This August, I’ve been focusing on writing about how you can fit in more reading, because one of the biggest questions that I’m asked on a routine basis is some variation of: how do you read so much?

The answer to this is a little nuanced; partly, I’m able to read so much because reading is my main hobby. Between reading, posting about reading, and writing about reading, it’s easily the thing that I spend the most free time on and the thing that brings me the most joy.

I also work somewhat opposite work shifts from my husband and am in a city where, except for a couple of close friends, it’s just us. This means that when I do have free time, it’s just me that I need to spend it with. 

That said, there are some tips and tricks that I can offer that have helped me enjoy reading more and get better at doing it a lot. One of the main ways I’ve managed to do this is I read more audiobooks. 

How exactly can audiobooks help you read more?

Audiobooks are a brilliant way to get in significantly more reading than you could if you were only reading physical copies of books. As much as I wish it were possible, holding a physical book while doing very distracting things like, say, driving, grocery shopping, or cleaning just isn’t possible. But throwing on a pair of headphones? Bliss.

Audiobooks are great ways to help you read more, and yes, I do consider audiobooks to be reading. It doesn’t matter to me how you consume a book, and not everyone has the luxury or privilege of finding the physical act of staring at words on a piece of paper an enjoyable and/or easy experience. So read however you like! It all counts in my view.

Here are some of the ways that audiobooks provide excellent alternatives to traditional reading, and can help you get more books in:

Audiobooks allow you to read while still being productive

If you’re anything like me, reading is often a treat that you do for yourself when you’re done with all of the silly, adult things you have to do over a day, like cleaning your house, working, or feeding yourself. With audiobooks, I don’t need to wait! I just throw in my headphones and multitask. 

As a bonus, when you find a good audiobook, I find it’s an easy way to make yourself even more productive than usual. I’m not going to lie, I really drag my heels about having to clean my house or go on a stupid mental health walk, but if I’m listening to a really good book, I’m much more inclined to want to do those things so that I can listen in, and suddenly I’m through a whole extra book I wouldn’t have read otherwise.

Availability: audiobook access is often instantaneous, so no more waiting!

While I love adding a pretty new book to my shelf, sometimes I’m simply too impatient to wait for it to arrive at my bookstore or via the mail, particularly if it’s the next book in a series I’m really into. Audiobook access is often instantaneous. You purchase and then bam, the book is on your phone. The impatient, obsessive reader in me loves this, and it means I can go from one book to the next seamlessly, squeezing more in.

Affordability: audiobooks are often available through your library, saving you money and allowing you to pick up more than you might have otherwise

I wish that I could have an unlimited book budget, but alas, I have a pesky mortgage and other basic living expenses that prevent me from sinking every dollar I have into my growing home collection.

Enter: my local library. 

Here in New Brunswick, our libraries hook into an app called Libby, which allows you to borrow audio and ebooks without ever actually having to go to a library. You can also manage your holds, browse the collection, and add tags for your TBR. 

Libby has saved me a ton of money, especially on books that I’m not fully convinced I need to own copies of, and thus has allowed me to read way more than I would if I was buying everything. I always have my holds maxed out and at least 1-2 audiobooks on the go in my Libby app, which allows me to get in a minimum of 2-3 extra books each month for free. It’s been a huge game-changer for me.  

There are a lot of different ways to squeeze more books in, but to me, audiobooks have been one of the most effective. If you’re trying to find ways to get more books in each month, I’d highly recommend giving audiobooks a try.