How I Finally Became An Audiobook Listener

I write to you this month as a fellow reader more than an author. Call me late to the game, but I have finally discovered the joy of audiobooks, even though my friends who only do audiobooks have been on me about this for ages. I usually read hard copy or ebooks, and am not one of those people who can listen to a book while doing housework or walking the dog. I find I get distracted and miss too many details.

Then I discovered that my Spotify account includes some free audiobooks, just in time for a long road trip. Perfect! Time to give it a try.

I listened to the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel James by Percival Everett and was enthralled – not only by the story, but by the perfect narration by Dominic Hoffman. Early on, there is a scene in which James tutors young Black children on how to speak and act around White people. The scene sent chills through me. I’m not sure that would have happened if I hadn’t been “hearing” the voice of James, although it’s such a strong scene, I’m sure I still would have been moved by the words on the page.

My Next Audiobook Listen

For my next road trip, I browsed the offerings on Spotify and chose Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, which was highly entertaining.

Currently, I am listening to The Interestings, because a beta reader for my work-in-progress (tentatively titled Cobbs Corner) compared the mid-life friendship challenge in my manuscript to the one in Meg Wolitzer’s novel.

All In On Audiobooks

Although I miss not being able to flip back through the pages to check a character’s name or refresh my memory on a plot point, audiobooks are now officially part of my book-reading program, although they’ll probably always be third behind print books and ebooks. I still only dip into one when I’m in the car, but as I’ve become more of a fan, I’ve started to listen on shorter drives, not just long trips.

Are you an avid audiobook listener, or audiobook-averse like I was for so long? Let me know in the comments, and share what you like and don’t like about them. This will also enter you in a giveaway contest to win a free audiobook – read on for details.

Congratulations to Nicole Cash, who narrated my contemporary novel Beautiful and Terrible Things, for being named a finalist in the 2026 Audie Awards in the Best New Voice category, for her narration of We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry. I was one of the first authors to work with her back in 2024 and can now proudly say “I knew her when!”

Audiobook Giveaway

I’ve got one free copy of the Beautiful and Terrible Things audiobook, narrated by the amazing, Audie-nomianted Nicole Cash, to give away to one lucky follower. (You must have Audible, Amazon’s audiobook app, to redeem the promo code for the free book.)

To be entered in the giveaway, either (1) comment on this post (by clicking through to it, if you’re reading it in email) and enter your email when prompted – your email will not be shared publicly. Or (2) reply to this email and let me know you’d like to be entered into the giveaway. Winner will be chosen randomly around September 28 and notified by email soon after.