I guess I wouldn't be a good (or great) reading teacher if I didn't love reading, right? The problem is, I find it hard to read for enjoyment during the school year. If I actually find time to read, I'm so tired that I fall asleep while trying to get through a book.
Enter the discovery of audiobooks.
I never thought I'd love listening to an audiobook, because it's "just not the same" as reading it for myself. It took a change in schools and a long drive to get me to try them out, and now I'm hooked. The danger now is getting so lost in the story that I forget to get off at the right exit on the highway. Thankfully, that hasn't happened (yet).
There's so many options for audiobooks. I think my first exposure was using Cracker Barrel's CD book rental on a long distance drive. (Did you know they have that? You can pick out a book on CD at the counter, listen on the road, and return at any other Cracker Barrel. It's wonderful!)
Listening on the drive to and from work has allowed me to get my fix of new YA books, historical fiction, and a plethora of other ones that I probably wouldn't have gotten a chance to read.
Another AMAZING use of audiobooks is using them in your classroom. Yep! I made this connection last year (I swear, sometimes it takes me a while to figure things out). To read about how I used the audio version of Refugee by Alan Gratz, read here... In a nutshell.. my students were HOOKED on this book, even though they were struggling readers. Having the audio playing while they read their own copy of the book let them "hear" the characters, understand so much more of the story, and gain valuable listening skills that are needed for life.
So, where do you start?
There's a couple options. I tend to stick with the first two in the list, but I included a few others that you may want to consider.
1. Audible through Amazon - (I have no kickback by mentioning this here, by the way.) They give a couple options for when and how many books you can access. While I was still teaching in person, I got a new credit every month, which usually lasted for my long drives. Now that I'm teaching from home, I've backed off and only get a new credit every other month. Saves money.
Plus Side: Once you purchase the book, it's yours. If you start reading and decide you don't like it, you can return it and get your credit back. So, when I use my purchased version of Refugee, I can use it every year in school when I teach this novel.
Down Side: Cost
2. Hoopla - You access the app through your library system. They offer free audiobooks (they also have ebooks, music, and movies) on a rental agreement, just like the library. You have the book for 30 days, and then it automatically returns.
Plus Side: Free access and you don't have to remember to return the books! It's automatic.
Down Side: You don't keep the books. Also, there isn't the large variety to choose from as you would on other sites.
Other apps that are out there, but I haven't tried. I am an Audible fan, and I tend to stick with what works for me. But you may find one of these to be a good match!
3. Google Play - similar to Audible. Purchase as needed. I don't think they have a subscription base platform.
4. LibriVox - access free classic audiobooks. They also have paid audiobooks if you live in the US.
5. Libby - another library-based site for renting audiobooks. Libby was created by OverDrive.
6. Audio Books - seems like a similar set up to Audible.
7. Kobo - similar to Audible and Google Play Books. You can choose the $10/month subscription. This is a little cheaper than Audible. I might need to look into this one!
8. Kindle - I have used this one, as well! While Kindle is more known for their ebooks, they also have audiobooks. Instead of having to choose one or the other, though, you can purchase the ebook and add the audio for a fraction of the cost. Kindle allows you to switch between the ebook and the audio while keeping your place. This is great if you want the best of both worlds!
