People often wonder, how do I read so many books while being a working mom with two kids? My answer is simple: AUDIO BOOKS! And not those 20 CD-set cases that require a boom box! I download my books from the Libby App or Cloudlibrary (State of KS Library) and listen to them on my phone. When do I read them?
- Folding laundry
- Cooking dinner
- Pulling weeds
- Taking a shower (I invested in a handy phone shelf that I stuck out of the path of water!)
- Driving (even during my 7 minute commute to work)
- Doctor/Dentist offices (earbuds required)
- Breastfeeding (when I was breastfeeding)
Admittedly, I always have a physical book that I am trying (not very successfully) to read as well. The physical book is for those moments when the kids are actually distracted and playing nicely by themselves. My instinct is often to pick up my phone, but I try very hard to turn to the book instead. Got to set a good example and role model for the kiddos! Note: When choosing a physical book to read, definitely pick something with short chapters due to frequent interruptions (“Mommy, I need milk, Mommy, I pooped….”). Stay away from literary fiction and high fantasy. I tried reading a paperback copy of Dune (fantasy) and it took me months, at least 3! Every time I picked it back up I was confused where I was in the middle of long chapters. The best part of Dune was that it earned me cred with my nerd husband! Sometimes hard things (aka reads) are worth it. Here are some of MY RECOMMENDED mom reads (quick paced and not Dune):
- Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones (Mystery/Romance/Humor- I have read it in audio twice!)
- Anything Freida McFadden (Mystery- These read like adult R.L. Stine. Super twisty and extremely fast. I have read numerous titles in physical copies. As a parent, don’t read The Perfect Son!)
- Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas (Western- Just a feel good story.)
- My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende (Historical- I have loved this South American author since I was a teenager. Her books often deal with faraway places, war, and romance.)
- Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews (Victorian Romance- I read this in physical copy and was able to get through it in a few days!)
- Black Woods Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey (Fantasy- I read this in audio. It was kinda weird, but it kept me guessing. I still remember it pretty well months later, which says something…)
- Isola by Allegra Goodman (Historical/Survival Story- I read this on audio, and was initially intrigued because it was a Reece’s Book Club Pick. Her picks are generally good. There were some slow parts, but overall this fictionalized tale of a true situation just blew me away! Women are so strong and amazing, and this really highlighted it!)
- Bride by Ali Hazelwood (Vampire Fantasy/Romance- I read this in audio. An extremely fast read with really fun characters! I have been keeping my eye out for more in this series. The next one should be released in October of this year! Yay!)
- All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett (Contemporary Romance- Again, read this on audio. It was a quick paced book about a college student getting caught up with a crowd of ultra wealthy/elite. Another Reece Book Club title too!)
- Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green (Non-Fiction- I haven’t actually read this yet, but I have been on the audio hold list for months. Any day it will be my turn, and Green is a great author! I just felt I should plug a non-fiction for you!)
*I am currently reading a physical copy of The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland (Murder Mystery- Set in Australia). So far so good! Plus, it has super short chapters making it parent-friendly. Also, I didn’t note it above, but in 2024 I spent at least 6 months plowing through Karin Slaughter audio books. I got into her because I watched a tv episode of Will Trent. I started the Trent Series, but then realized there was a whole prequel series to Will Trent. If I had to guess, I read 15 of those dang books! Her books are super dark murder mystery books, but they sure do read fast!
Happy reading to all of the moms out there!
Shanna
