Summer is the perfect time to find uninterrupted calm and fresh inspiration by getting lost in good books. But instead of reading stories that inspire you, why not listen to them? Soothing your body, mind & soul, audiobooks give you a hands-free way to practice self-care while enjoying the sunny weather.
If you spend the summer on the seaside, imagine looking at the waves while being under the spell of a good story. This summer, soak up the sunshine while listening to the Little Book of Mindfulness, liven up your road trip with Hidden Figures, or enjoy the great outdoors on a hike with Braving the Wilderness coming from your headphones.
Here are 10 wonderful audiobooks that should definitely be on your summer listening list.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
Perfect for: Laid-back summer afternoons on the patio
Authored by Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down is a beautiful guide to finding calm in a busy world. It helps you let go of worries and what-ifs, and it teaches you valuable lessons about self-care and living in the present moment.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Perfect for: Long drives on your summer road trip
Telling the stories of NASA’s female mathematicians, Hidden Figures doesn’t just place black women at the centre of the narrative, but at the centre of the universe. With vivid descriptions of history’s unsung heroines, the audiobook tells the compelling tales of the three African-American women who were the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn into space.
What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Perfect for: Lounging around the house (or the pool)
Hillary Clinton’s memoir of her defeat to Donald Trump in the 2016 election gives a personal account of what happened during one of the most memorable presidential races in American history. She tells an interesting tale, touching upon the campaign, the Trumps, the unfolding on the email scandal, and the role played by sexism in her defeat.
Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown
Perfect for: An adventurous hike in nature
“True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are,” writes social scientist Brené Brown in Braving the Wilderness. She challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability and courage, giving us a refreshing and empowering take on how to live a soulful life.
Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups by Ben Holden
Perfect for: Those balmy summer nights
Bedtime stories for adults are the newest wellness craze. As it turns out, a relaxing story told by a soothing voice can lull grown-ups to sleep too. For insomniacs looking to get a good night’s sleep on one of those balmy summer nights, Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups is the perfect bedside audiobook. It’s a collection of short stories, poems, fairy-tales and bedtime classics, written by some of the world’s best writers.
What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
Perfect for: Sunny mornings full of promise
In need of an “aha” moment this summer? Oprah’s inspirational book What I Know for Sure will give you plenty of those. It’s a beautiful compilation of the columns she shared in O, The Oprah’s Magazine, packed with insights and revelations that can change the way you look at the world.
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Perfect for: Quiet lakeside moments
This practical guide to mindfulness meditation is amazing in its simplicity and straightforwardness. It teaches you how to cultivate mindfulness in everyday life and to fully enjoy the present moment. It's the perfect audiobook to listen to during a tranquil walk or picnic along the shores of a still lake.
Little Book of Mindfulness by Patrizia Collard
Perfect for: Pre-holiday stress relief
The Little Book of Mindfulness is another great guide to living a soulful life full of joy. Written by mindfulness expert and therapist Patrizia Collard, this audiobook helps you on your journey to a happier, healthier life with simple 5-minute and 10-minute mindfulness practices that don’t require a single mantra.
Love for Imperfect Things: How to Accept Yourself in a World Striving for Perfection by Haemin Sunim
Perfect for: Breezy beach days
Because we love soaking up the wisdoms of Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim so much, here’s another great book he wrote to help us navigate modern life and its challenges. Stories from Sunim’s own life, poems and thought-provoking messages are woven into this audiobook in a beautiful way.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Carlton Abrams
Perfect for: Days of glorious sunshine
The Book of Joy sprung from a 7-day meeting between two of the world’s most influential spiritual leaders: the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. It’s a series of conversations they had during those 7 days, covering the topic of joy. What better way to spend a beautiful summer day than by listening in on two incredibly wise human beings as they’re chatting away about finding lasting happiness?
