Actually, I detest exercising. And truthfully what I do barely qualifies as exercise – it certainly doesn’t qualify as “working out.” But with a good audio book like The Help, it becomes tolerable tolerable.
I do like the way I feel after I’m cooled down and showered. I do like being less sluggish. But what I like the most is listening to my audio books while I walk outdoors or struggle to meet my (embarrassingly small) goal on the elliptical. And because of that, I only allow myself to listen to audio books while I’m exercising. And because of that it takes me a really long time to get through an unabridged edition, which is the only way I’ll listen to them. I mean, really, what is the point of listening to an abridged book? Who decides what parts I’m not interested in? But I digress…
When I’ve spent all of the time I can tolerate sitting at the keyboard, when the novel I’m writing turns into white noise in my head, I take off for fresh air and my audio book break. I usually come back recharged, and listening to a good book really inspires me to write.
Right now I’m listening to Kathryn Stockett’s The Help. I can’t even imagine reading this book because it’s so well done in audio. I have actually walked an extra mile just so I don’t have to stop listening. Each character point of view has its own voice actress, and every one of them is phenomenal. The only problem is as I am now into the third audio part, I don’t want it to be over. Although I haven’t finished this audio book, I fear that I’m going to feel like I’ve been taking daily walks with friends and they have been stripped from me. So be warned, if you listen to this one, be prepared to feel a little bereft after you’ve reached the last word.
I’ll try to post again after I’ve finished The Help. I feel I’ve only given half of a review at this point, but I’ve just been so enchanted with this one, I couldn’t wait to share.