As humans, we are constantly seeking new knowledge and, for the most part, inherently curious about the world around us. We’ve been relaying information and stories orally for thousands of years and countless studies have found that the combination of reading text accompanied with listening to audio can increase comprehension.
Learning is an important part of life and can help you develop your skills, form new opinions, and grow your knowledge base – plus you’ll have fun facts to share at your next social gathering, which is the most important benefit, right? So, broaden your horizon with our recommendations below and click here to view the complete ‘Keep on Learning’ booklist.
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History
Confucius once said, “Study the past, if you would define the future,” which is pretty straight-forward if you ask me. So, let’s start off with some great reads about important events that make up our history.
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, narrated by Doug Ordunio
In this national best-seller and Pulitzer Prize winning read, Jared Diamond recounts the rise of the modern world and how much of our history hinges on geographical and environmental factors. If you’re looking for a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of human societies, you’ll definitely want to pick up Guns, Germs, and Steel.
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The Stonewall Reader by New York Public Library, narrated by Rebecca Lowman, Michael Crouch, Barbara Rosenblatt, Graham Halstead, Eric Marcus, Julian Cihi, Allen Young, Penny Arcade, Kristin Parker, Lillian Rivera, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Jay London Toole, Serene Rose, Martin Boyce, Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Morty Manford, Dick Leitsch, Hugo Bresson, Xavier Smith, Minerva Summer, Danny Deferrari, Tenaja Jordan, Jason Bauman
The Stonewall Reader is a combination of first accounts, diaries, periodic literature, and articles from the Stonewall uprising of 1969, five years before and five years after. Read all about what is considered the most momentous event in the gay liberation movement, and who played a major part in the fight for LGBTQ rights in the United States.
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The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan, narrated by Laurence Kennedy
In The Silk Roads, Frankopan takes you through the history of the world from a new perspective, arguing that the rise and fall of both Eastern and Western empires were greatly linked by the Silk Roads (an important trading route between China and the Mediterranean). Dive into this audiobook if you’re a history buff or if you’re looking for a new perspective.
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Science
In my days as a student I never would have considered myself science-savvy and I certainly wouldn’t have cracked open a giant biology textbook and leisurely absorbed the dense information. These audiobooks are much more exciting and a far cry from those mandatory readings, plus you’ll learn a thing or two along the way!
Cosmos by Carl Sagan, narrated by LeVar Burton, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Seth MacFarlane, Ann Druyan
If you have any questions about Earth, space, life, or anything relating to our universe, chances are that Carl Sagan’s Cosmos will answer it for you. Sagan delves into the past 14 billion years of cosmic revolution and explores how science touches almost all aspects of life. Considering this is one of the best-selling science books of all time, it’s worth a listen.
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The Breath of a Whale by Leigh Calvez, narrated by Karen White
If you’re as mystified by whales as I am then this is the book for you. Leigh Calvez spent a dozen years studying and researching all types of whales in their natural habitat. This robust experience allows her to relate the whale’s behavior patterns to that of our own and, overall, strengthen our connection with the natural world.
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Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, narrated by Steve West
Most people have heard the classic adage of getting a good night’s sleep, but why do we need to? Matthew Walker answers that question in Why We Sleep. He also tackles other topics related to sleep such as REM sleep, sleep aids, caffeine’s effect and much more.
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Health & Wellness
The path of self-discovery is different for everyone, but a great way to start your journey is by discovering new things about yourself. Get inspired with one of these audiobooks, look inward, learn how your mind works, and get motivated!
Happily Never After by Jill Stark, narrated by Jill Stark
Jill Stark’s Happily Never After aims to flip the idea of “happily ever after” upside down and challenge its weight in all of our lives. Stark uses personal stories of her feelings of disconnect in this modern world to illustrate her theory that if we stood still instead of spent our time chasing happiness our lives would be drastically different.
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Mind by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., narrated by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
Neuropsychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel uses his interdisciplinary background to explore how our minds work and how it makes us who we are. If you’re looking to learn more about how the human mind works and how to foster its potential growth Mind will illuminate those topics and so much more.
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Life Honestly by Various, narrated by Sam Baker, Zawe Ashton
Life Honestly is an uplifting anthology with pieces of varying lengths from some of today’s most inspiring and talented writers. From stories of weddings and friendship to workplace inequality, you’re bound to collect some pearls of knowledge that you can apply to your own life.
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