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Audio books are a recording of traditional
books, read by a narrator. They are available in abridged and
unabridged versions. The abridged books are altered at the narrators’
discretion but still carry the original intent of the story. Unabridged
titles are read word for word form the original printed text. Audio
books are preferred by many people because they can be listened to
while doing other things like chores or driving. People who spend a
large amount of time traveling find audio books to be an excellent way
to put normally wasted time to good use. The fact that audio books can
be listened to multiple times over several days helps with memory
retention of the content. It is also easy to quickly search for
chapters and stop the story when necessary. Audio books are available
as mp3 downloads and compact discs for purchase. The online purchase of
audio books is a lucrative business for many companies. It is
estimated that audio books produced $187 million in revenue last year
and the projected sales for the near future is in the billions of
dollars.

Where is the best place to get online audio books?

Any popular search engine will produce hundreds of options for where
to purchase online audio books. Apple’s iTunes, Audible.com, Audio
Universe, The Bible Foundation, Audio Treasure and Blackstone Audio
Books are popular choices. Your favorite traditional bookstore like
Barnes and Noble or Borders will most likely have an audio book
selection on their web sites as well.
Public libraries across the country are now offering online card
catalogs and most will offer audio book selections as well as the
printed text versions that we usually expect from a library. Due to
the increase in demand by patrons, many libraries are significantly
expanding their audio book selections.

Web sites are also a popular source for free online audio books
Nonprofit agencies that support the visually impaired will often have
information on how to acquire audio books for those whose vision is
decreased enough to make reading traditionally printed books difficult
or impossible
topics for audio books are varied and can be found on almost any
subject. In fact, most new best selling books in print are also
released as an audio book format and can be found online by searching
for the title of the desired work and adding “audio book” to the search
box.

Online audio books are popular because they are easily accessible,
affordable and portable. They fit into today’s busy lifestyles very
well and the increase in sales is proof that more and more consumers
are discovering audio books.