Audio Books?

[DVCLiz]

I'd like to start listening to more books on "tape", as we used to refer to them in the olden days.

I have a computer (desktop, laptop, and netbook), an IPhone, a Kindle, and my new car has a 30 gig hard drive so I can download directly to it.

So what are my options and what would be best? Should I buy a CD or a digital version? If digital, should I get a subscription to Audible.com? Just buy directly from Amazon? Other sources I don't know about? Put them on my IPhone, in my Kindle, directly in my car? If I buy a digital book can it be on more than one media source at a time?

I don't know how heavy or light a user I will be - I have a tendency to get interested and sign up but not follow through - hello Weight Watchers, Netflix, Quality Paperback Book Club and Disney Movie Club!!!

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[yoopermom]

Until you're sure how much you'll use it, get them for free from your local library. Most libraries offer them through a commercial service (still free, though), where you download them for X amount of time, then, poof, they're gone.

Your Kindle will, of course, "read" to you any book that you have on it, but that's no where close to the quality of a book on tape (I still call them that, too

Terri

 

[WDWBarb]

I have an Audible.com account and I get one "credit" each month. I love a good audiobook!!

Right now I'm listening to The Southern Vampire series that I purchased with my Audible credits and I'm loving every minute of it. The lady who reads them is fantastic.

And the Harry Potter books have a special charm in audio version, thanks to the reader (Jim Dale, I believe?). However, the HP books aren't available on Audible.

Audio books are SO expensive that I highly recommend going with an Audible account.

 

[clarabelle]

I LOVE audible. They have several different levels of membership.
If you join you are usually getting a better price than if you go though amazon.

My library doesn't have much in the way of audio books.

I listen to a couple of audio books a month so I have suggestions if you are interested

 

[janette]

I love audio books, I found that I just didn't have the time to do the reading I used to do with running kids etc but audio books are great when you are in the car so much. I use an mp3 player since it is portable. I have a Creative brand and it has features that work well for books.

Our library does offer free downloads but it is a limited selection; audible.com has the best selection IMO. I've subscribed on and off depending on what their specials are. I find that I get several when the subscription is new but then can't find enough to use all the credits so I take a break.

Most libraries also have a selection of books on CD & tape but I've found that often they are damaged especially tapes. I'll occasionally get a CD but never tapes there.

I've found that I'm a more auditory person; I remember books I've listened to better than when I read traditionally. I tend to lose attention and skim read with books but not as much when listening.

 

[RNMOM]

I listen to audiobooks all the time. I get them from my library but on their website they have a link to downloadable books. You have to register with them but no cost or anything. I may get an Ipod in the future but now am happy with my cd's for now.

 

[olena]

There is also Librivox, which is free. It's not read by professionals, but it's a step up from Kindle Voice.

 

[RitaE]

I listen to audiobooks all the time but boy can they be expensive to buy.

I usually either get the actual CDs from my library or I check them out through Overdrive Media Mall through the library. I suggest you check your library because our library offers almost NOTHING in regards to services but even we have audiobook downloads.

I like to put them on my iPhone and walk. It works better for me than actual music.

 

[LoraJ]

I love audible.com.

I had an account for a couple of years and have a ton of books I still need to listen to. I used to commute by myself but then started commuting with my husband and he likes to listen to the radio. So I have fallen behind.

But they have a wonderful selection.

 

[DVCLiz]

I love audible.com.

I had an account for a couple of years and have a ton of books I still need to listen to. I used to commute by myself but then started commuting with my husband and he likes to listen to the radio. So I have fallen behind.

But they have a wonderful selection.

OK, I have a couple of questions about Audible.com.

If I have a subscription, that basically allows me to buy the digital version of an audio book and keep it permanently, right? (Well, as permanent as anything digital that relies on current technology can be, right?) Do I download the book to my computer and then transfer it to my Iphone? Does it come over Itunes? Can I share some of the books I've purchased with another family mermber, and if so how does that work??

 

[LoraJ]

OK, I have a couple of questions about Audible.com.

If I have a subscription, that basically allows me to buy the digital version of an audio book and keep it permanently, right? (Well, as permanent as anything digital that relies on current technology can be, right?) Do I download the book to my computer and then transfer it to my Iphone? Does it come over Itunes? Can I share some of the books I've purchased with another family mermber, and if so how does that work??

Not sure how it works sharing with a family member. I think you can use it on up to 3 computers at a time. I have a co-worker who shares an account with a friend.

And you have access to the books forever. I still have not downloaded all of the books I bought, but I can still access them in my library.

There is a program that you install that will download the books and import them into itunes.

 

[DVCLiz]

Not sure how it works sharing with a family member. I think you can use it on up to 3 computers at a time. I have a co-worker who shares an account with a friend.

And you have access to the books forever. I still have not downloaded all of the books I bought, but I can still access them in my library.

There is a program that you install that will download the books and import them into itunes.

Thanks!!!

 

[powellrj]

I usually do a book a week because I drive a lot! I usually get my books from the library, but have also rented from Cracker Barrel. You buy the book and then when you return the book, they credit you the cost of the book minus a few dollars for rental fee.

I have also found itunes is usually pretty cheap. I know I bought a couple of best sellers on vacation for under $10 each.

 

[clarabelle]

Also -you might find classics cheaper than current titles.
Sometimes I-tunes has some things like Sherlock holmes or Jane Austen really cheap.

Shop around and do the math.
Also if you are more comfortable with CDs
Recorded Books (online at recordedbooks.com) has a rental program where the books on CD or tape come in postage paid packages you listen and send them back.