You’ve settled into your favorite chair, ready to get lost in a story, but your eyes are tired from a long day of looking at screens. Audiobooks are the perfect solution, and if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you might be wondering how to start listening. It’s a common question, and the answer is a little more nuanced than you might expect.
While your Prime membership offers a fantastic library of benefits, it’s important to know that it does not automatically include a large, free catalog of audiobooks like it does for movies and TV. However, there are still several straightforward and affordable ways for you to listen to audiobooks through Amazon’s ecosystem.
Your Prime Reading and Audible Connection
Your first stop should be Prime Reading. This is a benefit included with your membership that offers a rotating selection of ebooks, magazines, and yes, some audiobooks. You can often find a collection of Audible originals and other titles available for free. To check, simply go to the Prime Reading section on the Amazon website or app and look for the audiobook category.
Getting Started with the Audible App
For the widest selection, you’ll want to use the Audible app, which is owned by Amazon. Think of Audible as the main hub for audiobooks. You can download the Audible app for free on your phone or tablet. Your Amazon login information works here, making it easy to get started. While Audible is a separate subscription service, they often provide free trials and Prime member deals, so keep an eye out for those special offers.
How to Find and Play Your Audiobook
Once you have a title in your library, listening is simple. Open the Audible app and tap on your book. You’ll see a large play button. The player screen gives you full control over the narration speed, a sleep timer, and the ability to skip forward or backward. You can also download the book directly to your device for listening when you’re offline, which is perfect for long trips or commutes.
Listening on Different Devices
The beauty of Amazon’s system is its flexibility. You can start a book on your phone during your morning walk, pause it, and then pick up right where you left off on your Echo device at home by simply asking, “Alexa, read my book.” This seamless sync across devices makes it incredibly easy to fit more stories into your day.
Listening to audiobooks through Amazon is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite stories. By checking your Prime Reading benefits and exploring Audible, you have a direct path to a world of audio entertainment. Happy listening!
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