Great Audiobook Suggestions, at Home and On the Go

Here at Better Reading, we read a lot. Obviously. Every week we literally devour books, mostly paperbacks, but all of us have also fully embraced the audiobook wave. Audio books are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the latest releases while you’re on the go: driving, exercising, while you’re cooking, hiding in the bath with wine. Here are some of our top picks for our favourite moments to listen to our reads. All are Bolinda titles, and each book is available in CD or MP3. For those of you who can’t afford to buy the titles, Bolinda has created the fabulous BorrowBox, a library app where patrons of any library who has signed on to BorrowBox can download eAudiobooks and eBooks for free.

And while we know we’re all living under extraordinary circumstances right now, this too shall pass, and we’ll return to all of these situations. Until then, audio books are a great entertainment tool at home, for all the family.

In the car or commute

While away the commute hours with a great book. Award-winning author Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu is a must-read for all Australians, as is the phenomenally successful Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton. From bestselling author Judy Nunn comes Khaki Town – a breathtaking historical novel inspired by a true wartime story in Queensland that has remained a well-kept secret for over 70 years.

Bill Bryson travels inwards to explore the human body, how it functions and its remarkable ability to heal itself. Full of extraordinary facts and astonishing stories The Body: A Guide for Occupants is a brilliant, often very funny attempt to understand the miracle of our physical and neurological make up.

At the gym

Good Habits, Bad Habits is a landmark audiobook about the scientifically proven way to easily make positive changes in your life by unlocking your habits. Written by Wendy Wood, the world’s foremost expert on habits, this title provides the key to unlocking our habitual mind in order to make the changes we seek.

From fashion journalist and stylist Annmarie O’Connor comes The Happy Closet. O’Connor shares how she went from impulse buyer to de-cluttering coach, to help you discover the connection between well-being and being well-dressed. It’s time to transform your wardrobe – and your mind – into a clutter-free zone.

And get real about every aspect of your fitness by putting an end to dieting and replace weight-loss struggles with this easy approach to a healthy, plant-based lifestyle, and listen to How Not to Diet by Michael Greger.

While cooking

Ever found yourself cooking and wishing you were anywhere but the kitchen (or is that just me?) … Inspired by an astonishing true story, The Paris Model by Alexandra Joel is a tale of glamour, family secrets and heartbreak that takes you from the rolling plains of country Australia to the exclusive salons of Paris. Anywhere but the kitchen.

Also, with the film adaptation out there, it’s the perfect time to listen to Kerry Greenwood’s beloved and classic Phryne Fisher Mysteries. This mystery and adventure film stars Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher – the lead in the ABC television series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries that is based on Greenwood’s novels.

In the bath

Take time out from the family and put on some noise cancelling headphone and lock the bathroom door. Restore by Shannah Kennedy and Lyndall Mitchell is a practical guide restoring your natural energy and nurturing yourself inside and out. Or sink into a classic, such as Pride and Prejudice. For a more modern take on the author, Rachel Givney’s Jane in Love is a wonderful modern-day reimagining of the life of Jane Austen and a warm witty addition to any bathtime.

And for a real treat, 488 Rules for Life is Kitty Flanagan’s way of making the world a more pleasant place to live. Providing you with the antidote to every annoying little thing, these rules are not made to be broken. Narrated with Kitty’s signature dry wit, this comprehensive guide to modern behaviour is bound to make the world a much better place.

At bedtime

Let’s not forget the kids. As a child there’s nothing better than being read imaginative and whimsical stories at bedtime – especially when they’re narrated with all the fun voices and sound effects that truly bring the stories to life. While we fully encourage parents to read to their children, audiobooks are also a wonderful addition to bedtime routines. And let’s face it – sometimes you’re just too exhausted to read Harry Potter (again), so this is the perfect way to keep bedtime reading alive and to have a break.

Some books to check out: In Enid Blyton’s Holiday Stories little listeners will be taken from sandcastles at the beach to enchanted ice-creams. Featuring the adventure, fun and magic that Enid Blyton’s bestselling and chart-topping children’s titles are known for, this collection of stories is an ideal bedtime listen. The Julia Donaldson Collection includes three delightful stories from the bestselling author of The Gruffalo. And read lovingly by the author himself, E.B White’s Charlotte’s Web is one of the best-loved children’s stories of the past fifty years. The timeless tale of how a little girl named Fern, with the help of a friendly spider, saves her pig Wilbur from the usual fate of nice fat little pigs will warm the hearts of families. Perfect for bedtime… or anytime really.