Book of The Month discussion

So I've seen it floating around that some people are testing out Audiobooks for BOTM.

I was curious if anyone in the group is testing them, how it's going and if you could provide any info to any of us that aren't testing it!

I'm curious if it's easy to get the audio book - where does it come from? Do you need a special app to listen to?
How are the narrators?

oo, I'm not necessarily an audiobook person but it's exciting to hear BOTM is branching out. Having a choice would be nice!

I requested one when they first started and got it pretty quick. The audio was good quality, but you do have to listen to it through the NetGalley app.

I would love if they offered the audio cheaper than an actual book and maybe be able to get both for a few bucks more.

I wold be on that quick and in a hurry! LOL

Elsa, I've always said that about Amazon, that they should offer the print and audio books as a set for a decent price because I would love that. The only time I really want the audiobook is when I love the narrator too, so like a memoir narrated by the author is my typical audiobook, but then I'd also want the book in print so I have to decide and print always wins out.

Jennifer

The physical, I can touch, hard copy book always wins.

Elsa couldn't agree more! I used to only buy paperbacks because I was a broke bartender with a book obsession but now it's hardcovers all the way

Jennifer wrote: "Elsa, I've always said that about Amazon, that they should offer the print and audio books as a set for a decent price because I would love that. The only time I really want the audiobook is when I..."

Amazon does offer this, if you buy the kindle book through them they have a thing called Wispersync and then the audiobook is like half price or sometimes less. I don't think it is for ALL books but they do have that.

Madeline, do you know if it's only kindle books or physical copies too? I have a kindle but I don't typically buy ebooks because I really prefer having the physical book. If the package deal is only with ebooks it may make that medium more tempting for certain books. Ty for the tip! I'll have to keep an eye out

Madeline wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Elsa, I've always said that about Amazon, that they should offer the print and audio books as a set for a decent price because I would love that. The only time I really want the au..."

I've remember seeing amazon offer them but if you buy the ebook not the physical book.

Elsa, yea that's exactly what I was wondering, so it wouldn't benefit me too often. I still appreciate the info Madeline, I'll keep that in mind if I ever find myself wanting the ebook and audiobook.

I have been listening to audiobooks for a while, and I either get it on Libby, or put on waitlist on Libby. I also have a membership on “Scribd.” There’s a monthly fee, but you can listen to as many books as you want. You don’t have to pay extra for the book, and you can keep a list of books on save for when you’re ready to listen to them.

I've been given audiobook testing for BOTM. So far they have a few selections. Not every BOTM is available in audiobook format. As an avid audiobook listener, they have a very nice interface on the app that rivals Libby, Audible, etc. The only thing I can't figure out is if the book is available offline when you download it? I hate using bandwidth when I am away from wifi. But it's really great so far!

Three out of the six books this month are available as audiobooks, btw.

oh nice, good info, thank you Jenn!

that's a pretty good ratio! I would expect it to be less since it's a newish program, go BOTM ❤️

Hester, Foul Lady Fortune, and Jacqueline in Paris are available this month in audiobook format.

I have the offer to buy an audiobook but I’d have to use a credit which is costly. If I were to start an Audible membership, it would be cheaper - first 2 audiobooks are free and $14.95 per month for 1 audiobook thereafter.

That is still kind of high.

I think the audio versions would need to be cheaper.

Right now, when I get a physical book, I can usually resell it for a few dollars. Not that I'm trying to make money, but it is nice to get something back when I'm done reading, even if it is $5. But, I can't sell an audiobook. In fact, once I'm done with the audio, it becomes rather useless to me -- I probably won't re-listen, can't gift it, etc.

My public library is pretty quick to purchase audiobooks though and using Libby, I often snag as many BOTM titles as I can. For free. Sure, I don't get them the moment they come out and usually have to wait a month or two, but I'd still pick that over purchasing an audiobook. At least -- at the current cost frame they seem to be using.

I agree!! I pass my BOTM selections on - typically to my reading friends/family. But I can't pass an audio book on. And I agree, my library/libby system is very quick to get titles. Typically if I'm asking for a title from them, I don't want it quickly! I'm so buried with books, lol, that there are times I definitely take at least a month or two (or more) to get to a book.

It's even more awful that the audiobooks don't count towards our challenge, especially since they upped the number of books needed this year! It will be interesting to see how this changes as they have it longer. I think it will need some reworking for me to want to try it out!