Today I automatically renewed my subscription for Audible, the wonderful app that lets you listen to all sorts of audiobooks. It’s like back in the day when the family would go on vacation and we’d stop off at the library to check out books on CD to listen to along the journey to pass the hours and make the endless tedium of interstate travel a little more bearable.

Now, they have it all contained within the confines of your smartphone. Instead of the bulky packaging of all those books on CD (or books on tape if you’re really vintage), you can get all the books in a device that fits in the palm of your hand. Ain’t life grand?

Currently, I’m in the middle of listening to the Complete Sherlock Holmes mysteries, taking me back to good old Victorian England. Next up will be one of my favorite authors, Charles Martin.

Having these audiobooks makes my daily commute bearable. In fact, I look forward to the drive so I can delve into the adventures of one Mr. Holmes and his trusty sidekick Watson as they solve all those crimes and match wits with the dastardly Professor Moriarty.

I can be stuck in rush-hour traffic and at the same time be transported back to 1890s London with the horse-drawn carriages and the gas-lit street lamps. The rainy afternoon drive home that used to get me stressed now only serves to add atmosphere to these British stories.

If you love good books and good stories and spend a lot of time in the car, I recommend Audible. It’s definitely worth the money, especially if you know how to wait for the sales and 2-for-1 credit deals.