Audible

[woodelf]

Anyone tried Audible - the spoken word thingy - and what format does a book come in...sorry for the bad grammar there!...smile!...and I like my clammers too!

[Tuvok]

MP3.

[sunny-dave]

Audible is excellent - wide range of books at £7.99 per credit (book) per month - if you want more you can usually buy extra credits at around £6 each.

You can connect it to your Amazon account for payment.

You listen to books using Audible's own app on your phone/tablet or via your browser on a PC - they are in an encrypted format (not mp3) so that you can't copy them and send to friends.

I've been a member for ages & wouldn't be without it.

[CrapAtCryptics]

There is a site called gutenberg.org where many books can be found in a variety of formats for free.

[gness]

I love Audible, Woodelf. Worth remembering too is that if you are not happy with anything you've purchased you can return it for a credit.

[gylly]

The file format used is AA

[sunny-dave]

... or aax for the higher-quality files - both are encrypted to prevent piracy.

[woodelf]

Oh Bum!...just as I thought, MP3 and that probably means being obliged to use an earbud or headphones, etc and not able to listen "in the open" as it were or even copy to a CD! - how can you lie down and listen to summat with an earpiece, making it uncomfy! - maybe I'll look at this Gutenberg site or just do without! Many Thanks though guys and Hi Dave!...your Sunnyness is needed even more these days!

[gness]

No, Woodelf!!! I've never used an earbud or headphones for anything and certainly not Audible.
You can listen "in the open". Ipad on the bedside cabinet beside the nightcap, set the timer for it to go off when you're in the land of nod.

You could sit in the garden with the family around a campfire and all listen to it as you toast marshmallows.

Don't do without it. The choice of books is fantastic. I'll get Dave to answer the copy to a CD bit. X

[gness]

Another thing I like about Audible is that I can sample the book before buying.
That way I can hear the voice of the narrator and be sure it's not an annoying voice that will ruin the story.

[woodelf]

Gness, that's interesting to know that you don't need an earpiece or similar. So, I've got an iPhone (no SIM card) and I'll have to figure out the "logistics" to get the thing working. I've been listening to audio books for about 40 years Gness, so if you'd like some ideas on good readers/narrators, then I'd be happy to name some - unless you've your own favourites, of course!...but a good narrative voice and the ability to characterise are always important factors!...blimey, gettin' too academic here!

[JimF]

You don't need earphones if the device on which the audio file is playing has its own speakers.

[gness]

Must be about 40 odd years for me too, Woodelf. Trying to fix the tapes with a pencil before returning to the library! I love being read to. We have story telling sessions and festivals in the village. Folk come from all over the world to perform or just listen.
Would be happy with any recommendations thank you.

[Peter Pedant]

There is a site called gutenberg.org where many books can be found in a variety of formats for free.

very good - use it alot - just downloaded the woodlanders by Hardy

[barry1010]

Download the audible app to your iphone here
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/audible-audiobooks-podcasts/id379693831

To your pc here
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/audiobooks-from-audible/9wzdncrfj1cr?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

If you have an Alexa speaker or gadget you can listen through that, too

[barry1010]

Gutenberg audiobooks here
https://www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/1

[woodelf]

Gness, the best reader on the planet of American English is William Dufris (sheer genius), followed by Lorelei King (Kay Scapetta books), Stephen Fry does marvels with the H Potter books, so much better than Jim Dale! Sean Barrett (Mick Herron's Slow Horses series), Emma Powell Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series), Jonathan Keeble (Luca Veste novels), Penelope Keith's Agatha Raisin books)...if you want me to go on?...depends on your reading interests. - Ta for those links Barry. PP, I've had a quick look into that Gutenberg site, will need more time with it.

[woodelf]

Those books mentioned are fiction, but some factual ones, such as autiobiogs are read by the author themselves, so you take your choice - for example, the only book I was going to get for free before thinking about anything else, was the book by Tracey Thorn. Back to fiction, the only author who can read their own books well enough is Simon Brett, imoof!...and don't be tricked by someone acting on telly, is a good reader of the series they are in!

[gness]

We have similar tastes, Woodelf. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer read by William Drufis is wonderful. He reads lots on Audible.

I've listened to many narrated by Jonathan Keeble, Lorelie King and Penelope Keith and of course Stephen Fry is a must for me! As is Graham Norton.
Aoife McMahon is one of the best narrators.

Listening to the Linwood Barclay books read by Brian O'Neill and Graham Winton just now. Excellent.

[sunny-dave]

Probably the best value on Audible is Stephen Fry reading the entire, unabridged Sherlock Holmes Novels and Stories - 72 hours of pure brilliance.

I also like Michael Jayston reading John Le Carre and Timothy West's impeccable readings of Anthony Trollope - I've finished the Barchester series and am now halfway through The Palliser novels - a great joy to hear my favourite author read so well.

[gness]

We mustn't miss out Martin Jarvis!