Best Audiobooks for Pool Techs: What Pros Listen to on the Route
One of the best perks of pool service work that nobody talks about? You can listen to audiobooks all day. While you're skimming, brushing, and balancing chemistry, you can burn through entire book series that desk workers take months to finish.
A recent thread on r/PoolPros asked a simple question: "Anybody else listen to audiobooks while you work?" The response was overwhelming—40+ comments of recommendations, listening stats, and a shared appreciation for what might be the most underrated benefit of working outdoors.
We compiled the best picks from the thread so you can load up your queue before your next route day.
The Pool Tech's Top Audiobooks
Based on the number of mentions and upvotes, these are the books that pool pros are listening to most.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
This was the most-mentioned series in the thread by far. Multiple techs recommended it independently. The premise: aliens turn Earth into a dungeon-crawling reality show, and Carl (plus his cat Princess Donut) has to fight through increasingly absurd levels to survive. It's funny, surprisingly emotional, and wildly addictive. If you only pick one series from this list, make it this one.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
From the author of The Martian, this one was recommended by multiple pool pros. An astronaut wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there—and has to save Earth. If you liked The Martian, you'll love this. Several techs noted it's a "read before you see the film" kind of book.
The Martian by Andy Weir
The book that started it all for Andy Weir. A stranded astronaut has to science his way off Mars. If you've only seen the movie, the book goes much deeper. Several pros also mentioned Weir's Artemis as a solid follow-up.
Fantasy and LitRPG
Fantasy and LitRPG (literary role-playing game) fiction absolutely dominate pool tech listening. The long series formats are perfect for route work—you can stay in the same world for weeks.
Epic fantasy at its best. The Way of Kings kicks off a massive series that pool techs love because the audiobooks are 40+ hours each. That's a full work week per book.
A regular guy gets transported to a fantasy world with RPG mechanics. Another long-running series with plenty of books to keep your queue full.
When the multiverse system descends on Earth, a regular office worker discovers he has unique talents for survival. Fast-paced progression fantasy that's easy to follow while working.
A young woman is transported to a fantasy world and opens an inn. "It's fantasy done well. Lots of books. Hard to explain." That's the actual recommendation from the thread, and it's accurate.
Described as an "all-time fav" alongside Dungeon Crawler Carl. A caste-based society on Mars, revolution, and brutal games. Think Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones in space.
"Unique perspective here, which was refreshing." The story is told from the point of view of a dungeon core—a sentient gem that builds and manages a dungeon. A creative twist on the genre.
Classic Sci-Fi and Bestsellers
Multiple techs mentioned listening to the full LOTR trilogy while on routes. The Andy Serkis narration is worth the credit.
One tech listened through to Chapterhouse Dune (book six). The multi-cast audiobook production makes the complex world easier to follow while you work.
"Just finished Starship Troopers. It was so much better than I thought it would be." The book is nothing like the movie—it's a thoughtful examination of citizenship, duty, and military philosophy.
King was mentioned repeatedly. IT was specifically called out as a "must" for horror fans. The audiobook is 45 hours—nearly a full route week.
A comfort listen that shows up on pool tech lists because the series totals 117+ hours of audio. Perfect for a long stretch of route days.
Hidden Gems from the Thread
"Guardians of the Galaxy but not saving the world. More beer, less hero time." At 85 hours for the complete collection, this is one of the best values on Audible.
The one non-fiction pick that stood out: "True story about crusty old divers. The dangers these guys put themselves through to find the gold medal of sunken boats is amazing." A great change of pace from fantasy.
A Secret Service agent arrives in a small Idaho town where things aren't what they seem. Fast-paced and hard to stop listening to.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning cattle drive epic. At 36 hours, it's a satisfying long listen. One tech noted they've gone through it more than once.
Aliens, football, and a galactic league. It's exactly as fun as it sounds. A strong pick if you like sports and sci-fi.
Not an Audiobook Person? Try These Instead
Not everyone can do audiobooks. As one tech put it: "I space out and pay too much attention to what I'm hearing." If that sounds like you, here's what other pool pros listen to instead.
Podcasts
Several pool pros prefer podcasts because episodes are shorter and easier to jump in and out of. Popular picks from the thread include:
- History That Doesn't Suck — "So many episodes" and perfect for learning while you work
- Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend — Always good for a laugh. One tech reported Conan said "the pump is primed" right as they were priming a pump
- SmartLess — Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes interview interesting guests
- Last Podcast on the Left — True crime and history deep dives. The bubonic plague series was a particular favorite
For pool-industry-specific podcasts, check out our guide to the 12 best pool service podcasts.
Music
Some techs prefer to keep it simple with music. Jazz and bluegrass were the most popular genres mentioned:
- Jazz — "I think jazz in the background is just my thing." The album Ella and Louis was specifically recommended
- Bluegrass — "Something about some bluegrass jams on a day outside working in the sun just hits." Billy Strings, Bryan Sutton, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones were all mentioned
Pro Tips for Listening on the Route
A few practical tips that came up in the thread:
- Use Libby — The free app connects to your local library for free audiobook checkouts. No Audible credits needed
- Kindle Unlimited — "I've been addicted to audiobooks while I work. Glad I found out about Kindle Unlimited. I burn through books."
- Take silence breaks — "Practice moments of silence to reduce stimulation overload." Constant audio input all day can be draining
- LitRPG and fantasy for length — These genres tend to have the longest books and longest series, giving you the most listening per purchase
The Bottom Line
Pool service work gives you something most jobs can't: 6-8 hours of uninterrupted listening time every day. Whether you're burning through LitRPG series, catching up on Stephen King, or just vibing to jazz between stops, it's a genuine perk of the trade.
If you're new to audiobooks, start with Dungeon Crawler Carl or Project Hail Mary—they were the most universally recommended by pool pros. And if you're looking for something to listen to between stops, browse our list of the best pool service podcasts for industry-specific content.
One tech even started a pool tech book club on Goodreads. If nothing else, this thread proves that pool pros are some of the most well-read people in any trade.
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