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I'm at about 2 books a month now it seems. It feels true that you don't retain as much while listening as opposed to reading, I find they match with walks, drives, and especially my many daily bike rides incredibly well. If I enjoy a book I'll often listen to it twice. Some of my favorites are: Love and Other Ways of Dying, Boom (the art market one), How to See, and most recently Into the Magic Shop.
Aug 26, 2021
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something unlocked in me when I started getting into audiobooks! I put them on while I drive, fold laundry, cook, etc and now I can’t stop - my favorites recently have been nonfiction/related to current events so in a way it feels very much like a podcast substitute but with a longer runtime. I’d recommend to anyone who’s been struggling with attention/trying to make it through a physical book, it’s like an easier alternative to sitting still that still allows you to grow your brain/expand those reading comprehension skills! Libby has free audiobooks with a library card, Spotify premium also includes certain audiobooks and there are plenty of other resources online
May 8, 2025
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Inspired by Emily's rec! Started this habit back in 2020 on my socially distanced walks and now continue it at the gym. Great way to fit some reading in, especially if you think you don't have time for it
Oct 27, 2024
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Here’s something I thought I had sworn off, I mean, I hadn’t touched the stuff in years, not on the physical page at least. As a *painter* (looks down at paint-splattered jeans, bites lip, giggles) I use my hands for touching paintbrushes, resulting in a high improbability of  actual page-turning, thus making me the single highest volume consumer of podcasts and audiobooks in the known universe. I’ve always found it hard to find the books I want to read on audiobook, and after years of attempting to copy and paste entire PDFs into various text-to-speech apps (yes, listening to Bataille’s Story of The Eye in a monotonous Australian robo voice does have its appeal), I’ve recently turned to the technology of Words On Paper. Hey, I love the stuff! I usually find myself doing word-listening to books about history or theory but suddenly I’m finding fiction to be riveting. I know, I know, its hard to imagine, but you gotta believe me mister, I really do enjoy this activity! I’m just concluding my Nabokov era (Pale Fire blew m’mind) and am knee-deep in some really big thick girthy book by Proust or whatever.— sponsored by generic brand adderall
Jun 16, 2022
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I was a rather die-hard anti RSS internet guy for quite some time. I wanted to soak in the design of the site - likely a left-over behavior from the magazine culture days. Reality is, once you properly load whatever RSS reader you prefer, it's kinda hard to even figure out how to go back. It helps me consume all the information of the day quickly and with effectively no advertising or unneeded visual distraction and it syncs across all my devices, etc. I find the Reeder app itself to be incredibly elegant in it's subtle attention to detail and one-handed use. Real nerd stuff.
Aug 26, 2021
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Well, CitiBike in NYC and Divvy in Chicago, I split my time between the two as of late. I fell in love with the regular CitiBikes quite a few years ago here in NYC when it clicked with me just how much faster they were to get around the city than taking an Uber (which now feel about as enjoyable as being on a zoom call) or taking the train. The eBike situation changed everything. My friend Joe Holder refers to the pedal assist function they have as positive use of "strategic laziness" which I love. Not only do they help get you to a meeting far less sweaty and winded than a normal bike, they're incredibly fun. I use them for both functional transport and leisure. When the temp is just right, there is nothing more enjoyable than a ride (on alucky one that is completely free of rattles) from downtown up to Central Park, around the park, then back while listening to whatever audiobook I might be finishing that week. I just wish they were even faster, though, I've had my friends describe my riding style as "insane" so maybe that's not a great idea.
Aug 26, 2021
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I suppose it's somewhat tacky to list your own product in something like this isn't it? But of all the objects I've made - this one likely gets used the most on a daily basis. A good tote bag you use often becomes almost like a favorite bar or restaurant. But instead of a respite for yourself, it's a respite for your items that you can depend on. My favorite feature is the slightly padded and structured suede bottom that helps give the bag a bit of shape and allows me to throw my laptop in without a case.
Aug 26, 2021