I use a one ear headphone and listen to books and podcasts on my commute every day. I love it. The one ear earphone lets me hear the outside world just fine, and the fact that I listen to talking and not music helps as there isn't a constant noise; I hear my environment around the words in a way I can't with music

Podcasts: I love NPR Fresh Air, and even though I don't read the business page, Planet Money is AMAZING. They make thing sI don't care about faniciating. I also love This American Life.

Recent books:
Anything by Iain M. Banks. SF at a high level.
The Secret Race. As a cyclist it will break your heart.
I enjoyed The Art of Fielding a lot.
I listened to the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series and liked it.
If you want to fall into a different reality for several months, Game of Thrones is perhaps the most amazing series I've listened to in my adult life. Listen to them all.