Comments on: Barnes and Noble now selling audio books online

By: Open Your Own Audio Book Online Store | Order Book Online

Open Your Own Audio Book Online Store | Order Book Online — Sat, 16 May 2009 08:57:23 +0000

[...] Barnes and Noble now selling audio books online Barnes and Noble has jumped into the online audio book market. Without the DRM, you actually own these audiobooks. Nobody can take them away from you, you don’t have to worry about the keyserver ever disappearing and rendering the books useless (a worry with DRM-infected works), and you can transfer them to any device in the future without getting anyone’s permission or paying another fee. [...]

By: Scott Kingery

Scott Kingery — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:03:02 +0000

Nice…except…They cost the same as CD’s!! At least the one book I looked for. That, friends, is ridiculous.
I like the idea of buying from B&N because it doesn’t mean signing up like Audible but Audible is WAY cheaper if you read (listen) a lot.
There are some audio book which I am really glad I have on audio. Things like David Allen’s GTD or others that are similar and are good to refresh with from time to time.

By: Christian

Christian — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:57:41 +0000

I would go insane without audiobooks for my commute. Like other people have said, though, you don’t need to spend $20 for something you’ll listen to once. For that matter, you don’t need to buy a book for one reading. My library has lots of audiobooks and the regular kind, so I’m there often.

By: Availle

Availle — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:33:53 +0000

I have just recently started to listen to audiobooks because I have a lengthy commute twice a week. I’m an avid reader and could not imagine it, but it really helps clearing my reading list

For free audiobooks in the public domain (no DRM issues!) go to librivox.org

It covers mainly the classics (Austen, Twain, Dickens,…) and is read by volunteers only, so beware, the quality may vary!

By: Another Deb

Another Deb — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:40:27 +0000

In the long commute years I worked right next to the main library and would go through several audio books a week. I enjoyed the vocal stylings that brought thes characters alive and found many authors and genera I would never have tried otherwise.

That said, I cannot fathom spending twenty dollars on something I will only listen to once, and would find difficult to even give to a friend to read.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:32:48 +0000

I listened to dozens of audiobooks and podcasts at my previous data entry job. Definitely a good way to keep your mind engaged during dull tasks. For free options, check out original podcast fiction by authors like Mur Lafferty and JC Hutchins too.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:32:22 +0000

I like the idea of audio books / books on Kindle, etc. but at the end of the day, it could actually be more expensive than either 1) buying the used book on Amazon and then re-selling it after reading or donating it for a tax deduction, or 2) going to the library to read it or 3) borrowing it from a friend. All of these options reduce clutter AND help save money. And who couldn’t stand to save a few bucks THESE days? Right?

By: Andrea Korogi

Andrea Korogi — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:30:40 +0000

Audio books have made many a trip fly by. One of the most recent audio books I bought was by Allison Maslan, a life and career coach. If you’re looking for a great book on how to start a new career or business – or how to use the same step-by-step principles to find a partner, you can pick up the audio book at http://www.myblastoff.com. It helped me – good luck!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:02:49 +0000

To save on space AND cash, you could also just visit your local library…

By: Liberty

Liberty — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:54:14 +0000

I’m happy to see that these are in DRM-free MP3 format!

Without the DRM, you actually *own* these audiobooks. Nobody can take them away from you, you don’t have to worry about the keyserver ever disappearing and rendering the books useless (a worry with DRM-infected works), and you can transfer them to any device in the future without getting anyone’s permission or paying another fee. This is a very good thing!

By: knitwych

knitwych — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:52:06 +0000

I love audio books – as long as the narrator is a good one. There are some lousy ones out there, but Barbara Rosenblatt and Frank Mueller are extremely good, IMO. I like them so much that I’ll listen to a book simply because they’re narrating it, even if I’m not familiar w/the author.

I’ve listened to audio books while working, painting walls, driving, crafting, and cleaning/organizing. I can’t just sit and listen to an audio book without doing something else simultaneously, but I have found that they are great for making less-than-interesting tasks fly by.

If you’re into audio books, check w/your local library to see if it has access to a digital library. If so, you can download audio files for free, and save money.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:51:41 +0000

I love love love audible books — got a nano about 3 years ago and joined Audible.com, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the site and downloaded books. But I also love the audible storytelling tradition ~ I commute via ferry about 3 hrs total a day, and the audible books have been great for not having to carry extra stuff to keep me entertained. I also like to listen while doing yardwork (makes weeding almost enjoyable!) Moving while listening keeps me from dozing off to the soothing narration

By: Dimitar Nikolov

Dimitar Nikolov — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:21:28 +0000

I’ve never liked listening to audio books. Just as Lily said in the first comment, they make me too sleepy to be able to concentrate.

But one way I try to unclutter my home is to buy ebooks and only print out the pages I need.

This has saved quite a lot of book space on my shelves.

By: Lily

Lily — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:06:24 +0000

Sadly, audio books render me unconscious! Every time I try to listen to one, the soothing sounds of the reader put me right to sleep. I have one on my iPod that has been there for years and I’ve never gotten through the first chapter on my frequent plane trips for work. 10 minutes in and I’m out. They’re great for insomnia, though.