Best Audiobooks to Listen to While Customizing Your Keyboard
Mechanical keyboards have been a popular hobby, but they’ve gained more attention in recent years. According to a New Yorker article, sales of mechanical keyboards increased in 2020, partly due to more people staying at home due to lockdowns and getting introduced to the hobby.
Acumen also reported that the value of the mechanical keyboards market was at $1.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $5.6 billion by 2032.
With surging popularity, it’s no surprise that many people are getting into the hobby of collecting and modifying their keyboards.
Personalizing your mechanical keyboard enables you to tailor your preferred typing and gaming experience or to enhance the overall aesthetics of your tool through different keycaps.
However, modding can take some time, so you might want to plug in your headphones and listen to some audiobooks to keep you company.
Why audiobooks?
Audiobooks enable you to enjoy stories hands-free, allowing you to focus on time-consuming keyboard modding tasks like lubing switches without getting too bored.
Studies have also found that listening to audiobooks while doing other tasks can actually increase productivity. An audiobook subscription with Everand allows you to access thousands of titles on various topics that can keep you entertained while customizing your keyboard.
For instance, you can listen to Richard Knaak’s World of Warcraft: Stormrage if you’re interested in gaming, as well as other bestselling titles from a variety of categories. Similarly, accessing your public library via OverDrive can help you borrow titles from your local library’s audiobook catalog to help you pass the time while modding.
Below, we’ve put together a few fun titles that you might want to listen to while customizing your keyboard:
Benefits of Listening to Audiobooks While Customizing
1. Hands-Free Entertainment
- Explain how audiobooks allow for hands-free listening
- Highlight how this makes it easier to focus on intricate tasks like lubing switches
- Mention the convenience of not having to pause work to turn pages or hold a book
2. Increased Productivity
- Cite studies showing how audiobooks can increase productivity during other tasks
- Discuss how multitasking with audiobooks can help keyboard enthusiasts complete projects faster
- Mention the potential for learning new information while working on keyboards
Accessing Audiobooks
Subscription Services
1. Everand (formerly Scribd)
- Explain the subscription model (flat monthly fee)
- Highlight the wide selection of audiobooks and ebooks
- Mention the ability to listen/read unlimited titles
- Discuss any limitations (e.g. restrictions on popular titles)
2. Audible
- Describe the credit-based system
- Mention the extensive library and exclusive content
- Explain that purchased audiobooks are yours to keep
3. Other Services
- Briefly mention alternatives like Audiobooks.com, Libro.fm, etc
Public Libraries
1. OverDrive/Libby
- Explain how to access through your local library card
- Describe the borrowing process and hold system
- Highlight the cost-free nature of this option
2. Hoopla
- Discuss the instant borrowing feature (no holds)
- Mention potential limitations on number of borrows per month
3. Other Library Apps
- Briefly mention alternatives like cloudLibrary or RBdigital
Audiobooks to listen to while customizing your keyboard
1. Trapped in a Video Game by Dustin Brady
If you’re an avid gamer, you’ve probably already wondered how it feels to be inside an actual video game. Dustin Brady’s Trapped in a Video Game can help you visualize that further, as it chronicles the adventures of a young boy named Jesse who finds himself stuck in a computer game.
The narrator takes you through a world of puzzles, challenges, and opponents to conquer as you accompany Jesse in finding his way back to the real world. This is a good audiobook choice to stimulate your imagination and even fuel your excitement to play games after setting up your mechanical keyboard.
2. The Year in Tech, 2024 by Harvard Business Review
Keyboard collectors fascinated by tech updates and advancements may want to listen to this insightful audiobook on the growth of the tech industry. Harvard Business Review’s The Year in Tech, 2024 looks into the latest technologies like generative AI, Web3, and reusable rockets that can power the space economy and how these innovations can help shape the future.
It also provides insights into how these advancements can be leveraged by businesses to maintain a competitive advantage. It’s the perfect audiobook choice to geek out on the latest tech breakthroughs while tinkering with the latest switches, keycaps, and macros.
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
If you can’t decide which audiobook to listen to, you can simply look for international bestsellers for guaranteed quality. Among these best-selling books is Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, which narrates the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels the world in search of a prized treasure.
His journey comes with many obstacles that can provide valuable life lessons. With around four hours of listening time, this is the perfect audiobook option for taking apart, customizing, and putting your keyboard back together in one sitting.
4. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
In our previous article , we mentioned that modifying your mechanical keyboard and lubing switches can take time. Usually, the whole process can take around two to four hours, depending on how big your keyboard is and how experienced you are.
That said, if you’re going to be modding several boards or if you’re trying your hand at other customizations like custom keycaps, the process can take longer. Keep yourself company with audiobooks that fit a longer time range, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which takes around 11 hours to listen to. This timeless prequel to The Lord of the Rings takes you on an adventure with Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who journeys with dwarves to recover gold from a dragon.
This is perfect if you’re looking for a thrilling narration to keep your energy up while modding.
Customizing your keyboard can be a time-consuming hobby. Listening to these audiobooks is a great way to keep yourself engaged and productive while working, and might even inspire your next build.
Tips for Choosing the Right Audiobook
1. Duration
- Explain how to match audiobook length with customization session time
- Suggest options for short vs. long customization projects
2. . Genre
- Discuss the importance of selecting audiobooks that align with personal interests
- Provide examples of genres that work well for background listening
Conclusion
Listening to audiobooks while customizing your keyboard offers a unique blend of productivity and entertainment. This combination allows you to engage your mind with captivating stories or informative content while your hands work on intricate keyboard tasks.
The hands-free nature of audiobooks enables you to focus on detailed work like lubing switches or installing stabilizers without interruption.
Moreover, studies have shown that listening to audiobooks can increase productivity during other tasks, making your customization sessions more efficient.
