We’re a big reading family! And over the last few years we’ve shifted to more of a combination of reading and listening to books. Here’s how we listen to Audiobooks plus our favorite places to get them.
HOW WE LISTEN TO AUDIOBOOKS:
We have an old combination radio/CD player that’s been around since we were newly married that was in our storage room. When Thomas was smaller, we’d regularly check out an audiobook CD when we went to the library. He also really liked the ones that came with the book in the packet with the disc that gave instructions on following along with the book.
We did that for awhile and were ultimately disappointed time and time again to bring home an audiobook that wouldn’t play all the way through due to scratches. On top of that, our library doesn’t have the best audiobook selection.
Then a few years ago we gave Tom THIS Bluetooth speaker. It’s been the best little speaker! Not only has it changed the way we use audiobooks, but we use it every single day to play music in the kitchen, when we’re outside, for workouts, getting ready in the morning, etc.
When we’re listening to an audiobook as part of our family reading at night, we use it as well. When the boys listen to audiobooks during rest time, they also use the speaker. I like that it’s super easy to move from room to room. If they’re still listening to something after rest time and want to bring it in the kitchen or living room, it’s easy!
We don’t have tablets or other devices for them to use currently, and I don’t like the idea of a screen being available to them during their rest time. So I connect my phone to the speaker and play an audiobook downloaded through the Libby app from our library or an Audible book.
In John Lloyd’s room his sound machine has a Bluetooth setting, so I’ll simply connect my phone to his sound machine when he listens. THIS is the one he has. I love this one so much! It’s loud!
One downside to this is only one kid can listen to an audiobook at a time since I can’t be connected and play to multiple devices at once through my phone. Usually, it’s not a problem, but occasionally they’ll ask to listen to something on the same day.
We also listen to short audiobooks or kids’ podcasts in the car around town sometimes or on longer trips. Connecting through the Bluetooth and playing through the app on my phone is convenient for that. During the past year when curbside pickup has become a staple in our lives, often times we’ll listen to a short story while we wait.
WHERE WE GET AUDIOBOOKS:
LIBBY
We use the Libby app the most. Our library is connected so they’re free! The selection is pretty good, and they’re always adding new titles.
I have the app downloaded on my phone and have our library cards connected through the app.
HOOPLA
We’ve recently added Hoopla to our list for finding audiobooks. It’s also a free resource since our library is connected to. The boys are loving the Dragon Masters series lately, and the entire series is available through Hoopla!
AUDIBLE
I did have an Audible account for awhile and ultimately cancelled it. Instead, I have the Audible app on my phone and keep my eye out for sales on audiobooks. When I see one I’d like to add to our permanent collection, I’ll purchase with the “buy with one click” option. Then the titles show up on your library in the app.
LIBRO.FM
I recently found out about Libro.fm. When you create an account, you choose an independent bookstore to support with your purchases, a really great way to support your favorite local bookstore. I don’t do the monthly membership. You can do what they call “a la carte listening” and buy titles when you want. Similar to Audible, once you have the Libro.fm app downloaded, your purchases will show up there. I’ve found a few great deals through them recently!
How do you listen to audiobooks? What’s your favorite place to get audiobooks?
Photos by Allison Muirhead
