It’s time to start pondering over what to gift dad for Father’s Day, but – notoriously – dads are a tough crowd to please. They likely have all the gardening tools, cycling gear, gaming accessories and golf kit they could ever want, making the hunt for a small yet significant Father’s Day present always a bit of a task. However, here’s something dad might not have considered: indulging in an audiobook.
Audiobooks are a brilliant way to increase reading time, as it’s simple to pop in headphones and go for a stroll, do chores around the house or even listen whilst driving. If shoppers are on the hunt for the ideal Father’s Day gift, online audiobook and podcast service Audible is offering a one-month free premium plus trial.
After the initial month, it drops to £8.99 a month with a plethora of books to choose from. As this deal coincides perfectly with Father’s Day, it’s worth highlighting some of the platform’s top picks for Dads.
First off, there’s Monty Don’s Down to Earth Gardening book which features gardening wisdom straight from Don himself – who is best known as the main presenter of the BBC TV series Gardeners’ World – including essential tips, knowledge and musings from his 50 years of gardening experience.
Listeners not only get to hear Monty’s thoughts and garden ideas about nature, seasons, colour, design, pests and much more, but they also get to hear his actual voice as he narrates the entire book, reports The Mirror.
For those who aren’t particularly fond of gardening, Don has another book available on Audible titled Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs. In this book, he delves into the deep connections we form with animals, sharing stories about his own dog Nigel and other special dogs that have been part of his life.
If your father is more inclined towards fiction, there’s a wide selection of James Patterson books available on Audible. His works are renowned for their themes of mystery, thriller and suspense, such as The Commuter.
This gripping tale follows a woman who overhears a murder plot during her morning commute and finds herself drawn into a dangerous situation as she attempts to prevent it. Alternatively, Richard Osman’s classic, The Thursday Murder Club, could be an excellent choice. This story revolves around four unlikely friends in a retirement village who meet weekly to investigate unsolved murders.
However, things take a turn when a brutal killing occurs right on their doorstep. With a film adaptation directed by Chris Columbus set to hit Netflix soon, it might be a good idea for dads to familiarise themselves with the mysteries before its release in August.
While Audible may be the go-to for many audiobook enthusiasts, there are other options such as Spotify, which boasts a library of over 250,000 titles for Premium subscribers to enjoy every month at £11.99. Apple Books is also in the fray, offering a platform for users to purchase and listen to a spectrum of audiobooks.
Audible audiobooks are receiving rave reviews, with Don’s “Down to Earth” snagging a stellar 4.9 out of 5 stars from 512 reviews. Fans are expressing their adoration, with comments like: “One of the best books I have listened to. It’s like he is sitting there in the room with you and soooooo interesting. He has an approach like no other gardener when explaining everything in such a poetic and feeling way… Highly recommended.”
Some appreciate the practical aspect, noting: “Excellent. Instructions are great… Follow the book to a wonderful-looking garden.”
Others simply couldn’t get enough, stating: “Loved every minute of this book. I think I’m going to listen again right now.”
However, not all feedback was glowing; one fledgling gardener remarked: “As a not-even-beginner-yet gardener this book was an information overload. This is a book for the intermediate to experienced gardener to get new insights and inspiration.”
One reader said: “Wonderful book read in his own charming and inimitable style. The only negative is the occasional speeding up, which is very hard to take in at times.” If you’re looking for a top-notch Father’s Day gift, treat your dad to an entire first month free with Audible.