One of the most useful websites I’ve found in the last couple of years is Booksfree.com. The name is a bit of a misnomer, because it’s not free, but the service is such a value. At this point, I love it so much that I’d fight to keep it in my monthly budget. Actually, I might give up Netflix first, and that’s saying a lot. (And, just to be clear, I’m not an affiliate for this website or being compensated in any way for this post. Just wanted to share.)
Booksfree.com works for audio books just like Netflix does for movies: you add books you want to listen to to your queue and they send them to you in that order. You can choose to have 1 out at a time or more. The 1-at-a-time CD audio book plan is $22.49/month, but you can check out an unlimited number each month. They also have plans that enable you to rent books in MP3 files and actual, physical books, too.
I find that my car time is so much better used if I’m listening to a book rather than the radio, which stresses me out. By the time I get home, I feel relaxed, and even better, that I got some time with a good book. That extra time is hard to come by these days.
I’ve checked out over 40 books and have never received one that was broken or not playable. I’ve also rented books to listen to on long car trips with my whole family and listened to classic stories with my kids while we go through our daily routines. I’m considering giving a 6 month subscription to my grandmother (though you can cancel your subscription any time), who loves to read, but who’s eye sight is failing. She adores books on CDs.
For a book lover, this website is pure, mobile joy.
What about you: how do you spend your car time?
Booksfree.com website
- Now that’s a Smart Pen: A pen that records audio as you write This falls into the category of “Why the HECK Didn’t...
- One more chapter, please: great books to read aloud to your kids Most Mommy Penelopes I know think one of the biggest...
- Who is Penelope and Why Does She Love Lists? Who is Penelope? Penelope is unabashedly organized. She makes no...
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I had never heard of this website before – thanks for sharing. I used to spend my car time listening to NPR. My husband would start his commute at the same time (though in another car), and we’d both listen to it. As we prepared dinner at the end of the day, we’d end up discussing what we’d heard. It was a wonderful ritual.
I too am an audio book junkie during the work day. I have to admit, it makes me feel like I’m escaping the 9-5 grind when I am immersed in a great business biography or a classic from Fitzgerald.
Perhaps most importantly, when I’m listening I feel I’m making progress towards extracting productivity from every minute of the day…
I am a talk radio JUNKIE! My 4 year old knows Rush and Glenn.
I’ve never tried an audio book before…unless you count the Disney books that used to come on cassette tape in the 80s. 
@Erin: I love this idea: side by side radio listening. Great thought! I’ve long been trying to convince my husband to listen to NPR, but he’s a KGO junkie. He and Amanda would get along well!
@Deren: that’s the biggest thing for me, listening to audio books makes me feel like I’m “finding” relaxing time in my busy day. I especially like that this time comes while I’m sitting in traffic, when I’d otherwise be stressed and irritated.
I used to listen to books on cd and motivational cds in the car all the time. I don’t spend that much time in the car these days and I miss it! I have tried downloading books to my ipod and listen while I do housework, but then I can’t hear the kids screaming my name…wait…that’s not a bad thing!
great idea and thanks for introducing us to site. i typically listen to NPR for “de-stressing” in traffic but like the idea of listening to books while driving (v. efficient use of time)!
Years ago I had a 2.5 hour commute to work and back…it was horrible! Anyway, I listened to audio books a lot and loved it. I agree that it’s very relaxing. This is a wonderful idea!
Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog. Now i’m looking forward to having a look at your notebook! ps. Holly’s homework ( a list! ) was meant for YOU, wasn’t it?
You’re so right! The homework involves my two favorite things: a notebook and lists. Loving it!
I love audio books, and am on my way right over to this one–sounds like a great resource! I also adore Libravox.org though it’s just for public domain books (so nothing new)–there’s something so charming, though, about having all sorts of different people “line up” to read Alice in Wonderland to you
.