Has anyone subscribed to Amazon's Audible reading service?

[procon]

I have enjoyed listening to some freebie narrated books before, but Audible isnup to about $15 a month now. I've always been an avid reader, but I've collected some health issues over the years and it's severely curtailed my reading habit.

If I subscribed to Auduble I don't know if I would actually read more books and use it often enough to be worthwhile for the value. For those who have already signed up, are you satisfied with the service? Are you reading more or less books with Audible? Any pros or cons, suggestions would be helpful.

[Codeine]

1. My wife uses it extensively.

She pretty much always has an audiobook in her ears, and has nothing bad to say about it. If you get a book that sucks you can return it for any reason (she kicks books to the curb based on narrator preferences all the time, no issue) and get a new one.

[PoliticAverse]

2. Do you have a library card? If your library subscribes to Overdrive you may have lots of audiobooks

available to you for free.

https://www.overdrive.com/

[GentryDixon]

6. That's what my hubby uses.

He's always got his nose in a book, and when he reads, he zones out everything around him, which is a good thing, because I talk to myself & my 🐕, and it doesn't bother him.
I got a free Audible for a year last July when they had their Prime special. I've got all my free books (12), and the only one I've listened to is ETTD. I can't get off Twitter long enough to have time for listening to a book. 😳

[procon]

8. Yes, I do.

I have used them for cookbooks, craft books, photo books, magazines and newspapers, but curiously I've never browsed through their audible books. Shame on me!

[genxlib]

9. Another vote for Overdrive

Or its sister app Libby.

If your library supports it, you get free downloads. Both ebooks and audio. I have listened to hundreds of books for free over the last decade.


Audible is good but expensive. I had a subscription years ago but quit it when the free library option came along.

[wcmagumba]

3. I haven't subscribed but thought about it...

for a month or so to see if I use it. I have listened to a few audio books checked out online from my local library and I did enjoy them. You might be able to get these from your library for a free try out...

[sweetloukillbot]

4. The $15 a month also provides one free book a month

I used it for a few months, but I found I couldn't do audiobooks and concentrate on other stuff - I know people who use it during drives, or mundane work, I couldn't.
I also know people who use it extensively and return every book they get, exchanging for the next. I have an issue with that, as it feels more like a library situation, which I don't think is the intent, and can affect author royalties.

Overdrive through your library is an excellent option though, for free audiobooks.

[Big Blue Marble]

5. I have been an Audible subscriber for over 15 years.

About one year ago, I discovered Scribd. For $80 a year you can read all the books listen to all the books you want. It’s a book reader’s paradise! I still have an annual subscription to Audible, but I am having trouble using all my credits because most of the books I want to read or on Scribd.

https://www.scribd.com

[procon]

10. Thanks, I'll check them out too. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I've considered it.

I read a lot but lately I get eyestrain and have to stop. It might be a good way for me to get through some books I haven't finished.

[Eko]

11. I like it.

Ive had it for about 3 years now. I put a book on when I go to sleep and listen to that until I nod off. I use the sleep timer.

[Marthe48]

12. Today I tried Hoopla

through the public library. I was listening to an audio book on You tube. I intended to finish the book today but when I started it, got a message that that account was no longer available.

I know the public library has a giant selection of material in all formats, so I signed in from home and found the. book. I signed up for Hoopla (free) and finished listening to the book. I will use it again. It seems easier than another app I signed up for. I used my laptop to listen.

I've used Amazon before, without subscribing. My devices need to be charge and I probably don't have pw, so lots of prep to get back into it.

Hope you enjoy your search

[cwydro]

13. Love it!

I subscribed for a year.

For an avid reader, it’s worth it. I can “read” even when I’m driving, gardening, doing housework, etc.

[avebury]

14. I love audible and have been buying their audio books for quite a while.

I tend to purchase the 24 credits at one time and the price per book is under $10.00 I have no problem with using up my credits. When I get down to 1 credit they will offer three credits at a sale price that is under $10/book. I went through a few of those this year.

Does it encourage me to read more? Let's just say that I now have an excel spread sheet to track new book releases. I have a large number of series that I read/listen to.

If you are a member they have lots of different sales (buy two with one credit, reduced price sales, daily book, etc.) and they have a few that are free every month. They used only let you take two of the free books a month but know you can select as many from that month's group as you want.

You can download the audible app to your devices. I tend to take my phone with me when I walk and I listen to an audiobook as I walk.

My local library also has Libby for eBooks and Audiobooks. I have the app on my phone and sometime listen to library books when I am walking, working around the house and so on.

If you are concerned about the cost, see if your library offers audio books for download (or streaming on a device) to see how much you like audiobooks. If it works for you then you can add audible to your interests.