I loved reading Tammy’s audiobook post from earlier this week.
A few years ago, I couldn’t imagine listening to audiobooks for any length of time.
Partly this was because of cost. Partly it’s because I love the feel of a book. Partly because I don’t always love the narrators. But I reached a point where I wanted to redeem the time walking across campus, driving all over town. Audiobooks have been a way to do that and more. But…they can be quite costly. So here are a few tips for finding audiobooks at a low cost or for free through a library app.
CHIRP: Chirp is a sister to Bookbub. Each day I get an email alerting me to audiobooks that are $4.99 or less. Frankly that’s less than a drink at most coffee shops. I’ve been able to try several books that way and add many to my library to enjoy over and over. Click on the link and you’ll get 50% off your first purchase.
Hoopla: Hoopla is one of the apps that many libraries use. In fact, I’ve been able to add the audiobooks I’ve produced here so that they are easily accessible. This is a great site for ebooks, audiobooks, and movies. Each library system accesses a different portfolio. I’m fortunate that between Hoopla and Libby I can find just about any audiobook I’m interested in. You can also place holds, so if it’s not available that moment, you’ll get it eventually.
Libby: This is an app from Overdrive. One benefit to it is that the ebooks push to my Kindle making them more readable than on my phone. I don’t find that it has as extensive a collection as Hoopla, but in combination with it, I can find just about everything. It’s also synced up it’s borrowing time, so most can now be borrowed for 21 days like Hoopla.
ChristianAudio.com: I love the semiannual audiobook sale where books are $7.49. I have picked up a lot of great titles that way. Each month there are also other books that will be $5.00 or less. I’ve purchased many Christian living and fiction titles from ChristianAudio, and it’s been a great source to build a library of books that I own.
Amazon: My husband has had an Audible subscription in the past, but I never did. Instead, I’ve purchase audiobooks for $7.49 or less as an add-on when buying an ebook for free or a reduced rate. Then it can be a great way to add the book in that unique format.
Do you listen to audiobooks? If so, what sites do you use? And in honor of audiobooks, I’ll giveaway a copy of one of my Hidden Justice novels on audiobook or a code to download one of my others that I produced. Use the form below to enter.
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Great post, Cara! So helpful for audiobook lovers. Appreciate you.
It’s been fun to think about all the frugal ways I listen 😉
Two audiobook posts in one week!! Love it. I have been an Audible member since 2005. So the books I use my credits for cost under $10. Plus, being a member gives me access to lots of free audiobooks, including The Power of God’s Names that was recommended after Tammy’s post. Hoopla and Libby are sore spots with me. I discovered Hoopla at my local library (and loved it), but due to cost cutting measures, the library dropped it six months later. I tried the larger city library next to my city, but their Hoopla doesn’t include audiobooks. And to use Libby, the library must own a copy of a book before they can lend it. In the last two years, I have only found one book that I wanted to read using Libby. Sigh. Last year I subscribed to Scribd.com. Many, many audiobook choices available there, and with the number of books I listen to in a month/year, the subscription has more than paid for itself. Not as good as free via Hoopla, but better than buying all of my books. I also get Chirp emails so have picked up bargains that way as well.
Robin, that’s so sad about Hoopla and Libby. I love both. Scribd sounds like a good option.
Thanks for that rundown, Cara. I’m gearing up to try audiobooks, so those sites give me a place to start!
Audiobooks have been an unexpected game changer for me.