The Audiobook Superstore

9 Mp3 Audio Book Facts for Newbies

Although the online audiobook revolution has been with us some time, a lot of people are still unsure or unaware of what it’s all about or what audio books actually are especially online audio books. I must admit I myself wasn’t sure at all.

When I first came across audio books online, I found myself asking a number of questions; now today as an audio book site owner I hear a lot of people asking these very same questions so I decided to publish some of the most common audiobook question and answers.

You may very well have these same questions in your mind, wondering how you can find the answers to them. If so, then here some of them along with the answers:

1. What is an online audio book? It is simply a book in audio format. Instead of receiving a physical book that you have to read with yiur eyes, you get a book in sound/audio. Traditionally they came on cassette and then CD. Now the Internet has taken over as the biggest distribution channel so most of them are bought and downloaded online hence the term online audio book.

2. What formats do audio books come in? Way way back they came on vinyl records, followed by cassette formats, CD format and now in mp3 format or Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. Both types will play on computers as well as mp3 players and iPods. You can also burn them onto recordable CDs for use in for example, car CD stereo or home players.

3. So what exactly is an MP3 audio book? MP3 is simply a compression technique that reduces the size, so that your audio book occupies less space (sometimes as little as 80%) compared to that of a cassette or CD. In this way a modern MP3 player that has maybe a 1 gigabyte memory can carry a small library of books!

4. How can MP3 audio books be played? Naturally on any MP3 player as well as Apple iPods. MP3 audio books can also be played on any new version of CD player that supports the MP3 technology. They an also be played on any PC that has Microsoft’s Windows Media Player or other related software.

5. What is an unabridged audio book? This is one that was narrated word for word identically with the original version. In other words nothing was removed from the printed book. It has the exact same content as the printed book, albeit in audio format. These can be very long, ideal for audiophiles!

6. What is an abridged audio book? This type is shorter. It doesn’t contain the exact word for word narration as the printed book. Imagine it as a film version of a book. It’s been edited and cut some for time and practicality. Ideal if you’re short on time or don’t want or need the whole rambling tale.

7. What is a dramatized audio book? As the name implies, this is a dramatised theatrical “play” version of the printed book, with full acting cast, music and sound effects.

8. What is the best MP3 player for audio books? There are loads of models out there but a few pointers are: a) At least 1 gigabyte (GB) memory as some audio books can be big. b) Make sure it has mid track resume so that you pick up where you left off when you have to turn off and on again or your power runs out. c) Fast rewind and forward – Like an old cassette player. Especially important if you’re doing things like learning a language. It’s really important to be able to go back and forth over words and phrases. d) Make sure it supports Windows Media Audio (WMA) format as well as MP3 as many audio books only come in this format. If you have a player that does not (called a passive mp3) then there are workarounds but they are time consuming.

9. Where are audio books available online? There are many stores on the Internet selling audio books. Just type online audio book or mp3 audio book into Google and see what comes up. If you have a specific title or genre in mind type that in followed by the phrase mp3 audiobook.

About the Author

From London, Nick now lives in Stockholm with wife Lena and Gunnar a Border Terrier. He likes to forest walk and is learning Swedish (from an audio book) He runs Myaudiobookshelf.com where you’ll find 8000+ audio books to download and links to a vast but little known network of free audio book websites.Sign up to his email list or download an audio book and you’ll get the full list.

Wheels on the Bus (BBC Audio Children’s) £1.13 Brand New Item, Fast Dispatch…

Five Go Off to Camp: WITH Five Go to Billycock Hill (Famous Five) £2.79 The enduring appeal of The Famous Five has meant that the stories have been continuously in print since they were first published in the 1940s. These audio recordings are dramatised with a full cast and make wonderful listening for all Famous Five fans. Each story is one hour….

Before I Go To Sleep £6.99 …

Help Children Sleep Bedtime Audiobook CD – Seashore £6.95 Designed for Children Ages 4-11…

Let’s Go into the Garden (In the Night Garden) £1.96 An audio book that allows you to listen to a typical day’s goings on in the garden….

The Book of Judges: The JPS Audio Version (Unabridged) $4.29 The audio version of the Book of Judges was created by JPS and JBI….

The Book of Daniel: The JPS Audio Version (Unabridged) $4.09 This complete, unabridged audio version of the Book of Daniel features over one hour of readings…..

The Book of Esther: The JPS Audio Version (Unabridged) $2.09 This complete, unabridged audio version of the Book of Esther features approximately 34 minutes of readings….

The Book of Job: The JPS Audio Version (Unabridged) $4.09 This complete, unabridged audio version of the Book of Job features over one-and-a-half hours of readings by five narrators….

The Book of Ruth: The JPS Audio Version (Unabridged) $1.59 This complete, unabridged audio version of the Book of Ruth features approximately 14 minutes of readings….

13 Gifts – Audio $17.29 New – After Tara steals the school mascot in order to make some friends with the popular crowd, her parents decide she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin in Willow Falls. What Tara doesn’t know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her 13th birthday.

13 Gifts – Audio $12.93 New – After Tara steals the school mascot in order to make some friends with the popular crowd, her parents decide she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin in Willow Falls. What Tara doesn’t know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her 13th birthday.

13 Gifts – Audio Library Edition $58.9 New – After Tara steals the school mascot in order to make some friends with the popular crowd, her parents decide she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin in Willow Falls. What Tara doesn’t know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her 13th birthday.

13 Gifts – Audio Library Edition $42.43 New – After Tara steals the school mascot in order to make some friends with the popular crowd, her parents decide she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin in Willow Falls. What Tara doesn’t know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her 13th birthday.

13 Gifts – Audio Library Edition $42.43 Used – After Tara steals the school mascot in order to make some friends with the popular crowd, her parents decide she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin in Willow Falls. What Tara doesn’t know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her 13th birthday.