I tried a couple of times to find certain audiobooks, but seldomly had luck. There just does not seem to be a place that sells digital versions of audiobooks, similar to how bandcamp sells music.

And even putting on my eye patch and throwing out my fishing net I was not able to find a place to get them.

I do not want to use a subscription service, especially if it’s part of amazon.

Therefore it seems buying a CD and ripping it is the only option left.

  • ProfessorYakkington@lemmy.mlEnglish
    26·
    3 months ago

    https://libro.fm/ you can buy audiobooks through independent book store and they are drm free. It’s great. If you want more of an eye patch solution. You could rip audio from YouTube. There tends to be a lot of books uploaded there.

      • ProfessorYakkington@lemmy.mlEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        Yeah it is great – their sales are pretty good but they kind of hide it but I often pick up a bunch of books from there and then host them on my home server so my family can read the books I bought. Also good to support your local book shop if you can , in my opinion.

    • Salix@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      3 months ago

      I absolutely love Libro.fm. People can choose a local physical store for Libro to donate to.

      How much do Libro.fm Affiliates earn?

      Our affiliate program offers a 10% commission on each audiobook and credit bundle, and a 30% one-time commission on each new monthly membership. Commission is earned on each qualifying sale (excluding tax, returns, and cancellations).

      Their customer service is phenomenal. Multiple times, there were some audiobooks that they did not have on their website that I wanted, so I sent them an email asking if they might be able to obtain them. They reached out to the distributors and got them on their store for me to buy in less than a week each time!

  • Zibobwa@lemmy.world
    21·
    3 months ago

    Libby app. In conjunction with my local public library card. Free audiobooks, e-books, e-magazines and much more!

  • Moghul@lemmy.world
    71·
    3 months ago

    Libby. I got a library card from like… Kentucky library or something. I don’t live in America. I got a library card for my local library too but it doesn’t have as good of a stock.

      • ValiantDust@feddit.de
        5·
        3 months ago

        I’ve wondered if there is any way to get an US library card as a non-citizen for a while and this thread got me to finally do the research. The Queens Public Library apparently issues cards to non-US-residents for 50$/year. I have yet to look into it more thoroughly and check out the catalogue. But considering the number of Audiobooks I listen to, it seems like a good deal.

      • Moghul@lemmy.world
        11·
        3 months ago

        I can’t remember what county I signed up with but I just provided a real address in the county and a fake name and that was it. It’s free. There’s a thread on the other site for libby libraries you can sign up with for free. Some work, some don’t.

      • Today@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 months ago

        I signed in using my Dallas public library card, but once you’re in i think you can add other libraries for bigger selection.

        Edit to add - Harris County Public Library let’s you sign up online through libby with a phone number. It’s says it’s a temporary card but would at least get your started.

  • emb@lemmy.world
    6·
    3 months ago

    Have you checked your local library? Can be hit or miss, but many have a variety of digital and CD resources available.

    • DoYouNot@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 months ago

      Yeah, and as someone lse mentioned: they often have a Libby service that gets you tonnes of free audiobooks and other digital materials.

  • StrawberryPigtails@lemmy.sdf.org
    3·
    3 months ago

    In addition to all the suggestions everyone has put in, check your local bookstores. My local Barnes and Nobles regularly stocks audiobooks (or did, I’m not allowed in book or tech stores without “adult” supervision anymore :), both in audio cd as well as mp3-cd. If they don’t have what I’m looking for, often they can special order it. Just have to ask.

    For me though, Audible is cheaper. I’ll buy the books, download them and strip the drm off.