Wednesday, August 9, 2026
Welcome, all. September is finally here, but it still feels like August… and July… and June… and half of May. Here, that’s how long it’s been since we had a break from the ultra-hot days.
Daphne: Yummy Human, are you complaining about the hot weather again? Cut it out. I’m not going to listen to it. You’re interrupting my bath.
Ahem… As I was about to say, the Scoobies are helping with another installment of Dan Antion‘s “Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge” (CFFC). Dan asked the multi-part question, Where, What, and When do you LISTEN? For our response, the Scoobies and I are going to limit this listening to audiobooks.
Where?
Daphne: Yummy Human listens to audiobooks at the kitchen table when takes her lunch break. She likes to listen while she eats. With audiobooks, she doesn’t have to juggle food and turn pages like with a regular book.
Velma: I like to have a bite while Yummy’s listening too. CHOMP!
But she re-listens to books at night when she’s trying to go to sleep, or back to sleep, or back-back-back to sleep. I know she’s almost finished with book-5 “Gator Bait.” But sometimes during the night she plays book-1, “Louisiana Longshot.”
Ouch, Velma! But you’re right, Scoobies. My C-PTSD makes it difficult for me to watch, read, or listen to new stories, because I have so many triggers. I get a lot of anxiety just trying to start a new story. So I re-enjoy things that are the watching/listening equivalent of comfort food. A couple of my go-to listens during the night are Nathan Lowell’s “The Wizard’s Butler,” and “Stop Panic Attacks” (sleep hypnosis) by Joel Thielke.
What
Daphne: Yummy Human says she likes “cozy” books, but I think some cozies are fantasy and other kinds, not just mysteries. I wish she’d re-listen to book-2 of Nathan Lowell’s fantasy series. I really liked “The Wizard’s Cat.” Or any of “The Cat Who” series by Lilian Jackson Braun.
All of those are worth a re-listen, Scoobies. A lot of experts are saying that having stories read to you builds a stronger vocabulary, improves listening comprehension, and reduces stress. It also helps develop empathy and emotional intelligence.
Mental and Cognitive Growth
- Boosts active listening skills and focus.
- Expands word knowledge beyond everyday speech.
- Strengthens brain areas linked to visual imagery and memory.
- Makes complex plots and ideas easier to understand.
Emotional and Social Well-Being
- Lowers stress and promotes relaxation.
- Builds empathy by showing how characters feel and react.
- Creates a safe space to explore difficult feelings.
- Deepens personal connections and trust between the listener and the reader.
Velma: Okay, Yummy. I’m snuggled down and ready to listen to a story. But you’d better hurry up and start playing it, because I have a yen to chomp your toe.
Thanks for visiting. Friendly comments are welcome. Hugs.
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Naturally, the obligatory shameless self-promotion must be included.
Brother Love – a Crossroad
Strange things abound in a small 1950s town. It’s a cozy, magic realism story, filled with mystery and music.
Universal Purchase Links
Kindle: relinks.me/B07V25SXFR
Paperback: relinks.me/107952309X
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Copyright © 2026 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
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Teagan's Books 
I can understand your comfort in revisiting prior listening material, especially when trying to take care in what content you engage with. In the last couple of years, I have gotten into various podcasts on movies, shows, and sports while I am on my PC. At times, some of them are so good I will revisit them for another listen after the fact. I have not ventured much into audio books, but I am sure if I did I would enjoy them now that I am totally conditioned to have audio surrounding me most of the day. I also have been watching old TV series like The X-Files, Monk, and Psych from time to time at night…they are familiar and relaxing…while also entertaining. Sounds like Daphne already has some books in your queue lol. Hugs to you and the Scoobies, Teagan!
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The Scoobies are the best helpers, Teagan. Sophie and Chloe are helping me with the packing. They check out all the boxes before I add the contents. Seriously, I have worn these cats out for over a week now. I’m almost done packing. We’re still waiting to hear when the closing dates are. The holiday threw a wrench into the workings. Have a lovely week. 💜
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Good to see the Scoobies helping out with your post! I also re-read books that have become favorites over the years. And thank goodness for my Kindle so I can see what I’m reading better than the little print in books. I’ve listened to a few being read, too. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
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A lovely post with Daphne and Velma’s invaluable assistance, of course. I try to listen to audiobooks (or book-to-text versions of books) while I do chores or keepfit, but it depends on my mother’s schedule and how much me-time I have. I am aware of your difficulties with new books (I know you’re not alone with triggers and subject-matters), and I think your strategy of relistening to audiobooks you have already read is very good. Thanks for all the information about the benefits of listening to stories. I keep reading news about children having poor understanding of what they read, and I am sure listening to stories and reading with their parents would be very helpful. Have a lovely week, dear Teagan. Big hugs and love to the Scoobies.
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