Finding time for books with BookBeat
There are many things I miss about my life before children, foreign holidays, a tidy home, wild nights out and Sunday morning lie-ins, and yet I think the moments that I miss the most are the nights when I would put on my warmest fleece pyjamas, curl up on the couch with a big bar of chocolate, and settle down with a good book.
Reading has always been my biggest love, even at a young age I read through every single book in our school library and by my junior years I was reading my Mum’s Catherine Cookson novels, Virginia Andrews and Danielle Steel. I could easily go through one book a week, if not two or three, and by the time I had the children our bookshelves were heaving under the weight of twenty years worth of books, none of which I could bear to part with.
And yet now with four children, three of whom don’t let me use the bathroom in peace, let alone read a book, my ‘me’ time is something that I have had to sacrifice, always juggling ten things at once, never finding a moment to sit down and just relax.
And then I was introduced to BookBeat, and for the first time in four years, I found a way to continue my love of books, without having to find the time to read a single word. BookBeat is a digital streaming service which allows you to find and listen to great audiobooks straight from your mobile. There are thousands of titles available, all categorised for ease of use, and the best part is you can download your favourites to your BookBeat library to listen to at a later date, without the need for a wifi connection, making this the perfect app for travel.
This is a fantastic service for a busy Mum like myself, particularly as, during the very rare moments I do get to myself, I am juggling a long list of jobs, racing against the clock before I have to collect the children, and putting my feet up with a book just isn’t on my To Do List! Since I signed up to BookBeat I have managed to listen to two new audiobooks in the space of a week by simply docking my phone in the kitchen whilst I iron the uniforms, at the side of the sink as I do the washing up, in the car on the way to and from picking up the children, and propped up in the bedroom as I tackle my arch nemesis – Clothes Mountain!
At the same time, I managed to sit down the other night with a big bar of chocolate (swiped from the children’s Easter chocolate stash!) and paint my toe nails for the first time this Spring, all whilst listening to my latest audiobook.
And even better, for only the fifth time since I had Eva, by some miracle I managed a whole half hour in the bath, relaxing with a scented candle and a gripping new thriller – bliss!
It’s not just me who has benefited from BookBeat either, with a huge selection of children’s audiobooks, the children have been enjoying listening to The World’s Worst Children, a hilarious new book from David Walliams.
As much as I love to sit down and read a book with the children, it isn’t always possible to find the time, and it turns out that the children enjoy the funny voices on the audiobooks far more than they do mine!
Even Lewis, who at thirteen finds reading a chore, has found that BookBeat is perfect for him to lie on his bed listening to his school reading book before bed, and I love that there is even a timer feature on the app incase he falls asleep.
For £14.90 a month you have access to as many books as you wish, to stream or download to listen offline, and to listen wherever you want, whenever you want. There are no commitments, you can cancel at any time, and from one bookworm to another, it is absolutely worth a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed!
BookBeat have offered my readers one months free subscription so that you can try it for yourselves. There are no obligations, simply enter the code Littledoves and give it a go!
Find BookBeat over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and join in with the hashtag #bookbeat across social media.
*** We were gifted a BookBeat subscription for the purpose of this review. ***
I love reading so much, it’s one of my absolute passions. Like you I could have 3 books in a week before children, now not so much so. But I do make time every day to read even if it’s just 10 minutes before bed. You have reminded me I used to have an Audible subscription when I was pregnant and I could easily fit some audiobooks in when I am driving about 🙂
Me too, it’s not only a way of relaxing but, for me, it’s an escapism that I need from our hectic lives! I would never have thought to listen to an audio book in the car, it’s definitely changed car journeys for me! Thank you for reading Laura. xxx
Wow what a fantastic idea! I love reading but feel like I have less time for it these days but this looks fab off to have a nosy now.
I’m the same, it’s just so hard to find a moment to sit down with a book, but plenty of moments to listen to one while getting some work done! xx
I will need to look into this! Much easier than dragging a book or two everywhere in my bag!
Yes! Especially on holiday! xx
Great idea, I wish I’d had it when I was reading during nightfeeds #TriumphantTales
Oh me too! I’ve been listening to it at night though, sends me to sleep! xx
I LOVE reading! However age is a b*tch and I struggle to read printed text these days, so Kindle (which allows me to enlarge) and Audible are a dream for me! Plus Audible allows me to listen and crochet at the same time.
#triumphanttales
I never even considered audio before now, I assumed I wouldn’t like it, but I LOVE that I can multitask!! xx
Oo I’ve been looking for something like this, as I love reading but struggle to find the time to get through a book at any rate. I’ll pop over and check this out now 🙂
I hear you. Before I started blogging I used to read all the time and now I hardly read my books any more. Book Beat sounds wonderful x
Digital streaming of books. That’s interesting. Just trying to understand the difference between Google books.
Thanks for sharing.Will try to find out more on this.
I’m not clued up on Google books, love this app though! xx
I’m a huge lover of audio books .. podcasts .. you name it. If it can be listened to I’m all over it. The only problem is when i get distracted and think “wait .. now where was I?” So thankful for all of the cool technology we have today!
Ah I could do with this. I miss reading so much! May give it a go xx #triumphanttales
I love the sound of this. I keep meaning to read more books but I forget. I would not forget if they were on my phone as that comes everywhere with me 🙂
Yes, I’m the same, never without my phone, and now my books! xx
Ahhh Virginia Andrews now you’re talking. I’m do guilty of not reading enough now. It has always been a major love of mine but a lost one nowadays. This sounds such a great idea. I would certainly be able to find the time if I was being read to (so to speak) and wow a soak in the bath. Check you out.
Haha I know! I can’t believe I finally managed a bath, it’s practically unheard of these days! xx
I love this idea. Would really break up those car journeys too !
Definitely! It makes driving far less of a chore! xx
I am an avid reader. I love reading books on my phone. I am going to have to check out Book Beat!
Its a great a service, and well worth a try! xx
My mummy has never listened to an audiobook but this service sounds great! She wishes she had more time to read…and have lie-ins x
Hahah don’t we all?! xx
I agree, when you’re working and you have kids to take care of and a house that you need to maintain, you can’t always have spare time to read books. It’s so convenient to have audiobooks these days!
Definitely, it makes all of those boring household chores a little less painful! xx
Audiobooks are so awesome! They’re not bulky and you can always listen whenever you want, even when you’re doing something. My husband and I love traveling and audiobooks are perfect when you have nothing better to do in the airport.
Definitely great for travelling, I used to go well over my baggage allowance with all of my books! xx
I’m just starting to get back to reading books for pleasure and I can’t believe how much I missed it. As much as i love having a book on my hand while relaxing, sometimes an audiobook is the way to go like when you’re constantly having to run errands, you can listen to it in the car and while shopping or running errands!
I agree. Its lovely to have an actual book in your hands and to physically read it, not to mention that new book smell, but when life is hectic, this is such a great compromise! xx
Sounds like an interesting app, I would rather have an actual book though
Me too but faced with no books or audiobooks, I’d choose audio books every time! xx
Oh that app sounds great! It is hard to make time for reading when you’re super busy – not to imagine when you have some little ones to look after. This seems like a great solution – will definitely check it out!
It’s a fab app, would definitely recommend it! xx
Sounds an interesting app. I love the idea of listening to a book in the bath or on a plane journey, as I don’t read much any more
It was so lovely to enjoy a book in the bath without getting the pages wet!!
This is why I love technology. It makes our life much easier in a certain way. A great thing about BookBeat is the ability to provide the user to listen offline.
Definitely, with such busy lives everything helps! xx
My kids love audiobooks, but I haven’t heard of this company before. I’m off to have a look into it more
I’d recommend it! xx
I can totally relate to your post! But I don’t like audiobook at all. I like to read, I’m a visual and get distracted with audiobooks.
Funnily enough, I was eating my chocolate in my comfy clothes in my bed when I read your blog post 😉
Hahah that’s so funny. I thought I would feel the same, and given the choice I would always choose an actual book, but given the choice of an audio book or NO book? Audiobook will always win! xx
For mothers who are so busy to handle their day hardly read a book. An audiobook would help. You can do your tasks at home while simply listening to it. Great!
Definitely! Makes the washing up so much more bearable! xx
You know I was actually having the same feeling too a few days ago. I was an avid reader before I became a mother now it is hard to find the time to do what I love. But with this nifty app that is possoble, only thing is 9/10 my little one hopes into the bath with me lol!
Hahah my kids ALWAYS sabotage my baths but I’ve started saving them for when the kids are in bed, bliss! xx
Ooh this would be good for the drives to and from work! I might have to look into this! Thanks for linking up to #TriumphantTales, hope to see you again on Tuesday!
Yes! I listen to it all the time in the car now! I’ll be back Tuesday! xx
This sounds like an amazing service for people like us who love reading but just doesnt have time any more!
Any spare time I have is spent catching up on tele whilst blogging. Even now I’m watching catch up tele whilst typing!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. Hope to see you back on Tuesday
Yes! I always seem to be doing multiple things at once and very rarely have a minute to just sit down and enjoy a book these days. This has really made a difference with the housework, it’s way less boring!! xx
Oh this sounds fantastic! I was just thinking the other day how much I miss reading and that I never have time or energy for it these days as my eyes always feel tired at the end of the day. What a perfect solution, a bath listening to an audiobook! Thanks for linking up to #dreamteam xx
It’s definitely a great solution! You’ll never be able to beat holding a book in your hands and turning the pages, and that new book smell too – mmmmm! But if it’s a case of no books or audiobooks, it’s a no brainer!! xx
I really can’t remember the last time I read a book, I stick to magazines now and just read in short bursts. This is a great idea though, and I can see everyone in the family using it
My kids love it, especially when it means they can stay up a little later listening to a story! xx