3.03.2011

Listening to Books





Faux Fur coat: ShopRuche.com
Sweater: Gap
Pants: Zara
Boots: Spotted Moth

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I have to drive a LOT. I don't mind driving but it does take up a lot of my time. Now that it's illegal for me to talk on the phone, text and check email while stuck in traffic (just kidding, I obviously never did any of those really unsafe things) I feel like I waste a lot of time while sitting in my car.

While at a coffee date with my cousin Alison before she headed back to school, she suggested that I try listening to books on "tape" while driving. SO much better than my idea to read while driving.

The lovely Lindsey recommended that I read "The Happiness Project" so I quickly purchased it on iTunes and loaded it onto my ipod.

Turns out, listening to a book while driving is genius! Time just flies by and I'm much less annoyed by other drivers on the road. It's also a plus that I'm really enjoying this book.

I'm going to be needing recommendations for new books to buy soon so that's where you all come in. Do you have any favourite books you think I should read? I'm open to any suggestions as long as they aren't super depressing or slow books... I don't need help falling asleep at the wheel!

Alright loves, let's hear it. What are your favourite books?

ps. interested in downloading audio books but not sure about where to get them?  Next Advisor has compared them and provided reviews for you!

25 comments:

  1. I just finished "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" It was great. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

    Ramblings of a Small Town Girl

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  2. Seriously, GORGEOUS!

    One of the most memorable (and well-written) books I've had the pleasure to read is Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel. Now THAT is a very intense book, but what a story. Based on her real life.

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  3. you look gorgeous! how do you get your hair to look so perfect all the time?

    in terms of books....mmmmm...i havent read many lately which sucks, but the last one i read was A Thousand Splendid Suns. amazing, but its pretty sad. might not be good for driving haha. Marian Keys' books are always lighthearted and fun. they would be perfect for listening to while driving xx

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  4. Crazy; I just wrote a post a couple days ago about some of my fave books! Check out the link below.. If I were to pick my ultimate suggestion though it would be 'The Glass Castle' by Jeanette Walls.

    http://citygirlmeetsworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/down-time.html

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  5. I love these photos, particularly the effect that the falling snow has.

    I also spend way too much time in my car and this is a really great idea. I am currently reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I guess it is a bit sad as it is about women in China, and the foot binding, etc, but it was very interesting.

    The most uplifting book I've read in a while was Eat Pray Love (this might be a bad suggestion however as i'm sure mostly everyone has already read it). The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell was also really great (or anything Bushnell). especially because I hear this one is supposed to be made into a film.

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  6. Love, the snow shots! Fingers crossed that Vancouver starts to warm up a bit. I lovey, your beautiful coat, paired with the Zara pants + booties, it all works together beautifully.

    As for listening to books great, great idea. I used to do the same when I was commuting. But no recommendations. I used to listen to lots of business books & investment books. Hehe, all the good ole' dry stuff. ;-) xx veronika

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  7. I absolutely love love love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon... historical fiction with some romance thrown in. I've read the books in hard copy but I've actually heard a lot of great things about the audio books; apparently the reader does a great job. The first book in the series is in fact called "Outlander." =)

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  8. This outfit is amazing! And I just lovvvee seeing you in those booties, I can't wait to wear mine again!

    That's a great idea - I might have to start listening to books on my way to and from uni each day! One of my all time favourite books is Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda (it's translated from French into English) and I also really love I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.

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  9. You know I've never tried books on tape, but I have a coworker who loves it! Don't know if you have an iphone or not, but she has the audible app which is kinda like a library/book store for audio books.

    ps, what's up with that snow? It's still snowing there?!

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  10. I don't spend very much time in the car. My commute is only about 20 minutes so I just listen to the radio. We do get books when we take road trips but we haven't done that in a LONG time!

    You look absolutely gorgeous in this outfit, I love it! Love the black and brown, love that jacket, love those shoes, everything!

    Come take a look inside A Working Mom's Closet

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  11. Hi Melissa! I love listening to audiobooks since it makes my commute feel more productive. As Liz above suggested, I recommend audible.com, which isn't just for the iPhone but works for most mp3 players. It makes buying audiobooks a lot less expensive.

    As for books, I really liked the Hunger Games series. Water for Elephants, The Help, and Elegance of the Hedgehog were also really good. If you're looking for nonfiction, Born to Run was really inspiring. Hope this helps!

    I love the pictures in the snow, it almost makes me want snow just so I could run outside and take pictures. Almost.

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  12. Your shout out to me just made my day!! I'm so glad you are reading, i mean listening to it! You have to let me know what you think. I just picked my goal for March and blogged about it yesterday. One day down of "peaceful mornings". I got the peaceful morning part down, but I did not go to bed until like 1 a.m. so I have been exhausted all day. I need a job that starts at noon or later. ha!

    I used to have to sit in this HORRIFIC traffic and I wanted to gouge my eyes out every day. I always said I should get books on tape, but was too lazy to ever get around to it. It's such a genius idea!

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  13. i love reading! my fav author is dan brown, he's materials are genius!

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  14. I love reading books on tape! My boyfriend and I have had many discussions over whether or not you can say you're "reading" something if you're really listening to it, but long story short, we've decided you can :)

    My favorite book-on-tape was The Help. There are different voices for the different characters and the book is ah-maze-ing. I truly did not want it to end. Highly recommended. Also, Eat Pray Love was really good on tape (although not so much Gilberts follow-up book, Committed). Enjoy 'reading' whatever books you do go with!!

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  15. Love the outfit! I almost bought that sweater and now wish I had after seeing it look so great on you!

    Book I reccommend is One Day by David Nicholls! It follows the two main characters for 20 years, each chapter is "one day", July 15th. Guaranteed you will fall in love with Em & Dex,
    Dex & Em!!!!
    ps the movie comes out in July too! : )

    - Alanna

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  16. I just discovered your blog and I LOVE it! You have a new follower in me!

    I'm on the hunt for a good book myself since my little one has entered my life book reading time has become quite foreign, but I truly miss it!!

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  17. Everyone keeps talking about "Water for Elephants" that is being made into a movie. I just read "One Day" which is a cute english romance (apparently also being turned into a movie). Listening to books...what an excellent idea!

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  18. This is my favourite outfit of yours yet! Love love the faux fur coat and booties, and the snow just makes the photos even better!

    As for books, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Seriously. And do not compare it to the movie- the movie sucked in comparison. Her writing is genius.

    Happy reading! err.. listening? ;)

    xo Meagan
    lovefrommeagan.blogspot.com

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  19. Dragon Tattoo series is the BEST EVER. I'm jealous. I so wish I could reread them for the first time again. So amazing! I love your jacket.

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  20. I love audiobooks, since I can't read on my hour-long commute (I get motion sickness on the bus), so listening to books helps a ton.

    I tend to listen to teen/YA audiobooks, those are my favorite. And you can download them for free from my public library, which is AWESOME (they expire in like 20 days).

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  21. i love your coat.really..i love your coat.

    Pearl

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  22. Love this outfit! That coat is amazing and I think I tried on those pants (they did not look as good on me as they do here though!)
    And audio books are the best inventions ever! I discovered them a few years back when 12 hour roadtrips once a month was my life and now am quite smitten with them.
    I just listened to Nick Hornby's "High Fidelity" (oldie but good) but read Room and loved it- don't know what it would be like on audio.

    p.s I read the Happiness Project too- so good and interesting!

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  23. I call my audiobooks "ear candy". I pick audiobooks that I normally wouldn't read (i'm a scifi/fantasy girl) so I tend to listen to trashy books! I like Sydney Sheldon, Jackie Collins, along those lines. Right now listening to "mistress of the game" by syndey sheldon/tilly bagshawe.

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