Why I Love My Smart Phone

You know that useless piece of electronic junk that everyone carries around in their pocket or purse? You know what I'm talking about. Your cell phone, smart phone, a.k.a. mobile. I used to curse a lot whenever I tried to make a phone call with mine. I've heard you can make and receive phone calls with these devices, but only if you keep them fully charged. I never bothered to charge mine so the power bar was always in the red or nonexistent when the battery plummeted to absolute zero.

A year ago, my feelings for my smart phone changed. I charged it every day. I carried it around with me, even in the house. What led to such an amazing reversal? No, I didn't find I suddenly had more people to talk to. I discovered a secret, the true purpose of a smart phone. Because they fit neatly in your pocket and have a headphones jack, they are the perfect vehicle for listening to audio books. It's like they were made for our listening pleasure.

But, but audio books are expensive, you say. Get yourself the Overdrive app (it's free). Log into your library and start listening (for free), all from the comfy confines of your home. No more squinting at call numbers. No more crawling on the floor to see the books on the bottom shelf. No more fines as audio books are returned automagically when they're due.

Do you hate doing mundane tasks to keep your house running? With audio books plugged into your mobile phone, chore time is transformed into reading time. Fun time! Fight with Shelob while you load the dishwasher. (Just don't throw plates at her.) Dodge bludgers while restocking the linen closet. Imagine how much more reading time you'll have and how many more books you can plow through.

Now, if I can just figure out how to disable the phone part of my smart phone, I'll enter book nirvana. There's nothing more annoying than a ringtone when you're deep into an exciting story.

Have you discovered the many joys of audio books?

Summer Road Trip #Audiobook #Giveaway

In celebration of summer, M. Pax is giving away three sets of audiobooks. Each set includes: The Backworlds, Stopover at the Backwords' Edge, and The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear.

Make the road, make your travel, fun and entertaining. Contest runs through June 16th. Sign up below.

Ocean of Dust now on Audiobook

Ocean of Dust, by Graeme Ing is a YA Fantasy, previously published in paperback and ebook. But now, audiobook fans, you too can experience Lissa's adventure. The narration by Becky Doughty of Bravehearts Audiobooks superbly brings every character to life.

Fourteen-year old Lissa is snatched from her home and finds herself a slave on a trading ship traveling on a waterless ocean of nothing but gray dust. A feisty, curious and intelligent girl, her desire to explore the ship earns her the hatred of the cruel first officer, Farq.

Fascinated by the ocean of dust, Lissa becomes embroiled in its mysteries, sensing things that the crew cannot, while cryptic whispers in her head are leading her toward a destiny linked to the dust itself. Only one man aboard can help her make sense of her new talent, but can she trust him?

All is not as it seems, and she must unravel the clues before it’s too late. When a sinister plot casts her adrift on the barren ocean, her best friend is left in the hands of the treacherous crew. Everything hinges upon her courage, quick wits, and her ability to master her new talent.

Available from Audible, Amazon and soon, iTunes.