Written by Bec Loades in Tech on the 4th April 2018

These days, as a society, we tend to always be on the go. Whether it be commuting in and out of cities, running from one appointment to another or trying to make sure we can get to the gym at the end of a busy day. Life can be hectic! Therefore, from time to time, we all feel the need to block ourselves out from what is going on around us. If you take a trip on the tube in London, you will find that pretty much 80% of passengers will be plugged into their phones, e-readers or music players. We may have turned ourselves into an anti-social society, but you can't blame someone for taking a little bit of time to relax and listen to a new podcast, audiobook or the radio.

Audible, from Amazon, offers all of these and is a great platform to escape and ease the mind. You can simply sign up for a free 30-day trial or you can pay the small fee of £7.99 for a monthly subscription. It is so easy to use and with the free app you can stream or download your favourite books wherever you are. You certainly won't be stuck for inspiration on Audible as there are over 200,000 titles to choose from. If you are a frequent traveller, this is absolutely perfect to keep you occupied on a lengthy train journey or flight, and ideal to drown out any unwelcome noise! There is even the option to exchange a purchase if you aren't entirely happy with your choice.

Sneakers - Fashion, Gender and Subculture: Calling all sneakerheads, this is a great study of the mad world of sneakers and the subculture connected to them. Thanks to sneaker super-brands; Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Puma, we have become obsessed with what we wear on our feet. There have been a huge number of trends in the world of trainers, making more and more people desperate to have the freshest pair. You can even see them worn on a red carpet with a custom-made suit. This study, by Yuniya Kawamura, looks are the origin of the sneaker subculture phenomenon and how the shoes have developed from sportswear into the fashion must-have. 

Shoe Dog: Do you know how the sporting giant Nike started? If you want to know the whole story, look no further than this inspiring memoir from Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight. The reviews of this audiobook show just how interesting this story is, with some claiming it as a masterpiece and the best audiobook they have ever listened to! Phil Knight started his company with just $50, importing shoes from Japan and selling them from the trunk of his car. Today Nike’s annual sales reach around $30 billion and is one of the leading global sports brands. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, this is a story you need to listen to. Phil Knight has previously been quite a curious and mystical character of the industry, however through Shoe Dog his story is exposed, and we can finally understand, through various highs and lows, how he created such an extraordinarily successful business. 

The Warhol Economy: If you have an interest in the New York creative scene, this might be a perfect choice for you. The previous work of author Elizabeth Currid has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and the New Yorker. Her pieces have mainly focused on arts and culture and more recently on the American consumer economy. In this fascinating first-person report, she investigates and argues it is the creative industries which are currently the driving force behind the economy in New York. She looks at the relationship between the creative industry and the social life that surrounds them and how this has moulded modern popular culture into what she calls the ‘Warhol economy’. Currid interviews various New York artists, fashion designers and musicians in order to understand the current situation and explores the importance of a cultural economy in all cities around the world. 

Season of Change: This second book from Yuli Ziv will be extremely interesting to anyone who is curious about the business side of fashion. The author investigates the relationship between technology and fashion as she believes the industry is outdated in innovation. It is undoubtedly a topic commonly debated in the industry as we are now in a time of interactive retail, smart fabrics and social media influence. Ziv has some fascinating theories and whether you agree with them or not, they are worth a listen. She even has some of her own tips for entrepreneurs who are looking to take a step into the industry.

We Are What We Wear: The world of fast fashion hit major news headlines in 2013 when the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city, completely collapsed killing over 1,100 people. This tragic and shocking event is explained in this audiobook with the help of brave anecdotes from survivors which is mixed in with the history behind fast fashion and the mammoth development of the High Street. Although we all love a bargain, the less expensive side of fashion does have its major downfalls and there can be a very dark side to it when it comes to manufacturing. Lucy Siegle investigates this topic and where the High Street can go from here. 

The Harvey Specter Handbook: Are you a fan of the hit television show, Suits? If you are, then you will certainly be aware of the character Harvey Specter, played by Gabriel Macht. This is a bit of light-hearted listening to get to know the real personality behind the infamous attorney. Specter is well-known for wearing some pretty dapper outfits throughout the series. His life revolves around his work, which of course means he is almost permanently in a single-breasted, made-to-measure suit and power tie. All of this is discussed in this guide, along with some of his own life lessons.

The Ultimate Beard Care Manual: If you are really into your beauty and grooming, this audiobook will be right up your street. We all know that the shape and style of beards have been a huge trend and this guide will help you perfect it. Perhaps you might even be struggling to grow the beard you desire? This manual provides all the nutritional advice you need, including which food to eat, in order for your beard to grow that bit faster. After 27 minutes of grooming tips, you will be set to go out and impress your mates with your new facial hair knowledge! 

We’ve secured a discounted Audible membership offer for our MenswearStyle readers. Click Here to get 50% off for the first 3 months; that just £3.99 for the first 3 months!

We list Shoe Dog, The Warhol Economy, We Are What We Wear and The Harvey Specter Handbook among the Top 7 Fashion Must-Listens on Audible.