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I have a Spotify premium plan. I am looking forward to trying their audio books again. They look like they have some very popular books with no holds lists. I think there is a 15 hour/month limit, so I will probably stick to books that are 15 hours or less. I listened to a book on Spotify before (Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America) back during the pandemic lockdown. They had it for free during the protests. At that time it had a few wrinkles to work out. Each chapter was pretty much treated like a music track so sometimes it would be on shuffle and read out of order. Also chapter tracks would show up in my music mixes as if they were a song I listened to. It also didn't remember where I left off, especially if I listened to music since I last listened to the book. But all of that was before audiobooks were a real thing on Spotify, so I am assuming they have fixed those issues in the last 3 years.
Interesting, it sounds like the plans on companies like Scribd or maybe Audiobooks.com, that is it's not unlimited listening, but if you have the service anyway, it's a good deal.As far as the tracks, I had that issue once with a book from one of those services, of the tracks showing up randomly as songs. I got around it by listening to my songs in alphabetical order starting after the audiobook title. It was just as good a random mix as "shuffle" would be and I had enough songs to not come back to the book till I wanted to. I think the book tracks were in the right numerical order but I don't remember.
All of this was because I like to listen on an iPod nano rather than a phone or speaker. It is old technology but the tiny size (about 1.5 inches square) is so much more portable. I download the books from Audible or other service to my computer and from there to my iPod. This also means that if I choose to, I can keep the audiobook forever on my computer even if Audible has a fight with the publisher and withdraws it. I assume that at some point, Audible will stop this possibility and require listening from their app. They already changed it so that I can't review any book I didn't listen to from the app. But a phone is too darned big to carry around all the time while exercising, doing housework, etc. Of course Apple no longer makes the iPod, so when they stop working after a while, I buy used ones on eBay for about $50. (I guess I am a slow adapter, I stuck with cassettes forever and kept buying Walkman players on eBay, too!)
Cora wrote: "I have a Spotify premium plan. I am looking forward to trying their audio books again. They look like they have some very popular books with no holds lists. I think there is a 15 hour/month limit, ..."Oh thank you for pointing out some of the nuances. I didn't notice the 15 hours limit. It will work for me because I'm really only listening when I'm walking my dog or in the car (RARELY). But I won't plan on using it for finishing any tags or anything like that - - more like a way to squeeze in an extra non-fiction read that I'm interested in, but there's no time pressure.
It does feel like "free" so that's the main attraction.
It seems to be working well, but there's no way to play it faster like I believe you can with Audible.
Robin P wrote: "Interesting, it sounds like the plans on companies like Scribd or maybe Audiobooks.com, that is it's not unlimited listening, but if you have the service anyway, it's a good deal.As far as the tr..."
Thank you for sharing your experiences! I love those Nanos. It's sad when some of the good technologies vanish . . .I agree they are SO portable.
I discovered this last month. We have a family Spotify account which my other half pays for and I listen to lots of audiobooks so this is great for me. I listened to Dominicana by Angie Cruz last month, and it was just like listening to an audiobook downloaded from Audible. I think I was able to speed it up (because I always do on Audible and I'm sure I would have noticed if I couldn't on this) and it just flowed on like normal. I haven't decided what to listen to yet this month - the list of available titles included in the membership has some of the books on my TBR but not all, but it is definitely more extensive than what's available on Borrowbox which I get through my local library. And there is a 15 hours/month limit, but that still covers lots of books. If you have Spotify anyway, it's a free audiobook a month, so I'm delighted with it!
This was brought to my attention on one of my Facebook groups. I have premium because I use Spotify when we travel and got tired of limited skips and a commercial every 2 songs. LOL!I don't normally do audiobooks, but since this is included, I might give it a try when I go to see my daughter since that is a 2 hour drive.
Claire wrote: "I discovered this last month. We have a family Spotify account which my other half pays for and I listen to lots of audiobooks so this is great for me. I listened to Dominicana by Angie Cruz last m..."Oh if you figure out how you sped it up, please come back and share! I looked, but couldn't figure it out, and I will say the reader of the Isaacson book is pretty slow. Nice and expressive, but slow.
So glad to hear you are also enjoying this new feature!
~*Kim*~ wrote: "This was brought to my attention on one of my Facebook groups. I have premium because I use Spotify when we travel and got tired of limited skips and a commercial every 2 songs. LOL!I don't norma..."
This was exactly how I felt! Not really a normal user of audiobooks, but so many popular titles for free is making this hard to resist for me.
For now, I have spotify premium (because of a gift card). I am unlikely to start paying for it myself when it expires, though. I haven't tried any of the audiobooks. I doubt I would be able to transfer them to my mp3 player, and without being able to do that, the audiobooks would be useless to me.
ETA: I see (now that I've read the other comments!) I am similar to Robin this way. I agree with her on all counts - it's much smaller and more portable than a phone... of course, I don't even have a smartphone, so... my only other options are my PC (obviously not portable at all!) or my tablet (way too bulky).
This is all very interesting and timely for me. I have not listened to audio for years, listened while I made a long commute to work. However, because of my shoulder (s) giving out on me, holding busty books is very hard for me and my Pain therapist has told me to slowly start going back to audio. My daughter put me on her Spotify account last Christmas, so I will have to check it out. While I am in a body armor sling for 6-8 weeks this could work for me.
Claire wrote: "I discovered this last month. We have a family Spotify account which my other half pays for and I listen to lots of audiobooks so this is great for me. I listened to Dominicana by Angie Cruz last m..."Oh, I figured out how to speed things up! I don't know why I didn't see it before; so weird, but thanks to you - - I kept looking. I will try it tomorrow!
Joanne wrote: "This is all very interesting and timely for me. I have not listened to audio for years, listened while I made a long commute to work. However, because of my shoulder (s) giving out on me, holding b..."Oh good! I hope it can be helpful during your recovery. I was surprised that I could just immediately access so many popular titles with no wait times.
Not sure yet if it will work for me, Anita-not even sure yet whether I will give it a try-LoL, I just love the feel of a book in my hands! Not being able to do that, so much, I have started placing the book in my lap. Change is always hard for me😆
@Joanne, my P.T. has given me a tip about reading books, so that it is not so hard on the neck. He's told me to place one or two couch pillows on my lap and to put the book on that. It looks a little silly, but I do it to save wear and tear on my neck. He's also told me not to curl up with a book (which I'm prone to do), but to maintain good sitting posture. Old habits die hard.
Joanne wrote: "Not sure yet if it will work for me, Anita-not even sure yet whether I will give it a try-LoL, I just love the feel of a book in my hands! Not being able to do that, so much, I have started placing..."So I am totally not into audio either. I have only tried it once before, about 15 years ago. I don't think I could do fiction with it at all. But I have been slowly listening to some podcasts, and for non-fiction topics, I seem to be able to listen and absorb enough. Is it as pleasurable for me as reading? um, NO. But it sure is time efficient.
I'm only on chapter 6 of my non-fiction book, and it's been working while walking my dog. However, Walter Isaacson is a very linear biographer -- who uses simple straightforward prose. So I'm starting easy.
Holly R W wrote: "@Joanne, my P.T. has given me a tip about reading books, so that it is not so hard on the neck. He's told me to place one or two couch pillows on my lap and to put the book on that. It looks a litt..."I bought this soft cushion holder for my husband from Amazon that performs a similar function though it works better with Kindle where the pages don't need to be held open.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G3HZYWC?...
Holly R W wrote: "@Joanne, my P.T. has given me a tip about reading books, so that it is not so hard on the neck. He's told me to place one or two couch pillows on my lap and to put the book on that. It looks a litt..."Yes, to pillows on my lap, one behind my head-It is much more comfortable!
Anita wrote: "Holly R W wrote: "@Joanne, my P.T. has given me a tip about reading books, so that it is not so hard on the neck. He's told me to place one or two couch pillows on my lap and to put the book on tha..."That looks perfect Anita! Thank you!
@Anita - Thank you for sharing the info about the product. I'll definitely buy it. I also use a kindle.
LibraryCin wrote: "For now, I have spotify premium (because of a gift card). I am unlikely to start paying for it myself when it expires, though. I haven't tried any of the audiobooks. I doubt I would be able to tr..."
Cin, it's getting hard to live without a smartphone. For instance, if you go on a trip, sometimes the only way you will now if the airline changed your flight is by text. I have a friend who resisted getting a cell phone at all but when she traveled it was a big problem. And so many services now require an app. Also some tickets are only sent by phone, there is no option to print one out.
I regularly help a friend who is disabled and the only way to set up the Amazon Echo device, so that she could use Alexa to ask questions and listen to music, was through an app. I ended up having to do this on my phone. Same problem for my brother, who has bad eyesight, doing things by phone is virtually impossible. Many of these processes are inaccessible to anyone with a disability or who doesn't want to spend money on a smart phone.
Holly R W wrote: "@Joanne, my P.T. has given me a tip about reading books, so that it is not so hard on the neck. He's told me to place one or two couch pillows on my lap and to put the book..."Neck posture ...
That's why I read clunkers sitting at the kitchen table. I prop the book up and use a neck pillow (like you use when traveling on an airplane) ... but BACKWARDS ... so the curve is under my chin. Forces me to keep my head up. Also, the table is a convenient spot for some paper and pen (for jotting notes) and the beverage of my choice.
So glad the link was useful, Joanne and Holly! My husband has been using it for some studying he is doing, and it's definitely been helpful to him.
Anita wrote: "Claire wrote: "I discovered this last month. We have a family Spotify account which my other half pays for and I listen to lots of audiobooks so this is great for me. I listened to Dominicana by An..."Great, well done!
Robin P wrote: "Cin, it's getting hard to live without a smartphone. .."
I know you're right. And I likely won't have a choice soon, with 3G going away. My phone/internet provider already sent me a note that I'd have to upgrade my flip phone.
In multiple studies over the years, it has shown that Canada is one of the most expensive places for smartphones and/or plans.
I don't want to upgrade. I still don't even want a cell phone at all. If it wasn't for work's 2-factor authentication recently, I'd be tempted to just cancel the cell phone altogether and not use one at all.
Tickets - I've already come across that. My friend had them on her phone. Setting up the google nest mini (it was a gift) - yup, had to have a friend help me set that up. My tablet (at the time) was too old to use the app, but I do have a newer tablet now that will be able to do some things.
Travel. Yup - that sucks. I haven't gone anywhere in 5 years because of my cat (who is gone now). I will be travelling at Christmas, but by bus (still way cheaper). But, with that trip to Minneapolis next year, I was still trying to figure out what I would do.,.
But like you, for as long as I possibly can, I will continue to use my mp3 player for audio books. Smaller, lighter, more portable. All those things you've mentioned. What if I'm mowing the lawn and don't have pockets (yoga pants)? Where do I put a phone to listen? My mp3 player has a clip.
LibraryCin wrote: "But like you, for as long as I possibly can, I will continue to use my mp3 player for audio books. Smaller, lighter, more portable. All those things you've mentioned. What if I'm mowing the lawn an..."Yes, exactly. And I think insisting on smart phones is an accessibility issue for people with physical disabilities, eyesight issues, learning disabilities, etc. Yes, you can set up some voice controls but somebody else would have to do the setup. Cost isn't so much of a problem in the US. Most cell phone carriers have deals where you pay for the phone with your monthly plan, or you even get it at no charge, if you don't need the latest and fanciest phone, as long as you stay with the provider for 2 years or whatever. Actually several people I know, including my friend and my brother, shouldn't even have smart phones, because all they use them for is making and getting calls, and they don't remember how to or can't be bothered to check their messages. They don't travel or buy tickets so a flip phone would actually be better for them.
Robin P wrote: "Most cell phone carriers have deals where you pay for the phone with your monthly plan, or you even get it at no charge, if you don't need the latest and fanciest phone, as long as you stay with the provider for 2 years or whatever. ..."Yeah, they do that here, too, but those plans are just so expensive. :-(
I'd love to keep my flip phone, but they are telling me it's soon not going to work at all. It sounds like that will be the case for all flip phones, at least here.
LibraryCin wrote: "I'd love to keep my flip phone, but they are telling me it's soon not going to work at all. It sounds like that will be the case for all flip phones, at least here. ..."That's why we finally got smart phones ... got the message that they would no longer support 3G products and we would have to upgrade. We mostly use them as phones (though I have succumbed to the ease of checking email). We don't play games, watch videos, read or listen to books on them (another MP3 player aficionado here). We elected to buy our phones. We bought the absolutely cheapest one we could that was "unlocked" (meaning we were not required to go with company A or company B but could go anywhere for the plan). We still have a land line and that's the number we give everyone. And, of course, every business tries to text us there!
LibraryCin wrote: "What if I'm mowing the lawn and don't have pockets (yoga pants)? Where do I put a phone to listen?"LOL Cin, there are yoga pants with pockets now:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=yoga+pants...
annapi wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "What if I'm mowing the lawn and don't have pockets (yoga pants)? Where do I put a phone to listen?"LOL Cin, there are yoga pants with pockets now:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=y..."
I LIVE in yoga pants with pockets lol. Best thing ever.
Ok- I saw this update to Spotify on TikTok yesterday, and had to make sure you all knew!! 15 Hours free audiobook listening per month. LOVE! I already have a premium membership so this is basically just like a bonus for me. The one kicker is if you have a Duo (2 person) or family (multi-user) plan, the 15 free hours only apply to the "plan holder". My husband "manages" our spotify duo membership, and the only way for me to get the 15 hours on my spotify account instead of his is to cancel our membership, and reopen a new one with me as the plan holder. Seems silly- but I have GOT TO GET MY HANDS on the Britney Spears memoir (sitting at 500+ on the library waitlist)- so we likely will be jumping through the hoops so I can get the 15 free hours per month.
I have been known to run my legal practice off my smart phone in a pinch, and in many ways it's a very critical tool during meetings and hearings (all those virtual meetings, I can text my colleagues to remind them of a point or get or send in th emoment updates or get an approval without having to step out to make a call) . It also is very handy outside work.
It's pretty much always with me or within reach. I rarely am out without a purse of some kind - I don't really like pockets as in women's clothing they are just too shallow 90% of the time -- even if just a small over the shoulder bag just big enough for ID, phone, reading glasses, keys, credit card, metrocard (even if I'm just taking a walk, I have reading glasses on because I can't read anything without them).
I occasionally listen to audio books or music on it but only when traveling. I do read books on it when out and about. I don't play games nor watch anything on it except an occasional video link on Social Media or that is sent to me by friends, family, or work. I do take videos and photos - so handy at a closing to get a picture of a check that was left out of the copy pile. I also have attended meetings using zoom and such apps.
Tessa can attest to my using it on our road trip -- to find restaurants, verify directions, and conduct conference calls as we drove along. It was very handy.
I love having a smart phone, I have a great very reasonable plan and own my phone. I also keep my phones for longer than a lot of people do. No need to update everytime a new model comes out.
And after resisting initially, I have updated to the new OMNY app replacing the Metrocard. LOVE it! For those unfamiliar, NY is converting to tap and go using app on phone, to be effective across the system by end of 2024. Now, you can elect to use either a dedicated credit card instead, or you can actually purchase an OMNY card that is essentially an MTA use only credit card, so those who don't have smart phones or don't want one can use something else that will be similar to using a metrocard. That sounds to me like a way to inclusivity concerns.
I always have my phone in my hand when taking the MTA - I'm either using the app to check status of next bus or subway, reading emails, catching up on GR and FB, or reading. No more fumbling for a metrocard!
Book Concierge wrote: "We bought the absolutely cheapest one we could that was "unlocked" ..."Yeah, I'm hoping to find a cheap used one. I have a friend who says he should be able to make (certain brands and models of) Androids last longer than they otherwise would.
Anita wrote: LOL Cin, there are yoga pants with pockets now:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=y..."
I LIVE in yoga pants with pockets lol. Best thing ever...."
Ah, ok. Well, I still don't want to carry a big bulky phone in my pocket, anyway. My little (smaller than a business card, though of course, slightly wider) mp3 player is much smaller and lighter and less bulky.
Joi wrote: "Ok- I saw this update to Spotify on TikTok yesterday, and had to make sure you all knew!! 15 Hours free audiobook listening per month. LOVE! I already have a premium membership so this is basically..."Can't you log in with your husband's info, especially if he isn't using the service at the time?
Theresa wrote: "I have been known to run my legal practice off my smart phone in a pinch, and in many ways it's a very critical tool during meetings and hearings (all those virtual meetings, I can text my colleagu..."Yes, You don't even need the app to use NYC OMNY. It was so great when I was there in September. I could just tap my credit card and immediately go through. If you use the same card all week and get over a certain number of rides (10?), you get the rest of the week free. For visitors, it is great because you don't have to figure out how many rides to buy, use a machine to get them, etc.
Robin P wrote: "Can't you log in with your husband's info, especially if he isn't using the service at the timeTechnically yes, however we both are huge Spotify users (like both use it daily for drives, at work, podcasts for working out, ect..) and our profiles have curated playlists, suggestions, ect for our individual music taste. We also both listen to podcasts (some of the same ones), and this would get funky on who has listened to what and where in the podcast we left off if we share one account.
He would not be happy if in the midst of his top played came my musical soundtracks in between his rap songs, and I would not be happy if his metal came up in my Taylor Swift Spotify curated daily playlist, LOL.
Theresa wrote: "And after resisting initially, I have updated to the new OMNY app replacing the Metrocard. LOVE it! For those unfamiliar, NY is converting to tap and go using app on phone, to be effective across the system by end of 2024. "Sounds convenient to me! South Korea has had the tap and go via phone attachment, so you just wave your phone to tap and go. I've heard they're planning on a bluetooth enabled contactless system also, but don't' know too much about it. With that being said the old school card system still works for those without smartphones or phones at all.
I know auditory learning might not be your thing, but it's worth giving it a shot since it feels like a free and easy way to try something new. Choosing the Walter Isaacson Elon Musk biography for your experiment sounds interesting! Non-fiction books are different from fiction, but it's a good way to learn without worrying too much about the plot. Btw, what do you think about those who buy spotify plays https://streamingfamous.com/buy-spoti... ? Just curious. IMO, it's OK, especially in the very beginning of one's way.
Hedwigpong wrote: "I know auditory learning might not be your thing, but it's worth giving it a shot since it feels like a free and easy way to try something new. Choosing the Walter Isaacson Elon Musk biography for ..."The Elon Musk book with it's short chapters and excellent reader gave me more confidence. Unfortunately the book I'm trying next - - also non-fiction - - it much harder. The reader has a sing-song tone that is monotonous, and there's a lot of data. But practice makes perfect.
When you ask what do you think about those who buy spotify plans, I'm not quite sure what you mean? I am paying for a plan. It gives you 15 hours per month for a nice selection of books, but beyond that, I would need to buy special credits. I could see this leading me to make some purchases I otherwise wouldn't have without some practice with listening! I am hoping I get better at it over time . . .
Does that make sense?
I am using Spotify Premium APK from https://spotify-apk.es.modfyp.com, this version will help me to use premium features of the app for absolutely free.
Suddenly yesterday, without changing pricing, it has boatloads of audio books available. I am not really a good auditory learner, but I am slightly intrigued just because it feels free with zero work/learning curve.
I figured that while I really don’t think I enjoy consuming fiction in this manner, maybe non fiction (where plot is not really the point) could work.
I am trying the Walter Isaacson Elon Musk biography. We’ll see how this experiment goes.