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Audible Review (2022): Is it worth it? my verdict

We listen to podcasts, songs, interviews and more all the time, but when was the last time you listened to an audiobook?

As the number one audiobook platform on the internet and a library of nearly half a million audiobooks, Audible was my choice when I wanted to try audiobooks.

In this article, I'll explain everything you need to know about Audible to decide whether or not this audiobook membership platform is right for you, from why you might want to try Audible (and audiobooks) in the first place, to everything the platform has. to offer.

Why did I shoot the audible

Books have always been an important part of my life.

While other kids were playing and hanging out, I preferred to spend my time reading books by Neil Gaiman, George RR Martin and CS Lewis from cover to cover.

I would be lying if I said that I have no aspirations to write my own fantastic tales, with dreams of being a famous published author.

You can sign up here on Amazon store: Audible

And it's not for fame or name recognition or even just seeing my books in bookstores; it's just the feeling of creating whole worlds with my own imagination and the words on the page and sharing those ideas with anyone who wants to pick up a book.

But life gets in the way and one thing leads to another and another and another.

After college and starting my career and getting into a serious relationship, finding minutes to sit down and read is harder than ever.

I had this conversation with eachfriend and colleague who told me they had a favorite book or loved to read, and we all go through the same struggles - it seems so impossible to do consistently as an adult.

And I know what you're thinking - I'm just making excuses, right?

Sometimes I worry that my brain might have gotten lazy and that all these feelingsthey arejust a bad excuse, and maybe I just don't enjoy reading as much as I used to.

But I know that's not the case - when I get the rare chance to pick up a book and really dive in for a few hours, I'm always reminded how much I love this hobby.

My love of reading is definitely still within me. People always say 'you can make time for this if you really want to', but reading isn't exactly the kind of hobby you can pick up, start and stop whenever you want.

The best reading comes when you have an entire afternoon or evening set aside entirely for your reading pleasure, with the silence and space to enter these worlds without interruption.

But even then, text messages, emails, and calls from customers and partners always seem to drag you away from the book, until you're mindlessly browsing social media again.

Like most people on the Internet, I've known Audible for a long time; it feels like they've been around for years.

But it was a friend who recommended it to me a few months ago when I was complaining about never having the time or space to read.

They said they were having the same problem until they gave Audible a try, which helped them rediscover their passion for reading.

And honestly, after considering it for a while, it just made sense.

I already listen to podcasts while driving to work every day and have several short breaks during the day where I can't get anything in other than a few quick minutes on the phone - waiting in line at the bank, waiting for my child to leave class, or just napping. before bed every night.

This is how I see it: over the years and because of the hundreds of responsibilities of adult life, I've lost the habit of reading, although I still love it as much as I did twenty, thirty years ago.

Audible may be my way, allowing me become a reader again, just for showing me what I'm missing whenever I have time to do so.

So I tried it, and I haven't looked back since.

What is audible, exactly?

The easiest way to understand Audible is comparing it to the Kindle: Audible is to audiobooks what the Kindle is to e-books.

Owned and operated by Amazon like the Kindle, Audible is the biggest audiobook subscription service you can find.

They offer several subscription plans, including:

- Monthly Gold: $14.95 per month for 1 monthly credit

- Monthly Platinum: $22.95 per month for 2 monthly credits

- Gold Annual Special: $119.50 per year for 12 annual credits

- Platinum Annual: $229.50 per year for 24 annual credits

The package you choose determines the number of credits you receive per month, with each credit giving you access to an audiobook.

If you don't want to sign up for a subscription and just try an individual audiobook to get started, that works too; Audible allows anyone (member or not) to purchase individual audiobooks, with prices ranging from $10 to $25, although you can save a lot of money by purchasing credits and deals as a member.

So how exactly does Audible work?

You can think of it like any other bookstore, except it's dealing with audiobooks rather than books.

There's a huge library that you can browse every genre of book you want, including some original Audible books that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else.

You'll also get everything you'd expect from a regular store, including surprise offers, seasonal deals, and the ability to return books you don't like.

All of this can be done through Audible's online store - accessible with any device that can connect to a browser - or through the official Audible app, which is compatible with computers, mobile phones, tablets and Alexa.

A common question about Audible is whether or not you have any advantages for being an Amazon Prime member.

Firstly, while Amazon owns Audible, they do not include an Audible membership with Amazon Prime membership.

However, Amazon Prime members have the incredible benefit of having free access to a selection of Audible Originals, as well as a number of extra audiobooks available through the Prime Reading option.

To whom is it audible?

Audible is for everyone. There is no one who doesn't find their lives enriched with an Audible subscription, because Audible doesn't cater to any niche or demographic.

Audible offers an experience that any type of person can enjoy.

The Audible library contains nearly half a million audiobooks, and that number will only continue to grow as Amazon continues to expand.

There is no audiobook market as rich and densely populated as Audible, which means that no matter what genre you want, there are sure to be thousands of options waiting for your particular interests.

Audible has over 20 categories including:

• Arts and Entertainment
• Biographies and memories
• Business and Careers
• children's audiobooks
• Computers and Technology
• Education and Learning
• erotica
• Health and wellness
• History
• House and garden
• LGBT
• Literature and Fiction
• money and finance
• Mystery, Suspense and Suspense
• Politics and Social Sciences
• Relationships, parenting and personal development
• Religion and Spirituality
• Romance
• Science and Engineering
• Science fiction and fantasy
• Sports and outdoor activities
• Teenager and young adult
• Travel and Tourism

That means they have anything you want. Are you a fan of comic books like The Sandman, or do you want to improve your social and business skills? Are you in the mood to know the history of WWII or would you like to have an in-depth experience in the biography of a famous person?

No matter what your interests, Audible has the answer.

Who is the team behind Audible?

If you're a millennial like me, you've probably heard of Audible since the early 2000s, but the company wasn't as big as it is now.

The company started out as a digital audio player in 1995. They introduced the first audio player, which pretty much makes it the ancestor of the iPod.

Audible would later sign an exclusive deal with Apple that gave iOS users access to an exclusive catalog of books through the iTunes Music Store.

It was around 2005 to 2006 that I actually heard about Audible, which coincides with the time they released Audible Air.

At this point, you didn't need an iPhone or iPod to download audiobooks. I remember a friend excited about how easy it was to transfer downloaded audiobooks directly to his old phone.

Around 2008, news broke that Amazon was buying Audible for an incredible $300 million and the rest is history.

Don Katz, founder and executive chairman of Audible, has partnered with America's largest retail company to create what will become the world's largest producer of all audio content.

Everything you get with an audible subscription

While you don't need a subscription to buy the audiobooks, I recommend that you do so for access to exclusive benefits.

Here are some of the things you get as a member:

1. Access to Audible Originals

Think of Audible Originals like Netflix and Hulu's exclusive TV shows and movies, accessible only by their subscribers.

With a subscription, you get access to Audible Originals, which is Audible's extensive library of informative, engaging and entertaining audio content.

They've published everything from lectures to romance titles, so there's definitely something for everyone there.

The best thing about the Originals library is that it's always expanding; every month, there's a new rotation of books to choose from, so you'll never run out of things to listen to.

Audible Originals is a great way to discover new content if you're tired of adapted titles. His current hits include the series Real Crime and Sincerely X.

2. 30% discount + one to two originals per month

Even just the basic subscription gives you credit for any Originals title per month. I personally use this to delve into genres I haven't tried before; the audiobook is technically free and is a great way to find out if you like a new kind of writing or not.

In addition to access to the Originals library, members also get a 30% discount on any purchase that does not involve credits.

If there's a book that can't be redeemed for credits, or if you want to save your credits on more expensive titles, the 30% actually offers better value for your money.

3. Best overall value

Speaking of value, the more premium your subscription is, the more you get from the credit-based redemption system.

The way membership works is that you get a certain amount of credits every month or year that you can use to buy books.

One credit is for an audiobook, and these books can be purchased for anywhere from 99 cents to over $20 a unit.

With my current plan, I get 24 credits every year on top of the two free Originals I get every month.

I usually save my credits for the more expensive books and only buy audiobooks in the $5-$10 range. It's a great way to expand your library without breaking the bank too fast.

4. Exclusive add-ons like news and guided meditation

This is one of the perks I really like about my subscription. I can subscribe to news publications like CNN and Fox News and get the latest updates without having to turn on the TV or browse the Internet.

I like it because I can get news updates whenever I want without feeling like I'm transitioning from one site or device to another.

Access to guided meditation and fitness classes is also excellent. I personally haven't tried it either, but my wife swears by the guided meditation.

She is currently doing Guided Breathing for Calm, Awareness and Love for Bodhipaksa. Audiobooks range from one-time “courses” to weekly lessons.

If you are incredibly busy like my wife and are constantly on the go, meditation audiobooks can be a great way to keep you steady during a busy week.

5. Listen to Audible in Spanish, English, French and other languages

Having a subscription means you can listen to Audible in Spanish. There are hundreds of books narrated in Spanish, with more to come.

It's just a nice little detail that adds to the whole experience, especially if you prefer listening to Spanish titles.

My personal experience with audible

I've always been an avid reader and writer, but life can get so busy that something as simple as reading becomes a luxury.

I tried Audible because I wanted to read again, that's true, but I also tried Audible because I wanted a more productive way to spend my time.

We're bombarded with so many crappy TV shows, podcasts, and music that it's so easy to go on autopilot and put something on the back burner while you run or finish a project.

I used to muffle the sounds of over-the-top podcasts while driving to work just to fill the silence. Since then, Audible has changed my daily commute.

Now I drive 30 minutes to the office listening to a new book. And not just listening in the background - really listening and enjoying my time.

I think for busy people, Audible is a great way to reconnect with an amazing narrative or just learn something new and interesting.

Audible is also incredibly flexible. If you want to slow down and savor every minute of it, you can slow down the playback speed to really stay in the zone.

Or, if your brain is a little more active than usual, you can hear 1.25 to 1.50 times normal playback speed.

I don't always adjust the listening speed, but it's nice to know you have the option when you need it.

Ultimately, I think what I love about Audible is how the platform redefines the reader's relationship with books.

With Audible, reading isn't a chore, you're not stuck with a commitment where you have to sit down and turn page after page after page.

It becomes a complete experience, and you can really immerse yourself in the material without leaving the real world.

I recently just heard Stephen King read his own “On Writing”, which is one of the first books I read when I started writing.

Reading words on the page was one thing, but hearing King narrate for me was an experience in itself.

Is Audible worth it?

It definitely is. I can go on and on about how much money you save (what you do), but I think the app's real value is just how it gives readers the space and energy to start reading again in a modern world where silence is at a premium.

Check out Audible here.

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