Not going to lie… I didn’t like them at first.
I love reading because I get to imagine the stories in my mind, visually and audibly. But I just found out that some people don’t imagine character voices as they read. I can’t be the only one who does this? Since I imagine character voices in my head, it was challenging to get into audiobooks. I didn’t really like them at first. Having one narrator for all of the character dialogues wasn’t something that reeled me in—it was quite a turnoff… until I gave it a second chance.
The one book that started to shift my perspective was “Happy Place” by Emily Henry. Julia Whelan, the narrator, does a great job of differentiating how each character talks. Once I got over the hump of listening to one narrator, I was truly able to enjoy listening to stories.
Then it got even better. I discovered dual perspective audiobooks—my latest obsession. The “Part of Your World” series books by Abby Jimenez are chef’s kiss. One thing I should mention is that I’m a sucker for a good romance, and I love when books share the perspectives of both love interests. So when I discovered Abby Jimenez, I kid you not, I was listening to audiobooks 24/7—when I woke up, during the day, and before I went to sleep. I even stayed up till 1 a.m. listening.
It’s been such a great discovery because now I can read/listen to many books I’ve been meaning to get off the shelf. I’ve always wanted to read more, but sometimes I just don’t have the time.
I’ve also been dealing with eye health issues. I was diagnosed with chronic dry eye (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, to be exact)—that’s another story to tell. Audiobooks have been my savior, especially because I need to minimize my screen time and give my eyes a rest. I’m able to fully rest them while I listen to audiobooks. I do still love reading, but this newfound appreciation for audiobooks has been a game-changer. Just a few simple pros that make all the difference.
- Enjoy your books while multitasking (getting ready, on the go, working out, etc.)
- Rest your eyes while listening to stories
- Find a narrator you like and listen to how they bring the story to life, imagining your book through a different medium
Here are some romance audiobooks I enjoyed:
- Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Happy Place by Emily Henry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Here’s what I’m currently listening to:
- Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
You could follow along my reading journey and read more in depth reviews via my Goodreads HERE.
