My love for audiobooks in 2019 carried through 2020 and is now a steady part of my morning routine.
I say steady because I wish I had the capacity for a set morning routine but I don't - I just know that better days start for me with an audiobook. When not working from home I adore audiobooks on the walk to work but for the past year they accompany me in different ways.
From long baths, long walks and endless hours staring into space listening, hooked on those final chapters, I really recommend audiobooks - especially if you need a hand getting a little lost in your own brain.
Disobedience by Naomi Alderman
My first listen of 2020 was Naomi Alderman's Disobedience, beautifully narrated by Rachel Atkins. After loving Alderman's The Power I knew this novel fell into a completely different genre but I wanted to experience more of her writing.
Disobedience follows Ronit, returning back to London from the states for the first time in 15 years after hearing her father, a famous rabbi has passed away. Ronit returns, more confused by the community than imagined as we see her unique past resurfaced alongside her friend Esti. Driving exploration of faith and sexuality within London's Orthodox Jewish Community.
I of course then had to go watch the film adaptation as soon as I had finished listening - which I highly recommend too.
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes
A sequel to now Netflix famous series You, Hidden Bodies follows Joe as he moves to LA to start over and forget everything he left behind in New York. But as he finds himself working in another trendy bookstore he cannot help but get fixated on another.
Narrated by Santino Fontana who earily sounds just like Penn Bagley who plays Joe in the show, I was yet again in a place (thanks to Caroline Kepnes skillful writing) where I agreed with and thought a psychopath was hot.
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Next up I listened to Matt Haig's Reasons to Stay Alive. As someone suffers with mental illness I have definitely lost count of how many times people have told me to read or listen to this book, so I did.
I wasn't a massive fan of this book but I am glad I listened to it because now I can tell people to fuck off when they tell me to read it. I'm not going to rant with why I disliked the book, it has helped others and that is what matters.
My favourite part of the book was when people wrote in with their reasons to stay alive. Life in the little moments is what keeps me here.
This collection of essays has stayed with me. From the harsh realities of addiction to fertility, Emilie intimately bringing the most complex areas of life to the forefront, the happiness that outweighs the pain, and the traumas that make us who we are.
Everyone should read or listen to this collection.
Tales of Beedle the bard by J.K Rowling
The wizarding world has fully been separated in my head from JK here, for a quick hour and a half I was whisked away with stories that I have known since my childhood but never really understood.
The perfect accompaniment to a cleaning session, long drive or walk. Recognising voices and learning the stories and lessons other characters held on to.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
How did I go so long without reading this book?
A passionate true crime account of the Golden State Killer, Michelle McNamara's pulls you into American history and drives an unsettling pursuit for the truth for over three decades.
I'll come at you with part two soon - I clearly LOVED an audiobook in 2020.
