Better Living Through Audio: 7 Ways Free Audiobooks Can Improve Your Life
The quiet revolution in literacy, inclusion, and everyday joy
Audiobooks are an unstoppable force these days, with net sales revenue rising to $2.22 billion in 2024, an increase of 13 percent since 2023, according to the Audio Publishers Association (APA). Of those sales, 99 percent were digital, many purchased by libraries to be made available to the public.
Libraries often find innovative ways to maximize their purchasing power, such as the Maine State Library utilizing CloudLibrary to make individual collections available at other branches throughout the state.
Because libraries can only purchase licenses for digital items such as audiobooks—which often have to be renewed after a certain period of time —using borrowing apps like CloudLibrary, Libby, or Hoopla through your library actively supports a community resource and its collections.
The more you borrow, the more likely what you are interested in will be available next time for yourself and others — and you’ll be helping libraries justify continued funding for their digital collections on offer.
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Here are a few other benefits that library audiobooks can bring:
1. They Make the Everyday Grind More Fulfilling
As a full-time professional as well as a full-time mom, the luxury of cracking open a beach read just isn’t an option for me. Audiobooks travel weightlessly with me on the go—planes, trains, or automobiles. When I am not driving, I can pop on my headphones, close my eyes, and let my voice talent of choice take me away to other worlds, giving both my eyes and mind a break from the unavoidable screen time that consumes much of my waking hours.
Holly Thrasher, a Midwest-based marketing and communications professional as well as a mom of two (a tween and a teen) says Libby is her borrowing app of choice for her literary fix, usually through the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington, IN.
“Audiobooks get through drudgery,” says Thrasher. “With an audiobook, loading the dishwasher or digging stains out of fabric is way more tolerable. I can lose myself in the narration or plot, which makes the mundane feel less stifling.”
2. They Are Easy on the Wallet
The value of “free” cannot be overstated. Thanks to libraries, apps to download audiobooks, as well as the borrowing aspect, are all completely gratis. With US companies tightening their belts more than ever due to a wide range of federal budget cuts combined with a weak job market, many American families are counting their pennies. And with digital content, titles automatically return after the checkout period ends — saving time and money.
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3. They Are Inspiring
Tired of seeing that six-hundred-page tome collect dust on your shelf? With audiobooks and a little math, you can tackle that latest fantasy novel by breaking down how many hours you would like to listen each day. And with limited borrowing time, you can’t put it off forever.
“Audiobooks keep me motivated,” says Thrasher. “When I’m learning or exploring ideas in my headphones, I am inspired to tackle things in new and innovative ways.”
4. They Are Good Company
A good narrator can be a soothing voice of support on a lonely stretch of road. I can remember years ago, driving through an unfamiliar patch of backwoods in North Carolina, listening to The Hike narrated by Christopher Lane. The absurdity of the unfolding events—told with a straight face (so to speak)—helped keep my mind off the anxiety of potentially getting lost in the darkening twilight. I got to my destination no worse for wear, thankful that Mr. Lane helped me arrive a little less shaken than I otherwise would have been.
“Audiobooks are a companion,” agrees Thrasher. “I am a hardcore introvert, and while I’d love to sit and read all day, I have obligations that don’t allow for that. Getting a story or information from a narrator feels like support from a good friend — without draining my social battery.”
Thrasher’s personal favorite is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, narrated by David Pittu. She compares the caliber of Pittu’s performance to that of Jim Dale, well-known for narrating the famed Harry Potter series.
5. They Are Perfect for the Minimalist Lifestyle
Free to borrow, automatic returns, and no need to make shelf space — what’s not to love? A borrowed audiobook is a resource that cleans up after itself. And if you decide you loved the book enough to keep it forever, you can always purchase it individually rather than pay for a monthly subscription service that can add up quickly over the long term.
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6. They Support Human Voices
When you borrow an audiobook from the library narrated by a real human, you are supporting the individual artists who put their time, passion, and effort into making the story come to life. While active titles using AI narration remain at only 3 percent, the number of titles logged by publishers increased from 1,600 in 2023 to more than 16,000, according to APA.
As someone who worked as an audiobook proofer and editor for several years, there are many hours of work that go into what becomes a few quick taps on your smartphone. Audiobook narrators typically work on a freelance basis and are dedicated to their craft. Your support of libraries helps to support their livelihoods as well as the arts.
7. They Are All-Inclusive
If nothing else, free audiobooks from the library level the playing field by making literacy accessible to people from all walks of life. According to APA, the number of non-English language titles increased by 25 percent in 2024, and the audio medium remains a helpful resource for those struggling to overcome literacy challenges from childhood into adulthood. And because libraries are open to the public, they make stories of all kinds accessible, regardless of your socioeconomic background.
Don’t know how to get started? Use the Library Finder to locate your nearest public library and get listening!
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