Posted on 08/24/2015 9:35:54 AM PDT by bluescape
I'm looking for a source for new audio books online. I might pay 20 dollars for an audio book that I really want to hear as opposed to some older books available for free online. Lovecraft and other public domain.
But I want to make sure I get a simple MP3 that I can move and save all I want. Not a kindle or apple file that only play on certain tablets and are near impossible to back up or save.
I have an account on Amazon, but I not sure what I'll be getting for 20 dollars. There must be simple audio files available for new books right?
With a credit card...
free-ebooks.net is great. Scroll down for their audio books.
For 5 bucks,ya can hire Garrett Morris
If you buy from any of big name companies you will have to deal with the encoded files. What is the issue with that? I know Audible allows you to authorize several players.
I have my iPhone authorized as well as my wife’s kindle. They also have your library available whenever you want it.
And $20 a book is an awful lot. I pay $30 a month and get three books. I drive a lot and walk a lot. I listen to as many books as I read.
M4L e-books
what kind of device are you planning to use for these MP3s ?
Audible.com is a major source. You just have to watch the prices so you don’t overspend.
Also when I find a book I want on Amazon I put the CD or mp3 version in my cart and just wait until the price drops to where I want to buy it. You just have to be sure that Amazon doesn’t switch a hard copy for the audio version to make the price look lower. They did that to me twice and now I double check when the price drops that they didn’t do a switch.
Having an easy to move around MP3 is what is needed to pirate the book, and that's exactly what the publishers are trying to avoid.
$20 is actually kind of cheap for a new audio book, as well as the popular ones with well-known narrators.
I rent from the Library. Our library uses “one drive”
There are lots of good choices and all you need is a library card. You can out yourself on an auto waiting list and we have 30 days to listen to it.
It’s a great service if your library has it.
That’s why the price is so high on audio books. You can find hardbound books for 1 cent + shipping just a few years after publication, because who’s going to copy it? But the audio book prices tend to stay fairly high.
Audible
Our public library has downloads that you can check out. Limited selection and an app has to be installed on your phone.
Also, if you know how to rip a CD, the library could be useful . . .
You can buy 20 book tokens for just under $10/book. That’s what I have done for years. When you put books in your cart they automatically apply a token. So as you shop look for any book on sale that is priced less than $10 and deselect the applied token check box. I have gotten many books for $1.99 or $2.99 when they had a special going on. For 10-20 hours of listening I think its a great bargain. I have every Terry Pratchett book, as one example. I used to be a voracious reader, now I need my hands free so I am a voracious listener.
I also have a children’s library selection on my Itunes and I give ipads with classic stories like Odds Bodkins, Rabbit Ears and Jay O Callahan. I make them for the child’s age and swap out to older fare as they grow. Those are all bought as downloads from the author or cds so I can gift each grandchild without copyright infringement just as though I was reading to them
If you do a lot of driving and live in the heartland, Cracker Barrel stores let you buy and exchange audio books on CD at most of their restaurants so you can listen to a book while driving then turn it in for another in another location.
The reply is separated from the post I was responding to so its not clear. I am referring to purchasing the ebooks at Audible.com
I guess I was pointing out if this was going to be a regular thing, doing an “Audible” might be the way to go.
My daughter gets the books on CD at the library and converts them to MP3.
The books I like are not usually available at the library.
Everyone’s mileage may vary.
http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/
Most larger libraries in your state may offer this service. You can't always find exactly what you are looking for, but you can find some good reads. -Good luck!
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