"Why weren't audiobooks an option?"

We had just shared the results of our Great Reads, Great Connections registration survey in which we'd asked for attendees' preferred reading medium: physical book, or ebook.

The fact that those were the only two selections revealed my bias as a reader, being firmly in option #3: both. I've listened to audiobooks during my commutes, but hadn't considered them as reading.

"What I like to do," shared Alex. "Is listen to the audiobook while I'm reading."

A few seconded that technique, while others, myself included, found ourselves in wonder at this new way of consuming books. Audiobooks provide an immersive experience through narration and soundscapes, allowing listeners to absorb stories in a different context.

"And if you get the audiobook read by the author themselves, it adds a whole new layer to understanding what they mean, because he's reading it as he wrote it," Alex added as the discussion died down.

What if there is no audiobook for what you're reading?

Alex shared his experience with Speechify, an AI text-to-speech application. Users can upload pictures of pages from their textbooks, PDFs, or various other reading content, and listen to it on the go.

This was one of the many fantastic insights that were shared in our Summer Social and Book Exchange, and we'd only just finished eating dinner.

"I like how all of the activities were book-related. Very creative to keep that theme going throughout the evening."

Our June Summer Social and Book Exchange was based on our love of books. Attendees were invited to bring books that had inspired them and exchange them for a book that others had brought. This allowed attendees to connect with their peers on a level other than strictly L&D.

The positive feedback we received highlighted this unique connection, with attendees sharing comments such as:

"We had some really good dialogue at our table."

"I enjoyed the table conversations and activities. The fact it was focused on something other than our jobs made it more enjoyable."

Attendees found a wealth of ways to connect over shared passions, from lively book-themed networking bingo and engaging table discussions to challenging first-sentence trivia.

    

Attendees left with not just the book they'd discovered on the exchange table, but also with a copy of Ryan Gottfredson's new release: "Becoming Better." 

"I like getting to know people with similar interests and roles."

Beyond the literary discoveries, the true magic of our Summer Social and Book Exchange lay in the connections forged and the shared insights. Events like these remind us of the power of community and the joy of stepping beyond our everyday roles to connect on a deeper level. We can't wait to see what inspiring ideas and conversations await us at our next gathering!