Why does nobody talk about how much audiobooks cost these days?

I spent $45 on a single audiobook last month thinking it would be a steal compared to buying the hardcover. Turns out, the hardcover was only $28 at my local bookstore and I could have shared it with my book club buddy. The audiobook was narrated by someone with a monotone voice too, so I barely made it through chapter 3 before switching back to paper. It felt like a total waste of money for something I couldn't even resell or trade. Has anyone else been burned by audiobook prices or found a cheaper alternative that actually works?

4 comments

4 Comments

emeryj661mo ago

Wow, did you check if your library offers free audiobooks through apps like Libby before dropping that cash?

jessica7071mo ago

Has anyone else accidentally spent enough on audiobooks to buy a small car, or is that just my wallet crying alone in the corner?

murphy.tessa1mo ago

Right?! Mine's the opposite of a car fund at this point lol. At this rate my audiobook library is worth more than my actual car, which is honestly impressive considering how little I drive it.

the_fiona1mo ago

Oh my gosh, Tessa, I am right there with you. My car is from 2008 and has a tape deck that I refuse to replace, but my Audible library? Easily worth more than the blue book value. And @emeryj66, that's a solid suggestion about Libby, I actually use it too, but the wait times for popular books are months long sometimes, so I end up buying them anyway when I get impatient. Plus, I like owning my favorites permanently, you know? I've got multiple series I've listened to three or four times each, and that adds up fast. Between monthly credits and the sales that always get me, I'd say I've definitely dropped enough to buy a decent used Honda Fit by now, no joke. My wallet cries with you, Jessica, but at least we have good stories.