Audiobooks are not cheating. I read a lot of books at once, but after sitting in front of a computer screen the whole day, my eyes need a break. Enter audiobooks. Reading fiction before bed is a great way to prepare for sleep. All of the suggestions are therefore fiction related.
Here are 5 free audiobook sites you need to know about.
Open Culture
Open Culture has over 700 free audiobooks as well as ebooks, movies, text books and online courses. As with most of the free audiobook sites, you will find all of the classics. To view the fiction collection on Open Culture, click here.
- When I found out they had Neil Gaiman, I completely fan girled out. He is one of my favourite authors, and while technically not an audiobook, you can listen to and watch the author read one of my favourite books, The Graveyard Book. If you would like to convert the YouTube video to audio, use this.
- Any of the short stories by Raymond Carver, the guy who wrote Birdman. Start with What we talk about when we talk about love. It is only about 30 minutes long, which is perfect for an evening.
SEE ALSO: Blinkist – an app that summarises non fiction best sellers
If you’re a fan of Kurt Vonnegut, you’ll love this. And if you’re not a fan, listen to one of these stories and you’ll become one.
You can listen to Slaughterhouse 5, Cat’s Cradle (my fave) and Breakfast of Champions! (click the title)
Loyal Books
While this site covers most genres, I liked their mystery section best. Apparently mystery and crime novels keep your mind sharp, so its a win-win situation.
I’d suggest browsing through the mystery section and choosing a title or cover that appeals to you.
Librivox
The way that the books have been organised, makes it very easy to find an audiobook that you will like.
SEE ALSO: 3 podcasts to make you smarter
Audiobooks.com & Audible
So there’s a catch. While both of these sites offer an amazing selection of audiobooks, you have to sign up, enter your credit card info and cancel before the trial period ends to get a “free” audiobook. While this might seem like a hastle…
- You can get Game of Thrones, which is over 33 hours long, which you’ll need to listen to within the 30 day trial period on audiobooks.com
- And Harry Potter! I’d start with the 3rd book, The Prisoner of Azkaban, as that is when it starts to get really good. Get this now on audible.
Or choose any of the latest titles.
Librophile
Catch up on the classics as well as some awesome children’s stories. To browse all of the free audiobooks, click here.
- Beatrix Potter Collection with favourites like Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and more.
- Invisible Man by H.G Wells, a great scifi that has inspired quite a few movies.
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