Whio's got Audible? Is it worth it?

[GoldenKelpie]

Just that. I love reading but also love book CDs/tapes and always have one on the go in my car. I think I'd like to be able to walk listening to a story too so am thinking of getting it as a Christmas present from DH.

From what I have read on the website it seems somewhat complicated; really I just want to be able to buy a book to listen to when I want, there seem to be restrictions.

Also, it would be ideal if there was a way to borrow a book to listen to (like at the library but without the hassle of carting round a CD player . Any advice or opinion would be appreciated.

I love my audible. My DH got me a years subscription for my birthday 2 years ago.

It's not too difficult really. When you sign up you get one credit a month, you can use this credit to buy an audio book. You can also buy extra credits (3 at a time) for around £18. However this option only appears after a couple of months for some strange reason!

You can buy a new audiobook if you don't have any credits, but it will cost you the standard price (usually around £15) so it is better to wait for credits.

I use the app on my phone and iPad, they sync to each other so you don't have to remember where you got to.

I use mine all the time, shopping, cleaning, walking, waiting at the school gate. It's wonderful to be back in the world of books again!

Oh and also they do lots of little shows and documentaries which are free to download so I end up trying things I never normally would. It's great!

As above, it is fairly expensive if you aren't using subscription credits, but I love audio books - particularly on holiday, nothing better than just being able to sit on a lounger for a while, sunglasses on and earphones in and watch the world go by without worrying about getting comfy with a book. Fabulous on trains too.

Your local library will probably also do audio book loans if you get in to them, although I've still not got round to doing membership of mine LOL.

It also might be worth looking into your local library. Mine has access to an app called Overdrive (recently changed to Libby) which allows you to borrow audiobooks etc on your phone/tablet. Really recommend!

I’ve actually just cancelled my subscription - not because I don’t love it but I have such a backlog of books to get through! I use it a lot but I also love podcasts. Once I get through the backlog I would happily take up the subscription again. I think also the audible daily deals (£1.99 or £2.99) are open to non-subscribers

I love audiobooks. DH looked into getting me an Audible subscription but it was SO expensive. Then I discovered our library offers an audio download service. Brilliant.

I live audio books but find audible unwieldy and the you have to use the desktop site to redeem credits to any other device.

I paid for a couple of books in the beginning but now I just wait for credits. It’s particularly great for kids books and long car journeys.

Thanks, widget for that info , and Whitney, "wheresmyliveship" I have just had a look at my local library webside and yes, they do audible books!

Just downloaded the rb digital app and downloaded my first audible book...for free! Jeffrey Deaver, The Twelth Card. It was so easy, delighted. Now if it will stop raining I can go for a walk....

I have Audible and I also have an app on my phone which allows me to listen to audiobooks free from my library. Check on your library's website to see if they offer this service. I think most do.

I use both. Audible has a much bigger selection and usually all the new big release books will have an audiobook release on the same day. Their no quibble returns policy is fantastic and I use it fairly frequently as I'm really really fussy now about what I use my one precious credit a month on. Over the past few years I'm listening to more classics which on the whole tend to have fabulous narrators and you get more audiobook for your money. Big hitters this year have been Vanity Fair (32 hours iirc) and I've just started Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell which is about 24. I’d never use a credit now on something under ten hours.

Audible also do a daily deal where the cost is about £3. Not really my taste though but occasionally something I want to listen to will come up.

The library app is absolutely fine. Not quite as easy to use as Audible but you'll get exactly the same audiobook, and for free!

Love it - probably different country, so the deals will be different.
They take 9,95 € a month for one book and every additional book is at 9,95, too.
I probably saved hundreds of € over the years and as my DC and I share interests, we share a library. (For education I recommend "The great courses" they come with a pdf-text book.)

Our local library does online but the app is rubbish, the waiting lists long as the licences are limited. And the books on offer are not what I want, too

After several years of free audible books through my library (and when I’d been through them, joined another local library that had a bigger selection) there was a particular book I wanted to listen to and found it on audible. Signed up for the free trial... and DH now uses it everyday! (Walks to and from work.)

If you have the time to listen to books a lot, it is worth it. I don’t have the time at the moment unfortunately.

Scribbly, that's really interesting. I have listened to (and read) all the Game of Thrones books from my library ( and watched the programmes); many, many wonderful hours worth there. Also, all the Harry Potter books are good value as they are long hours too.

pro and littlecat thanks for your input too. I will stick with my local library just now and may borrow audible books through my DC's local libraries (not local to me).

Very excited now about getting out to walk into town (one hour and fifteen minutes).

Another Audible fan here! I love it.

I have an audible subscription and love it but if you're out of credit, it's always cheaper to go to kindle store and 'add audible narration' to a book rather than purchasing via Audible.
The book still appears in the audible app. (you also get it as a book in kindle)
I don't understand why audible books are often £16 or £17 when you can just add it onto a £.99 book for an extra couple of quid 🤷🏻‍♀️

Also if you've been a member for a while, opt to leave and they reduce the subscription to £3.99 for 3 months.

Wow, Gin, I have a kindle too. I will look into that option. That's great advice.

Telly don't like them... Just background noise which I tend to tune out.

They keep sending me free credits so I have a backlog of around 10 or so

Only time I listen is when I'm doing (quiet) manual work outside.

Fwiw I listen on my mobile from the audible app so I just shove it in my pocket.

Sorry Golden to hijack your thread but I would like to ask a question!

I would love to start listening to books but have no idea how/what I need? I have an Iphone and a kindle paperwhite. Can I use either of those? I am a complete numpty when it comes to anything tech! Thanks

Yes, you can use your iPhone. No idea about kindles I’m afraid

I use an App called 'Borrowbox' which allows me to borrow ebooks and audiobooks through my library.

Do try the BBC iPlayer Radio app on your phone. There’s loads of drama and readings on there which you can download and they’re all available for a month from broadcast.

I've just set the app up on my phone and ordered some new ear phones, never realised how simple it would be.

So glad I started this thread, thanks again for everyone's input. mynaughty it is easy to set up . I have a kindle paperwhite but it doesn't do audible from what I've been able to find out.

Naughtysister - audible is owned by Amazon - so a kindle is an ideal device.

But not all Kindle models have the audible module - they have to be either newish or very old. The versions in between - like my Paperwhite - do not have an outlet for earphones.

Pro that's what I found. If I ever replace my current paperwhite (say I accidentally wash it with all the laundry in the washing machine...again ) I will get one which I can have the option to listen to as well as read.

Today I have been doing my crafting while listening to my book on my phone.