I’ve gotten better at choosing these books–which don’t always land on my more-serious print reading list. My audiobook tastes fall narrowly into that space: a little humor, a small cast of characters, and a fast-moving story with enough stakes to make me care, and I am hooked. But the way these smart-but-light books are written slot them perfectly into that place between too serious and too light.

They often have characters facing difficult issues and personal struggles. When literary, dark, or heavy books just aren’t working for me, I like to turn to what I refer to as “smart-but-light” reads. Smart-but-Light Audiobooks for When You Just Can’t Focus While I might otherwise be frustrated, this year I’m grateful for the simple, physical task.Īnd as I methodically pull the weeds and trim the overgrown shrubs, I listen: to audiobooks–more audiobooks than I’ve ever listened to before.Īfter initially struggling with audiobooks, I’ve finally found my sweet spot–just in time for the year when I need them most.

I move around the flowers and shrubs with a singular focus, clearing out the bindweed and other invaders that spring up faster than I can keep up. Light audiobooks with smart themes, great characters, and fast-moving stories are the perfect choices for easy summer listening in 2020–especially if you’ve been having trouble focusing on books.Įach week, as the worries, stresses, and bad news of this crazy year pile up, I turn to one thing I can control: the weeds in my yard.

We hear audiobook