Lee Woodruff writes books and articles for a living, but most recently has embraced audiobooks and can now be found whipping out her iPhone to listen to them while walking the dog, hiking and driving. Along with her husband, Bob Woodruff, Lee is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller IN AN INSTANT, as well as the author of THOSE WE LOVE MOST and the essay collection PERFECTLY IMPERFECT. Here, she talks about her audiobook habits and her favorite books to listen to.

Question: How long have you been listening to audiobooks?

Lee Woodruff: For about two years now.

Q: What made you start listening?

LW: I wanted to up my quotient of books read --- and audiobooks are a wonderful way to up the number of books I’m “reading” in addition to the hard copies by my bed and in my travel bag. I can get another book in while I’m driving or hiking or walking the dog --- especially walking the dog which is a task that seems to always fall to mom. So when I know I get to listen to another chapter, it makes it easier to bundle up and watch the puppy poop.

Q: When and where do you listen?

LW: On the treadmill, walking the dog, hiking and in the car

Q: What kinds of books do you like to listen to best?

LW: All kinds. I’m listening to two memoirs now and just finished Maya Angelou’s book --- literally fiction and nonfiction.

Q: What do you use to listen to audiobooks?

LW: My iPhone.

Q: Are the books that you listen to different from the kinds of print and eBooks you read?

LW: No, but the reader of the book really does matter: An annoying habit or an author who sometimes thinks they are a good reader can totally detract from the book. The person who read THE GOLDFINCH, for example, was excellent --- David Pittu's accents transported me away.

Q: Where do you buy/borrow audiobooks from?

LW: I download audiobooks from the Apple store or get discs from the library. Sometimes I even buy CDs and share them with friends.

Q: Do you listen with anyone else, or is it a solo experience?

LW: Solo.

Q: What percentage of your reading is done via audiobooks?

LW: Probably 40 percent now.

Q: Do you have favorite narrators? If so, tell us about them.

LW: My favorites are usually professional actors, whose voices can bring characters to life or provide range.

Q: What are some of the most memorable books that you’ve listened to?

LW: THE GOLDFINCH, BOSSYPANTS, DAVID AND GOLIATH: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, and QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.

Q: What is the last audiobook you listened to? Tell us about it.

LW: I’m listening right now to Amy Poehler’s book, YES PLEASE, because I love her --- love her voice, love the book.

Q: Is there anything about the format of audiobooks that you don’t like or would like to see changed or improved?

LW: No. I think audio listening is just another form of imagining, but I would never want to give up a book in my hand.