Because transparency is a
thing, I want to tell you I am not sponsored by Audible, Overdrive or Book
Outlet. They don't know who I am or that I'm writing this post. They haven't
sent me anything or asked me to talk about them. I am giving my opinions about
these services and businesses all on my own without any compensation.
Audiobooks have sucked me
in. You might know this. I mention my audiobook selections in wrap-up videos
and sometimes do reviews on them as well. In the past year or so I've read
quite a few and collected some I really want to check out in the future. What
has sparked this obsession? For me, it is the genius that is audiobooks and how
easily I can get my hands on them. My absolute favorite thing about audiobooks
is being able to "read" while I do something else. I can listen to
them while I drive to work or while I'm doing housework. They make mundane
tasks a lot easier to handle and can make time pass a little quicker. I've
listened to them while I work out sometimes too, but I find I need my eyes to
be occupied during that battle for mental distraction.
A few things to mention
before I go any further. I am wholeheartedly trying to reduce my TBR pile (and
failing miserably if I’m honest). However, when I’m being good audiobooks are
my way of picking up something that isn't on my TBR pile without adding a
physical book to my collection. I also have a smartphone which is required for
a couple of the apps I'm talking about and I have a CD player in my car. All of
these things make it fairly easy for me to listen to audiobooks on the go or at
home. Because I have them on me so often, I've had questions from family and
friends about why I like audiobooks so much and how I get my hands on so many.
I have a few ways of adding to my collection. I either pick them up from my
local library, purchase a CD set (usually on Book Outlet) or purchase them
through Audible!
1)
Library and Overdrive -
In my area I have a
nice-sized library system and I have access to so many audiobooks. I am so
fortunate my library system has a wide variety of books in general and these
are usually CD sets I can listen to in my car or at home through my computer.
These make audiobooks very easy. To purchase these sets is very expensive
so having access to them through the library is amazing!
Plus my library has
Overdrive which has a large selection of audio files. Overdrive can be
downloaded on most devices or a computer. Then you can borrow ebooks or
audiobook files for up to two weeks. You can borrow books without visit the
library. There is nothing to remember to return at the end of the lending
period either. You simply lose access to the content after your time is up. Honestly,
the best part of this service for me is it makes the files very portable. I can
move around the house or walk my dog while I listen to the books on my phone.
2)
Audible-
I am glued to this service
almost as much as my monthly Netflix subscription or my library card. It wasn't
always so though! To say I was skeptical of Audible, is a gross understatement.
I was decidedly not on board for a long time. In fact, I checked out the whole
shebang over a year ago and declined to sign up. I was just starting to listen
to audiobooks then (I was only infatuated not wholly obsessed) and was sure it
wasn't worth it.
A few things I love about
Audible:
- Audio Samples - Every book listed on their site
has a sample to listen to. I really love this feature. If you listen to
audiobooks, you know some narrators are much better than others. Listening
to roughly five minutes of the book gives me a good sense of the tone of
the book and the voice of the narrator.
- Sales - I've only belonged to audible a few
months and already they had sales where every audiobook is half off. There
are lots of sales, special offers and there is a daily deal just like
ebooks.
- Trophies and Statistics – As you listen more,
Audible rewards you with different trophies for your “reading
accomplishments” For example, when I listened for two hours straight, I
received the Marathon trophy. Plus Audible gives you statistics about how
much you’ve been listening according to day, month or year.
Disadvantages to Audible
·
Expense – It does seem expensive to spend $14.95 a month for a single
audiobook when I can pay about half of that for Netflix and binge watch nine
seasons of Doctor Who in a month. I would argue it is worth it if you really
enjoy audiobooks, but I’ve considered canceling it quite a few times. I have a
queue of audiobooks to listen to and may eventually unsubscribe until I catch
up.
·
App Issues – While I do like listening on the app, it is a little
cumbersome. There isn’t a way to shop easily on the app and you cannot complete
purchases on it to my knowledge. This is a little annoying, but mostly I use it
for listening and I have no trouble with that aspect of the app.
3) Audio CD Sets -
These are the most difficult
and can be the most expensive way to obtain audiobooks. I usually only purchase
these if they are on Book Outlet or somewhere similar. Discounted sets are hard
to find but it is exciting when you find a set of something you are interested
in, it is very exciting!
So that’s how I do it. I
find great audiobooks all over the place and really enjoy the search. I hope
this helps you in your search for audiobooks in the future.
Happy Reading and Listening!
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