You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Looking for alternative ways to spend these dark winter lockdown evenings and after a day screen staring, not really minded to start reading a book, albeit I enjoy doing so.
Audio books spring to mind..
I have a iPhone, so can I download them to that and hook it up to earphones, press play and just close my eyes? Any suggested apps or sites to get these from?
Thanks
Youtube has a fairly diverse selection of audiobooks. Tried Audible but found it too expensive. There was/is also a opensource audiobook library whereby users could upload a chapter of a book they read. Tried it, but the constant changing voices didn't sit well with me. Also worth checking out your library - mine has a pretty good selection.
Great shout on the library, they do them!
I've been using the library free downloads lately too, using the RB Digital app.
Just put in your library card number & away you go.
Choice is a lot more limited but it's a good start & no faffing around trying to remember where you got to on the 3hr YouTube recording!
Audible is expensive, but...
You can pause your membership for up to 3 months at a time. Your membership is still classed as active whilst it's paused so you can still get access to deal of the day (£1.99-£2.99 each). If you have any friends on Audible they can each 'gift' one of their books to you (at no cost to either of you). When you do finally quit they'll try to tempt you back with a half price deal. So I wouldn't discount it.
Also, if you buy a book and don't like it you can request a refund (but you keep the book on your device, just don't take the piss or they may ban you).
Audible is only expensive if you don't use it. If you use it enough it becomes good value.
The monthly credits seem expensive but they often mean you get a book cheaper than hard copy. For example, Barack Obama book that I am currently listening to is £25 hard copy, 1 credit on audio.
The infuriating thing about Audible is that you cannot purchase books form within the app. You also cannot purchase books via the Amazon app, you need to log in to Amazon desktop site.
Best audio book I've listened to recently was Endurance. An outstanding story read superbly.
Tip, it is worth listening to sample before buying anything. Sometimes, no matter how good the story is, you just won't enjoy it because you'll find the voice reading it too annoying.
Audible is not cheap but if you read/listen in bulk with a membership it gets much cheaper.
24 credits a year @ £110. Average book is say 14 hours long. That works out at 33p and hour an that's before you relisten to them. On the 12 books a year deal it's 42p an hour but once you listen your way through the first 12 you can buy extra credits much cheaper. And as a member you get access to a good load of free books and long podcasts too.
The infuriating thing about Audible is that you cannot purchase books form within the app. You also cannot purchase books via the Amazon app, you need to log in to Amazon desktop site.
Blame Apple/Google for this - they want an enormous chunk of the money for any purchases made in app.
Apps: Check out Smart Audiobook Player.
I had to download 'something else' for an audiobook file format that my regular audio player (Power Amp) wouldn't recognise. And it's ace. Dead basic, does what it says on the tin. Nice little touches like if you pause and play it rewinds a few seconds so you don't miss anything.
Audible, buy a few and pause. Makes it worth it
And buy 'The Martian'. Works so well
Hitch Hikers Guide also works well
Audible is good. And listen to Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. Perfect winter listening.
And Dominion by CJ Sansom.
Another Audible user her. ‘Around the world by bike’ by Alistair Humphreys is a good listen.
I am working my way through some on YouTube. I have done several books that I have half read but never completed. Works fine and pauses for me
I use audible, the 1 book a month subscription is 8 quid plus purchase 3 extra credits for 16 quid a couple of times a year. Only purchase books with credits or as an extra to an ebook which is often 2 or 3 quid, rather than full price.
Also occasionally find a book not available on audible in itunes, but not very often.
Gone through the whole Pratchet discworld series in the past couple of years. Some PG Woodhouse, Palins around the world in 80 days, couple of Bill Bryson books, HHGTTG series, the secret barrister and chasing the scream (serious book about drugs war politics) enjoyed them all.
Love audiobook, but don’t ignore podcasts to add something different, free & you can binge series. I like the radio4 sciencey stuff
https://www.rte.ie/culture/2020/0610/1146705-listen-ulysses-james-joyce-podcast/
The chapter notes are very good. Chapter 14 is like a book in itself. If you think he is being absolutely obscene, he is, a wonderful combination of high and low-brow to be sure.
The other wee things with Audible is that it synced with your kindle - wtf? First time I realised that was happening (audio book in car, read at night) I was amazed!
IT is a very good audiobook, and my whole family was gripped by Enders Game.
And Matilda, although for kids, is so well narrated by Kate Winslet it’s worth the time for the Lols.
Another vote for Audible here too..... it just works really well.
I've listened to The "strike" books by Robert Galbraith/JK Rowling are excellent, and also fantastically narrated by Robert Glenister.
As said above - the Martian is great too.
Worth mentioning with Audible: if you are not getting on with the book, you can return it and get your credit back to use on something else. I'm not sure how they guard against abuse - I've only used it a few times.
If you are interested in history Dan Carlin's podcast hardcore history is amazing and free. They are up to 3h long per episode and as good as any book.
I spent a lot of time driving for work for 3 years listening to podcasts and audio books.
If you want value out of audible, get some longer books ; )
I loved The Brothers Karamazov. It's 37 hours long! That's 20p an hour
The girl with the dragon tattoo series was so good I would regularly not want to get out of the car, just to hear the end of the chapter.
The James bond books are pretty great listens. One was read by Kenneth branagh.
There is also free stuff on audible once you pay for a month. I loved bedtime for cynics
Looking back through my audible libary, they made some super dull drives much more interesting, which made it easier to stay
Awake with out main lining espresso every day
I like Audible and find it to be good value. The audiobooks themselves can be quite expensive, but much cheaper with a subscription.
+1 for the advice to listen to a sample before buying to make sure you like the voice and style of the narrator - it can really make or break the listening experience.
One of my favourite narrators is Stephen Fry - he brought the Harry Potter books to life for me. He has also narrated all the Sherlock Holmes stories - worth £70, but available for 1 credit!
+1 for Matilda read by Kate Winslet - really enjoyed this.
I've just started listening to Life on Air, written and read by David Attenborough, and my next listen will be Pride and Prejudice read by Rosamund Pike. Both have lovely calming voices - I see a pattern emerging here. 🙂
Books also available in other languages if that is of interest. I have Charlie et la chocolaterie, and the first Artemis Fowl book in French. I let them play in the background and just soak up the sound of the language without trying too hard to understand - I find it quite relaxing.
Hope you find something to enjoy.
I use my local library through the RB app. I can't justify the cost of Audible cos I don't actually listen that much, I tend to read a lot more on my Kindle / paper books. If I listened primarily then I'd be more tempted, but if you're not fussed about specific titles there's plenty to choose from at my library.