Kiss, Marry or Kill: 11

The audiobooks I can't stop running to, the new book-lover's podcast, my favorite (cheap) kitchen gadgets, PADMA, puppies, and the complex discussion happening around OceanGate

This is my weekly series for subscribers only, where I’ll share things that caught my eye this week in a fun and flirty way (kiss), a sustainable way (marry), or a not-so-good way (kill). And yes, this trendy game is technically “f***, marry, or kill” but we run a family-friendly-ish show around here.

Kiss (things I like right now)

Twisty, turny, audiobook Oreos. Everything about this next sentence is going to be weird: Lately, I’ve been listening to psychological suspense/thriller audiobooks while I run.

First, I don’t listen to audiobooks. Before May, I had maybe finished three in my whole life. Second, I haven’t run consistently for 15 years. Third, I don’t even read books in this genre—they’re just not my jam. (Although I did listen to Wrong Place, Wrong Time last year on a road trip and LOVED it.) Finally, I have never listened to anything but music during a workout.

So imagine my surprise when a month and a half ago, I found myself running while listening to an audiobook. It started with Samantha Irby’s Quietly Hostile. I had been listening in the car when I got to the trailhead, and I just didn’t want to stop. So I kept it playing, and it entertained me effortlessly through all three miles. When I finished that book, I decided maybe books on runs could be a thing, so I browsed Audible. The first book on the app’s homepage was a blockbuster thriller called Before She Knew Him, by Peter Swanson. Never heard of him, but it had 10,000 basically-five-star reviews. Before I could think too hard, I hit “buy with 1 credit.”

Would I have liked this book as much reading it in paper form at night before bed? Maybe not. But I found myself stretching out my runs and walks just to see what happened next. The shocking twists! I never saw them coming! It had me hooked like those damn gluten-free Oreos, and firmly solidified my new routine: Run (or walk) + psychological thriller audiobook.

I went on to listen to The Housemaid after that. It was equally delicious, and trust me, the last two-thirds make up for the slightly annoying beginning. Now I’m halfway through Local Woman Missing, and deeply enthralled. I have to force myself not to listen in the car or at home—these are only for runs or walks.

So far, I’ve only chosen books with a fafillion five-star reviews, but if you have a favorite psychological thrilled (NO SPOILERS!) please share in comments. My physical and mental health will thank you for the inspiration.