Audioslave

I have a long commute to work, so I have taken up listening to audiobooks. It's a nice change from KEXP and NPR. Hearing stories reminds me of when my mom used to read books out loud to me when I was a kid.

When I am listening to a good audiobook, I don't want to listen to anything else. Last night, I sat in my driveway (okay, it's really just the curb)for about 15 minutes, because my book ("The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn") was at a tense moment.

Over the last year, I have listened to about 10-15 different audiobooks. Here are my top five:

1. Skinny Dip - by Carl Hiassen
2. The Time Traveler's Wife - by Audrey Niffenegger
3. Can you keep a secret? - by Sophie Kinsella
4. Before we were free - by Julia Alvarez
5. Blessings - by Anna Quindlen

"Skinny Dip" is frickin' hilarious and also full of action and betrayal. "The Time Traveler's Wife" is sweet and not at all science fiction-like. "Can you keep a secret" is like a chick flick, but satisfyingly British. "Before we were free" is kind of sad, but compelling. "Blessings" is a simple story and very unassuming, but the story stayed with me a long time after I listened to it.

So, if you ride the bus, train, or drive to work, I would highly recommend checking out an audiobook. It really helps me to remain calm in traffic and not flip people off, because I am happily entertained by whatever story is on my stereo.