September 18, 2007 9:09 PM

I've tried a few audio books in the past, but for me the reader is what makes or breaks it. If one of them reads oddly or isn't enjoyable to listen to, I get disinterested in the story pretty quickly.

Anyone else feel the same way? What are some good books with enjoyable voice talent doing the reading? 

Mind Over Matt'er - Technology musings, opinion, and more straight from TechLore's head geek.

October 4, 2007 7:00 PM

I love audiobooks too, but quite frankly they are expensive from Audible.

 Any one know of any electronic audible book clubs? Is this even possible? I mean is there DRM in Audible .AA files which prevent people from sharing?

November 6, 2007 4:39 PM

Ah, you guys must not have a great public library!  I get audiobooks from my public library free.  In fact, I have 6 different ones now and am in the middle of a mystery novel at the moment.  There are two services that typically provide these to public libraries NetLibrary and MyMediaMall (which has a lot of the Brilliance Audio books).  They're now releasing audiobooks at the same time the hardcover comes out so I've "read" some bestsellers.  Typically you can borrow the books for a set period and listen to them on your computer or your audioplayer.  Once you download them to your MP3 player MyMediaMall books don't seem to have their digital rights "run out" on the player. 

I registered at my public library and then was able to go into the websites and download books, place reserves for ones that were "out on loan", etc. just like in the library.  I've also checked out audiobooks on CD from the public library.

Yes, Audible is a great subscription service but free is even better.  If you local public library doesn't offer one of these services call and complain that you want the service.  More and more libraries of all sizes are providing audiobooks.

January 15, 2008 9:32 AM

Tony--My local library uses both MyMediaMall and Netlibrary services.  Usually I download the files to my computer and use Windows Media Player version 10 to put them on my Sansa.  I don't seem to have any problems with it.  You have to make sure that Windows Media Player recognizes your Sansa but once that happens its is great! 

MyMediaMall has a program you download to your computer called Overdrive Media Console.  You use this program to import the files to somewhere on your computer.  Supposedly then you can use this program to transfer files onto your sansa.  But, I've got Windows Media Player as the default program for handling audio files so I actually use it to transfer the files to my Sansa.

(I also download books on to my Palm TX using the program  Pocket Tunes Deluxe.)

I suggest that if you're having problems write out exactly what happens when and ask Sansa for help.  Sometimes the problem is simple like the fact that you need to transfer the audio files to your SD card rather than the internal memory of the Sansa. 

Boy is it great to listen to music and then when I get bored to switch to a book.  It makes exercise much less boring. Joy

January 23, 2008 4:24 PM

Addendum:

Pressing and HOLDING the "|<<" button does rewind, but it is hard to control HOW FAR BACK the rewind goes.

Ideally the amount to go back should be selectable... makes my brain spin <g> 

March 25, 2008 9:23 PM

TonyK said: Joy,  I too download books from the library, its GREAT. If you get a moment, could you tell me which pgm you use to d/l the library books into your sansa? I just got a sansa250 for my wife and am having a terrible time getting my d/l'd books to go to the sansa. Thanks in advance Tony 

Are you still having difficulties, or have you found a solution? I just got an e260 for my spouse, specifically to use with Netlibrary. It took us a couple of days to perfect the method, but all is well now. I'd be happy to post details, if anyone is interested.

July 25, 2008 11:03 PM

I love reading books on my BB while on a flight or out of town. Not really into listening to them.

Tired of waiting for your device to do what you need it to?

December 1, 2008 8:35 AM

Addie--I download audiobooks from MyMediaMall also. Actually one of the formats that they allow you to download is WMA(protected). You download the book to your computer. You open up Windows Media Player. You then connect your Sansa and it syncs the books onto the Sansa. There seem to be more books in MyMediaMall in WMA format than in MP3 so you'll have more choices of things to read.

Actually Sansa is great cause it DOES support protected WMA format. The only problem is that your audiobooks WON'T show up under audiobooks but along with your music. I wish there were a way to fix that but the Audiobooks section on the Sansa recognizes Audible books and not WMA format books. You can't seem to move the books in other formats into that folder and have them recognized. Sigh! I'm told there is a way to work around this but I haven't tried it myself. Anyone know a way to "trick" the Sansa? Or, a way to convert WMA protected files into audible format?

March 17, 2009 4:55 PM updated: March 17, 2009 4:56 PM

You Betcha!  I am a huge fan of Audio Books!  They are one of the best things to occupy my mind during my daily commute as well.  I usually get mine from eMusic.  I have recently listened to several speeches from the campaigning presidents.  However, I must say that I don't approve of Obama's.  Sorry if I offend anyone and I'm not trying to change the subject either.  But other than those audio books I really enjoy listening to fantasy audio books.

May 8, 2009 8:51 AM

I have a view, not a Clip, but it is all a matter of getting Windows Media Player 11 (or Itunes if you like) to recognize your Clip. Download Overdrive Media Console, a free software designed to use the OverDrive titles available for download at many public library and retail websites to your computer. (http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/) There's a lot of instructional help on the website to get it to work and their help staff via email is great. You can download some samples to test the software there also.

Also, since I don't have a Clip there is a caveat. "To use OverDrive WMA Audiobooks on a device, the device must play DRM-protected content in the WMA format." I don't know if the Clip does that but my View does as do some of the older players but not one or two others. Check with Sandisk on this.

One more thing. Sandisk has set up their devices to recognize Audiobooks formats as an "audiobook". Any MP3 or WMA format books that it downloads are lumped in with all the music. Don't ask me why, but it is. Enya is followed by James Patterson or Nora Roberts. First time I download a book I didn't know I had succeeded until I saw it in with the music. Good luck and happy reading.

May 15, 2009 5:42 PM

I, too, love audio books. My computer system is Linux. I have not figured out any way to activate any of the DRM protected audiobooks. Have any of you.

There is a way to activate the overdrive books in Linux.

The other solution is Librivox. They have a collection of freely available books. All readers are volunteers so, there is great variability. Some are very good.

Kay

May 28, 2009 2:45 PM

Joy said: I have a view, not a Clip, but it is all a matter of getting Windows Media Player 11 (or Itunes if you like) to recognize your Clip. Download Overdrive Media Console, a free software designed to use the OverDrive titles available for download at many public library and retail websites to your computer. (http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/) There's a lot of instructional help on the website to get it to work and their help staff via email is great. You can download some samples to test the software there also. Also, since I don't have a Clip there is a caveat. "To use OverDrive WMA Audiobooks on a device, the device must play DRM-protected content in the WMA format." I don't know if the Clip does that but my View does as do some of the older players but not one or two others. Check with Sandisk on this. One more thing. Sandisk has set up their devices to recognize Audiobooks formats as an "audiobook". Any MP3 or WMA format books that it downloads are lumped in with all the music. Don't ask me why, but it is. Enya is followed by James Patterson or Nora Roberts. First time I download a book I didn't know I had succeeded until I saw it in with the music. Good luck and happy reading.

Joy, When you download the audiobook in overdrive, one of the screens has a button for "Advanced Options".  Select that, and where the book title is shown, scroll to the left, delete "Music" and type in "audiobooks".  The books will then be stored in the audiobook section of your Clip, it will always pick up wherever you left off, and you can listen to multiple books without loosing your place.

May 28, 2009 10:04 PM

Joy said: Tony--My local library uses both MyMediaMall and Netlibrary services.  Usually I download the files to my computer and use Windows Media Player version 10 to put them on my Sansa.  I don't seem to have any problems with it.  You have to make sure that Windows Media Player recognizes your Sansa but once that happens its is great!  MyMediaMall has a program you download to your computer called Overdrive Media Console.  You use this program to import the files to somewhere on your computer.  Supposedly then you can use this program to transfer files onto your sansa.  But, I've got Windows Media Player as the default program for handling audio files so I actually use it to transfer the files to my Sansa. (I also download books on to my Palm TX using the program  Pocket Tunes Deluxe.) I suggest that if you're having problems write out exactly what happens when and ask Sansa for help.  Sometimes the problem is simple like the fact that you need to transfer the audio files to your SD card rather than the internal memory of the Sansa.  Boy is it great to listen to music and then when I get bored to switch to a book.  It makes exercise much less boring. Joy

I also download from my library using Overdrive Media Console onto my PC. But when I transfer the file from my PC to my Sansa, the book loads as a song instead of as an audiobook. How do I download it into "Audiobooks" on my Sansa?

Thanks.

Missie