar journey as The Happiness Project but focuses on an even more micro level--the home (duh). She has some great ideas on how to increase harmony within the family and the self.
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts was like a revelation, especially for me, a lifelong introvert who constantly puts on an extroverted facade. It got kind of rambling, but made some really remarkable insights about the introvert personality. A must read for anyone who is, works with, or loves an introvert--which is to say, everyone!
- What Alice Forgot explores what happens when a woman wakes up from a head injury with 10 years of memory loss. Like many readers, I found myself comparing myself at 28 to when I was a wee lass of 18. I can't imagine losing those ten years. Thanks, Tess, for this awesome book recommendation!
The rest of the books are fairly average but are terrifically quick reads that pass away the commuting time like it were nothing. Paranormal/dystopic teen: Hex Hall (a very poor man's Harry Potter, starring a girl); The Awakening (written by Kelley Armstrong, mastermind behind The Darkness Rising Trilogy); and The Selection (love triangles in a dystopic future--what's not to love?).
For slower-paced, more charming books, go with Louisa May Alcott's Eight Cousins (as a true Little Women fan, I'm not sure how I missed this gem) and The Friday Night Knitting Club (for my inner retiree).
*What are some of your go-to audio books for driving/cleaning the house/other mindless activities?
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Book Blog Resource: One of my favorite book blogs is called Everyday Reading. She has spot on taste and massive book lists with excellent book reviews. Her blog is where I found Wonder and I am forever grateful.
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