Audio Books

Dirk Diggler · 1 Nov 2019 at 15:02

Does anyone else enjoy them? I've just started listening to them and have been surprised at how much I've enjoyed them. They do seem quite expensive; where do you buy yours? Also, any recommendations for narrators to follow/listen to as I'm sure some could really make a book stand out?

Dirk Diggler · 1 Nov 2019 at 15:43

I'll give audible a go.

p.s. can I share audible library like I do the Kindle library?

Dirk Diggler · 2 Nov 2019 at 07:47

Teknobry said:
I discovered them recently and it makes driving to work so much more bareable. For free audiobooks just type into youtube the genre you're interested in followed by 'audiobook'. It seems a lot of people upload them! Working my way through all the alien vs predator stuff.

I do a fairly regular commute from Shetland to Glasgow and that's why I started listening as music and radio can get a bit samey. It's also great to be able to take in a book while doing stuff; easy to forget how restrictive reading is in terms of time consumption.

I tried to listen in bed last night, and can't remember a word.

Dirk Diggler · 3 Nov 2019 at 10:08

I've just realised that if I borrow a book from Kindle Unlimited then I'm getting a big discount on the audio version. Example "We Are Legion" free on KU and then the audio book for £3.29. I'm not sure the Audible subscription is going to be worth it unless I get into some new releases. I've taken the 3 month introductory offer for Audible, so will see how this pans out as I understand credits accumulate.

Just thought I'd mention this in case others get use from it.

Dirk Diggler · 6 Nov 2019 at 14:55

AndreWright90 said:
Like some have said it depends on the voice of the narrator, some I can't stand and switch off pretty fast.

Audible was my audio book company of choice but it is pretty expensive for what you get, I've started using PDF-to-Text apps instead that work pretty good.

Are they able to convert a Kindle book?

Dirk Diggler · 6 Nov 2019 at 16:35

I tried "We are Legion" but just couldn't get into it and got a refund, which is a really great option from Audible. I'm currently listening to "The Institute" by Stephen King, and really enjoying it.

Dirk Diggler · 11 Nov 2019 at 14:13

I've finished The Institute, which was enjoyable. I'm now looking to pick up something else and it's really highlighting how expensive the books on Audible are.

11.22.63 is £18 on Audible.
The Kindle book is £4.99 and I can add audio narration for £3.99. :confused:

It feels like a con to promote the subscription model.

Edit: actually, the "enhanced" edition in the Kindle store is £3.99 and looks like it includes the audio version. This is confusing.

Dirk Diggler · 11 Nov 2019 at 16:41

Feek said:
Kindle audio narration is abysmal. It's nothing like having a real person reading the book to you.

Sorry, my bad. It's the Audible version for £3.99. This makes more sense for me as it's the cost of a month's subscription yet I get the Kindle book as well as the Audible version, meaning I can switch between the two. I would actually prefer this as I'd rather read the Kindle version in bed as I keep going asleep with the narration!

Dirk Diggler · 2 May 2020 at 17:07

I've been listening to Jo Nesbo's "The Thirst". I think it may be the unfamiliar Norwegian streets, towns, names etc.. but it got me thinking that as well as a good narrator, the character's lines could be acted out by other actors which would avoid the male narrator trying to do different voices for everyone, including the females.

Obviously it would be more costly to produce.

Dirk Diggler · 2 May 2020 at 22:01

Werewolf said:
I think what you've just described is an audio drama, or radio play

I'm not sure they would have a narrator that could feasibly talk for large chunks of time with no dialect?

Dirk Diggler · 3 May 2020 at 11:16

@roccles that's a great shout for an audiobook. Cheers

Dirk Diggler · 4 May 2020 at 10:45

Vimes said:
Wow, I didn't know that they were as flexible as that. So, if I wanted to, I could join and then within that month mount up a collection to read within my library and then cancel the membership and retain access to listen to that collection. Then just rinse and repeat as required, and that is ok with them...?

You have never had an account issue or need to use a different email address etc...?

That seems pretty good...!

I'm not sure about building up a collection in a month, you're only getting one credit a month so can only buy one book unless you pay for the book, but I don't see any advantage there as you'll pay much more unless you grab some special offers.

I don't always listen every month, or I might be listening to the same book for over a month, so right now I have 3 credits to use. I'll buy 3 books and then cancel the subscription until I've listened to them. What I've found is that they usually give you a special offer to come back after a while, so I'm currently paying £3.99 a month for one credit. I'll cancel when it goes back to £7.99.

One thing I really like is the ability to return books you don't like, I've used that a few times and returned books after a couple of chapters.

Dirk Diggler · 20 May 2020 at 13:04

roccles said:
Roy Dotrice does over 200 different characters voices when he narrated the Game of Throne Audiobooks. I am half way though the 2nd book and really enjoying the story and the narration.

I just finished the first book and it's easily the best I've heard so far. He was excellent.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Dirk Diggler · 20 May 2020 at 14:18

placeholder said:
For £8 a month I would effectively just get 12 audiobooks in a year? I also notice that the price of things as individual purchases seems horrendous

I'm only subscribing now because I got another 4 month deal at £3.99. I'll cancel my membership when that expires because as you say the pricing is silly, especially the individual pricing - who's paying £20 for an audio book?

I share my Kindle library with my wife, and she's built up a big selection. There's some decent deals to get the audio version for a couple of quid when you already own the Kindle version, so I'll probably try some of those out.

Edit: I just went to cancel and got offered another 50% discount to £3.99 for another 3 months. That'll be 7 consecutive months. I'm happy with that price, and considering the continual discounts then they must know the pricing model isn't working out.

Dirk Diggler · 21 Oct 2020 at 16:11

I've been unable to listen to audio books for a while as I am preferring to read instead, and now have 4 unused Audible credits. Prior to cancelling my Audible membership, I would be happy to send some books as a gift to anyone who has posted in the thread previously.

Simply quote your previous post and tell me what book you'd like and I'll sort it with you.

Limit one book per person.

Dirk Diggler · 21 Oct 2020 at 16:25

Andybtsn said:
Hey @Dirk Diggler this is mightily kind of you. I'd love one of the books

No worries, send me a Trust with the book you want and the email address you use for Audible.

Dirk Diggler · 21 Oct 2020 at 20:23

Andybtsn said:
Thank you! I’ll have a look

Received your request and have sent the gift to your email, please reply and confirm receipt.

Dirk Diggler · 21 Oct 2020 at 20:52

Andybtsn said:
Yep all received. Thanks again!

No worries mate, enjoy.

3 tokens still available.

Dirk Diggler · 22 Oct 2020 at 00:25

Irish_Tom said:
Dear @Dirk Diggler, please may I take you up on your very kind offer.

Send me a Trust with your book choice and email address that you use for Audible.

I'm nightshift so may not get round to processing until tomorrow.

Dirk Diggler · 22 Oct 2020 at 12:14

Irish_Tom said:
Trust sent.

Book sent, please confirm receipt when you get the chance.