Thursday, March 30, 2023

Amazon's Audible Program Reviewed

Reviewing Amazon's Audible Program

Have you heard of Audible?  I have had friends tell me to use this for a few years and I finally decided to download it in January and I have to say I love it.

I was hesitant as I have listened to audiobooks in the past and if you get the wrong narrator they can be hard work to listen to.  I also love actually reading and listening just doesn't feel the same.  After my initial one-month trial I decided that I needed to keep this and have been thoroughly enjoying it.

What is Amazon's Audible Program

Amazon's Audible program is a digital audiobook service that allows users to listen to audiobooks anytime, anywhere. It's a great way to consume books while doing other tasks such as driving, exercising, or cooking.

Here are some reasons why Audible is a great program:

  • Huge selection of audiobooks: Audible offers a vast selection of audiobooks, including bestsellers, classics and new releases. They have over 500,000 titles to choose from, so you're sure to find something that interests you.
  • High-quality audio: Audible provides high-quality audio that's easy to listen to, even in noisy environments. You can adjust the playback speed to suit your listening preferences, and the app will remember where you left off so you can pick up where you left off.
  • Whispersync for Voice: This is a feature I have yet to use, but it lets you switch between reading an ebook and listening to the audiobook seamlessly. You can start reading a book on your Kindle, for example, and then switch to the audiobook version on your phone and pick up right where you left off.
  • Great for multitasking: You can listen to a book while doing other tasks such as driving, exercising, or cooking. It's a great way to make the most of your time.  This is where I have found it to be very useful.
  • Free trial: Audible offers a free trial that lets you try the service for 30 days. You get one credit to use on any audiobook of your choice and you can cancel anytime without being charged.
  • Easy to use: The Audible app is easy to use and navigate. You can download audiobooks for offline listening, and the app will keep track of your listening progress.

How I Use Audible

I listen to personal development books on my Audible, I prefer to read my fiction rather than listen to it.  I have Bluetooth in my car so that as I drive I can listen to these books.  I also listen to them when I'm eating my breakfast. I hate watching morning TV, but listening to something positive while eating my breakfast really helps to set me up for the day.

I have also listened to Audible as I've been cooking; from baking my protein oat cookies to prepping the ingredients for my latest sheet pan recipe, preparing pickled red onions or making my ginger shots.

A Few Thoughts on Audible

I know a few people who love listening to fictional books on their headphones while doing the vacuuming and other household cleaning tasks.  I may become one of these people at some point, but for now, I prefer to read my fiction.

I love being able to listen to personal development books and will also be listening to a few business books as well. These are the types of things I would sometimes listen to on Soundcloud, but that app drops out for me in an area close to my home (Audible doesn't).

I was concerned about the voices and the first book I listened to was actually one of the free ones, not one I brought with my credit, was not a good choice as the voice irritated me.  The next book, however, was amazing.  The author was actually the narrator and he spoke so well that he just sucked you in.  Since this book, I have enjoyed every narrator I've listened to.

On the con side, sometimes I would like to turn back to the previous page or chapter to reread, but I haven't looked into whether that will be easy to do or not.  I sometimes zone out as I'm listening and then zone back in to realise that I missed something!

When I'm reading a business or personal development book I will often stick a sticky note in it for when I want to come back and copy out a quote I like.  I'm not sure if there's a way I can do that with the Audible app - I'm usually driving or doing something so I can't stop and do this anyway.

On the plus side, I love that I'm getting some of my daily 'reading' done as I do other tasks.

Should You Try Audible?

I have to say that if Audible is available for you then you should seriously consider it.  As it comes with a free trial, there's absolutely no downside to giving it a try.

Let me know in the comments if you've tried Audible and what you've found.





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


6 comments:

  1. I am a voracious reader and have ALWAYS liked holding actual books in my hands and reading at my own pace. I have not even wanted to try a kindle. That said, I do know that my daughter loves listening to audio books while she does chores or her artwork. And she has found some marvelous narrators over the years. And, I admit there are times when it would be nice to 'listen' to a book while my hands are otherwise occupied (such as working on my crafts). Therefore, I just may have to give Audible a try with their free trial. Your excellent review has convinced me. Thanks, Lou.

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  2. I recently attended a retirement party and there was a young man there telling me how much he loves audible. He listens to it on his way to work everyday (an hour commute). I can certainly understand how enjoyable that would be, I assume you are both listening to it through your Iphone, which is something I don't have, but I am guessing I could listen to it through my Ipad. I may well want to check it out myself soon. Thanks for all of the information and the encouragement to try something new!

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  3. Oh I have seen the ads for Audible but have not yet tried it. I tend to shy away from things that ask for your credit card information before anything else, because I have missed cancelling before the trial is over and been charged for things I don't really want or need. But, I will have to make an exception to this and I think I will try it on your recommendation, thanks Lou, I'll let you know how much I love or hate it! I think I will love it though as multitasking is becoming my middle name these days.

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  4. I have been an Audible subscriber ever since they launched the service (MANY years ago). I listen to novels as I fall asleep (using the handy sleep timer function), while doing chores, while taking walks by myself, while traveling by train or plane, and while my husband and I are in the car. It’s my constant companion!

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  5. I haven't tried Audible yet, but I'll venture a guess that I would love it - probably get hooked on it - I can see Margaret's point of using it while doing multiple tasks or certainly while traveling - I wouldn't mind giving a few books on my list a try using Audible - I know one day it's going to happen!

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  6. Thank you for introducing me to Audlible. I have not tried it and I love to read and relax by actually holding a book in my hands and not being on tech. However finding myself so busy and time poor these days I rarely get a chance to read anything, so it might work better for me. Would be good when travelling or doing other things. Thank you for your recommendation and review.

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