Save Big on Books (and Fun!)

Y'all. I don't have much time to sit and read most days, so I listen to audiobooks. I typically read them at 1.5-2x speed. That sounds fast, but most audiobooks are read by the voice actors at a slower than normal rate. I listen any time I'm doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, yard work, etc. I was solely using Audible, but it's SO expensive when you're reading multiple books a month. One of my friends (shout out to Kerry!) told me about a FREE app that gets you FREE e-books and audiobooks. WHAT? I was skeptical, but it's true. All you need is a library card to use the Libby app. If your library has the book available on "Overdrive" then the book will be available to you on the app. The app could use some improvements in navigation, but it's free, so I don't complain. Very popular books might require a waiting period until an electronic copy opens up. You can put that book on hold and pick up another book in the meantime. But wait... it's not just for adults. You can find plenty of kid lit on the app, including audiobooks. My kids are currently on book #13 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. We listen to it anytime we are in the car. 

Speaking of FREE stuff... Chances are your local library is doing a lot of cool, free activities this summer. Our library is fairly rural but is part of the greater metropolitan library system in our area. Their calendar includes weekly activities for various age groups from toddler to adults. Some of the activities offered this summer for kids include an osteology museum day, Science Museum of Oklahoma day, Lego Day, an escape room, an art class taught by a local artist, a class about glass art from the Art Museum of Oklahoma, and so much more. This will keep my kids entertained while also showing them how fun the library can be. Also, they are having a summer reading event where kids earn two free books (and adults earn one book) for logging 10 hours of reading. This is a great way to avoid the "summer slide" (where children fall behind in reading over the summer).

My kids also got their own library cards last week. We have checked out so many books for them to read. One of our favorites was The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet, written by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. It's funny, rhymes, and features poop and dinosaurs. What more could a kid ask for?

Happy reading (and saving!)