If you want to read more, reading in the traditional sense isn’t your only option. Audiobooks are a great alternative to reading physical books, one that’s especially useful for those of us who have busy schedules. And with new audiobook services and apps like Audible, Libro.fm, Overdrive, Hoopla, and so on emerging on the scene, it’s easier than ever to listen to books. If you want to read more, audiobooks are the way to do it. Here’s how audiobooks can help you read more.

Read while you’re driving

The average American spends 50 minutes in the car per day. That’s nearly an hour! If you’re trying to read more, this is time to take advantage of. After all, you can’t be doing anything else while you’re driving, like binge your favorite series on Hulu or Netflix. Plus, audiobooks are a great way to break up the monotony of long drives and road trips–visiting the in-laws for Christmas, driving down to your college roommate’s wedding, etc. Just listening to the radio or podcasts can get boring, but a riveting story could be just what you need to keep alert and engaged.

Read while you’re working out

You’ve doubtless turned on the TV or put in your headphones to listen to your pump-up playlist when you hit the gym. But if you want a little distraction from the struggle of your elliptical session or your run, why not choose to listen to a book instead? Songs are usually only about three and a half minutes long, but audiobook chapters can be 20 to 120 minutes; maybe you’ll get so into the story, you’ll work out a little longer, just to finish your chapter!

If you exercise for 20 minutes, four times per week, that’s almost an hour and a half of reading-by-listening every week, which isn’t too shabby.

Read while you’re doing chores

If you don’t really enjoy scrubbing toilets, mopping the floor, doing the dishes, or dusting, listening to an audiobook while you work can make those tasks a little more palatable. The average American woman spends approximately two hours and fifteen minutes doing domestic chores per day and the average American man spends one hour and twenty-five minutes doing domestic chores (per the American Time Use Survey, US Bureau of Labor and Statistics). That’s a lot of potential reading-by-listening time! Put on an audiobook when you’re doing laundry or making dinner and you’ll get through books in no time.

Read while you’re at work

What?! This one isn’t feasible for everyone, and we’re not advocating for slacking off at work, but if your job is one where you are allowed to listen to music or have headphones in, and it doesn’t interfere with your work, why not listen to a book? If you have a simple, repetitive task on your desk that doesn’t require all your cognitive power, like sealing a stack of envelopes or stapling some packets, you could definitely get some book listening in.

Audiobooks are a great resource for people who want to check more books off their reading lists, and without interfering with or taking additional time out of your busy schedule. For other ways to read more, check out 5 Strategies to Read More.

Some of Our Favorite Audiobooks