Listening opens up a whole new level of multitasking. Chores like dishes, tidying, and laundry can fly by—or be downright enjoyable—with the right story in your headphones. Listening can also provide inspirational fuel for crafting, creating, and cultivating our various hobbies.
Our editors shared the listens that kept them company while they rolled up their sleeves and got to making. The finished products range from home-cooked dishes to home renovations, but one thing unites them: They’ll always embody a little bit of the story that motivated us to keep on creating.
Editor Melissa: Practicing the old arts
Throwing pottery is a new thing for me. So far it’s been a mix of incredibly frustrating—when I’m creating a bowl and the walls suddenly collapse after 20 minutes of work and I have to start over, gah!—and incredibly rewarding—when I lift something off the wheel, made with my own hands, that I can potentially use for the rest of my life. As a maker, it’s so nice to be able to learn something new and useful, and I’m hoping that I can fill my kitchen with beautiful handmade dishware and cookware in the future. I’ve been getting the feeling that this old art can be practically magical, so it suited perfectly with Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, a magically practical story about an Oxford professor studying faeries. I felt like we were learning together as both Emily and I delved into the study and practice of our art. There’s also a very satisfying love story here, which eased the pain of my accidentally crushed bowls and cups on the wheel as I was throwing.
Editor Sam: It was me, in the backyard, with the mallet
When we first moved into our house, we had no backyard to speak of—just a concrete slab big enough to hold two cars. Since we only had one, we fenced off half of the space with the grandest intentions of making a little patio. Flash forward three years, when I refused to let another summer go by without an outdoor space! I purchased decking tiles and got to work with the latest You novel, For You and Only You—out loud on my phone, as my headphones had died. As I toiled under the already hot April sun, swinging a mallet to seal together these surprisingly finicky (read: infuriating) decking tiles, I had to laugh: The irony was not lost on me to have Joe Goldberg keeping me company as I wielded a Goldbergian weapon. I wondered what my neighbors thought as they heard me whacking away back there to the delightfully sinister tones of Santino Fontana. I swear there are no bodies underneath this turf.
Editor Seth: Guidance from a master
I have always been surrounded by food. Ever since my grandfather taught five-year-old-me how to bake a loaf of bread, the urge to bring people together around a table has been strong. While he no longer has the desire to cook, his passions have been passed down to me and my brother. The two of us have always loved trying to make food from all over the world. It didn’t take us long to find Anthony Bourdain’s travel cooking shows, which provide an intimate look into lesser-known subcultures around the globe. I have always been fascinated by Bourdain, but it wasn’t until recently that I picked up his memoir Kitchen Confidential. While stirring a roux for gumbo, I was joined by the man himself as he wove his personal history, restaurant expertise, and philosophical musings together in his iconic “no filter” style. While I may never have the knife skills and encyclopedic recipe acumen that Bourdain did, I feel a little more confident in the kitchen with him at my side.
Editor Patty: My own Happiness Project
I was one of 12 children, so spaces to quietly read in my house were scarce, to say the least. As a child, I dreamed of the day I'd be able to walk into my book room, close the door, and immerse myself in my favorite novels without someone yelling, “Dad!” every few minutes. After what felt like forever searching, my husband, cat, and I finally found a space that fit our little family perfectly. From the moment I walked into the spare bedroom, I called “book room dibs” and started searching for inspiration, only to find myself overwhelmed. Like me, Daisy, the protagonist in The Happiness Project, is looking for ways to do the things that she loves—primarily helping people. When the self-certified happiness expert takes on a celebrity client, Joe, can she ensure he find happiness? As I immersed myself in this delightfully narrated rom-com, and kept rooting for Joe and Daisy’s happiness, the space I dreamt of as a child came to life. And while my home-decorating priorities are still questionable, my knack for picking a great listen remains solid as ever. If you happen to be wondering about my happiness project, she’s done—and she’s a beaut. ❤️📚
Editor Haley: Looking for a "gupdate"?
Instead of adopting a pandemic puppy, I impulsively set up an aquarium for a thriving colony of guppies. As quickly as their numbers have multiplied—undoubtedly at a rate that rivals rabbits—my love for them has deepened, leading my fellow (and ever-clever) Audible Editors to coin my persistent cooing over my beloved pets as my “gupdates.” In addition to singing lullabies for my newborn fry, I truly believe that my guppies love to gather round for nightly bedtime readings. Likewise, as much as they associate my voice with the promise of food, I am convinced that even they agree: hearing Michael Urie narrate Marcellus the octopus in Remarkably Bright Creatures is nothing short of delightful. Optimistically buoyant, Shelby Van Pelt’s refreshing debut novel about the staff and sea creatures who keep the Sowell Bay Aquarium afloat is a perfect audiobook to share among fishy friends.
Editor Rachael: Self-improving while home-improving
When my partner and I closed on our fixer-upper last fall, we were well aware that we’d have to tackle some big projects in order to turn our new house into a home. While we’re committed to the journey, answering the questions, “What comes next?” and “How do we get this done right?” has been overwhelming at times. That’s why I recently picked up How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors that Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything in Between. With valuable insights into project management, drawing from a range of projects such as designing the iPod, the Boeing 747, and even bathroom remodels, it’s given us the skills we need to confidently plan and navigate everything from our budget to our timeline. There’s still a long road ahead of us, but we’re looking forward to one day enjoying the results of our hard work. Plus, honing project management skills while ripping out unwanted drywall is super satisfying.
Editor Alanna: Bingo! Dino DIY!
In planning for our upcoming wedding, my soon-to-be-husband and I have set out to create a celebration that feels uniquely ours. From swapping out a traditional seating chart to a playlist of our favorite love songs to the names of our signature cocktails (The Tatooine Sunset and The Whiskey Shire), we’ve found ways to incorporate glimpses into our personalities and interests. Naturally, when it came to decorating our sweetheart table, the usual floral swag just wouldn’t do. We’re what you might affectionally refer to as “dinosaur nerds,” a title earned by frequent natural history museum dates and a shared language comprised entirely of Jurassic Park quotes. So, an element of DIY dino-themed decor seemed appropriate. Equipped with two Dollar Store toys (a T. rex with a goofy demeanor unbefitting the Mesozoic Era’s apex predator and an equally silly stegosaurus), a can of gold spray paint, tulle, faux pearls, decorative bows, and a most fitting listen, I crafted a pair of the cutest little prehistoric newlyweds. And now, armed with a host of new lost world fun facts gleaned from Steve Brusatte’s fascinating paleontological history, The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, I think I’m just about ready for another spin around the fossil hall.
