Wondering how does Audible work and is it even worth it? I'm here to tell you what I honestly think and share some favorite audio books!
How Does Audible Work? (And Why I'm Addicted)
Right now, select Amazon Prime members who are new to Audible can enjoy 3 FREE months of Audible (that's some BIG savings – it's regularly $14.95 per month!).
Here's what you'll get…
The Audible membership includes one FREE book each month to listen to (I love that!), as well as 30% off additional titles. If you spend much time in your home cleaning or exercise much, this is my absolute FAVORITE way to listen to books and I've read dozens of books this way thanks to Audible.
I know you'll love it, and this is the very best time to try it out at an incredible price while it lasts!***
If you've been around here for much time at all – you may already know that I am OB-SESSED with listening to audiobooks throughout my day. After going years without being able to finish a book due to my everyday busy-ness, I signed up for an Audible Trial and everything changed.
I have been able to read and finish FOUR already this last couple months (on top of listening to a bajillion podcasts). I use Audible all the time and recommend it to friends, family members and strangers on the street.
If you're thinking about trying Audible – new members can snag this Deal here!
But if you're new to Audible – you might be wondering exactly how it works. I'm here to break it all down for you in simple terms:
How Does Audible Work Exactly?
Audible is an Amazon program where you can listen to audiobooks for a monthly subscription fee. You download the app to your phone (iPhone and android) – or you can listen on any Alexa device (like a Fire Tablet, Kindle, Echo, Echo Show, Sonos speaker, etc…)
Different Audible membership tiers offer different perks. The most basic is called Audible Plus and includes access to an audio book library full of Audible originals, classics, podcasts and children's books.
The next level up is called Premium Plus – and that's the level I have.
This level comes with access to the library but also 1 credit every month to purchase any audiobook you like. (The credits are good for a year – so if you don't use them up right away you won't lose them.)
Audible Membership Plans:
Audible Plus – $7.95/month comes with access to Audible Plus Catalog (free book library) and tons of podcasts
Audible Premium Plus – $14.95/month comes with access to Audible Library + 1 Audio Book Credit + 30% OFF additional Premium Book Titles (right now you can get this level FREE for 1 month + 2 Book Credits for Prime Members!)
Audible 3-Month or 6-Month Membership – $45 includes 3 Credits
Audible Annual 12-Month Membership – $149.95 includes 12 Credits (That comes out to $12.49/Month) *BEST VALUE*
Audible Gift Membership – Gift a 3-Month membership for $45 – a great Christmas gift idea!
Audible Books I've Loved Recently
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (so so good and a perfect one to listen to on long drives or while at the beach!)
The Gospel Comes With A Housekey
Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff – I loved this one and it's perfect to just remind yourself to truly care for others.
Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never Ending Battle With Stuff by Dana White – this is such a good book if you struggle with clutter in your home. I highly recommend this one!
Love Her Well: 10 Ways To Find Joy and Connection With Your Teenage Daughter by Kari Kampakis – highly recommend if you have a teenage daughter!
Just Open The Door by Jen Schmidt– this was written by a friend of mine and I absolutely love her encouragement to be more welcoming and invite others in!
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers– my all time favorite ever fiction book! ❤️
The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
Sisters First (Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life) by Jenna Bush – this is narrated by the Bush sisters and I just loved it!
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Rich – this is an old book but so much wisdom here as you're working towards your big financial goals!
And I'm a big fan of books about how to work smarter and accomplish goals!
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff – SO GOOD if you struggle with sticking to your goals and actually finishing something in your life.
Believe it by Jamie Kern Lima – such a good story – I think you'll enjoy this one!
Shorter: Work Better, Smarter & Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Virtual Culture: The Way We Work Doesn't Work Anymore by Bryan Miles
Soundtracks: the Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff
Entreleadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom From the Trenches by Dave Ramsey
The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You by Lydia Fenet – this was such an interesting read – I loved the stories she shared of working as she worked as a Christie's auctioneer
Audible Tips & Perks
Besides knowing how Audible works – you might want to know some extra perks! Here are some of my favorite Audible tips for saving money, reading more and enjoying it to the fullest.
1. Trade-In Books
One thing you might now know about Audible is that if you don't love the book your listening to, your credit wasn't be wasted! If you don't like a book you can return it and get your credit back. This is a great way to allow yourself to take a gamble on a new book, but I would recommend not abusing this feature. (I've heard there's a limit to how many times they'll allow this).
2. Share A Book With A Friend FREE!
If you loved a book and think your friend or your sister or you mom would love it too, you can share it with them! I just shared this Jamie Kern Lima book with my friend Jamie and Amber because I think they'll like it!
- Just go to your Audible Library within the app
- Tap the “More” icon next to any book
- Choose the Send This Book feature to send the book to one of your contacts via text or email.
- They'll get a free credit to accept and will be able to open and read the book. (Only works once and only for new users)
NOTE: A friend can only accept 1 freebie – so once they accept one they're out of free shares!
3. Get Free Audible Books.
Here are a few ways to snag free audible books:
– Free Book Library – There are a host of free audible books included in the Free Listens Library here. None of them will cost you a credit! Just “buy” the title for $0 and you'll be able to access it. You won't own these, but you'll be able to listen for free.
– First Friday Freebies – On the first Friday of each month, you can pick out and download 2 Audible Originals for Free.
– Kids Get Free Books Too – Since Covid – Audible has been offering completely free audio books for kids. It's called AudibleStories and it's a great way to help kids cut out the screen and enjoy storytime. CommonSenseMedia has a great list of Free Audible Books for kids with ratings and age recommendations here.
Let us know if you hear of other ways to get free audiobooks!
4. Share Audible Books with Your Family.
You can also share your audible account with your spouse or even your kids – just login to the same account and listen to the same books. Up to three devices can use your account at one time. This is great if you don't think you'll use all your credits alone each month but your hubby or kids might!
5. Listen to Audiobooks ANYWHERE.
The fact that you can listen on the beach, on the treadmill, folding laundry or in your car is amazing to me. You can listen on your Amazon devices (like your Echo Show) or even cast it to your Google Home device. It makes doing housework by yourself an enjoyable experience!
6. Catch Audible Books On Sale.
Watch the Daily Deal page for a new sale each day – today's daily deal book was only $3.95! I wouldn't use any audible credits for these – just purchase them at their sale price.
I also love how you can add books you're looking forward to reading to your wish list – and then you'll be notified by email if they go on sale. (More about that in tip #8)
7. Listen to Audiobooks at Fast Speed.
For self help books or ones I'm not particularly trying to enjoy in a slow and leisurely pace, I like to listen at 1.5 times the speed. On iPhones, you'll find this feature in the bottom left corner. You can actually listen up to 3 times speed – but that would be awfully hard to concentrate!
8. Save The MOST By Never Using Credits on Cheap Books.
If you find a book you want that's under $14.95 – it makes more sense to buy it outright and save your credit for a pricier book. Since credits cost you $14.95 you won't be saving any money by spending them on a lower priced title.
9. Take Advantage of the 3 for $30 Sale.
Audible will occasionally offer 3 additional credits for $30. That's a $15 savings over the normal price of 1 credit per month/$15 each.
How to Cancel Audible:
Wondering how to end your Audible subscription if it's not working out? To end your Audible membership, just follow these easy steps:
- Go to your Account Details page on the Audible website.
- Under the Account Settings section, click Cancel my membership.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Learn more about the Amazon Audible Free Subscription Trial
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