No time to enjoy a book? Think again. According to AAA, Americans spend on average 46 minutes a day driving, which allows ample time to listen to audio books you haven't had the time to read. Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your time in the car:
1. Catch up on your fiction. So you've always wanted to read that classic novel, but you've never found the time? Or maybe you've been eyeing some of the new releases in the bookshop, but never considered the audio version. Audio novels are great for long road trips or for savoring one chapter at a time during your commute. If there are other passengers in your car, pick a title that interests everyone for a veritable book club on wheels. Our suggestions: Love in the Time of Cholera, the story of star-struck lovers who rekindle their romance 50 years after first falling in love, by Nobel-prize winner Gabriel García Márquez; and The Infatuations, the latest work by the best-selling Spanish writer Javier Marías, who explores the themes of love, death and fate in what has been called his best novel to date.
2. Learn something new. Whether it's history, a memoir or that new parenting book everyone is talking about, this is your chance to boost your knowledge. Check out these titles: The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids, by Jessica Joelle Alexander, the latest title that looks to another country for guidance on raising children; and Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba…and Then Lost It to the Revolution, by T.J. English, a fascinating and timely read now that Cuba is opening up to the U.S.
3. Pick up a second language. One great way to get ready for that trip to Italy is by learning the language. Don't worry if your pronunciation needs a bit of work. If you're traveling alone, you'll have plenty of privacy in your car to practice. Some great language audio books include these two popular titles for aspiring italo- and francophones: Collins French with Paul Noble, by Paul Noble; and Italian Short Stories for Beginners, by Olly Richards.
4. Self-improvement. There are plenty of audio books that can help you be your best version of yourself while making good use of your time in the car. Try: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo, the bestseller that has everybody cleaning out their closets and simplifying their lives; or You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero, which promises to entertain with hilarious and inspiring stories while helping you overcome common forms of self-sabotage.
5. Get inspired. Maybe you need something positive and uplifting, especially during your commute or while waiting in traffic. If you're on an inner search, one of these books might be for you: The Five Levels of Attachment: Toltec Wisdom for the Modern World, by the Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr., which builds on the concepts from his father's best selling book The Four AgreementsAutobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda, a classic must-read for anyone interested in the history of yoga in the United States and this legendary guru.
Listening to an audiobook is even more enjoyable when you're driving a luxurious, quiet ride like the 2016 Buick Envision. Find out why it's such a joy to drive, and a joy to share.
