Audible for audiobooks; worth it?

[Faroy86580]

Is audible worth the cost? I worry about paying a monthly fee just for the right to then spend more on audio books. Would you need more than the monthly free book? I can't listen at work usually but trying to plan things to do for potential long stay at home.

 

[evilwebby]

IMO yes. there are certainly worse ways I could spend £8/month.

 

[Brennan]

Is audible worth the cost? I worry about paying a monthly fee just for the right to then spend more on audio books. Would you need more than the monthly free book? I can't listen at work usually but trying to plan things to do for potential long stay at home.

Tried it and personally found more value from listening to free podcasts when reading wasn’t possible, and then reading books instead.

It’s expensive for the content you receive.

 

[evilwebby]

This is one of those things where its not just about money for me. A lot of the books I am interested in I can listen too for free as someone will have ripped them and posted them on YT, but I still chose to keep my subscription. I don't read many physical books and much prefer the audio format, so the £8/month I pay is a very small price for the self-learning material that I am into.

I listen to a lot of podcasts too, but books still have their place that podcast content doesn't replace.

 

[jaycee]

Versobooks are doing free ebooks at the moment,no idea of the content but worth a look

 

[LostLegend]

I had one for a while, but cancelled my subscription after a bit as I'm very picky on what books can keep my attention in audio format.
I can't listen to fiction at all, I just can't immerse myself into the story as much as I can by reading.

I guess it's a personal taste thing. But it is definitely worth the money if you really enjoy books in audio format!

Some of the more autobiographical stuff can be really good though, especially if it's narrated by the author.
In particular I really enjoyed both of American comedian Doug Stanhope's books 'Digging Up Mother: A Love Story' and 'This Is Not Fame' as he narrated them himself and even adds what he calls 'directors commentary' between chapters, where he has some of the people he talks about in his memoirs on to discuss what parts he completely mis-remembered. It ends up like a less chaotic version of his podcast (of which I'm a big fan)

 

[Faroy86580]

Thanks all, I'll think it over a little more. Tbh I prefer fiction so maybe it won't suit me.

 

[LostLegend]

Thanks all, I'll think it over a little more. Tbh I prefer fiction so maybe it won't suit me.

I think they do a 30 day free trial, so you can get your first book free and cancel if you don't want to continue - you get to keep the book regardless.

 

[Ivo]

I subscribed for a free month because I wanted to listen to the alternative Alien 3 that's on there. The problem is I put it on when I'm going to bed, and I end up falling asleep. I've listened to the first ten minutes half a dozen times and got no further!

 

[ClausThomsen]

I've found it slightly ropey for some books, especially fiction as sometimes the actor can be distracting to me...especially when using accents or tones for different characters talking. Any serious history book I like to be able to flick back sometimes and double check little things.

One exception is the Alan Partridge audiobooks....absolutely tremendous and stand up to repeat listenings.

 

[Walter Ego]

Pretty sure they are doing them for free right now. I haven't had one for years but there was a time I'd plough through loads of them. Audio books are as good as the narrator.

 

[LinekersLegs]

I love it myself, prefer listening to a book before going to bed rather than reading it.

The quality of the narrator makes a big difference though.

 

[Sweeneytoad]

You can give it a free trial for a month and get one book. If you are an amazo prime member you also get an additional free book on top of it during the trial. I've stuck with it, find it great for a commute. I only ever listen to autobiographies though so can't tell you what fiction is like.

 

[Faroy86580]

I've found it slightly ropey for some books, especially fiction as sometimes the actor can be distracting to me...especially when using accents or tones for different characters talking. Any serious history book I like to be able to flick back sometimes and double check little things.

One exception is the Alan Partridge audiobooks....absolutely tremendous and stand up to repeat listenings.

I did hear that the Tony Blackburn Autobiography is funny and like a real life Partridge

 

[wm02]

I prefer Scribd for audiobooks