Anyone try audio book "clubs" online?

[Hamlette]

I love to listen to audio books. I prefer unabridged versions but if I can't find unabridged, I've been known to listen to abridged versions.

I've pretty well run through what is available in my city. The library and the bookstore that rents audiobooks (on tape and CD) and I'm drooling over some titles available through audio book clubs like Audible. Some even have rental systems like Netflix but for audio books.

Has anyone used any of these services? Happy with the terms and selection? I'm thinking about joining one but admit I get confused when I search around the web and end up giving up.

I rarely listen to an audio book twice and the prices for purchase are so high I can't justify the expense of buying one for just one listen.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[cedahlia]

1. oooh, I love audio books

I'm an avid reader and had up until recently been skeptical of audio books. But now that I've tried them, I'm hooked. I live way out in the country, so it's at least a half hour drive for me to get to pretty much anywhere. I do love listening to music in the car, but I thought I'd give audio books a try. I'm very glad I did! They are great for long car rides.

I actually work at a library, and since I only recently got hooked audio books, I still have a pretty good supply to go through. However, my library system doesn't own some titles I'm interested in listening to, so I would be interested in some kind of Netflix-type service, too.

Now that you've got the idea in my head, I'm going to do some searching...I'll let you know if I find out anything. :-)

[Hamlette]

2. thanks! I'd really appreciate someone trying to figure it all out.

because I'd rather be listening to Truth and Beauty (great "listen")

Audio books are also great if you have trouble sleeping. Put a tape or CD in a portable player, get a comfy set of headphones (I use the little ones that sort of wrap around my ears) and let someone read you to sleep. next night you just rewind to the part you last remember!

[cedahlia]

3. Have you seen this site?

Simply Audiobooks

It seems to be like Netflix...you pay about $20 a month for the service. Their selection doesn't seem to be as great as I'd like, though. They didn't have any of the titles I'm interested in that my library doesn't own. But they did have some good stuff (abridged and unabridged.) It's worth a look.

[Hamlette]

4. seems like there are several outfits like that but the selection

is not great. I want a Netflix for books! waaaa

Paying $20 or so for movies a month doesn't seem so bad cause you can watch 6 or 10 a month. But I like unabridged audio books and I don't listen to more than a couple a month...for that price I can almost buy them and build a library through Audible it seems.