I guess it's a funny old world when people enjoy reading using their ears rather than their eyes! The ability to download audio book titles has proven to be very popular, especially for those who feel too busy to find time to put their feet up, pour a glass of wine and have a good old 'traditional' read. But it's not a popular trend with everybody.
Detractors moan that audio book CDs are too bulky, they get lost easily and you need a CD player to hand. The actor reading the story might not have the 'right' kind of voice and this is off-putting (especially if you've built up an 'internal' voice in your head already). We also hear that they're a threat to traditional reading skills.
However, this ignores the broader spectrum: audio books open up great literature (and factual writing) to a wider audience and, as we live in the computer age, there are many different, quick, cheap and convenient methods of delivery. Every town seems to have a new multimedia outlet springing up, providing all kinds of software and hardware audio products. But maybe the greatest advancement is in the ability to download audio book titles.
The most common route to follow is to download the audio book as an MP3 (although there are propriety formats which are often designed to restrict the amount of copying that can be done). MP3s are in common use and can be stored on your computer's hard drive, burned onto a CD or DVD or transferred onto an iPod or MP3 player (for those who like to listen to 'War and Peace' whilst jogging!). The beauty of this method is that the original 'master' file is still on your hard drive, so if you lose your MP3 player or scratch your CD, you can still listen to your audio and transfer it to another medium when you're ready.
With the introduction of the new iPod phones (and the clones that will follow by other manufacturers) downloading audio books will become even more popular. Imagine being able to make a call, take photos, listen to music AND listen to your favourite Harry Potter novel all on one small, portable device!
The best way to download audio book titles, then, is to join a subscription service. The companies providing this service have proliferated greatly over the last few years and most provide a reasonably priced and hassle-free download of your books. Joining these services need not be expensive and is not difficult to do. Browsing their extensive catalogue of fiction and non-fiction titles is one of my favorite activities, akin to wandering around a huge bookstore in town, but without all the crowds!
There are many online services where you can browse, then join their subscription service. Here are just a few of the hundreds available:
1. Audible.com and Audible.co.uk
2. AudioVille.co.uk
3. SimplyListen.com
4. SimplyAudioBooks.com
5. Talking-Book-Store.com
6. AudioBooksForFree.com
I realize it can be difficult choosing an online service for your audio books, but there are review resources on the internet (which you should definitely check out) and most of the companies offer free trial periods where you can evaluate their service and try out their systems and quality of books BEFORE you commit any hard cash.
So, there really is no excuse not to download audio book titles and try out what is going to be a hugely popular way to digest literature in the future!
The days of storing boxes and shelves full of dusty old hard-copies of your all time favorite novels and literature are over;it is time to get with the audio book trend! This is not the day to be left behind or excluded because you are old fashioned or backward in your knowledge and beliefs. When you download audio books, you have the opportunity to learn and grow everyday, with little or no interruption to your normal lifestyle pattern.
This growing audio book trend is obvious when looking at the sales statistics from recent years. In the UK and Germany, over $120 million dollars worth of audio books were sold individually in the years 2004 and 2005. The sales results for the US for 2006 are expected to be at least one fifth higher than the UK and Europe! Considering their short time on the market, this is a phenomenal popularity growth rate, and it will not be surprising if they eventually overtake book sales all together.
Why are audio books growing at such a fast rate in their popularity? There are a number of reasons for you to throw away the old books and convert to audio book format instead. The first and best benefit is definitely the fact that you can listen to audio books anytime and anyplace. It does not matter if your day is filled with errands and housework, you can still improve your mind and inspire your soul by taking time to listen to a good book. Maybe you take the dog for a daily walk or spend time in the gym? Both of these can be used as opportunities to stay up to date on your reading.
In America, statistics show the average person spends over an hour a day driving or on public transport. There are at least 500 hours a year each person could use to learn and stimulate their imaginations instead of being bored and uninspired, waiting to reach their destination. All you need is your MP3 player, which we all know are light weight, compact and convenient to carry anywhere, then download audio books of your choice. Imagine being amid the hustle and bustle of a busy train trip, totally detached from the stress and discomfort around you as you disappear, listening to a book you love?
With an audio book, you do not need to worry about having quiet, private space to read. You can zone out anytime you like by putting in your earphones and closing your eyes. No noise or activity can distract you unless you want it to, and you can choose to look out at some nice scenery or drift off to sleep anytime. Audio books are also fantastic for those times when you are just hanging around the house looking for something to do or waiting for your next favorite television program to begin. You will be amazed, once you start getting into an audio book, how often you will make time to listen, and how quickly it could even replace other less inspiring activities for you.
If you know anyone who spends a lot of time sitting around doing nothing, buy them an audio book you think they would enjoy. You could initiate a whole new world of inspiration and education they never knew was possible. Whether it is a child you know who is advanced for their age and needs extra stimulation or an elderly person who lives alone or in a retirement village, they will love listening to a good audio book.
It is easy to download audio books as they are available over the internet any time of the day or night. If you are lying awake, wishing you had something to do, why not visit a popular downloadable audio book site and find a book that interests you (possibly even something relating to insomnia!). With so many mundane duties to perform every day, you really should consider it a blessing that you can now find the opportunity to enjoy books when you are so busy. Do not keep your head in the sand any longer but download audio books today to start you on your journey of evolution.
Both Alan Moore & Helen Wall are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alan Moore has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education, Computers and The Internet and Anger Control. Alan Moore reviews audio books at He is available to hire as a composer of. Alan Moore's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Helen Wall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Care, Marketing and Audio Books. Helen Wall is the author of this article. Visit to download audio bo. Helen Wall's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.