I am thinking about getting an iPod and putting in audiobooks so I can sit at my machine and listen and sew. (I have found that with the cd player, the machine takes over the sound and I can't hear the story- this way I would have earbuds and have the story close to me..

I am wondering if any of you have put an audiobook into an iPod and does it work? Also, I can get either a 40, 80 or 160 gb and also how many books would each hold! I have a lot of binding here to do and need help! Thanks very much. Edie

Hi Edie! I have only audiobooks on my Ipod, and it works great. I borrow the books on CD from the library. Then, I feed them into my computer into Itunes, then I move the whole book over to my Ipod.

Or, you can buy audiobooks on Itunes, which is not a laborious as the method I use.

Get the Ipod with the largest storage capacity you can, so you can have more selection on your Ipod at one time.

When I worked, I had a 20-something show me how to do it. Your best bet is to find a teenager to help you!

No, really, you can figure it out yourself. When you first hook the Ipod to your computer, it will automatically look online for Itunes and set itself up.

Good luck!

Our son is an I.T. and he knows everything and talks so darn fast I can't understand him 90% of the time. Also, if I get an 80 or a 160, about how many books can I get on, assuming, let's say 11 cd's to a book! Thanks for your help. Now, I know I am going to get one - problem now, will I live long enough to fill it up!!!!!! Only joking! But I am thinking about larger to fit bigger books (know what I mean?) into it! Thanks again. Edie

I use the ipod feature on my iphone while I quilt to listen to audiobooks - and there is a free app called overdrive where you can get audiobooks directly from your library onto your device free, once you register your library card.

I have tried the audiobook thing, but get too distracted and into the book that I don't pay attention to what I am doing. I can only listen when I am driving very long distances, where I put the car on cruise and just drive.

This would happen to me too. I have to focus all my attention on what I'm doing.

I'm not much help. I only use my iPod for the gym, housework or at my desk at work. While I sew I usually have the TV on something I don't necessarily have to give my full attention to like golf, NASCAR, a movie I've seen enough times I could quote it start to finish (Pretty Woman, You've Got Mail, etc)

I have been doing this for a long time. I get audio books from the library and download them into my computer and than on to my Ipod. The thing you have to watch with library books is that some of them are abridged which I don't like. I also have got books from Audible.com. WHen you join, you get some free books. I have the new small Ipod nano its about an inch square, I have 16gb and that is plenty for my books. I usually get a dozen or so from the library, but put three or four at a time on the ipod. I listen to books now while I am doing household chores, cooking etc.

I have a 16 Gb ipod and it holds a lot of books!!!!!!
I have at least 15 on my (all unabridged) and have lots more space.

This is what I do. I have a 32 gig mp3 player (not ipod) and use it often. A book ranges from 50 mb to 250 mb depending on how many cds are in it.

They've already done the work for you. Depending on where you live, of course. Do you have a library card?

I just checked. You live in St. Paul.

Here is the link. You will not need to BUY books.

http://sppl.lib.overdrive.com/D5EFD0...en/Default.htm

Just go get a library card if you don't have one and then register on the website link I sent you. You'll have to look around the site a bit.

I HIGHLY recommend this method. You just check out the books and listen to them and then delete them from your mp3 player. Simple. Really.

I haven't done audiobooks but I listen to podcasts. My favorite is Pat Sloan. Might have to check out the audio books.

Thank you and yes, I am a fan of the St. Paul Public Library system. I even buy their outdated cd books and tapes. Don't know where to put them anymore either. Which is the main reason for the iPod! Thanks again for your help! Edie

Hi! Thanks for bringing up this topic. I live out in rural part of the county and getting to library when its open isn't always easy. I've sent the library an email to ask if they have audio books that can be downloaded, thought with the price of gas or for someone who can't drive this might be a nice option.
Hadn't thought that I wanted an iPod but maybe I do! Chris

Oh, what hath I wrought?????????? Edie

I think the IPod Touch is much better for books then IPOD. I can download all the free books from Amazon to read on the go and all the audio books to listen too. The IPod Touch has more features other then just music and books. You can download all the IPhone apps on it too, even the quilting apps. No monthly fees. If you are in a wi fi zone you have full internet use. I can check email or read this board, watch youtube, just it's on a small screen. I love my IpodTouch. I can record radio programs and listen to them when I want. I enjoy talk radio.

I just got an Apple iPod Classic with 160 GB, didn't even know you could put audio books on it, new technology for me! I can download books from my library onto my computer, and now you're telling me I can put them in my iTunes and listen on my iPod. I'm so excited!!!

If you get the free overdrive app you can do it directly to your device without needing the computer.

Thanks! This just keeps getting better and better!

I wouldn't be without mine. If cash is an issue you can also buy a MUCH,MUCH more inexpensive mp3 player. I download books free from the library all the time. so basicly if you go the online library route you don't even have to mess with going to library to get the cd's. You can pick up an mp3 player at walmart for less than 100 bucks.You can erase the books you do not want to save so storage in not a majior issue.

How do you do this on the classic? I didn't know they had apps for the classic.

I think it would have to have a touch screen like the iPhone. Anyone know if this the case?

I don't know, I emailed my son to ask him if I could do what you originally suggested. He's the technological sound one in our family!

I use my ITouch and I have my kindle downloaded on it and I so I read while at the doctors office, the beach at restuarants, etc. Now for my Kindle, there is an option to have the kindle read outloud and I just put on my earbuds and have it read to me.

Love the Kindle! All my kids have one and DH loves his, and he is the one that says No Thanks to anything 'computerish'.

Just a comment here...

Many of the books with overdrive media are in Windows Media Player. I'm not sure if Ipods play those files.

Just want to warn you. I have a creative Zen and I'm extremely happy with mine. It plays mp3 files, or WMA without any problems.

I wanted to add that people have said that I must have the "patience of a saint" when I've worked on my scrappy quilts (1.5" inch strips). Not so. I enjoy listening to my books and sometimes I keep sewing because I'm enjoying the story so much! :)

that might be the case - but - I can find enough to make me happy enough with the iPhone.

The reason i like my ipod nano is because it is so tiny (1'') so I can clip it on to my sweater while I'm working. I have a touch also, but use my nano more often.

All our children, and indeed our grandchildren are more savvy than us. LOL

OMGosh...I use my Ipod when sewing all the time. Sometime I lesson to podcast and sometime my favorite music. fyi I'm way over 50 too! :))

Great idea. Actually, on most cd players... you can use earbuds. The headphone out on most cd players, walkmans and the like are 1/8" jacks.

Just buying an ipod for books.... when you already have a CD player... well, you might not have to. It would save you a bunch of time and money.

OR...

If you already have the ipod, then check with the geeks at the applestore. They'll show you how to do whatever. Or ask anyone that's into audio/video/art... they tend to use mac products.

Yeah, I use mine too.... podcasts, Pandora and music. Never thought about downloading audio books. I DO have the Kindle app on my ipod, so I've read books on mine.

Be careful, I once sewed my 'phone cord into my project by mistake. Thank goodness the needle just missed the cord and sewed over it. A big, phat miracle, that.

I love to listen to books on my ipod, while I sew. Our library has downloadable books that can be checked out just like a regular library book. It is great. My ipod is just 16gb and I have never gotten close to it being full, but that is partly because I check them out at the library and when I am done, they "go away".

That is so funny. Ha Ha

I have a 16 gig iPhone and am able to keep at least 5 audiobooks (big ones, unabridged) on it at at time along with my kindle, ibooks and nook books, several hundred songs, all of my apps and the phone. I rotate my audio books through iTunes as I finish them. I still have space to store a bunch of photos too.
I love my phone, and have the iPad and Mac book pro as well. I am allergic to windows (seriously, my husband hates it when I use it, as I am very talented at crashing it all the time)
:-)

IPod does convert the overdrive media player files, that is what my library uses ,Just wanted to let you know

Good, cuz I was feeling sorry for the Ipod owners as ours seems to have a special section for Ipod friendly files and it is much smaller than the WMA selection.

5 years ago i bought a Creative Zen Photo 20gb. All I do is listen to audio books. I download them from my local library here in Michigan. These audio books are checked out, dowloaded to my computer, then streamed to my Zen, with a due date just like other hard covers. I was in a really, really long book, and told my husband that I couldn't possibly read (listen) to it in the time allotted by the library. They add a small chip or something in the download that you cannot access the book after the time allotted. So, he said that since I don't use the calendar on my MP3, to just back date the device. So, I did to 1901. I have about 70 books on there....I go away in the summer to our cottage...can't get internet there...this has been wonderful for me because I listen to the books all the time. My husband likes the History channel, Cops, all the guy stuff, and I just sit blissfully, doing my applique. Deanna


This is what I do. I have a 32 gig mp3 player (not ipod) and use it often. A book ranges from 50 mb to 250 mb depending on how many cds are in it.

They've already done the work for you. Depending on where you live, of course. Do you have a library card?

I just checked. You live in St. Paul.

Here is the link. You will not need to BUY books.

http://sppl.lib.overdrive.com/D5EFD0...en/Default.htm

Just go get a library card if you don't have one and then register on the website link I sent you. You'll have to look around the site a bit.

I HIGHLY recommend this method. You just check out the books and listen to them and then delete them from your mp3 player. Simple. Really.[/quote]

I own a 64 Gig and it is loaded with Books, pictures, my collection of music, about 20 movies and tons of games. The thing is If you ever have too many audiobooks to fit in your Ipod, the ones you've read already do not have to be loaded in it but still stay on your computer. That's what I do with my movies :-)
Hope this helps

I'm fortunate enough to have direct download from our public library! While I don't have an iPod - I do have a Zen (same concept) and can get 3 or 4 books on it at a time. It's wonderful!!!

I use audiobooks on my i pod all the time. It's the only way I can get myself to use the treadmill and stationary bike at the fitness center. I hadn't thought of using it while sewing. Thanks for the great idea.