Over the years my reading time has been whittled down to during the ads in between my nightly "stories", at the breakfast table while scarfing down some vittles and occasionally a 30 minute turn just before bed time.  In recent years my aunt has opened me up to the idea of listening to books on tape.  This was a concept that had never occurred to me and I started by listening during my daily commute.  I suddenly found that my extreme road rage subsided and I actually wanted to stay in my car longer after I had arrived at work, not just because I did not want to go in to cubicle land, but because I was anxious for the next part of the story. 

Once in a while I get on another audio book kick and I bring a stack home from the library.  I like to listen while doing the mindless, paper pushing stuff required at my 9 to 5 and also while sewing or crafting.  Although, I will admit there are times that my mind gets so wrapped up in what I am doing that I sort of tune out the story.  Usually this only happens when the story is not keeping my attention in general and most of the time I really enjoy this type of background noise.  The only thing I have trouble with is telling someone else about the book.  I always start to say, "Oh, I read that book" and then I catch myself and realize, no, I listened to that one.  It just sounds funny when you tell people that and I have not figured out a way around it yet. 

Here are some good ones I have listened to just recently:

Velocity, By Dean Koontz...not what I expected, but in a good way.

White Out, By Ken Follet....very edge of your seat suspense and fast-paced.

The Secret Life of Bees, By Sue Monk Kidd....I really liked this one a lot, but I love slice of life southern tales.  The woman that narrates, Jenna Lamia, does a great job!

The Poisonwood Bible, By Barbara Kingsolver....I was not so sure I would like this one, but because the characters are from the south I ended up enjoying the accents and their way of looking at life.

So, go out a listen to a book, why don't ya?!?