Of course, there is the radio; but with so much doom and gloom in the world, who needs to hear the hourly, or half-hourly news bulletins.
I have recently taken to two forms of entertainment whilst travelling. Podcasts and audio books.
Podcasts
For the uninitiated, a podcast is series of broadcasts covering a plethora of subjects. Some produced by well known broadcast organisations, such as the BBC. Others are produced and presented by less known individuals.
In fact, that's one of the bonuses of a podcast; anyone can get in on the act and produce weekly episodes looking at their favourite TV show, or gardening, or politics or.... anything.
When I say anyone - I mean anyone. I have a podcast of my own; which is available to listen to right here.
The BBC use podcasts alongside their regular progamming; providing either additional elements to a show, or an extra outlet for extended shows. My favourites include "The Chequered Flag", their Formula 1 podcast. Or, there's "Kermode and Mayo's Film Review". This is broadcast on a Friday afternoon, but the podcast contains extra bits before and after the main show. It's almost compulsive.
Other podcasts are "No Such Thing As A Fish", produced by the QI Elves, and is look at totally useless facts. Funny as well as interesting.
Hollywood & Crime is a weekly series investigating a series or murders back in the 1940's, in Los Angeles.
The beauty of podcasts is that they're totally free; and you can download and listen to them on your phone.
Audio Books
My other, more recent discovery is audio books. I had heard of them, but not really investigated them in detail.
I decided to have a look at Audible, which is an Amazon company.
Here you can listen to samples and purchase and download the entire book for listening; using their app (or on your laptop).
Audio books are not cheap. Bearing in mind the production costs for a full, unabridged book, lasting upwards of 11 hours, they range from £2.99 to £20.
There are literally thousands to choose from.
"Mythos" read by Stephen Fry,
"Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone" - also read by Stephen Fry
The Michelle O'Bama biography "Becoming"
The best way to enjoy Audible is through a membership plan. For £7.99 per month, you get 1 credit.
You can use this credit for any book in their vast library. They even have a guarantee that says if you don't enjoy a book, you can just return it. Plus, if you decide to end your membership, which you can pause at any time, then you keep the books you already have.
You also get 30 days to try, without any obligation - and keep the book that you get in your trial. It's a no-brainer.
Listening to podcasts or books, keeps my mind focused and I can progress the storyline, or learn something new.
What will you listen to next?
Here you can listen to samples and purchase and download the entire book for listening; using their app (or on your laptop).
Audio books are not cheap. Bearing in mind the production costs for a full, unabridged book, lasting upwards of 11 hours, they range from £2.99 to £20.
There are literally thousands to choose from.
"Mythos" read by Stephen Fry,
"Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone" - also read by Stephen Fry
The Michelle O'Bama biography "Becoming"
The best way to enjoy Audible is through a membership plan. For £7.99 per month, you get 1 credit.
You can use this credit for any book in their vast library. They even have a guarantee that says if you don't enjoy a book, you can just return it. Plus, if you decide to end your membership, which you can pause at any time, then you keep the books you already have.
You also get 30 days to try, without any obligation - and keep the book that you get in your trial. It's a no-brainer.
Listening to podcasts or books, keeps my mind focused and I can progress the storyline, or learn something new.
What will you listen to next?
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