This is the time of year where everyone wants to start new. Maybe it's the promise of spring, or the itchiness of all those wool scarves that make us want to shed layers and start fresh. Survival of the Beautiful is the book I took with me to that summer course in Paris all those years ago. I've never forgotten it. I had originally picked it because I thought it was going to be about a young woman beating the odds in some catty college setting. Clearly I didn't bother to read the back cover before boarding the plane. It's actually a anthropological study on what humans and nature, deem as "beautiful". Turns out it was the perfect read for that summer; my class was on the study of Beauty in art, nature and architecture.
I love reading about powerful, successful women, so naturally Diane Von Furstenberg and Sophia Amoruso's books are high on my list. Both audios are well done from what I have heard for myself, and I cannot wait to hear more. The best part is that with a subscription, I'll never run out of listening material. Also, be sure to check out the Audible coupon codes page! They've got some great specials going on.
I have read C.S. Lewis' Till We have Faces at least six times. I first discovered the book in the 7th grade on my mother's bookshelf. It was my first C.S. Lewis book, and again, I didn't read the back cover. At the time I knew nothing of Greek mythology and it completely blew my mind. There is a passage of the book that to this day I still find myself thinking of; it portrays perfectly the sense of desperate loneliness and the heart wrenching desire to make everyone whole...even it it leaves the catalyst desolate. Orual reminds me so much of Catherine De Medici, it's incredible. Listening to the book on audio gives it an incredibly rich experience. So if you're planning a trip to Greece..!
I dream of traveling all throughout France - from Paris to Lyon, from Nancy to Nice, and to all the little country villages in between. Madame Bovary would be a great audio companion while on the trains.
When not daydreaming of traveling within France, I also dream about exploring Russia. Robert K. Massie is one of the best, most incredibly thorough biographers of Russian royalty that I know of. He's my guaranteed companion for sure!
Of course the best part of audio books is that they can transport you from wherever you are; on your daily commute to work, while waiting at the doctors office, or as an alternative to television in the evening.
Televisions on the backs of car seats have always made me cringe in a way. Of course I'm not a parent, so I have no right to pass any judgement. Still, I think that for me personally if I weren't the one driving I would much rather look out the window! One of my favorite things to do as a child in the back seat was to try and get strangers to wave back to me. For your friends who have children, these would provide much more entertainment than waving at strangers! Dr. Seuss is always a classic no matter what audio or book, and the French Club is both fun and educational, and will have everyone in the car speaking French in no time. With a monthly subscription, they will always have access to something new! An added bonus is that audio books are excellent as bed time stories as well.
The GIVEAWAY!
Now that you're geared up to download lots of listening material from Audible.com, here's the best part! You can enter for a chance to win a $200 e-gift card to Amazon.com (which owns Audible.com)! I've teamed up with several bloggers (thanks Cheryl!) and Coupons.com to give you a chance to win. Use the Rafflecopter box below for a chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
