How to buy audiobooks?

[WashAsDelicates]

I had an Audible account years ago, but frustratingly the one credit per month was only applied to some books - not necessarily the ones I wanted. Is this still the case? Audible website implies that subscribers can have one book, any book, once a month.

I'm not sure I want a subscription, anyway, because I don't imagine myself buying many books. How much do audiobooks cost? How do I find out which works out more cost-effective - buying audiobooks as and when you want them, or paying repeated subscriptions?

The easiest way is still Audible in my opinion. I've never not been able to use a credit to buy a book on there, so I can't comment on that...?

You can put it on hold for a while if you're getting overwhelmed with the credits. I am also a sucker for their 2.99 sales.

I get most of my audiobooks as loans from the library via the Libby and Borrowbox apps but the ones I buy come either from Google books or I will get the kindle book and buy the Audible narration as an add on if possible, that often works out cheaper than buying the audiobook directly.

Highly recommend checking if your public library supplies audiobooks (probably through the BorrowBox app) as this is an excellent service which gives access to a huge range of quality audiobooks for free. We use them daily and you can loan 5 at a time. Super easy to use. Tons for children if they enjoy them too.

I use Audible but get a bit panicky about wasting my precious credit on something I might not like, which is silly really. So I mainly use Borrowbox from the library, less choice and sometimes have to wait but its all free so it doesn’t matter if you don’t like something.

I’m on my first month of BookBeat. It’s a subscription service with three levels of hours per month. 20/50/? Hours.

I don’t think the range of books is as big as audible but it’s ok for me.

Its mostly audible but has some books to read, and some offer both.

Ive been listening to Anne of Green Gables, and have just started on the Lord of the Rings. I find it really easy to use.

It has a sleep timer and doesn’t charge if you have to go back to relisten.

Do you have to have a specific Kindle to do this? Mine is several years old. Or would I use the Kindle app on my phone to listen?

I use borrow box via library all free and can read on phone or tablet. No longer have a Kindle.

The narration is Audible, you don't even need to use the kindle book, you can just listen on Audible without opening the text version.

Have a look at todays on line Guardian , there is an article about just this topic!

I use my iPhone to listen to audio books from the library using the BorrowBox app. I also use my kindle fire to borrow library ebooks.

You can return a book to audible if you don't like it for any reason.

And here is the link to it!

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/may/14/listen-up-how-to-access-audiobooks-for-less-or-even-for-free

Have you looked at Scribd? You have to be careful because more books are abridged than on Audible, but it's a monthly subscription and as many books as you want.

Another vote for using BorrowBox to listen to audiobooks from the library

I shall have to go to the library, as it doesn't recognise my login, but that looks like a possible option.

Aha, so if I already own the kindle book, I can add the narration for £5 or so.

Are they actually read by humans, or is it machine reading?

Thankyou.

A human, it is exactly the same as buying the audible audiobook.

@WashAsDelicates

I downloaded the Borrowbox app onto my android phone.

There isn't such a wide selection as Audible, but there are thousands of books on it and they are the same books that are on Audible-read by the same narrator. You can borrow a few at a time, my library lets me borrow 5 I think and there is a sleep button too.

Get your library card, go on to the library webpage. Scroll down to the e and audible book link, Click on it. It will take you to BorrowBox. You will then put in your library number a pin that you create. If you are unsure, or your library operates in a different way, just pop in and ask them what you need to do.

Then away you go! You can just go and have a browse anyway-right now- without having to register to see what you think.

You usually get a set number to borrow, for about three weeks but if no-one else is waiting, then you can renew. Your book will be automatically deleted from your phone when it reaches the return date.

If you don't like the book, you click the return button, it is taken off your phone and you instantly get another credit.

Try it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I have Audible as well, and the only difference is that the selection is wider, there is never a wait list for a book and obviously no return date but then again, you do have to pay £7.99 for each credit. By the way, you say you are nervous about wasting a paid for credit but can return a book, within reason, if you don't like it.

I've just started using XigXag and I'm very impressed with it so far. Max of 7.99 per book with no monthly fee.

As with all audiobooks, narration standards varies widely. Narration makes or breaks a book.

There are loads of free books on Audible too. At the moment I'm listening to a collection of Ruth Rendell books that were all free, and after that I've got a couple of free Miss Read books. There are a lot of freebies to choose from. Just search Free audiobooks when you're logged into Audible.

There are a number of ways. If you want an audio performance then Audible is the best place to get them by far.

If, however, you just want an academic book to be read aloud to save you from having to read an online version then buying a kindle / online copy and using a screen reader is good. Some use AI so it’s no different to having a particularly flat lecturer reading them to you.

I use a mixture of Audible and BorrowBox. I get the one credit a month, but also buy from the £2.99 sales and buy the Audio version of kindle books I already own.

Audible changed the rules on returns, you can only return books that you have bought with a credit now. I'm not sure if they have changed other rules or check how much you have read.

It makes a big difference, yes. I am listening to one at the moment which is generally perfectly well narrated, but there is a character called Niamh and the narrator is pronouncing it Nee-yam which is making me yell “Neve!” at him every time it happens, it is really grating.