I tried a couple of times to find certain audiobooks, but seldomly had luck. There just does not seem to be a place that sells digital versions of audiobooks, similar to how bandcamp sells music.
And even putting on my eye patch and throwing out my fishing net I was not able to find a place to get them.
I do not want to use a subscription service, especially if it’s part of amazon.
Therefore it seems buying a CD and ripping it is the only option left.
When all else fails, Audiobookbay and and Anonamouse are my go-to sites.
I’m sure your public library has some kind of online resource, Go ask them.
They do, but only for eBooks. Audio they only have as CDs.
Spotify has surprisingly many audiobooks (at least in Germany).
In case you want to play them someplace else, you could download them with zotify.
In addition to all the suggestions everyone has put in, check your local bookstores. My local Barnes and Nobles regularly stocks audiobooks (or did, I’m not allowed in book or tech stores without “adult” supervision anymore :), both in audio cd as well as mp3-cd. If they don’t have what I’m looking for, often they can special order it. Just have to ask.
For me though, Audible is cheaper. I’ll buy the books, download them and strip the drm off.
believe it or not, the original best audiobook torrent site demonoid is still around. the variety isn’t as varied as it used to be but it’s probably one of the best public aduiobook torrent sites around.
The library (via Libby)
Libby does not seem to be a thing where I live.
Maybe Hoopla? I know my library supports both
Graphic audio sells cds as well as direct downloads of mp3s or m4bs chapterized, or even flacc for a surcharge.
They do dramatized audiobook recordings with full casts, music, sound effects, etc.
They are very good
+10 on graphicaudio. I’ll admit I liked them a little better when they were adapting pulp novels but everything they do is high quality.
www.graphicaudio.net if you are in the us.
Libby. I got a library card from like… Kentucky library or something. I don’t live in America. I got a library card for my local library too but it doesn’t have as good of a stock.
How did you get that Kentucky Library card?
I’ve wondered if there is any way to get an US library card as a non-citizen for a while and this thread got me to finally do the research. The Queens Public Library apparently issues cards to non-US-residents for 50$/year. I have yet to look into it more thoroughly and check out the catalogue. But considering the number of Audiobooks I listen to, it seems like a good deal.
I can’t remember what county I signed up with but I just provided a real address in the county and a fake name and that was it. It’s free. There’s a thread on the other site for libby libraries you can sign up with for free. Some work, some don’t.
Did you get the card online? Or do you have to actually go to Kentucky to get their library card?
Just online.
I signed in using my Dallas public library card, but once you’re in i think you can add other libraries for bigger selection.
Edit to add - Harris County Public Library let’s you sign up online through libby with a phone number. It’s says it’s a temporary card but would at least get your started.
Not seen this one mentioned yet, but I’ve also never used it myself, but it looks ok; https://audiobookstore.com
Have you checked your local library? Can be hit or miss, but many have a variety of digital and CD resources available.
Yeah, and as someone lse mentioned: they often have a Libby service that gets you tonnes of free audiobooks and other digital materials.
audible still lets you download files from their desktop site. i use various services to decode them
I’ve been using audible for years. Then I download the file and scrub the DRM so I can use a different audio book player, because while Audible is a good source, their player sucks ass.
I do this as well, but I use Libation: https://github.com/rmcrackan/Libation
Super easy, barely an inconvenience.
Then I use Audiobookshelf https://www.audiobookshelf.org/ to host the books and their Android app to play them.
How do you scrub the DRM?
I found something on github that does it - removes DRM and converts to mp3. Works like a charm.
Nice find, thanks for sharing!
I usually use audiobookbay.
Libby app. In conjunction with my local public library card. Free audiobooks, e-books, e-magazines and much more!
Libby + librivox.org + archive.org has a ton of options especially classics
