We LOVE audiobooks as a family! Here is what we are reading/listening to right now– from sagas to comedic relief to parenting hope and help.

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I’m writing this in our dining room at my new writing desk while my kids occupy themselves at the dining room table. Everyone is doing different things– one son is drawing and using our favorite colored pens to illustrate his jungle, one of my daughters is playing with play-doh, another son is flipping through a Calvin and Hobbes book, and my two-year-old is bouncing from person to person trying to be a part of everything.

The unifying aspect of this little scene (besides the visits of the toddler) is the audiobook we are listening to. We are soon to finish our second time listening through the four-part Wingfeather Saga. It’s a family favorite and one that keeps everyone’s attention, keeps them asking for just one more chapter.

We have loved listening to audiobooks for a while, but I feel like this summer we are getting more than ever from our Audible membership. And yesterday, as I stood at the kitchen sink with heaps of dirty dishes in front of me and my favorite comedian in my ears, I thought it would be fun to share with you what books we are currently loving.

Of course, you don’t have to have an Audible membership to enjoy audiobooks, but there are some advantages to the membership that are especially appealing.

• You get two free books just for signing up for a trial.
• Each month you get credit for a new audiobook, plus a discount on any other new books you purchase.
• The books are yours, after you finish them and even if you cancel your membership.
• The selection and production quality are great.
• Returning a book and receiving a refund is a very simple process. Don’t like the narrator? Hate the story? No problem.
• You can listen to to multiple books at once, on multiple devices, without losing your place.

What we are reading :: Sagas, Comedy, Hope, and Help

Below you’ll find the four audiobooks you would hear at some point in the day if you were to stop by our home. While only the first is technically for the whole family, all four are “family-friendly”, which basically means I don’t feel bad turning it on in the car or playing it while washing dishes.

Also, I know some may say that listening to books isn’t the same as reading, and I agree in part. But, there are major benefits to enjoying audiobooks too! We are able to enjoy many more books because we can listen while we ride in the car or go about our day. I do try to find a balance between snuggling up on the couch with books and turning on an audiobook, but I’m not going to lie– right now, the audiobooks are winning.

Sagas

Like I said, we are listening to this series for the second time, but enjoying it just as much as the first (if not more). The Wingfeather Saga is full of adventure and suspense, full of characters worth admiring, and full of fun and humor. My only caveat (well two caveats, actually) is that there are darker elements in the book and it would be advisable to read/preview them yourself first.

The second caveat is just that the first book is slower to get started, but just know that the remaining three books more than make up for its slow beginning, IMO.

Comedy

Jim Gaffigan literally makes me LOL. We have laughed until our sides hurt watching his shows on Netflix, and we loved listening to his book, Dad is Fat, on Audible. His funny insights into parenthood are on point and hilarious. He should know pretty well how it is, considering that he has five kids in a small New York apartment.

After listening to Dad is Fat a few times, I wanted to try another one of his books on Audible so I downloaded Food, A Love Story. Being a lover of food myself, I figured it was a safe bet I’d enjoy Jim’s food-related comedy.

Other than the fact that I cringe and inwardly revolt a little when Jim disses vegetables, I have loved Food, A Love Story. It’s a lighthearted and fun book to listen to when I just need a break and a laugh.

Hope

Paul Tripp is one of my favorite sources for candid and gospel-centered teaching on parenting, marriage, and relationships in general. His books are RICH with truth and have profoundly influenced my life.

When I saw that he had released a new book, I knew I wanted to read it. Or rather, listen to it.

Parenting: The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family is my current “read” when I’m sweeping the floors or working in the kitchen. Unlike many parenting books, this book is not directed towards one stage of parenting or another. It’s for all parents because it’s full of wisdom that goes to the heart and foundation of what we do and why we do it, no matter if our kids are preschoolers or teenagers. 

Help

The last book I’m listening to right now is one that I come back to again and again. It’s equal parts cool water on a hot day, and a slap in the face when you need to be woken up to a right perspective.

The first day of the week was especially trying for me. Not because my kids were misbehaving, but simply because the season of life that I am currently in is soooooo constant. Like, every five minutes a new need or request for attention presents itself.

Some days this is harder than others.

I was able to get away with just the baby to make a quick run to Aldi and I knew what I needed to do. I needed to turn on Loving the Little Years and get a cold slap of perspective.

The great thing about the author of Loving the Little Years is that she is masterful at weaving nuggets of wisdom into funny and colorful stories. Hers is the kind of writing that sticks with you and changes you even as you are laughing from her adept way of describing your life. 

I HIGHLY recommend Loving the Little Years (and Fit to Burst) to any and every mom of young children. Get the book too, because you’ll want to underline and highlight and quote it like crazy. (I have probably read half of the book to my husband so he can better understand my heart).

Bonus: this book is less than $5!

That’s what we are reading right now!

I’d love to hear what you are reading now too. Do you like audiobooks? Or would you prefer to hold the book and read it yourself?