Category: audiobooks

This audiobook will change your life.

It changed mine.

Before I was even halfway through, I had pushed myself beyond my limits.

It is that powerful.

There are many elements that make this audiobook so good but definitely having David Goggins right there while Adam Skolnick narrates it made it so much more impactful. You get so much more from the conversations they have than you would get just reading the book.

I was recommended this audiobook and did no additionally reading about it, just downloaded it and went straight in. Take my word for it and get it or read a bit more on why.

Why will David Goggins book change my life?

This isn’t a self-help or motivational book. Goggins is clear about his views on motivation. This is a story with practical takeaways and challenges that you can implement from day 1. And these will help transform your life and push you to achieve more.

Goggins teaches you techniques to use, both mentally and physically that get you disciplined, toughen your mind and make you work harder. This is woven through the remarkable story of his life from a very difficult, abusive childhood into a period of depression and stagnation before complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller. During this training and after he had left the military he set world records and became one of the world’s top endurance athletes.

Read some of the best David Goggins Quotes to get an insight into the man.

How it changed mine

Several months before listening to this audiobook I had gotten into running. I was fairly sporadic with my training, attending Park Run 5k and the occasional evening 10k run. My pace and distance had improved but I was struggling to build on that. I had reached a part in the book where Goggins states that when you think you are done you are only 40% done.

Armed with this I went out and ran 15-miles.

15-miles was farther than I ever had before and considerably longer than my usual 5k routes. I returned home feeling great, I wasn’t in pain and the next day wasn’t sore. I realised that even though I had pushed myself beyond that 40% I hadn’t come close to 100% done.

The next time I went to Park Run I beat my 5k PB, something I had been unable to do for months. What was this magic?

And that wasn’t all.

Whilst my initial success came from running which happens to be what Goggins also does and talks about, don’t think that this book is just for improving your fitness goals. It has made me more disciplined in my work, my organisation, my focus and in pushing myself at all things.

I was able to change several key things in my life which resulting in being much happier. The teachings in the book helped me push through the suffering.

And I’m not alone, check out other peoples success on the subreddit .

David Goggins Book, Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds Review

If you are on the fence you can get the audiobook for free with an Audible trial – Get Can’t Hurt Me

You can read lots of reviews online that breakdown the challenges and lessons but power comes from listening to the audiobook. I’ve used these summaries and reviews after to remind myself and help formalise parts but you can’t just read them.

For such an acclaimed novel I was surprised not to see “the Catcher in the Rye” available as an audiobook on audible, kobo or any of the major platforms.

It looks as if the Salinger’s estate protects the work very closely (which is fair enough) but interesting that they havent released it on these platforms. There was an audio version of the Catcher in the Rye made in 1970 and rerecorded in 1999 but this isn’t on audible.

This version was recorded by Ray Hagen and is apparently only for The Library of Congress’ program for the visually impaired. It should be available through some library services, this link can tell you if it is near you https://www.worldcat.org/title/catcher-in-the-rye/oclc/550562528.

There are also a few links online that have the Ray Hagen version. I don’t see how these are legal though.

I think the Catcher in the Rye is an incredible book that I would recommend anyone to read. If you are visually impaired I believe a copy of Ray Hagens version should be available through your library or at least they could help you better. I can’t vouch for the audio versions available on Soundcloud or youtube or if they are legal. The book can be purchased on amazon or probably a 2nd hand version on eBay or your local book shop.

By: Gregory David Roberts. Narrated by: Humphrey Bower. Length: 43 hrs

900 pages of seemingly unbelievable misadventures of an escaped Australian bank robber surviving in the criminal underworld of Bombay. Get the Shantaram audiobook free below.

Why listen to Shantaram?

Whilst influenced by real events Shantaram is a novel, not an autobiography. But regardless it is a fascinating detailed story of slums, prisons, gangs and the black markets of 19080s India. Lindsay, the protagonist (and Roberts fake name that he escapes Australia under) lives in these slums, works for the Mumbai mafia, extras in Bollywood, lands back in jail and smuggles weapons in Afghanistan. The book weaves the tumultuous rich life of Mumbai in a level of detail that had me rapidly turning pages. I first read this whilst travelling in 2012 and wish I’d chosen the audiobook for the long journeys between countries. So I recommend it for anyone about to go backpacking, especially (obviously) to India.

How to listen for free

You can listen to Shantaram for free with any of these free trials.

Audiobook Summary

A novel of high adventure and great storytelling based on an extraordinary 8 years in the Bombay underworld.

In the early 80s, Gregory David Roberts, an armed robber and heroin addict, escaped from an Australian prison to India, where he lived in a Bombay slum. There, he established a free health clinic and also joined the mafia, working as a money launderer, forger and street soldier. He found time to learn Hindi and Marathi, fall in love, and spend time being worked over in an Indian jail. Then, in case anyone thought he was slacking, he acted in Bollywood and fought with the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan…

By: Peter Swanson Narrated by: Karen White, Keith Szarabajka, Johnny Heller, Kathleen Early Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

This gripping suspense thriller had me hooked the whole way through. It will definitely make your commute feel quicker.

Why listen to The Kind Worth Killing?

This is an entertaining, addictive twisty thriller that is well written and well structured. The story flicks backwards and forwards in time from each character’s perspective. It gets dark but stays absorbing throughout.

How to listen for free

You can listen to The Kind Worth Killing for free with any of these companies

Summary

‘Hello there.’ I looked at the pale, freckled hand on the back of the empty bar seat next to me in the business class lounge of Heathrow Airport, then up into the stranger’s face. ‘Do I know you?’

Delayed in London, Ted Severson meets a woman at the airport bar. Over cocktails they tell each other rather more than they should, and a dark plan is hatched – but is either of them being serious? Could they actually go through with it? And if they did, what would be their chances of getting away with it?©2015 Peter Swanson (P)2015 Blackstone Audio Inc

Critic reviews

“Chilling and hypnotically suspenseful…could be an instant classic.” (Lee Child)”Gripping, elegantly and stylishly written, and extremely hard to put down!” (Sophie Hannah)

The Theranos story uncovered in Bad Blood is unbelievable, shocking, fascinating and at points scary.

John Carreyrou’s groundbreaking work is a must for Startup founders and employees but honestly, everyone will find this book completely enthralling. There are a few ways you can legally listen to the audiobook for free.

Audible Trial

Amazon Audible have a Free 30-day trial with a free book, this includes Bad Blood by John Carreyrou.

Why listen to Bad Blood?

I was blown away listening to Bad Blood, this thriller sounds like straight up fiction and grips you from the first few minutes. The meteoric rise of Elizabeth Holmes, from Stanford dropout to the cover of Forbes, Fortune, and Inc whilst raising almost $1billion dollars in funding should be the inspirational entrepreneur story of the generation. The truth is a much more alarming tale of people willing to do anything to succeed, no matter who gets hurt. Which for a medical tech company dealing with actual patients is a very dangerous game to play. The colossal lies and unbelievable twists and turns in Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup will leave you speechless.

How to listen to Bad Blood

Summary

A New York Times best seller.

Winner of the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award 2018.

The full inside story of the breathtaking rise and shocking collapse of Theranos, the multibillion-dollar biotech startup, by the prize-winning journalist who first broke the story and pursued it to the end, despite pressure from its charismatic CEO and threats by her lawyers.

In 2014, Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes was widely seen as the female Steve Jobs: a brilliant Stanford dropout whose startup ‘unicorn’ promised to revolutionise the medical industry with a machine that would make blood testing significantly faster and easier. Backed by investors such as Larry Ellison and Tim Draper, Theranos sold shares in a fundraising round that valued the company at more than $9 billion, putting Holmes’ worth at an estimated $4.7 billion. There was just one problem: the technology didn’t work.

In Bad Blood, John Carreyrou tells the riveting story of the biggest corporate fraud since Enron, a tale of ambition and hubris set amid the bold promises of Silicon Valley.

Now to be adapted into a film, with Jennifer Lawrence to star.©2018 John Carreyrou (P)2018 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic reviews

“Wall Street Journal investigative journalist Carreyrou presents meticulously researched, clearly written evidence of the fraud perpetrated by business wunderkind Elizabeth Holmes. The former CEO of the once-renowned Silicon Valley startup, Theranos, bilked investors of millions and potentially risked the lives of patients around the world with a groundbreaking diagnostic product that did not work reliably. Will Damron is the perfect choice as narrator. His precisely articulated style makes the entire effort sound as if it is a cloak-and-dagger spy novel.” (AudioFile)

“Chilling…Reads like a West Coast version of All the President’s Men.” (New York Times Book Review)  

Audiobooks are awesome. I get through a lot, which could mean a lot of money, but it doesn’t have to. You can get great audiobooks for free and not just the public domain classics.

Why read this?

Why legally?

There are places you can get hold of audiobooks illegally but that’s not what Audiobook Explorers is about. Authors and publishers work hard to create their books so instead of dodgy downloads, here is a list of free trials, apps, and public domain resources to get great audiobooks legally, and for free.

1. Audible

Audible has favourites like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, classics, best sellers, non-fiction and new releases. They have a huge selection of books in every genre and an easy to use Audible app. You can access on your Apple and Android device, Alexa-enabled devices, and on Kindle.

Benefits

After the trial (if you don’t cancel), you’ll get 3 titles each month: 1 audiobook and 2 Audible Originals of your choice.

2. Kobo

If you are an ebook lover you probably know about Kobo, they have over 5 million titles to access through their app or an eReader. They also have a huge collection of audiobooks where you can get a free trial.

Benefits

If you continue after the trial then you get 1 credit per month

3. Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com have over 125,000 titles and give you 1 book plus 1 VIP book each month. You can access titles through your Apple or Android device. They offer a 30-day free trial which includes 2 books.

Benefits

4. BookBeat (UK)

You may not have heard of BookBeat but this great app offers unlimited audiobooks covering thousands of titles, both new releases and classics. The downside is that it is only for people who live in the UK or have a UK payment method. If that means you, then signup and get 2 weeks free.

Benefits

5. Scribd

Hailed as a true Audible alternative, Scribd gives you access to audiobooks, books, articles and magazines. It is also only $8.99 a month and they offer a free 30-day trial.

Benefits

6. eStories

eStories has over 120,000 audiobook titles, with best-sellers across every genre and new releases added weekly. Listen through their free Android and Apple app.

Benefits

If you keep the subscription it is $11.99 after the trial.

7. Audiobooksnow

You can purchase discount audiobooks through audiobooksnow or signup to their club subscription to get even better deals. They also have a free trial which includes a free book. Use the app on your Android or Apple devices and on your Kindle Fire.

Benefits

8. Playster

Playster is a really interesting one as they also have music, movies, and ebooks. You can bundle up the packages for bigger savings. You can get an unlimited trial with all the bundles for 30 days. Just see the downside below.

Benefits

Downside – you can not listen to a full audiobook on the trial. You can listen up to a threshold which is usually several hours so you could use it to start a long book. See details.

1. Overdrive/Libby

Overdrive is connected to over 43,000 libraries and schools in 75 countries. Providing you have a library card you can access Overdrive and listen through their website or app. If you are using the app download Libby rather than Overdrive, they are made by the same company but Libby is much more user-friendly.

2. hoopla

hoopla is a digital service offered by your local public library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows. Titles can be streamed immediately or downloaded to your phones for offline use. They have hundreds of thousands of titles.

3. RBdigital

Audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, comics, entertainment services, and educational offerings from one app. RBdigital offers tens of thousands of premium audiobooks and over 35,000 titles published titles by Recorded Books. Access through the Android or iOS app.

4. cloudLibrary

Download the iOS or Android App on your phone, install the cloudLibrary App for Windows PC or Mac OS X, or even access cloudLibrary from your Kindle Fire or through Nook. You can sync effortlessly across all your devices and access thousands of audiobooks and eBooks from your library.

1. Spotify

Spotify has an audiobook playlist with many classics like The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, Brave New Road and a childhood favourite of mine Just So Stories. You can listen for free with a free Spotify membership.

2. Oodles

15000 audiobooks in the public domain which you can listen to for free with the option for offline use.

3. Google Play Books

Free App with free but limited audiobooks

4. Apple Books

Apple also has an app for ebooks and audiobooks with free classics some read by celebrities like Kelsey Grammer, Kate Beckinsale, and Karen Gillan.

5. Free Audiobooks HQ

8500 free audiobooks plus 10,000 premium titles

6. PodBean

Good selection of bestsellers and classics – always free

I will keep updating this as I find more.