Did someone say audiobooks? I love audiobooks! They saved my life! Well, the quality of my life… perhaps, my mental health. Before I explain, I want to share my journey.
About fifteen years ago, I joined two chapters of Romance Writers of America. As a newbie writer, I was hungry for information. I quickly volunteered to be the tape librarian for both groups. Every chance I got, I listened to recordings on how to write and publish. I listened so often I broke the tape players in two cars. That tells you I never owned a Lamborghini on my teacher’s salary.
I soon dug my old college tape recorder out of the closet. It ate up batteries faster than I can incinerate dinner in a microwave. I invested in rechargeable batteries. They ran out of juice while I was listening to a tape in a carwash. I eyed my cell phone’s charger. What could it hurt? Famous last words. I plugged it in, and immediately the tape spun so fast the recorder smoked, and the odor of burnt metal filled the front seat. I whipped out the plug and prepared to roll down the window and toss the recorder into the wet, spinning brushes of the carwash. I survived, but that day, I buried another tape recorder in the metal coffin known as the dumpster.
I soon graduated to CDs. I listened to audiobooks so often I broke three boomboxes and a Walkman. I admit, the Walkman fell on the floor when I tried to listen to a sleep hypnosis CD. No, it didn’t work. I was still overweight in the morning.
My loving husband bought me a Kindle and a whole new world opened. I found Audible.com and became an official member. I purchase mostly mysteries, some romance, and the occasional nonfiction. The two-for-one credit sales are my favorite! The only problem is my old car doesn’t block out much traffic noise, making it difficult to hear every word. To get the Kindle closer to my ear, I tuck it either into the visor, behind my shoulder, or yes, in my shirt. It’s worth the bother.
Two years ago, I was a passenger in my friend’s car when a red-light runner hit us. Her car spun around like an amusement park ride. Luckily, we suffered only scrapes and bruises. We even found her wig in one piece before the paramedics arrived. For months afterward, every time I approached a traffic light, I gripped the steering wheel like my life depended on it. I don’t think I could have driven again if it wasn’t for the calming effect listening to an audiobook provides. With time, the anxiety eased. Thank you, audiobooks! If it weren’t for you, I might be a hermit.
Lately, I’ve started discovering new places to listen to my stories. I bring earphones when I get my nails done. Although I did pull the plugs when two handsome, young men stepped up to give me my mani-pedi. For an hour, I felt like Cleopatra. Later, I felt like a crash dummy. At the grocery store, I listened to my mystery while shopping. I pulled out one earplug when I paid, but the other was still attached to the Kindle in the cart. The girl bagging my groceries pulled the cart, and my head trailed behind.
Next year, my husband and I are purchasing a new vehicle. If I can download my audiobooks into the car’s computer system so I can turn up the volume, I will feel even more blessed.
If you enjoyed this story, you should try Tina’s cozy mystery novels, Euphoria Lane and Super Jax! The Case of the Slimy Scientist.
Learn more about Tina, or join her newsletter, visit http://www.BooksbyTina.com.
Tina, I’ve never quite gotten the appeal of audio books until reading your blog — now I’m thinking there might be something TO this business of listening rather than viewing the story!