My newest passion is walking and listening to books on my iPod. I love to read but it is hard to find time to read as much as I would like. So when I discovered I could listen to books when I walk, I was ecstatic!

I have a great collection of music and have converted almost all of it to mp3 files, plus I frequently buy more. I love walking to music. But, more and more, I listen to music while I work and listen to audiobooks when I work out.

Listening to audiobooks while walking is the sort of multi-tasking that is good for you in so many ways. If you enjoy good books, you know that reading them can make time fly by and before you know it, hours have passed. The same thing happens when walking and reading. You finish your walking route but do not want to stop because the story is so captivating!

If you have beloved audiobooks on cds already, you can rip them and convert them to mp3 or other formats. Otherwise, you can buy new ones!

I have a subscription to audible.com and download a book every month or two. The subscription means I can get many books for just one credit, or $14.95—even if they cost more.

My most recent download was Water for Elephants which I absolutely loved. This audiobook is over 11 hours, so it lasted for quite a few walks!

If you walk in an area where you need to be aware of traffic or other sounds, you can still listen to your mp3 player by using just one ear bud. That way, you can still hear what is going on around you. However, if you need to be totally alert, then skip the listening devices and pay attention. You can listen to your audiobooks when you get back home—they work just as well for doing housework, or even just lounging around!

I also learn while walking and reading. Many of my book selections are work-related (marketing or business) books. There are so many book types available now. You can learn a foreign language, read the latest bestseller, study history and science, improve yourself, download comedy books and routines and much more. There are whole new worlds waiting to be explored! .

Audible.com also offers many freebies to its members. You can get tips and hints, excerpts of books and free trial subscriptions to newspapers ad magazines. If you walk using a portable music player or would like to try, here are some special offers for you:

Listen to more than 25,000 audio books programs. Choose from popular and informative categories. Join now and receive free MP3 player.