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If you're an avid book lover like me, some places and situations fill you with dread because you know you won't be able to read your favorite book. Driving, going to the gym, doing chores or cleaning seem so boring without a book! But until recently, the thought of -- gasp -- listening to a book filled me with as much dread and disgust as the thought of watching the miniseries adaptation of a Hemingway novel.

But recently, when I found myself required to make a cross-country drive, I made a split-second decision to pick up a few audiobooks to help keep me awake during my long, tedious hours at the wheel. To my surprise, I was quite pleased with the experience.

Some audiobooks are unabridged, meaning every word from the written version is faithfully reproduced in the audio version. I particularly enjoyed listening to The Nanny Diaries, as read by the sultry-voiced Julia Roberts, and The Norwalk Watch, as read by the expressive, baritone voiced George Watson.

Having got back from my trip, I decided to use audiobooks as part of my regular routine. I am now able to "read" whilst commuting to and from work, training at the gym and also whilst doing the housework. I am even able to "read" whilst taking a shower - as long as I use waterproof headphones!

When I discovered that there were hundreds of thousands of audio books to download online, my "reading" habits became even more obsessive. I discovered that to download an audiobook was not only simple but also inexpensive -- cheaper than buying a new trade paperback or hardcover at the bookstore.

Additionally, I discovered that audiobooks could be many genres other than just fiction. I found numerous nonfiction titles as well. Self-help, finance, biographies, different kinds of science . . . I even discovered online that there were fascinating lectures available that are delivered by top-ranking professors.

Audiobooks are just as enjoyable to listen to as written books are to read. With audiobooks, proper word pronunciation doesn't break the listener's concentration. Unabridged versions and summarized versions of many books are available. And since audiobooks can be enjoyed almost anywhere, the dedicated book lover never needs to be without a book!

Recently I picked up a few audiobooks when I needed to make a drive across the country. The books helped me stay awake and alert during my many hours behind the steering wheel. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed listening to these books. When I discovered that there were hundreds of thousands of audio books to download online, my "reading" habits became even more obsessive. I discovered that to download audiobook was not only simple but also inexpensive -- cheaper than buying a new trade paperback or hardcover at the bookstore.