audiobooks

10 kids’ audiobooks under $3

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I talk about audiobooks a lot, but they are a fantastic way to squeeze books in when you don’t have time to sit down and read (or would rather be doing something else). They’re also a great way to introduce kids to stories before they can read or help them recognize new words by following along in a book.

I get ridiculously excited when I score new audiobooks for my kids at a great price. They often ask to listen to them at home (through our Echo Dot) or in the car. These are a few of our favorites, and they’re all under $3 each.

Olivia by Ian Falconer. We have probably listened to this book in the car about 15 times, and it never gets old. It’s hilariously narrated by Dame Edna Everage (I have to admit I didn’t know who this was) and also features beautiful classical piano music in the background. I will point out that this is a book your kids need to be familiar with first, since part of Olivia‘s charm is the funny illustrations, so I highly recommend the hardcover or board book, too.

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel. Honestly, I love all of Arnold Lobel’s early reader books, but this is the first one we bought on audio and it’s a favorite. The author narrates them and does a fantastic job of bringing Frog and Toad to life. I love that it’s a bunch of short chapters and stories together, so you can listen to it in chunks if you need to. Plus, you get a lot of bang for your buck with a longer book. If you love this one, Frog and Toad Together, Frog and Toad All Year and Days with Frog and Toad are also under $3 each.

The Bad Seed by Jory John and Pete Oswald. My kids and I love this entire series (which also includes The Good Egg and The Cool Bean). They’re great ways to teach kids about behavior, specifically perfectionism, kindness, and judgment. At under $2 each, you could get all three books if you wanted to. It’s probably helpful to start with the picture books first so kids can think about the illustrations as they listen.

Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherry Duskey Rinker. My son is still ultra-obsessed with tractors and construction vehicles, and he always asks to listen to this in the car. The narrator is very animated (although I recommend notching the speed up to 1.25 on this, because it seems really slow). There are also fun construction noises in the background. Plus, this is less than a dollar. You really can’t go wrong.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I have to admit that I was never a big fan of this book, but I like the audio version. The narrator seems to make the story come alive, even if it’s been a long time since you’ve read the story. It’s also less than $1.50, so you won’t break the bank.

Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal. While I don’t actually own this audiobook, I adore the print version and just discovered this deal today. Paris Rosenthal narrates it, and it’s only $1.59 right now! That’s a fantastic deal, and I’m probably going to buy it for my kids.

Splat the Cat and the Quick Chicks by Rob Scotton. My son especially loved this book when we checked it out from the library a couple months ago, and the audio version is really fun. There are even little chick noises! I recommend checking out the print version for the hilarious illustrations.

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff. This was one of my favorite books as a kid, and the audiobook is wonderfully narrated by a little boy. I think this would be a great way to help a reluctant reader get into this book. You could also have your child look through the hardcover while they listen.

Penny and Her Doll by Kevin Henkes. Both my kids loved this early reader series from the amazing Kevin Henkes. Seriously, I love all his books. This is my daughter’s favorite, and it’s narrated by Cynthia Nixon. If you like this one, Penny and Her Marble and Penny and Her Song are the same price.

Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by Kimberly and James Dean. My kids loved their hardcover book so much they tore pages out, so they got really excited when they saw the audiobook was available. This is a fun counting book for preschoolers and kindergartners, and I like the message about giving friends another chance.

I hope these audiobooks give both you and your kids a fun break! Share your favorite audiobooks in the comments. You can also see 5 more favorites (and how to use Audible without a membership).

Review: You’re Not Listening

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Lindsay Books

I know we’re only two months into 2020 and it’s not really fair of me to have a favorite book already, but I was so enthralled with this book that I willingly spent hours walking at the gym just so I could listen to it. I am not much of a gym rat, so that is saying something.

What is this magical book, you ask? It’s called You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, and it’s written by journalist Kate Murphy. While I checked out the audiobook from my library through the Libby app, the print version of this book would be just as good, and part of me wants to check it out again to highlight parts that stood out.

You’re Not Listening is a book about the importance of actually listening to the people in your life. I thought I was actually a pretty good listener before I finished this book, and I think most of us have an inflated opinion of how well we listen to each other. I soon realized I can be a much better listener –and that it’s going to take some work.

Part of the problem, Murphy explains, is that we have so many ways for people to express themselves today. Because we can all indulge in soliloquies on social media or send videos to people whenever we want, we have forgotten that we also have to listen to what the people around us are saying. We also have to make an effort to look at the person we’re speaking to and not be distracted by a phone or a long to-do list.

One of the most fascinating parts of this book was the chapter about silence and how our discomfort with it makes us jump in when we really should be listening. Because I am introverted and work from home most of the time, I crave a quiet home and don’t mind sitting in silence for hours. I know most people don’t enjoy this (and don’t get this luxury).

However, I find I am less uncomfortable with pauses in conversation when they happen, and this book made me more determined to stop jumping in immediately when someone stops talking. I always appreciate the people who listen without an immediate solution or opinion, because I know they are trying to understand what I’m feeling.

The chapter also reminded me of something that really frustrates me in my church. The first Sunday of each month is called “testimony meeting,” and it’s a chance for anyone to stand at the pulpit and share their feelings about God and other parts of their religion. I’ve been in meetings where someone stood and said they “couldn’t handle the silence anymore” (because no one had shared anything for a few minutes).

Another time, I left furious because a leader had closed a meeting I was in charge of early because he didn’t want people to sit in silence anymore. Silence is how people process their feelings and figure out what they’re going to say. If you jump in whenever there’s a pause, you stop people from forming ideas and opinions. I have tried to teach my kids that it’s healthy to be quiet and to sit in silence with nothing to do sometimes.

I also loved the chapter on deciding NOT to listen, because you do get that choice. Murphy points out, however, that you must be careful using this choice, because listening is how you make another person feel loved and understood. We’ve all been in that situation where someone is checking their phone or watch or looking around the room while you’re talking. It makes you feel like you don’t matter.

I could go on and on about this book, but you really should just check it out from the library or buy it and read it yourself. If you give it a shot, drop me a comment! I’d love to hear what you thought.

How to score children’s audiobooks under $2

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Lindsay Books

I recently professed my love for audiobooks and listed a few of my favorites for adults (with a few kids’ chapter books mixed in). Now, however, my kids have become completely obsessed with the audio versions of their favorite picture books and ask to listen to them ALL THE TIME in the car. Here’s a quick tutorial on buying books from Audible (you don’t’ have to subscribe!) and a list of our favorites — all under $2.

Buying individual books from Audible

You’ve all seen the commercials for Audible or have at least heard of it and know it’s an audiobook subscription service. What you might not know is that you can buy audiobooks from Audible without a subscription — or you can buy them individually without using your monthly credit.

Amazon owns Audible, so you can search Amazon for your favorite books and buy audiobooks directly through Amazon. When you look at a book product page, you’ll usually see hardcover, paperback, Kindle (ebook) or Audible versions. Click on the Audible version, and it’ll give you an individual price or allow you to use a credit if you’re an Audible member.

Once you buy your audiobook, just download the free Audible app, create an account (or sign in with your Amazon account), and all the audiobooks you’ve bought will appear in your library. Then you can download them straight to your phone and listen to them anywhere.

Bonus: If you have an Amazon Echo Dot, you can ask Alexa to play your audiobooks in any room! Grab the physical copy of the book (if you have it), plop your kids down on the couch, and let them flip through it while the book plays over the speaker. It’s a fantastic way to help your kids recognize the words and learn to read or just entertain them while they’re playing with something else.

Five favorite children’s audiobooks under $2

The Three Little Pigs by James Marshall. My kids have listened to this at least 20 times, and this is the first one they ask for in the car. If you only buy one book, buy this one. The narrator is fantastic and does an amazing wolf voice. He even wheezes convincingly when he’s trying to blow down the house. I laugh every time he says “Colossal!” Just buy this one. Trust me.

Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard. If you haven’t read this classic about a teacher who teaches her class to behave by disguising herself as the evil Ms. Viola Swamp, you’re in for a treat. My kids always ask to listen to this one, and it’s fun to relive a book I loved as a child.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. I don’t ever remember reading this one when I was little, but my kids have loved it ever since their teacher read it to them at preschool. If you’re not familiar with the story, a bunch of monkeys steal the caps from a peddler while he naps under a tree. He tricks them into giving them back when he realizes they imitate everything he does.

Red Riding Hood by James Marshall. Many of James Marshall’s books are really affordable on Audible, and this one is just as fun as The Three Little Pigs. The narrator is great, especially with Granny’s voice, and my kids love that Red Riding Hood and Granny jump back out of the wolf’s tummy when the woodcutter comes because the wolf “didn’t even bother to chew.”

Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola. I loved this book as a kid, and I’m delighted that this is also one of my kids’ favorites. The narrator does all the voices (the surprised nun voice always makes me laugh), and the Italian music playing in the background and bubbling sounds from the pasta pot make it even more special. We listen to this one a lot.

There are many other classic audiobooks available on Amazon/Audible, but these are the ones currently on repeat. They are absolutely worth the money, too. Where else can you spend $10 and get instructional entertainment for your kids that you’ll love, too?

Do you buy Audible audiobooks for your kids? I want to hear your favorites!

How to download ebooks and audiobooks on the Libby app

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Lindsay Books

I have gushed about the Libby app before and how it changed my life, but it’s true! If you are serious about making more time for reading, this app will absolutely help you do that. Read on for more details about Libby, how to connect it to your libraries, and how to make the most of it.

What in the world is Libby?

Libby is an app that connects you to your local library’s collection of ebooks and electronic audiobooks. It’s a newer app released by Overdrive, the original electronic library app, and connects to the Overdrive collection — but I think Libby is more user-friendly. In a nutshell, Libby is a way to download books to your phone or tablet automatically without having to check out physical books or audiobooks from the library.

How do I connect Libby to my library?

First, download Libby from the app store. Once you open it, the app will ask if you have a library card. You’ll hit yes (unless you don’t have one, and then you’ll need to go to your local library to get one), and it will let you search for your library by zip code or guess your library based on your location. You’ll enter your library card number and your PIN (usually the last four digits of your phone number).

The cool thing about Libby is you can attach multiple cards to the app. For example, I have a card for my city library and another card for my county library system, so I’ve entered both in the app. I’m actually about to get a third library card for a separate library system, so I’ll enter those details when I have my new card.

Once you’ve connected to your library or libraries, simply search for a title. If your library has an ebook or electronic audiobook for that title, it’ll appear in the search results. Normal ebooks just have an image of the book; audiobooks have a headphone icon and say “audio” underneath.

If the book is available, you’ll tap Borrow and it’ll take you to another screen. This one shows how long the book will be available, which library you’re borrowing the book from (if you have multiple cards), and how many loans and holds you have left from that library.

If the book isn’t available, you can tap Place Hold. On the next screen, it once again shows you the library you’re borrowing the book from and the loans and holds you have left. It also gives you an estimated wait time for the book based on how many copies the library has and the number of people waiting for each copy.

Once you put the book on hold, you’ll get an email from the library when it’s available. When you open the Libby app, it’ll automatically download when you’re connected to wifi (or if you have data enabled).

Why is Libby so great?

I mean, isn’t it already great that you just download titles automatically to your phone or tablet without having to search for them at the library or carry around a hardcover? Here are some other reasons I love this app:

Books automatically return to the library when they’re due. You don’t have to worry about returning books or paying late fees if you can’t finish in time, because the book deletes itself from your device on its due date. You DO have to tap Renew Loan from your shelf if you won’t be able to finish, and you can’t renew if other people are waiting for the book. On the other hand, if you finish early, you can always tap Return early and delete it from your phone. I always do this so I can free up more space for loans.
You can have five loans and five holds at a time PER library. Now you know why I’m about to have three linked library cards in my Libby account. I almost always max out my holds for audiobooks, especially if they’re brand-new, so I like to have multiple library cards to increase my hold capacity. For example, right now I have holds on several audiobooks that were just released on one card and then holds for kid audiobooks we can listen to in the car on another card. We’re going on a trip next week, so I’m trying to have multiple audiobooks the whole family can listen to.
You can tell at a glance how long you have to wait for a book. Once you search for a title, you can tap the little calendar icon next to a book that isn’t available. It’ll give you the estimated wait time (the same one you’ll see when you tap Place Hold). If I have a trip next week and the estimated hold time is four weeks, I’m not going to waste my precious hold space with that book.
You can easily toggle between libraries to see which titles are available. While I love my city library, it doesn’t have nearly as many available ebooks and audiobooks as the county library system does. So if I search for a book there and get no results, I tap the little girl icon at the top right and switch to the other library and search for it there.
You can see all your recent searches. It’s the WORST when you’ve been dying to read a book and suddenly can’t remember the title when you want to see if it’s available. Libby saves all your recent searches, so you can just pick one from the dropdown that appears when you tap the magnifying glass at the top. If you scroll all the way to the bottom, you can tap Clear Recent Searches to start over, or you can swipe left on an individual title to remove it from your searches (which I always do if I’ve already checked out the book).
You can easily speed up your audiobooks. If you use Audible, you already know about this feature, but you can increase the listening speed by tapping the speedometer icon at the top once you’re listening to a book. I usually start at 1.5 speed and sometimes listen at 1.75 speed, but it depends on the narrator and the type of book. If you’re hesitant, just move it to 1.25 to start. It’s just slightly faster than the original narration, but it helps you get through the book faster — and once you listen at 1.5 speed or even 2X speed (this is rare for me), the original narration will seem SO slow to you.
You can skip back or forward in fifteen-second increments or skip to certain chapters. One of my favorite reading hacks is checking out a hardcover from the library and then getting the audiobook on Libby at the same time. That way I can listen to the book when I’m in the car or folding laundry or doing some other task, and then I can pick up the physical copy at night and read where I left off. I wouldn’t be able to do this if I couldn’t skip to certain chapters. To do this, you have to select the book and then tap it again. Icons at the top will appear, and you’ll tap the three lines in the top-right corner and tap Chapters. If I’m in the middle of a chapter, I use the 15-second increments to find the spot where I left off. You can also skip to different chapters in ebooks.
You can measure how much time you have left to read/listen to the book. When you’re listening to an audiobook, a ticker appears at the bottom that shows how many hours you’ve listened to and how much time you have left. If you’re reading an audiobook, it will show many pages you have left (note that these are electronic pages, NOT the number of pages in the physical book). Tap that section again and it shows how many pages are left in the chapter, and tap it again to see the percentage you’ve read. This really helps to motivate me if I see that I only have two pages left in the chapter or that I’ve already read 20% of the book.

Have I convinced you that this app is life-changing? It makes reading and listening to audiobooks so much easier! Leave any questions about this app in the comments — and fellow Libby gushers are always welcome, too. 🙂

5 ways to maximize your time at the library

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Lindsay Books

If you find yourself frustrated when you go to the library or struggle to wrangle kids when you really just want to venture over to the adult nonfiction aisle for once, I’m here to help.

The library can be overwhelming, but it certainly doesn’t have to be! Here are some tips for getting the books you want without wandering around and pondering the merits of the Dewey decimal System.

Place lots of library holds

Until about five years ago, I had no idea you could place holds at the library! I know. My excuse is that I grew up in a really small town with an even smaller library, and library systems were not a thing there. Today, though, there is no reason for you to be wasting time trying to find a book — especially one that may already be checked out — when you can reserve it online before you leave the house.

Every library and library system’s website is different, but the concept is the same:

Pull out your library card (unless you’re a nerd like me and have the number memorized) and enter it and your PIN
Visit your library website and search for the book you want
On the search results page, decide whether you want a physical copy, ebook, or audiobook (I’ll discuss how to download ebooks and digital audiobooks in a separate post)
Click the book format you want and click Place hold
Select the library where you want to pick up your book (unless it’s an ebook/digital audiobook and you’ll download it)
Wait for an email from the library that your hold has come in
Go to the holds section of the library (usually close to the front desk) and check out your book

Placing holds has several advantages:

If you’re part of a library system, you can get the book from any of the libraries within the system that have it. For example, your local library might not have any copies of Becoming checked in, but the library 10 miles south might have one.
You go straight to the holds section, check out your books, and leave. This is a fantastic solution if you have little kids and need to quickly run errands. Some libraries even bring your holds out to you so you don’t have to leave the car.
You don’t have to keep checking whether a book is back on the shelf. The library automatically saves books for the next person in the hold line.
You have a week (depending on the library) to pick up your holds. That means if all of your holds come in over several days, you can just make one trip to the library to pick up everything rather than getting them one at a time. Unless you like making multiple trips.
You can place holds on books that haven’t even been published yet. If you know an author’s latest book is being released soon, search for it in your library’s system. If the library has already committed to buying it, place a hold and you’ll get it first (depending on how many people are ahead of you in line).
You can have quite a few holds at the same time, though this differs depending on the library. At my city library, which is not part of the county library system, I can only have 12 holds. At the county library, I can have 25 or more, depending on the type of book. You’d better believe that I have both library holds maxed out whenever possible.

Use the saved lists so you always know what to read next

Every time I see a book that interests me, I immediately go to my library website and search for it. If the library has it, I add it to my list of saved books (you could create lists for different genres if you wanted to) or place a hold if I have any holds available.

This is different from my to-read list on Goodreads, because I know that these books are actually available at my library (though they may be checked out). I pick books from this list to put on hold when I need something new, and then I delete them from the list once they’re on hold or I’ve checked them out.

I also take pictures of the saved list on my computer screen (my city library’s mobile site won’t let me see saved lists, unfortunately) right before I head to the library. Once I’m there, I pick up my holds and then head to the children’s book section. Since the picture books are organized alphabetically by the author’s last name, I can quickly go through and find books on my list that are available right then, especially if I’m still waiting for my holds to come in.

Having a saved list of books also gives me a sense of accomplishment, because I know I’m finding books I listed at some point, not just picking books up that I may or may not like.

Pay attention to how your library groups books

When you have a bit more time to actually meander through the library instead of dashing in to pick up your holds, look for little displays of books throughout the building. My city library often offers “bundles” of picture books, which are four or five books about the same topic (bugs, for example) rubber-banded together with a sticky-note on them. This is fantastic if you have kids obsessed with princesses or trucks.

At the county library I go to most often, they have all the Caldecott award-winning books grouped together on one shelf. I seem to gravitate to this shelf often because of all the beautiful illustrations (hence the Caldecott), and I often discover books I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.

Many libraries often put their new books on display near the entrance or put recently returned books on an easel above bookshelves. I also love when my library puts themed books out on display, like books for holidays or back-to-school. Each library is different, but noticing the displays and the groupings can help you find a great new book to read.

Use Libby or Overdrive religiously

Check out my post about downloading and using Libby, because you’ll need more info to use these apps effectively, but essentially, you download ebooks and digital audiobooks from your library system to your phone or tablet, and they automatically return to the library (and delete from your device) when they’re due. Libby seriously changed my life and made it possible for me to read a lot more — and it’s FREE to get these books rather than spending a fortune on Amazon or subscribing to Audible. I can’t recommend Libby enough.

Watch your email for book updates, return reminders, and special events

If you don’t already get emails from your library, sign up for them! While I obviously get emails from the library whenever one of my book holds have arrived or a book has downloaded to my Libby app, I also get reminders when a book is nearly due or a book I requested the library buy is ready for me to pick up.

My county library often hosts writing workshops, movie nights, resume reviews, and all kinds of events. One day I walked into my city library to find the “Love to Laugh Society” was gathered in a conference room and everyone was welcome to attend. The library can be SO much more than just a place to pick up or read books, and email helps you stay connected.

What’s your favorite tip for heading to the library?

How to find an audiobook you’ll love listening to

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Lindsay Books

I have read more than 70 books so far in 2019. My secret that isn’t really a secret? Audiobooks! Inevitably, though, whenever I tell friends about how much I love audiobooks, I hear the same complaints: They can’t focus on the story, they don’t like the narrator, they need to be able to see the text.

I get it. Not all audiobooks are created equal, and you’re definitely going to find some duds in your search. You should also find some gems, though, and hopefully you’ll give audio another chance! Here are my tips for finding an audiobook you’ll love.

Try a memoir

The next best thing to reading a memoir from someone you admire is hearing them read it to you. I laughed so hard while listening to Jim Gaffigan’s memoirs (Food: A Love Story and Dad is Fat) that people on the train to work were giving me weird looks.

If you’re not a Hot Pockets fan, don’t worry. Here are some other memoirs I loved that were narrated by the author:

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham
Love Life by Rob Lowe
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

Consider children’s books or young adult novels

You don’t always have to listen to books written for adults. In fact, I’ve loved reliving some of my childhood favorites on audio with my kids. Start thinking about the books you loved when you were young, and then search for them in the Libby app or on Audible. You’ll probably be surprised to see how many of them are available on audio! Here are some I’ve loved:

The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary (narrated by Stockard Channing)
The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder (narrated by Cherry Jones)
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (narrated by Jim Dale)
Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (narrated by Cynthia Bishop)
The Witches by Roald Dahl (narrated by Miranda Richardson)
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (narrated by BD Wong)

Look for bestsellers

As silly as it sounds, you’re more likely to find a great book narrator if the book is incredibly popular. Because the demand for audiobooks is so high when a bestseller comes out, companies like Audible often get the best readers to narrate the stories — and sometimes celebrities lend their voices as well. Reese Witherspoon narrated Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman, and Jim Broadbent (from the Harry Potter films) narrated The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

You obviously won’t love the audiobooks for EVERY bestseller, but here are some of my recommendations:

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple (narrated by the fantastic Kathleen Wilhoite of Gilmore Girls)
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Try some nonfiction

I know some people LOVE nonfiction and others much prefer to escape reality. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, consider giving a nonfiction book a try. It can be easier to follow on audio than a novel, because you are listening to tips or facts rather than trying to keep characters and storylines straight.

Nonfiction also encompasses a lot of different styles of books. Here are some audiobooks I enjoyed:

How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate by Spencer Rascoff
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates

I hope this list encourages you to try an audiobook sometime soon! They really have changed my life and made it SO much easier for me to cram books in when I otherwise wouldn’t. Share your favorite audiobooks with me in the comments! I’m always looking for something new.

audiobooks

Lindsay

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