topic Re: Help with audibles in Book Club

Help with audibles

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 19:32:35 GMT

Can our readers who use Audibles educate me? I just watched a YouTube video. I think I would like to try this out.

How do you use it? Library, Amazon, how else? What app do you use. I see I already have the app for our Library.

What do you like or dislike about it? Sounds like a good way to go to sleep at night but then I see myself wondering how much I didn't hear.

Looking forward to your comments. I know nothing about it. TIA.

Re: Help with audibles

Sooner — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 19:37:50 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
Can our readers who use Audibles educate me? I just watched a YouTube video. I think I would like to try this out.

How do you use it? Library, Amazon, how else? What app do you use. I see I already have the app for our Library.

What do you like or dislike about it? Sounds like a good way to go to sleep at night but then I see myself wondering how much I didn't hear.

Looking forward to your comments. I know nothing about it. TIA.

@Lilysmom1 I have had an Audible membership since they came out. I do use it to listen mostly with in-ear devices. I also download books from the library and it's associated sites like Hoopla and Libby.

I use audible books through my phone's speakers and bluetooth connection to wireless speakers I have (JBL 3 and JBL 4 are inexpensive, connect easily, and are small and easy to use). I listen while I am doing chores and relaxing too. I am very fond of Whispersinc from Amazon which lets you switch from reading to listening and keeps your place current.

Re: Help with audibles

tansy — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 20:19:53 GMT

Try listening to audiobooks for free, @Lilysmom1. I have an app called Libby which my library uses. There's a sleep setting so if you do fall asleep, you can easily find your spot.

Re: Help with audibles

nwbabs — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 01:40:15 GMT

I download and listen to audiobooks on my Fire Tablet. Most audiobook material through the Libby application accessing my local library for content. Occasionally, other audiobooks through the Prime Reading program included with Prime membership.

Love the convenience, quick access, and portability of downloading audiobooks. The Libby app does a nice chapter feature that shows chapter length and can be set to stop at the end of that chapter. I have used it when feeling sleepy but want to try and make it through just one more chapter. Famous last words when parents would implore me to cut the light off and go to bed...just one more chapter please. LOL

My library had used the Overdrive application prior to Libby. It seemed a bit clunky to me. A few years ago the local library migrated to Libby and I was dragging my heels downloading it after my Overdrive experience. In time, our wonderful library staff talked me into giving Libby a try and even offered to walk me through on my tablet. Once I downloaded Libby, I found it easy to navigate compared to Overdrive and have not looked back. However, I was grateful they offered if it was above my skill level and I would have taken them up on their offer.

Now, we are fortunate to have a neighborhood library branch, but not everyone is so lucky. If you have a library branch close, perhaps they will assist you too. Cheers.

Re: Help with audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 08:42:35 GMT

@Sooner Thanks! Good information. I am taking a trip in Feb which will mean a full day in the airport so an audible might be a great way to go. Do you download to your phone? iPad? I have several Bluetooth speakers and headphones so I am all set.

I will check out Whispersinc.

Re: Help with audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 08:38:42 GMT

@tansy I am in Canada so I thought our set up might be different. I have Libby too.

Re: Help with audibles

Lilysmom1 — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 08:40:45 GMT

@nwbabs Thank you! As mentioned above, I have Libby too so that is encouraging. I think I am going to like this.

Re: Help with audibles

Sooner — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 14:48:54 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
@Sooner Thanks! Good information. I am taking a trip in Feb which will mean a full day in the airport so an audible might be a great way to go. Do you download to your phone? iPad? I have several Bluetooth speakers and headphones so I am all set.

I will check out Whispersinc.

@Lilysmom1 Either phone or IPad will work. When I traveled a lot, I carried my IPad Mini and my phone. I would listen from the phone, read and/or listen from the Mini, and had everything I needed. That depends on your eyesight and what you can carry. The phone will work. I am an apple person so it all keeps up with other devices I have.

I also can read or listen or do both from a Kindle that has sound, so that is a great way to go now--and you might grab one from Black Friday sales today. The IPad Mini has color. I know there are similar devices in other brands and operating systems too.

Retired? I use the Kindle mostly, sometimes the IPad Mini, but just snagged an Apple IPad 10 for $250. Older and not traveling now it is wonderful for reading anything that has pictures--especially ones in color. It is very very light weight and bigger than the IPad and Kindles.

Hubby is eyeing it enviously! I probably will never get another IPad Mini.

Re: Help with audibles

Lilysmom1 — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 09:16:14 GMT

@Sooner I didn't know Kindle had sound. I am in Canada and Kindle is not compatible with our public library system so I have a Kobo.. I prefer ereaders but am having issues with downloading so have been using my iPad which I grown used to. My Ereader technology is probably outdated.

Re: Help with audibles

Sooner — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 15:48:08 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
@Sooner I didn't know Kindle had sound. I am in Canada and Kindle is not compatible with our public library system so I have a Kobo.. I prefer ereaders but am having issues with downloading so have been using my iPad when I grown used to. My Ereader technology is probably outdated.

@Lilysmom1 At least some kindlea will bluetooth to speakers, earbuds, etc. IPads have sound.

Re: Help with audibles

WRXtoo — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 15:52:26 GMT

I do what everyone here has said, listen from my fire tablet or phone with a Bluetooth speaker and also use the timer to listen while I fall asleep.

One of my favorite things is to listen in my car on longer drives. My phone connects to my car via Bluetooth and uses the car speakers. Back in the day when I had a car that didn't have that capability, I used a Bluetooth speaker that had a suction cup on the bottom. I stuck it to my side window.

Wireless earbuds let me listen while out in public or doing boring chores outside the house.

Re: Help with audibles

Lilysmom1 — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 08:37:52 GMT

Thanks everyone for the feedback. My first audiobook was The Far Pavillions simply because it was available. I didn't love it and it was probably not a good choice because the accents were heavy. I will try again over the Christmas season.

Re: Help with audibles

Runner26 — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:36:49 GMT

@Lilysmom1 I do not enjoy listening to audiobooks with accents so I try to use the preview option.

You can also return a book you purchased. The narrator had a heavy accent and I couldn't even listen to a chapter. I returned the book and was reissued the credit (I forgot to preview)

Re: Help with audibles

nwbabs — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 03:58:12 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
Thanks everyone for the feedback. My first audiobook was The Far Pavillions simply because it was available. I didn't love it and it was probably not a good choice because the accents were heavy. I will try again over the Christmas season.

Glad you will try again @Lilysmom1. Fortunately, I can sample five minutes of the narration on the Libby application before checking out through my library. Narration can make such a difference to the audiobook experience. However, I do have a bad habit of listening to audiobooks at 1.5x the speed. LOL

Take care and have a wonderful holiday.

Re: Help with audibles

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 08:24:08 GMT

@nwbabs @Runner26 I am learning from both of you! I will try the narration sample next time. Also had no clue you could speed up up the narration.

I really feel like I didn't get a great one for the first narration. We have a big nor'easter coming through tonight into Saturday with 30 cm of snow forecast. It will be a quilting, woodstove kind of weekend so a good time to try again.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you two!

Re: Help with audibles

JumpTheRope — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 05:02:35 GMT

Hello, now if you are a Prime member you can borrow
1 audible book monthly..
You do not own it, which I could care less.
But it's another Prime perk.