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What Else Are You Reading? > Alternatives to Audible

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message 1: by Tamahome (new)

Tamahome | 7231 comments Most of the audiobook publishers also sell at their own site, for instance Blackstone: http://www.blackstoneaudio.com/index....


message 2: by terpkristin (new)

terpkristin | 4407 comments Might look at the thread here called "Audio books." I'd link it but my Internet is wicked slow. There were a bunch of links there, including to a lot of publishers.


message 3: by Warren (new)

Warren | 1556 comments The first decision is if you want to download the book or play/rip it from cd/mp3's. Each has its own advantages & disadvantaged.
Each has differing sources. The only option I would not recommend is cassettes.
Left in your car,
on a hot day.


message 4: by Quasar (new)

Quasar | 35 comments Adam as always folks outside the US are pretty screwed with things like audiobooks due to the whole mess that is copyrights and regions rights. Especially when it comes to downloads.

With audioCDs its a bit easier as publishers really have less options to block exports of them from places like amazon. Of course it seems that not every audiobook gets a CD release and they are quite a bit more expensive.

All of which is super frustrating. That's part of why I'm not a audible member. So many books just aren't available because of this and its really not clear that audible works to get said rights aside from probably the UK.


message 5: by Warren (new)

Warren | 1556 comments Your kindle will read also read ebook/text to you. (If it's unprotected). Computer voices aren't as good as the real thing, but better they are better nothing.
As Quasar points out cds are better but not always available.
Your library probably has some audio books but CD versions are very expensive. Some free sources for sci-fi/horror audio stories:
http://www.sffaudio.com/
http://escapepod.org/
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/categ...
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tr...

This article list several other sources:
http://www.squidoo.com/free_audiobooks
Good luck.


message 6: by Quasar (last edited Jul 14, 2012 02:53PM) (new)

Quasar | 35 comments Yeah. I'd really reccomend you checking out public libraries. Most stock a selection of audiobooks (though whether they are scifi/fantasybs another issue). Some even have access to digital collections through folks like overdrive.

Admittedly I have no idea what public library systems in brazil are like.


message 7: by Tina (new)

Tina (javabird) | 765 comments I don't know if there are any restrictions for outside of the U.S., but Barnes & Noble has audiobook CD's and mp3's.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/contain...


message 8: by Tamahome (last edited Sep 02, 2012 10:47AM) (new)

Tamahome | 7231 comments Check it out. Blackstone is behind it. Drm free. It's in beta:

http://downpour.com


message 9: by Doctordalek (new)

Doctordalek According to the FAQ, downpour.com is US only.


message 10: by AndrewP (new)

AndrewP (andrewca) | 2670 comments On the Downpour site I see several audiobooks that are priced at $11.95 and $13.95. That's less than the monthly credit fee of $14.95 which seem a bit odd. Become a member, spend a credit on one of those books and pay more! Or do you have to be a member to purchase anything?


message 11: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Stafford (bryansbooks) | 1 comments The best alternative I have found to any digital audiobook download service is AudiobooksNow.

https://www.audiobooksnow.com/

Most of the titles they offer are DRM-free and can be downloaded or streamed directly from their website. The also have Android, Apple and Nook apps. The best part of their service and what really sets them apart from the competition is their Club Pricing Plan. For only $5 a month you get 50% off the first audiobook you purchase each month and up to 40% off everything else you purchase throughout the month. The off a 30 day free trial and it more than pays for itself and everything I by is at a deep discount!


message 12: by Nick (new)

Nick Marsden (nepharid) | 5 comments Email the author and tell him/her you want to read their book. They can then arrange to sell their foreign rights to someone who can distribute the book. That's the best way to do it that will benefit both you and the author.


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