Audible Books

cgres123

I'm looking to buy audible books via computer to download to my phone so I can listen to a book while I commute.

 

Does anyone recommend a web site that is good for something like this ?

 

When you buy/rent the book can it be directly downloaded to your phone? If so does the process take a long time to download ?

 

Would downloading to a computer be a better idea and then download to a phone?

 

Thx D

Al Truscott

Your local public library may have books available for (free) download.

Amazon now owns audible.com, the largest source of downloadable books; see their website for details re: phones. I know I can download quite easily from both library and Audible to my iPad, so I assume iPhone is the same.

BTW, I experienced superior customer service from Audible. There was a glitch in how they charged me (they have a monthly subscription option). When I called and asked for help, they *immediately* over the phone cheerfully refunded three months' charges, no questions asked.

John Withrow

I started using audible.com several months ago and now don't really like to read "real" books anymore. You can download the app onto your phone or iPad or even your iPod or PC. I listen to books now on either 1.5x or 2x speed while commuting simultaneously checking my email or searching through EN. I churn through books now. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you need to be on a wifi network to download books and depending on your signal strength and network, it could be as fast as a minute or so or as long as several minutes. I have an Android phone with 4G and unlimited data and I can download books on my phone just through the cellular service, and it only takes a couple of minutes. And you can also have the same book downloaded onto multiple devices at the same time (iPad, phone, and computer)...

cgres123

Thanks Guys. How much does a plan cost you? I see you can get 1 to a few books per month for a price, what option did you get? I like books and could spend up to 2 hours a day listening to one.

cgres123

Ok bought the head phones. Moving right along..

John Withrow

For me it's more about convenience rather than being cost effective... So I simply buy the Gold Plan which is 12 credits for $150 and you can use them as fast as you want. Each book costs one credit which works out to be around $12.50 or so per book.

cgres123

well I have my 12 credits I am in I really like them

Brian Quarton [OLD]

One think I like about the iPhone app is the playback speed option. I use 3X for the Wall Street Journal, so I can get through it every day. There are a lot of great books. Let us know if you need any ideas. Audible.com member since '03.

[Deleted User]

I had an audible.com membership and it was great. I listen to books while running so I ended up getting so backed up with credits that I ended up canceling. When I finally get through all the books I will rejoin. Some of the Stephen King books take a full marathon training cycle to get through.

tgarson

Only comment on this is an add-on to Larry's. You mentioned that you wanted to listen to Audibooks during your commute, which I certainly recommend. However, I also listen to a ton of audiobooks while I work out. Specifically on my long runs.

Honestly, as tacky as it sounds, Game of Thrones was a game changer for me last season. I could head out on my 1.5, 2, 2.5 hour runs and just really just not even hardly notice I was running. Get into a good long book and it's just one more motivation to get out the door and move to find out what happens next.

Of course, there's probably something entirely valid to be said about disconnecting from technology during your run, getting in touch with nature, focusing on your breathing, our technique, your form, all that jazz. But you know, I've got enough of these under my belt that I don't need to do all of my training without an iPod to know what raceday is going to be like. I know what raceday is going to be like and I will bring it home when I need to. For the rest of the time, I'm going to make training as pleasurable and enjoyable a process as it can be, and for me that means being entertained.