Sunday, February 3, 2013

Audiobooks and Kindle Fire

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For my birthday last year my wife gave me a Kindle Fire. While I've downloaded and read some novels and short stories on it, for me the Kindle's main function is a conduit for me listening to audiobooks.

While the Kindle's built-in speakers project sound loud enough that I can listen to a novel if the house's background noise is minimal, I mainly plug it into my truck's stereo and listen while on the road, sometimes to and from work but more often when on a trip (in the truck or in my wife's Camaro). Someday I might get speakers to boost the sound for around the house or while doing outside work like staining the fence or trimming the grass.

Other than audiobooks and ebooks, the main function it serves is a platform for playing Angry Birds--myself, wife and daughters.

I obtain my audiobooks through Audible.com now that audiobook CDs seem to be on the way out, and on average are more expensive. An additional treat is that Flank Hawk is available on audio through Audible.com and through iTunes (Yes, I've listened to it several times) and the audiobook version of Blood Sword is in production, with Michael Slusser once again narrating.

As a side note: The audiobook version of Flank Hawk is currently $1.99 (92% off the retail price) if the Kindle version of Flank Hawk is downloaded first ($2.99) under the Whispersync grouping. You don't need a Kindle to accomplish/obtain either or both formats from Amazon.com/Audible.com, and you can even burn an audio CD of Flank Hawk if that's the preferred format.
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8 comments:

  1. Nice. Glad you are enjoying your Kindle Fire!

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    1. Yes. I still enjoy paper books a bit better, but the portability of the audio is handy.

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  2. I bought Sue a set of plug-in speakers with a boost and a base-enhancing woofer for her Kindle Fire. In addition to books, she watches movies in bed using that system. Sounds like you're enjoying yours fully, too.

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    1. The Kindle is versitile enough to enable users to focus on their preferences. For audiobooks, I don't too much fancy in the way of speakers, if I ever get them. Glad your wife is enjoying her Kindle.

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  3. I need to start doing audio books on my tablet. In my home office, I frequently use text-to-speech software on one PC while working on one of the other PCs. I've yet to play a game on my tablet though--much to the dismay of my grandchildren when they visit. (I've actually got a similar post prepared on this topic that I've yet to schedule.)

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    1. I pretty much limit the games I play too--I just don't have the time. Looking forward to your future post on the topic to see what you've got to say, Jeff.

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  4. I love audible books on my Kindle Fire HD, too. I also plug it into the speakers of my blood van as I do long blood runs. I am currently listening to all of THE DRESDEN FILES that way.

    Congrats to you for having your own book on AUDIBLE.COM. Way to go. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting.

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    1. Thanks, Roland.

      I pop by your blog, but probably don't comment as often as I should.

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