DH works loads here too... this week he is doing 12-16hr days so o know what its like to be lonely!

We have either CD's, occasional radio or nothing
The CD's that i got were a box set of 5 CD's for about $10 from Kmart. its great and MJ has always had favourites.
Sometimes i will put on classical music just to mix things up a bit and other times i will choose a cd from our collection (no swearing - so usually something older)
Also join your local library and you can borrow CD's from there - this alwo changes things a bit and if there is a really good one.... well lets just say, we still listen to the music after it has been returned.

Re books: There is no such thing as something too old. When MJ was really little i use to read her the BFG, fantastic Mr fox and Matilda! Now we read clasical stories or DSS Thomas the tank engine books (i bought the collection for him when he was about 5) these we dont read but we look at the pictures and make up stories and noises.
Most of the board books i have got from the reject shop or the newsagent/tattslotto place as they always have books marked down.n Most of the board books that i have cost between $2-5 each. She certianly has her preferred ones too.
We actually have tonns of books, i believe that a love of reading is important and so we have books in every room for her to look at, as well as the bookshelf that she has free access too (my books are higher)
Reading 'Junk Mail' is also a favourite. we look at the pictures and take about the food/furniture etc etc

Some other things we do...
*story time at the local library - its a bit beyond here at times (she is in the toddler group) but she loves the interaction
* walking - we walk everyday i am home... this give us heaps to talk about - this is how she learnt the difference between a car/bike/bus/van/truck and their names. Also there is a lot of stuff being built near us so we stop and watch that and talk about whats happening.
*bike riding - we have just recently bought a bike trailer thing and its awesome!

If you are not use to the running commentary, it will feel weird to start with, but soon you will get words and sounds back and it will get easier

HTH