Queen of comedy, Celeste Barber aims to help time-stretched people get books back into their busy lives, partnering with Audible in its latest campaign, alongside culinary sensation, Poh Ling Yeow, and busy stay-at-home Dad, Clarke Gayford.
With fewer people reading books than ever, it’s perhaps not surprising that recent research by Audible found 62 per cent of Aussies don’t read at all simply because they don’t feel they have the time.
If you loved curling up with a Dickens or Jane Austen then you’ll find the below stats somewhat scary.
- How many? A third of Australians (6.6 million) listen to audiobooks, with millennials leading the listening charge. More than half of millennials (55 per cent) already listen to audiobooks.
- Multi-tasking to the max: Of those already listening to audiobooks, 90 per cent agree that it allows them to multitask or be more efficient.
- Mental stimulation on the move: Aussies would most commonly consider listening to an audiobook while on a flight (38 per cent), and road tripping or on a long drive (32 per cent).
- Me-time, please: Nearly 1 in 3 Aussies (29 per cent) would consider listening to an audiobook when they want some ‘me time’. A similar number (36 per cent) would listen relaxing at home.
- Celebrity-centric: Two thirds (65 per cent) of Aussies would be more likely to listen to an audiobook narrated by a celebrity. Our favourites are Morgan Freeman (41 per cent), David Attenborough (34 per cent), Barack Obama (24 per cent) and Stephen Fry (22 per cent).
- Keep up with culture: Aussies most often wish they had read the Game of Thrones series (23 per cent), The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (22 per cent), and The Barefoot Investor (22 per cent).
So what are Celeste’s all time favourite books?
Celeste Barber’s Top Ten Favourite Books
- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Eric Idle
- Becoming – Michelle Obama
- Bossypants – Tina Fey
- Breath – Tim Winton
- Do You Mind If I Cancel? (Things That Still Annoy Me) – Gary Janetti
- Life Will Be the Death of Me…And You Too! – Chelsea Handler
- Matilda – Roald Dahl
- The Handmaids Tale – Margaret Atwood
- The Subtle Art if Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
- Yes Please – Amy Poehler