Seems a lot of people are into the audiobook thing...I'm giving it a whirl. Listening to Jens Voigt's "Shut Up Legs!", and it's quite enjoyable to hear it. Very relaxing.
May need to get an external speaker. I found my blue jay headphones and they really block sound out, but I do appreciate all the inputs and ideas.
As far as mirrors go...objects seem closer than they appear, haha! I've looked at the helmet mounted ones, but the ones I see just seem cheaply made and not very durable, so I just check my back every so often until I find that perfect one. Not really into bike mounted kind, but I think that's the roadie in me talking.