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The Kitchen Table

Renting books on tape online

18 years ago

I just learned about audiotogo.com where you can rent books, Netflix-style, where they mail you the book on tape or CD and you mail it back. It's about $17 a month, which is more than I want to pay. Are there other companies like this online? I'd like to comparison shop if possible.

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Comments (6)

mariend
18 years ago
Check at your local library. Some mail out, some have book mobiles. Also check your local markets etc. They may not mail out, but may have longer return days.
donna_loomis
18 years ago
I know this isn't exactly what you asked about, but I get my audiotapes from Paperbackswap.com. There is no cost to join. You can list all of the books/tapes/DVDs you have in your library and the list is available to others in the club. When someone requests one of your books you pay to ship it to them (around $2.30). You earn credits for each book/tape you ship, then use those credits to request that others send books/tapes to you. After you read/listen to them, you can relist them. It is working really well for me.
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alisande
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Yes, see if your library system offers free audio dowmloads. I put them on my mp3 player. I bought an adapter so I can play them in the car as well.
Tally
18 years ago
I'm a member at SimplyAudiobooks. I commute 45-60 minutes each way 5 days a week and I love listening to books on tape.

The cost is $15 a month if you prepay 12 months in advance, with the option to cancel at any time with no penalties.

I researched a few on-line books on tape companies and this was the best I found. They had the largest library to choose from and their rates were competitive. Service has been excellent.

Here is a link that might be useful: Simply Audiobooks
naughtykitty
18 years ago
I actually use the public library. They have a website to research and reserve books and audiobooks and they will email when it is ready to pick up. They cost me 25 cents each to reserve and free if I get them off the stacks. It doesn't make any sense for me to pay $17 a month for a service I can get virtually free.
sjarz
18 years ago
I have gotten lots of books on tape at the second hand/thrift stores here. Our library has a zillion, would take me years to listen to them all. I don't know if your library has a lot of them but I'd certainly check that out before I'd join anything.
If I was to join any of those club type places, I'd go with the one Donna mentioned - that way I'd be able to keep the books on tape I've bought at the thrift stores in circulation and not piled up around my house.
Thanks for the reminder, I am going on a short trip (1.5 hrs each way) this weekend, I will have to dig out a tape I haven't listened to yet for the trip.
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