Preparation for a road trip at our house  includes a decision on what audio books to take along.  This takes a bit of negotiating, since Mr. Traveler and I do not always agree on what makes a good read (or listen, in this case).  He likes escape fiction–lots of action. I like more contemplative reads. We generally compromise on mysteries. But we never compromise on the length. We DO NOT buy or rent abridged. Give the author a break! Read it (listen to it) the way it was written.

But whatever you like to listen to in your car, you now have a lot of choices for where to get that audio book.  Our public library branches have a limited selection, but generally something interesting. We are fortunate to have an enormous used book store that carries books on tape (getting rarer) and CDs. And on the way out of town we can always stop at Cracker Barrel Restaurant along the freeway and then return a rented book anywhere along our travels. Problem is, they stock more abridged than full versions.

If you have an MP3 player–an IPOD, cell phone that takes recorded material, or other device, you can download books from dozens of sites on line. Continue reading Read It (MORE) New Ways →