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.
