Fantasy Aficionados discussion

We've talked about audio books before the pros and cons and so on. Those of you who are already in Audible know this but I thought I'd mention it. I don't know if you have to have been in for a while but Audible is having their half price sale for members, so if you've been thinking about it now might be the time. This is when I'd actually pay for an audio download rather than use a membership credit, LOL. I noticed (I think) all the Jim Butcher books on the sale...

Whatever, just thought I mention it for any interested.

So is Monster Hunter's International. I used the "Credit" they give me this mothh to get Monster Hunter International. It's a good book, and I've also done the first two books of the Dresden Series (Narrated by Marsters...Spike from Buffy) out of the 4.95 pile.

Thanks for the post Mike - I've been thinking about joining Audible - maybe the sale will tip the odds. :-)

I'm curious about the market for audio books. I have two titles currently being made into such books, and I was wondering how popular they were. The only person I know who uses them does so because his eyesight is so poor.

Audible.com is like anything else. If you don't use it, you'll be throwing money away, if you used it, then you can break even or save some money.

Basically Audible.com gives you a book for your membership fee per month. That's about $15 in most cases, maybe more or less depending on what deal you singned up on. At that price you get one credit per month which is all you need to buy one audiobook. Most of their titles are buy-able for the one credit, there are a few that are two credits. If you look at the prices (and copair with iTunes and other places, your getting a good price.

It's not free like the library, and if you don't listen to audio books much, you'll loose money paying the membership feet.

THere is also a long list of books for $4.95 that includes some good ones.

I'm sure there are other sites to look at and even Amazon Prime and some other sights feature audio books.

I've never seen anything that works for everybody. Audible works for me. I listen to a lot of audio books. Read the fine print to make sure ti works for you.

I like them...so much less effort, LOL.

Okay, seriously. I own several on CD, I belong to Audible and have several through them, I get them from the library in download form, CD and MP3. They allow me to listen/read in a vehicle, while I'm busy doing something that doesn't occupy my mind completely, or when I don't feel well...or am just tired.

So, it depends on the person (some like them some not) also the books depend greatly on the reader. A bad reader can ruin a good book, vice-versa a good reader can help a good book.

Good luck.

S.J. wrote: "I'm curious about the market for audio books. I have two titles currently being made into such books, and I was wondering how popular they were. The only person I know who uses them does so because..."

I love, love, love audiobooks. I have two going all the time. My work commute was horrible and I would be over an hour in traffic that wouldn't go over 30 MPH. One day at the library I picked up an audiobook and listened to it on the way to work and it actually calmed my nerves. Now I listen to them in the car and at home while cleaning. So after all that S.J. good luck with your first audiobook.

Tracy wrote: "S.J. wrote: "I'm curious about the market for audio books. I have two titles currently being made into such books, and I was wondering how popular they were. The only person I know who uses them do..."

That's where I listen to the audiobooks, driving and when walking my dog. I used to get them from iTunes but that turned out to be about the most expensive buy I could be making. I prefer the MP3 format, but I'd listen to CDs if I had them.

I have even gotten comfortable with my Kindle 3g/4g listening to the text to speech voice. (not as good as an audio book with a narrator, but, serviceable for me.

The Audible credits will build up. I have 1 credit a month deal and they will stack up till you get 6 credits. (If you haven't used a credit for 6 months you'll need to use one or lose one.) I tend to use more than that. They also give you a $10 coupon on your anniversary date. Once a year they also offer a multiple credits for a given amount deal (I forget how many for how much, but I usually take it).

You can down load from them into several types of device.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "The Audible credits will build up. I have 1 credit a month deal and they will stack up till you get 6 credits. (If you haven't used a credit for 6 months you'll need to use one or lose one.) I tend..."

Yes that's a good point. You can download a "Device Manager" for free. The Device Manager will help you push it to MP3 players, an E-reader like Kindle (you don't really need it for Kindle) and listen to it on your computer. I don't think it'll push to iPod, but, I could be mistaken.

I wish I could stack up my audio credits. I seem to use them as fast as I get them. I just received my $10 anniversary credit and was thrilled to see the half off sale. Now the hard part is which book to pick...so many books...so little time.

Yea, I usually get a 20 hour + book with my credit and there are so many available for 1 credit, I haven't ever had 2 credits at the same time.

There's a audio book I've been saving a credit for that is 55 hours long. I just haven't been in the right frame of mind to invest that kind of time, I will eventually.

55 hours! Egad! what is it "Pillars of the Earth?"

No, it's "The Fiery Cross"

Is there a monthly subscription or how does it work?

http://www.audible.com/whatis?ie=UTF8...

That may help you. Basically you pay a membership fee each month. If you go through Amazon.com, they have all sorts of "Sign up" deals and bonuses.

You need a major credit card.

Create an Account, you'll get one credit per month (gets you almost any book) and they have lots of deals and specials etc.

Plus, there is a free trial period. You can try it and if you don't like it your can cancel your membership. Won't cost you a thing.

That sounds good. My library carries audiobooks but they can only carry so many and I have about listened to all the good ones.

The down side is that I cancelled during a free trial membership and now I can't rejoin! I've even written e-mails begging! No response.

Have you tried to just use your old login and pass word, then go to "payment" and set up a valid charge account?

Yep,

I've already been given an incentive deal so cannot make use of one a second time. I may try calling customer service next.

I meant just start paying the monthly membership fee. not use the incentive package. or do you not get the credits with basic membership?

I can't seem to sign up for it, but I'll try again. Thanks for the suggestion!

Just thought I'd put it out there Audible has a 3 credit deal (for $34) till the 31st-

Just stopped by to leave some news BUT when I signed up I paid half price for a year and got a free book or something like that.

NOW don't how many will be glad of this but I've been lobbying for years for an audio version of Zelazny's Amber books, just got an Email from Audible that both series are now out in audio.

I hope the reader is good...hope, hope, hope.

I'm looking forward to the first audiobook of one of my titles, the more so because it's a British company producing it, and I'm really curious about what sort of accent the reader might have.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Just stopped by to leave some news BUT when I signed up I paid half price for a year and got a free book or something like that.

NOW don't how many will be glad of this but I've been lobbying for ..."

Are you encouraging people to buy more books, Sensei?

Actually MrsJ, I doubt that's necessary here. Aren't we all just looking for excuses for the books we plan to buy anyway?????
:)

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Actually MrsJ, I doubt that's necessary here. Aren't we all just looking for excuses for the books we plan to buy anyway?????
:)"

:-D


*whistles innocently*

LOL

(For the first time in a long time I don't have enough Audible credits to buy all I want and have a few left. I guess I'll buy the first one and see how the reader is.)

I've got hubby started on The Dark Tower series. I'm killing him, lol. He's turning into a *gasp* reader!

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Just stopped by to leave some news BUT when I signed up I paid half price for a year and got a free book or something like that.

NOW don't how many will be glad of this but I've been lobbying for ..."

I noticed that today as well. The first series is narrated by Allessandro Juliani and the second by Wil Wheaton, of Star Trek fame.

I have not personally heard either guy but Wheaton has received a lot of praise for his other audio narration's.

I've heard Wheaton narrate a couple of books and he does a good job. I've not heard anything by Juliani but he was on Smallville and Battlestar Galatica and he's got credits as a voice actor.

I just downloaded Nine Princes in Amber. I probably won't get a chance to play it for a day or so but I'll get to it as soon as I can.