r/audiobooks Jan 05 '24

Making it more visible to spite whomever keeps reporting this Speechify: the nightmare I wasted my money on – A cautionary tale

382 Upvotes

Hey Reddit fam, gather 'round for a cautionary tale about a Text to Speech tool that left me scratching my head.

So, I splurged on this supposedly top-notch AI-generated TTS option for academic texts, thinking it would be a game-changer. Spoiler alert: it's not. Every footnote, reference, you name it, gets read out loud, making it as unnatural as a robot doing the cha-cha.

But wait, there's more! I had to refresh the text every few minutes, even with a rock-solid Wi-Fi connection at home. Multitasking dream? Nah, this tool is not about that life. And let's talk about the Kindle integration – it butchers the text format, jumping around like a caffeinated rabbit on speed.

And here's the kicker – when I tried to bail and get a refund, they hit me with the "7-day rule." Apparently, I needed to be a speed demon and uncover the flaws within that short trial window.

But trust me, the struggles were real, and this product ain't worth the princely sum I dropped on it.

Bottom line: if you're thinking about diving into this TTS adventure, save your dollars and go hang out with Siri or whatever TTS is integrated on your device, because it works if not better, just the same (without the bugs).

Update: forgot to mention! Even if you pay the yearly fee (that btw is advertised as monthly installments) you have a limit of 150k words for the premium voices! Which is not mentioned anywhere on their platform.

Also! Their customer service sucks. No help at all.

Edit: format

MAJOR UPDATE: they took down the previous Better Business Bureau Speechify profile, but I found a new one: new BBB link. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAVE A REVIEW THERE, since they are posting fake, positive reviews.

ETA: you can also leave your review in TrustPilot where, btw, they're also hoarding fake positive reviews.

UPDATE 2! : after a year, they didn't charge me again, but I am getting spam to renew my subscription. They finally put a contact number! So if you're a deceived customer, here's a phone number:

Wondering how to get the most from Speechify? Call us at (747) 302-4454

Funny, they were nowhere to be found and now they flood me with more useless crap, but at least I got a way to reach out.


r/audiobooks 1d ago

New Audiobooks this week – July 21, 2026!

3 Upvotes

Is there something new coming out this week that you are excited about? Or just think that everyone should know about? Please let us know.

Audiobooks.com has a list of their top releases: http://www.audiobooks.com/browse/booklists/this-weeks-top-releases

Audible.com new releases can be seen here: http://www.audible.com/newreleases

Downpour.com new releases here: https://www.downpour.com/collections/new-releases

Libro.fm new releases here: https://libro.fm/new-releases

Not everyone is aware of when new audiobooks come out, so if you are aware of something then let us all know.


r/audiobooks 3h ago

Giveaway Free Audiobook Codes

11 Upvotes

I am the narrator of Mjolnir by B.C. James. I have some US and UK codes. Hopefully y'all enjoy! Thank you so much!

UK Codes:

Please enjoy one free audio review copy of Mjolnir, now available on Audible. Redeem the one-time use code below at https://www.audible.co.uk/acx-promo

2JTKQBL6S5FBU

52MGSJ8TAQEGN

9N9BKY6K8UNU8

9T8FBFUP9ZH8L

A49PGWAYPYCTE

A9EY6BA66GXW5

AG4GRSUXWN492

C23Y3KYM7H4HE

DAD9KYQHTK78M

DEJTEW7SFY8SR

EJL34KHQNRC2M

HASX29DE6KZF7

HKQHAN2TRTP2W

KZDLA47U5FYXL

L4G6G2ZLFD9ZL

M4H2XNRBLCWLX

N8EENKJDXJKZT

P7KTPACP3HBSP

PSYGA576LRE9R

R5FLXY43MWDEF

S3DDSB7GWZQQY

T7QXJCL7LBSLL

USQ88XYX2RX5H


r/audiobooks 5h ago

App Question What is the best Audiobook service for the visually impaired?

9 Upvotes

I am coming to Reddit for help with this one. A bit of an SOS.

In the past four years of my living overseas, my older sister has lost all of her vision as a part of her disorder. She was an avid reader and since I have moved back she has been extremely depressed about losing this one joy of hers. I am a reader as well but I don’t use any of the audiobook apps for reading.

Her vision is not the only thing she has lost as it has caused early onset dementia as well. So, figuring out how to navigate this has been beyond her own means to say the least.

I have been looking around but have found it difficult to get any clean answers. I need to help her set up an account or multiple with different services for audiobooks, but the catcher is it needs to work well with visual impairment tech that exists natively on her phone. She has an iPhone 16, and most apps should work with the system but I have found some apps just cannot be navigated using it.

Does anyone here have experience using audiobook services on phones or iPads or experience with visually impaired persons who use audiobook apps? Or if you are blind, do you have any suggestions?

Thank you for taking the time to read and drop any suggestions. Just a desperate sister looking to help🙇🙇🙇


r/audiobooks 12h ago

Recommendation Request Firefly or Cowboy Bebop, some kind of Space Western recommendation.

14 Upvotes

Hey everyone. I'm just about done my current book, and am looking for my next book. I just re-watched Cowboy Bebop, and that has me in the mood for some space westerns. Something with the feel of Firefly or the like.

I've read Ambit's Run by L.M. Sagas, Calamity by Constance Fey, and Bluebird by Ciel Pierlot. Which all kind of have the right fit.

Ideally, FMC, romance is fine (i would prefer sapphic, but any or none), fast or medium paced with a good bit of action. Stand alone or series if good.


r/audiobooks 8h ago

Recommendation Request Recs for long road trip

5 Upvotes

Going on a roadtrip and looking for a book for my husband and I. Last time we did a roadtrip we did Project Hail Mary and enjoyed that.

I typically am more in the romantasy realm, while he is more sci-fi; though I do pick up things in that realm from time to time. We did both listen to the red rising series and that was good. He tried to introduce me to Garth Nix but I couldn’t vibe with Tim Curry reading that one. So a good narrator is a must for me. I’ve also already listened to ready player one and I enjoyed that.

Our 8 year old will be in the car too so things like DCC are out; I’ve tried to listen to it before but find I have to turn the volume up and down when they mention things that aren’t so 8 year old friendly . She doesn’t always listen but she will tune in sometimes so it’s a factor in books we put on during road trips.

He is big into warhammer so I thought about picking one of those up, but what one would be good for someone that has zero idea of that universe outside of the names of the different factions? And with a narrator that won’t bore me to death?


r/audiobooks 2h ago

Promotion Gilded Savior Chapter Five

1 Upvotes

r/audiobooks 2h ago

In Search of... Butcher and blackbird audiobook request

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I'm looking for the Butcher and Blackbird audiobook. I don't know if it's just me, but I can't find it anywhere. Would you happen to have it? Or any recommendations on where I could find it?


r/audiobooks 10h ago

Question A Prayer for Owen Meany

4 Upvotes

I read this book way before the audiobook era, and I’d like to revisit it as an audiobook. I see the Audible version is an exclusive, and I listened to a sample. The narration seems fine, but did not include Owen’s voice, which I would’ve liked to hear.

If you’ve listened to this version what are your thoughts on Owen’s voice? And/or can you recommend a different version besides the Audible Exclusive?

Thanks!


r/audiobooks 15h ago

Promotion UK Audio Codes available for American Fire

5 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a former wildland firefigher and was on a hotshot crew in New Mexico; I wrote and published a novel a year ago called AMERICAN FIRE and still have plenty of audiobook codes for UK (Works in Canada as well). I'd like to exchange the freebies for a promise to leave a review of the audio version. Thanks!

Also, if you're interested in any of my other books, I have audio codes for those as well (mostly UK codes)

Cheers!

Please enjoy one free audio review copy of American Fire, now available on Audible. Redeem the one-time use code below at https://www.audible.co.uk/acx-promo

2URKTET9RWF6T

38Q65DBWZ5UR8

4CAAB4QX3862T

6Y92SMUXMMKWQ

96M4T92XWA6GB

99NBGN7Z88JHX

A2KGWKZGTAY9M

A64J87G7LNEBR

C3YGQZKKKBXHE

CD6BY3AFR85X2

CFKY2Y79PGYA3

D9TH9GCMU96GC

HRNJX22Q5JEU3

JCPMX62HML98B

MXNFMAFSNDG4T

N433TZP3WGDJN

SEJE3W6TDBBCW

UPYQEQN5MANLT

WEC7Y96U2NXLG


r/audiobooks 5h ago

Recommendation Request Gimme your best

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0 Upvotes

Besides Hail Mary, Dungeon Crawler, and Bobiverse what are the best audiobooks out there right now?


r/audiobooks 12h ago

Question Thoughts on buying 6th generation iPod 64GB for listing to audiobooks?

2 Upvotes

Hi! I want to buy a device that fits neatly in my pocket, has an aux or wired headphone connection that is not it’s charging port, and iOS since I have books in the Books audio app that I listen to. I saw this option on Amazon for a refurbished one: https://a.co/d/0fhbbmik


r/audiobooks 6h ago

Discussion DRM-free Audiobooks on Apple Books (and Apple Watch)

1 Upvotes

EDIT: this does not work for Apple Watch, apparently

A lot of people complain that Apple doesn't let you import non-Apple, DRM-free books into the native Books app. Turns out they do, but you need a Mac and a cable

Steps to do so:

  1. Import your book to Apple Books
  2. Connect your iPhone via a cable to the Mac. Trust the device
  3. Open Finder > iPhone > Audiobooks
  4. Click "Sync"

At this point, your DRM-free audiobooks should have been sent to your iPhone

Sorry if it was obvious for everyone, I assumed it'd simply use iCould for sync. There's no way to do it wirelessly that I know of, though


r/audiobooks 12h ago

In Search of... I'm still searching for a specific wind in the willows audiobook, does anyone recognise this song...

3 Upvotes

Here is my best attempt at singing the song from memory (it was in a posh woman's voice). Does anyone recognise it?

Link to song recording: https://vocaroo.com/18M2Wox7B4By

Alternative soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/jimbooooooooo/sets/wind-in-the-willows


r/audiobooks 8h ago

Promotion Live Narration Event Tonight on YouTube

1 Upvotes

I just wanted to share this event going on tonight for anyone interested. It's a narrator showcase hosted by PANA (Professional Audiobook Narrators Association).

Myself and dozens of other narrators will be live narrating some short passages to showcase our talents.

It will stream on the PANA YouTube channel at 7PM EDT July 22nd


r/audiobooks 3h ago

Question Patreon - YouTube

0 Upvotes

Do any of you listeners use Patreon to listen to audiobooks/stories? There are a few channels there and some with many members.

Also, endless audiobooks/stories on YouTube and all free. Most I think low quality and AI of some form. But this may suit some people. Does anybody use YouTube.

And I am surprised there is a Reddit audiobook/story section. Or is there? Free or paid?


r/audiobooks 10h ago

Question Watch the movie or listen to the book first

0 Upvotes

Im looking for a book for a long road trip and thinking of listening to the books The Iliad and The Odyssey. I've never read the books. My wife really wants to see the movie, so wondering if reading the books first will spoil the movie or vice versa


r/audiobooks 1d ago

Question Building reading stamina for audiobooks

15 Upvotes

Hello all! Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I was wondering if anybody else has struggled with the same thing.

I've been a big reader my whole life. I always preferred reading physical books over digital or audiobooks so I never really gave it a shot. However, I recently lost a significant portion of my vision, so I've had to switch to audio only.

But for some reason I just can't keep my focus! I can only get through a couple chapters before I get antsy and have to stop. I used to be able to read physical books for hours and not want to put it down.

How do I build my stamina? Or do I just power through until it clicks? It might just be a me thing.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks for reading!


r/audiobooks 1d ago

Recommendation Request What’s the best audio book you’ve listened to so far this year?

171 Upvotes

I am in search of a great audio book. I usually use Knosit and Goodreads for that but this time I want your recommendations.


r/audiobooks 1d ago

Recommendation Request Funniest books you've listened to?

35 Upvotes

I love Dungeon Crawler Carl, Space Team, and I am Not a Hero. Doesn't have to be fantasy related. I just want to laugh and be entertained while I run. Give me your best!


r/audiobooks 1d ago

Recommendation Request Recommend me an audiobook that you have never or barely seen recommended in this subreddit

108 Upvotes

As good as Project Hail Mary, DCC, The martian, murderbots, 11-22-63, born a crime, WWZ .... are good, they are recommended in every other threads.

It's time to recommend lesser known and more niche audiobooks.

  • Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen : an in depth book about the american nuclear doctrine with a theoretical scenario of a nuclear war.

  • The Gulag archipalego : a classic telling of the grueling experience of the gulag in the Soviet Union.

  • Indianapolis by Lynn Vincent : the telling of the sinking of USS indianapolis at the end of WW2

  • I've seen it a bit but not enbough : the Mythos series by stephen fry. A modern and more palatable re-visit of the greek myth.


r/audiobooks 17h ago

Question Recommend me an audiobook or two

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0 Upvotes

r/audiobooks 22h ago

Recommendation Request Enjoyable, approachable nonfiction recs? (Leftist politics, anthropology, nature/science, philosophy/theory, history, sociology, contemporary art & design theory)

1 Upvotes

Seeking recommendations for an upcoming roadtrip. Bonus if it’s also included with a Spotify premium subscription. (I have Libby/Hoopla through my library but there are often long wait times)

Some of my favorite nonfiction books I’ve read/listened to:

Underland by Robert MacFarlane

Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown

How To Do Nothing by Jenny O’Dell

CAPS LOCK by Ruben Pater

The Democracy Project by David Graeber

The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber & David Wengrow

Post-Scarcity Anarchism by Murray Bookchin

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

TIA for suggestions!!


r/audiobooks 1d ago

In Search of... first-person pov, alone, survival/prison/sniper/space

2 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for my next listen:

I like to listen at night before I go to sleep, and first person pov is good for me to imagine I am the character while I’m in my twilight state, particularly when the first person narrator is alone.

I loved hail mary, because the main character was alone in space. Other alone in space stories would be good.

I liked the prison section of Monte Cristo and I liked the Sheridan prison book “how not to die in prison;” other first person prison stories would be great.

A first person sniper story would be good. Some of the Reacher books have sniper parts, it works for me lying in bed to pretend I need to be still so I can hide.

My side of the mountain was good when I was a kid, and not bad now. I like that he is alone and surviving in the woods.

I'm looking for first person pov stories where the main character is isolated and self-reliant—space, prison, wilderness, military... the setting doesn't matter as much as the feeling.

Any recommendations?


r/audiobooks 19h ago

Promotion Tool to easily merge multiple MP3 files into a single M4B audiobook.

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a tool I’ve been working on called MergeMp3AudioBook.

As someone who manages their own audiobook library, I always found it annoying to deal with folders containing dozens of loose MP3 tracks. Yes, ffmpeg is incredibly powerful and can handle this, but writing long, complex commands with mapping, metadata filters, and chapter markers by hand is a massive pain.

I decided to build an app that automates this entire process. It takes a folder of MP3s and handles all the complex ffmpeg heavy lifting under the hood to generate a clean M4B file with properly structured chapters.

🛠 Prerequisites

To run this application, you must have FFmpeg and FFprobe installed and accessible via your system's PATH.

Key Features

  • Automated: No need to manually write complex keys.
  • Chaptering: Parses your individual MP3 file structures/names to generate precise, readable chapter markers inside the final M4B container.
  • Lightweight & Cross-platform: A single binary. Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/CaPusto/MergeMp3AudioBook