Current Audiobook Specials

[skinmaan]

You know, I started doing this countdown thing because there were so few freebies being offered and I was sad the audiobook posting wasn't getting any love. After the flurry of posts this weekend it doesn't quite seem necessary. Buy hey, a promise is a promise, so let's do it.

Another week down; a few more days and May will be here (is this year flying by or what?). May, along with flowers, means Sync is coming! To count down to that wonderful, audiobook-filled time, here are some lesser-known offerings.

Normally we talk about audiobooks here, but today I thought I would talk about podcasts. There are many sources of books out there that are done as serialized podcasts, if you know where to look. The best-known source of these, obviously, is Podiobooks.com. These are mostly self-published works read by the author or PD titles (like Librivox). The quality on these is pretty variable, but you might find one or two there you like.

One of the first audiobooks I found when I started doing this was an authorized podcast of C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia." The podcast (available here) is from Ancient Faith Radio and is read by Chrissi Hart. Her readings are not quite to the level of most published audiobook standards, but I enjoy them.

Finally, if you are looking for real audiobooks from a podcast (and you have some patience) check out the Baen podcasts (here). They've been doing this for just over a year, and as a part of each episode they have been including an actual audiobook. Some are just short stories (but still quite good), but they have also included some of the audiobooks done by Audible as well. They first big one they did was David Weber's "Shadow of Freedom," a Honor Harrington novel. They are currently serializing Larry Correia's "Hard Magic," but it will be a while before that is finished.

Enjoy!
skinmaan
Your audiobook bloodhound

[Laurablue]

One of the best podcast-style audiobooks I have read so far is T.M. Camp's _Assam and Darjeeling_, links available on his website
I think I found it on SFFAudio originally through their Essential Audiobooks page.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by septentrion

This is what I get on the promotion page: "Sorry, due to the overwhelming success of this promotion, we have run out of awards! Check back for more offers." It didn't last long!

Wow, not even a day! Time to change the OP again.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

Normally we talk about audiobooks here, but today I thought I would talk about podcasts. There are many sources of books out there that are done as serialized podcasts, if you know where to look. The best-known source of these, obviously, is Podiobooks.com. These are mostly self-published works read by the author or PD titles (like Librivox). The quality on these is pretty variable, but you might find one or two there you like.

Speaking of Podiobooks, one of my favourite series started life as a podcast on Podiobooks, and I'm sure it's still available - the Solar Clipper series, which starts with Quarter Share. I can't comment on the quality of the narration, since I read the books strictly as ebooks, but others have reported they are well done. And the books are quite enjoyable.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Speaking of Podiobooks, one of my favourite series started life as a podcast on Podiobooks, and I'm sure it's still available - the Solar Clipper series, which starts with Quarter Share. I can't comment on the quality of the narration, since I read the books strictly as ebooks, but others have reported they are well done. And the books are quite enjoyable.

The narration is by the author and he does a very good job considering he's not a professional voice actor.

That series was highly enjoyable, and a really interesting change of pace from typical SF plots.



Note: You really want to start with Quarter Share and take them in order.

ApK

[RDaneel54]

One more vote for the Nathan Lowell Podiobooks.com series starting with Quarter Share. Well written, well read stories.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by skinmaan

Normally we talk about audiobooks here, but today I thought I would talk about podcasts. There are many sources of books out there that are done as serialized podcasts, if you know where to look. The best-known source of these, obviously, is Podiobooks.com. These are mostly self-published works read by the author or PD titles (like Librivox). The quality on these is pretty variable, but you might find one or two there you like.

One of the first audiobooks I found when I started doing this was an authorized podcast of C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia." The podcast (available here) is from Ancient Faith Radio and is read by Chrissi Hart. Her readings are not quite to the level of most published audiobook standards, but I enjoy them.

Finally, if you are looking for real audiobooks from a podcast (and you have some patience) check out the Baen podcasts (here). They've been doing this for just over a year, and as a part of each episode they have been including an actual audiobook. Some are just short stories (but still quite good), but they have also included some of the audiobooks done by Audible as well. They first big one they did was David Weber's "Shadow of Freedom," a Honor Harrington novel. They are currently serializing Larry Correia's "Hard Magic," but it will be a while before that is finished.

Thanks for bringing up podcasts. I have a post - Other Sources for Free Audiobooks - that lists some of them; along with radio dramas. Podiobooks is already listed; but Baen and Ancient Faith are new to me, so I'll add them the list.

[tubemonkey]

Downpour Deal of the Week

• The Jungle - Upton Sinclair ($4.95) -- exp 05 May

Note -- this book is also available as a Whispersync pair in two different versions. The above version (narrated by Grover Gardner) is $2.99 and the other version (narrated by Casey Affleck) is $0.99.

Here is the dramatic exposé of the Chicago meatpacking industry at the turn of the century that prompted the investigation by Theodore Roosevelt which culminated in the pure-food legislation of 1906.

The Jungle is the story of Jurgis Rudkus, a Slavic immigrant who marries frail Ona Lukoszaite and seeks security and happiness as a workman in the Chicago stockyards. Once there, he is abused by foremen; his meager savings are filched by real estate sharks; and at every turn he is plagued by the misfortunes arising from poverty, poor working conditions, and disease. Finally, in accordance with Sinclair’s own creed, Rudkus turns to socialism as a way out.

Originally published in 1906

[GtrsRGr8]

Here are two Audible books that the younger children may enjoy. Mom and Dad will enjoy the 69 cent price for each of them.

My first (and only) foray into acting was in a production of the first item, so it holds a special place in my heart. It was in third grade. I think that I was Mr. McGregor, but I've forgotten now--it's been so many years ago (maybe if I buy the audiobook and listen to it it will jog my memory). Unfortunately, I muffed my lines but somehow we got through it. I was disappointed that I didn't get the starring role of Peter Rabbit, but considering the fact that I muffed my lines in a lesser role, I really didn't deserve it, did I?

The Peter Rabbit Collection. (18 stories). Two hours and 42 minutes. Unabridged. http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-P...8724491&sr=1-1.
For the spendthrifts among you there is also a 95 cent version, which is shorter but with a different narrator and a higher rating at http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-P...8725128&sr=1-2.

Rikki Tikki Tavi. 35 minutes. Abridged.http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Rikki...8724822&sr=1-1.

[gabby98]

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

Here are two Audible books that the younger children may enjoy. Mom and Dad will enjoy the 69 cent price for each of them.

My first (and only) foray into acting was in a production of the first item, so it holds a special place in my heart. It was in third grade. I think that I was Mr. McGregor, but I've forgotten now--it's been so many years ago (maybe if I buy the audiobook and listen to it it will jog my memory). Unfortunately, I muffed my lines but somehow we got through it. I was disappointed that I didn't get the starring role of Peter Rabbit, but considering the fact that I muffed my lines in a lesser role, I really didn't deserve it, did I?

The Peter Rabbit Collection. (18 stories). Two hours and 42 minutes. Unabridged. http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-P...8724491&sr=1-1.
For the spendthrifts among you there is also a 95 cent version, which is shorter but with a different narrator and a higher rating at http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-P...8725128&sr=1-2.

Rikki Tikki Tavi. 35 minutes. Abridged.http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Rikki...8724822&sr=1-1.

Thank you

[tubemonkey]

Author Websites -- updated 13 Jan 2015

Audiobooks and podcasts provided by authors from their own websites. As usual, this is a work in progress and will be linked to the OP.


Dave Ramsey

• FREE - Super Red Racer --> details
• FREE - Relating with Money --> details

JF Penn

• FREE - Sins of Treachery --> details
• FREE - Sins of the Flesh --> details

TM Camp

• FREE - Assam & Darjeeling --> details

.

[tubemonkey]

The following offers expire today - Wed 30 Apr

• FREE - Amz Whisper -- Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp / Audible - exp 30 Apr --> details
• FREE - ChristianAudio -- What Happens When Women Say Yes to God - exp 30 Apr --> details
• FREE - LearnOutLoud -- Literary Summaries - exp 30 Apr --> details

• FREE - Audible -- $5 Facebook Promo (expired) - redeem by 30 Apr --> details / details
• SALE - Audible -- Buy 4, Get $10 - exp 30 Apr --> details / details

[tubemonkey]

ChristianAudio - Free Audiobook of the Month - exp 31 May

• Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God -- JI Packer

If God is in control of everything, can Christians sit back and not bother to evangelize? Or does active evangelism imply that God is not really sovereign at all?

J.I. Packer shows in this classic study how both of these attitudes are false. In a careful review of the biblical evidence, he shows how a right understanding of God's sovereignty is not so much a barrier to evangelism as an incentive and powerful support for it.

J. I. Packer is author of the best selling Christian classic Knowing God. He is Board of Governors Professor of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver.

[tubemonkey]

LearnOutLoud - Free Audiobook of the Month - exp 31 May

• Nature -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

LearnOutLoud.com presents Nature, complete and unabridged by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The essays that make up this slim volume were first published anonymously in 1836. Here Emerson lays down the foundation of what would later become known as transcendentalism; a world-view that argues for a new perspective on how humans can interact with the natural world. Using bold imagery and beautifully written language to illustrate his points, Emerson formulates a belief system where nature itself is a divine entity that we can know directly.

With Nature and the essays that followed, Emerson established himself as one of the first quintessentially American writers. His influence can be felt in the work of contemporaries such as Walt Whitman, and ideological heirs like Henry David Thoreau. We are pleased to present to you this American classic on audio.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Whispersync - Free Audiobook of the Month - exp 31 May

• Amazon - The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights -- James Knowles
• Audible - The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights -- James Knowles

Many authors, from Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century through the romantics and up to current times, have interpreted the King Arthur story, mixing mythologies and legends with history, religion, and magic. Here is Sir James Knowles’ 1860 take on Arthur. Knowles, living during the Victorian revival of Arthur, gives a story of nobility and gallantry. Arthur appears in his classic adventures and battles emphasizing the concept of Arthur as an English origin myth. Not, perhaps, the most remarkably written entry in the world of Arthur, this volume makes up for lack of style with action and heroism. Eric Brooks has fun with his performance in this audiobook, creating colorful characterizations and exaggerating the drama almost to the point of playful caricature.

King Arthur was a legendary British leader of the late fifth and early sixth century who, according to the medieval histories and romances, led the defense of the Romano-Celtic British against the Saxon invaders in the early sixth century. This book gives an account of the life of this great legend of all times.