Downloading audiobooks is quick and easy. Just go to the site of your favorite audiobook downloads retailer, type in the title or author you're looking for, select download, and within minutes you'll be listening to your new audiobook. Select one of these popular retailers to get started:

Audible.com
eMusic
iTunes
Borders
Simply Audiobooks

Frequently Asked Questions about Audiobook Downloads

1. Is there a difference between audiobook downloads and books on tape or CD?
An audiobook download is an audiobook that is downloaded and stored on your computer as a file or files. Audiobook downloads and packaged audiobooks, such as CDs, contain exactly the same content. The only difference is how you receive the material.

2. How difficult is it to download an audiobook?
Downloading audiobooks is quick and easy. In fact, you could be downloading today's bestsellers in a matter of minutes.

Each audiobook download retailer is slightly different (read on for further details), and your experience will depend somewhat on your computer, software, and internet connection, but here are the basics:

You create an account, type in an author or title you're interested in, and click on "download." If you're not sure about a particular title, you can read a book description and listen to an audio sample before purchasing.

3. If I download a title, can I put it on my own CD?
Yes. Once you purchase and download your audiobooks you can burn them to CDs. You can also transfer them to a digital music player, like an iPod, or you can listen to them on your computer.

With audiobook downloads, how you listen is entirely up to you.

4. Where can I purchase Random House audiobook downloads?
There are many places on the Internet to purchase and download Random House audiobooks. A few popular retailers include:

iTunes
To use iTunes you need to first install the free iTunes application. iTunes functions as both a media library and playback device for your computer. The benefit to this is that iTunes keeps all your audiobook downloads catalogued in one place and allows for easy iPod synchronization or CD burning.

Audible.com
Audible allows you the option of purchasing titles one at a time or as part of a subscription plan. This site has a large catalog of titles and will guide you through setting up an account and starting to download.

Audible uses its own .aa file format. Don't worry: The .aa format will not affect your ability to play the file or to burn CDs. If you do experience a problem, Audible.com's help page provides illustrated technical support.

eMusic
This digital music site also offers a growing selection of Random House audiobooks. eMusic is a subscription-based service and will require you to choose a subscription level when setting up an account. A free trial is also offered.

Unlike many audiobook retailers, eMusic provides audio files which do not employ Digital Rights Management technology, or DRM. This means that there are no restrictions placed on the audio files you download. You can play them anywhere, create multiple CDs, and store them on multiple computers or listening devices.

Learn more about DRM.

Borders
Borders offers audiobook downloads for purchase one at a time. You will need to create an account and install their free OverDrive Media Console, which allows you to download and manage your purchases. They currently only support PCs.

Borders employs DRM protection technology from Microsoft, so audiobooks can only be played on devices that support Windows Media (.wma) files. This does not include iPods. You can view a list of devices that are compatible with Borders Media here.

For more:
Digital Audiobook FAQ

Simply Audiobooks
Simply Audiobooks offers audiobook downloads a la carte or as part of a subscription plan. The download files are DRM-encrypted in Windows Media format, so they are not directly compatible with iPod or Apple products. If this is your first time purchasing protected content, you will need to install a security upgrade. This takes only a few minutes.

For more:
How to Download and Play Audiobooks
Simply Audiobooks FAQs

4. What is an mp3 and will it play in my car or home stereo?
An mp3 is a type of audio file that has become popular for its size and versatility. The benefit to mp3s is that they are small in size so they can be downloaded and transferred fast. If you create what's known as an mp3 CD from your audiobook download, you won't need as many blank CDs (in most cases, one disc is enough for an entire audiobook).

You can find more information on Answers.com by clicking here: mp3 Answers

If you aren't sure whether or not your home or car stereo will play mp3 files, please refer to your device's user manual. Most stereo systems made in the last few years are able to play mp3s directly.

However, CD burning software also allows you the option of creating a normal audio CD, which will then work just like the audio CDs you'd buy at a retail store.

Ready to begin shopping for audiobooks? Select a store from the list below to get started.

Audible.com
eMusic
iTunes
Borders
Simply Audiobooks