By Jackie Houchin
The first audiobook I ever listened to was Robinson Crusoe, from Books On Tape, way back in the 1970s. I was cleaning multiple horse stalls twice a day back then, and I needed an escape! An adventure on a deserted island with a guy named Friday had me hooked. I rented hundreds more.
Then I found Audible and began cautiously buying digitally recorded books. Currently, I have an account that allows me to buy 25 books per year for a nicely discounted price. Others are available through Amazon/Audible.
Later, I discovered Chirp, a deeply discounted audiobook seller. Sometimes I can get a book for as little as $0.99!
Libby is a library app that allows you to rent books and audiobooks at no cost. But friends tell me they usually have to WAIT for books to become available.
*****
- For this post, I decided to try Libby. The app is free, but you need a library card. I put in my Mission Viejo Library card number & pin. Thousands of book titles appeared.
- I narrowed my choices to “audiobooks,” “available,” and “juvenile” to get a list of 4th-6th grade books. (Quick to read for this blog post.) I selected “The Sherlock Files: The 100 Year Old Secret” and pressed “Borrow.” And there it was, with cover, synopsis, reading time, volume, and speed controls. I could keep it for 21 days. FREE. Okay, not bad.
- I finished the 3-hour book. It was fun, and the narration was good. When it was over, I simply pressed “Send Back,” and the book was gone. Easy-peasy.
- I did search for other books, and of the three that I wanted, none were stocked at my library. So that’s a bummer. But I will definitely go back to Libby.
*****
Yes, I am addicted to listening to books. Here’s why.
- AVAILABILITY. I can listen to books anytime and anywhere. I have Bluetooth, so I do not wear clunky headphones. No one can tell if I am on a spaceship to Mars, helping Lane Winslow solve a murder in 1941 British Columbia, or learning about Extra Virgin Olive Oil. While I walk, drive, wait for appointments, wash clothes (or floors), and cook, I can be entertained or educated.
- NARRATORS. Good narrators transport you to times and places far away. (It is the next best thing to travelling.) In a series, a repeat narrator immediately puts you into the familiar setting with people whose voices you already know.
- NO EYE STRAIN. Audiobooks don’t stress your eyes. These days, my eyes become blurry and sting when I read print too long.
Okay, there are downsides too, and you have probably guessed the first big one.
- COST. A newly published audio bestseller can cost $25.00 or more. Yes, you own it, but you cannot share it with a friend, give it away, or sell it.
- The annual fee at Audible averages $9.15 per book, so I usually save these credits for new, popular (expensive) books throughout the year.
- Chirp is far more reasonable, but their books are not as new, and often are a genre I do not want to read.
- But now, of course, I’ve found the Libby lending library. I suspect the choices are limited. But I’ll give it a try. After all — FREE!
- NARRATORS. Some are horrible. Sorry, but it has to be said. I will not buy or rent a book narrated by Scott Brick. And there is a woman too… Audible is good about that and will refund the cost if you return the book quickly.
- BOOK REVIEWING. If you are a book reviewer like me, audiobooks make it harder to pick out quotable lines or memorable details. With print books, you can bookmark, highlight, or pencil in notes. But, unless you want to immediately jot down a note, it is difficult to find details you missed (or forgot) in an audiobook.
- When reviewing one, I usually write out a rough draft immediately after finishing the book. Then, to ensure I am spelling characters and place names correctly, I will often check them on the website.
- Unfortunately, “hearing” something doesn’t stick in your mind the way “seeing” it does.
Yes, I still read print books. I have to; not all books are recorded! But I try to avoid fine print and extra-long tomes. Hence, the middle-grade books. (HEY! Some of them are fantastic!!)
I also read digital Kindle or Book Funnel books, where I can adjust the font size. However, on my phone, that means flipping pages quite often. (I don’t have an e-reader.)
###
So, do you prefer audio, print, or digital books for your reading? What are your reasons? Do you have a favorite audiobook you can recommend? How about a favorite narrator?
***By the way, CHIRP now has THREE audiobooks by our own Linda O. Johnston on sale for just $3.99! “3 Pet Rescue Mysteries”
###
PS: I know it’s difficult to comment on this website, so if you like, you can respond to me via my email at Photojaq@aol.com, and I’ll post your comment here.
Share this:
The Writers in Residence 
Great post, Jackie! I’ve been curious about Libby, but now I’ll give it a try. Audiobooks are a great distraction when I’m doing boring stuff like housecleaning–now I almost (but not quite) look forward to dusting. One sort-of extravagance I’ve employed is that Audible will often offer the same book as an ebook, at a sizeable discount, and if I’m into a really good one with details I want to highlight or look into, I’ll splurge and get the ebook version too. Good observation about narrators–they can make or break the listening experience. Favorite narrator? George Guidall! He does the Longmire and Tony Hillerman books and really weaves a spell. I’m wary of authors narrating their own books–occasionally they’re fine, but one award-winning author has a high, nasally voice that totally ruined an otherwise fine book. I learned after that to preview books before I buy them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the first time I’ve used Libby, and it’s very easy. The problem is, the variety is not as big as those places dedicated to audiobooks (and selling them). But if you aren’t looking for the latest and/or you are willing to wait, it’s good… and FREE!
Oh, and yes, I always sample the reader before ordering. No surprises, if possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS: Bonnie, I also enjoy George Guidall. I recently listened to a book that the author narrated, and it was excellent! But that’s not always the case.
Patty Smiley just put out a new mystery (digital). It will be in paperback soon. When I asked her if she might consider an audio version, she wasn’t sure. It depends on sales, I’m assuming.
LikeLike
I have listened to various Kindle books I bought on the several Kindles I’ve had. You can pick a male or female voice, but the speed and tone is very limited since it’s a gadget and not done by professional voice actors. I have bought audio books with real people doing the reading and they were Okay if I was listening to the book while ironing or doing chores around the house. Now I prefer sitting down and actually reading a book. As you said, you can get more from turning those pages than from listening most of the time. We do watch movies with talk, but there is action and scenery that stimulate those senses making the story more absorbable. But I still like turning the pages every now and then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Speaking of “professional voice actors,” I recently listened to a book that had an” AI voice-generated” reader. At first, I was NOT going to get it because my experience is that they are mono-toned, and mis-pronounce words. Big surprise. This one was really more than acceptable. I didn’t hear once mispronounce at all, and the intonations were really good (emotions, etc.) So….
And, like you, I find comfort in sitting down to read a print book, and I do it. (In my Bible studies, it’s necessary.) But glaucoma is ruining my enjoyment of a good, hard-to-put-down mystery or adventure story. After maybe 20 minutes, I have to blink and squint to get clarity. And if I persist for an hour or more, my eyes start to sting. Ah, well, c’est la vie for a senior citizen. Haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post about audio books is definitely interesting, Jackie. Yes, I enjoy them too. And thanks for mentioning my current deal on some of my Pet Rescue Mystery audible books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometime Linda, you might think of writing a post on how you did the audiobooks, getting an author, cost, etc. I’d find it interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, Jackie, but that’s not a post for me. I’m fortunate enough to be able to rely on my wonderful agent and her great assistants to take care of that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Long ago, I listened to books on tape when I commuted to work, but I haven’t gotten into audio books – yet. I find it harder to retain what I hear compared to what I read. However, I would consider them at some point, probably when my vision worsens. If any of our readers are audio-curious, I’d suggest sampling a few for free, at your local library. Most now offer them, along with other e-versions of popular titles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s a good idea to sample books first, Miko. But at both your local library and Libby, the books are FREE and you can return them immediately if not happy. Libraries are a great bargain, especially if you don’t mind a few days or weeks of waiting time.
Have you ever considered an audio version of your “Petal In The Wind” books?
LikeLike
Thanks to your article, I will now.
LikeLike
Thank you for a post chock full of detailed info for listening to books, especially if a ‘real read’ is not possible t any given time, or not preferable. Great for airline passengers with headphones. I was a narrator myself a few years back and enjoyed the experience tremendously, although the projects had to be undertaken in a tiny sound booth at a studio, and the director was impatient – telling me to hurry up!! I didn’t hurry, of course, because I wanted to give each character I played a different tone and style. These days I borrow ebooks for my kind fire to read in bed at night – the device is lightweight and I enlarge the font to make it easier to read. Also, I am grateful for the kindle’s backlight. I borrow ebooks from my local public library, and also buy some from amazon where you can find mysteries for as low as .99. After a day in a world where the spoken word can become bothersome, an audiobook is a pleasant change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your review, Jill. You are a fellow book listener! I’ve thought about getting an e-reader, where I can enlarge the font to read (my phone screen is so small!), but so far, the cost is a little high. (for me)
I’ve purchased enough audiobooks that I haven’t read yet to last me several lifetimes. I’d better get to listening!! haha.
LikeLike
What an interesting post, Jackie. Like Jill, I have also narrated books – many years ago. I used to listen to books on CDs, too. Those were great on long car journeys. But I only enjoyed them when the reader was perfect for the subject. The late actress Lynn Redgrave was excellent, as are Stephanie Cole and Hugh Fraser. But the wrong voice stops me listening further. I do love Kindle and have loads of books stored for travel times. Perfect on long plane journeys. Thank you for all those tips about Audio Books, which I can now try out, too. Do you listen to those on your phone? Lots of great information. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rosemary, yes, I listen to them on my phone. I have a Bluetooth connection with my hearing aids, so it works out perfectly.
LikeLike
I was living in Los Angeles when the Northridge quake struck in 1994. A hellish commute became even more so for several months and the thought of listening to books on tape (sounds quaint, right!) occurred to me. It occurred to a lot of folks, as the shelves at the library emptied quickly. I especially enjoyed listening to Sherlock Holmes stories.
When I moved to Virginia I no longer had a long commute and rarely listened to audiobooks. As I consume books late at night in bed, listening puts me to sleep. It doesn’t matter how interesting, or not, the story is, I quickly nod off and then have to backtrack. But I do appreciate the relief from eye strain.
When I listen to a story, it’s usually when an author asks me for a review and offers the code for Audible. And I listened to Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger when it was picked by my book group and the only library copy I could find was an audiobook on Libby. I very much enjoyed the story and the narrator. Still, it put me to sleep!
I read print and ebooks. I have the Libby, Kindle, and Barnes and Noble apps on my iPad—the larger screen makes it better than my phone. I still might fall asleep, but it’s fairly easy to backtrack.
Audible books are certainly a wonderful option. I once knew a group of (mostly) older women who loved to read but who had eye problems. They formed a “listening” book group.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maggie, I think I have listened to that William Kent Krueger book too, and probably several others by him.
Your group of older women listening to books reminded me that we also had a group of older ladies at our church. I actually read about 12 books onto cassette tapes for them, and they circulated them around. (I forgot about that!) I remember getting permission from each of the book publishers to record them. They agreed (in writing), since we were a small church, and the women (well, a couple) were vision impaired.
LikeLike
Me again. Has anyone tried Hoopla? It’s a streaming service offered by many libraries. You can borrow audiobooks, eBooks, comics, music, movies, and TV shows. See if your library has it. It’s a good partner to Libby.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard of Hoopla. And, because of this post, I’ve only used Libby once. But I like the word, FREE.
Thanks for the recommendation.
LikeLike