Let’s talk about anything bookish!
If you have been following me on Goodreads or even my blog, I love audiobooks. It took a number of years before I got used to listening to audiobooks. Honestly, it has made me “read” faster than I would have, had I not started listening to audiobooks.
For those of you who want to delve into the awesomeness that is the audiobook, I will be sharing the tech and gadgets that I use, listening to the audio.
The Gadgets
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus 32 GB
I use my phone to listen to audiobooks. Samsung is actually my go-to phone and I have had this phone for about a year now. This phone has a lot of memory so downloading multiple audiobooks on it does not slow the phone down at all. I usually download 1 audiobook on Audible and about 4-6 audiobooks on Overdrive and even with that, the phone does not lag at all. On the other hand, I also don’t have music saved on my phone so it does work for me.
Motorola Roadster 2 Wireless In-Car Speaker Phone
I purchased the Motorola Roadster 2 (affiliate link) in July of last year and I love it. I have an older car and when I purchased it in 2009, there wasn’t the option to have Bluetooth on the car. But hey, I bought my 2010 Honda Fit in 2009 and I wasn’t listening to audiobooks then. Plus, that wasn’t what I was thinking when I purchased the car. Anyway, now I know what to look for when I’ll get a new car. haha
The Motorola Roadster 2 has enough battery life to last for about three days. I commute to work 21 miles every day and it usually takes me about an hour to get to work and a little bit over an hour to get home. You can also use the Motorola Roadster 2 to receive calls. I do not use this for voice command handsfree texting and I haven’t tried the app the comes with it. It works with Audible and Overdrive really well. Also, this automatically turns on and off when you get in and out of your car.
Beats by Dre Powerbeats 2 Wireless In-Ear Headphone
I inherited this headphone for Pierre because he got himself a newer shiny, apparently better one? He listens to heavy metal music so I guess he needs a better one? Whatever, this Powerbeats 2 wireless in-ear headphones (affiliate link) are very efficient when I listen to audiobooks and doing my chores (i.e. laundry and dishes). I absolutely love that the cord isn’t in the way when I am working. Although I don’t listen as much while I’m at home, I use the Beast when I do. Battery life for the headphones is awesome too!
The Apps
I have only used 3 audiobook apps. But now, I have culled it down to two. I used to subscribe to Scribd but since they decreased the number of audiobooks every month and I didn’t want to spend more to get extra audiobooks. And this is even borrowing, not owning the audiobook.
Overdrive
I use Overdrive a lot especially for borrowing books from your library for free! I love the easy app navigation and also the ability to speed up and slow down the audio, which is really helpful for those narrators that have a very slow or fast pace. You can also fast forward or rewind easily. You can also boost the audio for up to 3 levels, which is very handy when the audio volume is not too loud.
Audible
I am an Audible Gold Member which is basically the lowest tier at $14.95 per month for 1 audiobook. You can listen to samples of the audio before purchasing and you also have about a year to return your audiobooks if you end up not loving the audiobook. You get credits every month, I get 1 credit with my member tier and they roll over if you don’t use it for the month.
I also love their app interphase since you can also browse the store for audiobooks that you might like. Also, a banner will show up on the audiobook cover if you finished it. The bad thing about the app is that it is not linked to Goodreads.
Are you an audiobook listener? If so, what apps do you use? What gadgets are the perfect ones to use for audiobooks? Share them below!
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I do love listening to audiobooks, I use both Audible and Overdrive. I think eventually they will link Audible to Goodreads, or I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens since both are connected to Amazon now.
Lover Of Romance recently posted…Book Review-The Highland Duke by Amy Jarecki
yup, and of course Audible is an Amazon company so it will be linked soon! 🙂 I do hope they will soon, because it is just super easy especially for updates 🙂
Oh I love the speakers! And the wireless headphones. My brother uses them but I’m still using super old Apple headphones haha.
Overdrive is very handy! I like listening to book podcasts, I use the podcast addict app for that.
Cyn @ Bookmunchies recently posted…Review: Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer
ohhh Book podcasts! I haven’t really got into those, but I have listened to a few.. 🙂
The wireless headphones are really helpful when you’re working! I just have to remember to charge them! hahaha
Thanks for the podcast addict app tip! I’ll look into that!
I’m a relative newbie to audiobooks—I really just started listening to them last year—so I always love to hear about ways to improve my listening!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted…London Bound by C.J. Duggan: Review
I predominantly use Audible, but I dabble with Overdrive. Audible is great because my mom, brother, and I all share the account, so whatever books one of us gets are available to all of us! I listen to books in my car all the time, and I’m super grateful that I can make my phone talk to my car speakers 🙂 When I listen at home, I mostly just have the volume up and don’t use headphones at all, even if it DOES bug my husband 😛
Michelle @ FaerieFits recently posted…A Trip to the Zoo and Learning New Skills
haha I also do that once in a while when I’m alone. I can’t turn the audio on since it’s my husband who bugs me with his anime shows! haha 🙂
Overdrive is best if you want to borrow audiobooks from the library. also it is free! yay to libraries!
Ooh yes I love audios!! I haven’t been listening lately though, ugh, so I need to get back into it because it makes me love books sooo much. <3 I especially like listening to epic fantasy via audio because for some reason I absorb it better.? I use overdrive! And I'm a sporadic audible user…meaning I sign up when they send me deals haha.?
hahaha I have been with Audible for about a year already but I don’t necessarily purchase an audiobook a month.. 🙂
And yes to FANTASY on AUDIO!
You’re welcome!