Editor's Choice Audio Book
Playaway Ready-To-Go Audio
Reviewed by Angie Kibiloski
Everyone likes a good story. Some people read books, some watch television and movies, but one format that has been highly underrated is the audio book. You've all seen them in stores, the collections of several CDs that resemble small bricks. Maybe the thought of having to cart around 4-6 CDs at once, along with your CD player, headphones, and extra batteries is what keeps you from purchasing them. Would you be more likely to buy an audio book if all you had to carry with you was a device that is smaller than a pack of playing cards? I certainly would. And with Playaway Ready-To-Go Audio (Retail $29.99-$67.49) you can.
Each Playaway is an all-in-one unit. It is an audio player with the audio content pre-loaded inside, and comes packaged with a battery (or two, depending on the playtime of the book), a set of headphones, and a lanyard to carry the device around your neck. The batteries are easy to change, and the controls on the back of the unit are simple as well. The Playaway even remembers at which chapter of your audio book you stopped, so if you want to turn off your player and come back later you can pick up where you left off without any difficulty. You can also rewind or skip ahead chapters. The sound quality is fantastic too, and can be adjusted for volume, bass, and treble. Also, it is very light weight and perfect for carrying in your hand, around your neck, or in a pocket.
There are hundreds of titles from which to choose, in several categories, including fiction, non-fiction, classics, modern novels, self-help, children's books etc. The prices vary according to which title you choose and how long the content plays, with the majority of titles around $30-$40. These prices are comparable to the CD audio books. You can purchase a Playaway at www.playawaydigital.com or at the nationwide bookseller chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders, and even at Brookstone. Since I am familiar with the title and knew what it should sound like, I decided to check out Pride and Prejudice, read by Kate Redding, with a run time of 11 hours, and a price tag of $39.99. I was extremely pleased with the quality of sound and the talent of the narrator. It was very well done and satisfied all expectations.
If you love your audio book selection, and wish to keep it in your library like I do, then you will simply purchase another Playaway device when you want another book. However, if you don't think you will ever listen to it again, you can recycle your device by sending it back to the company, and get another title on a RePlay unit for 50% off the price of a new unit at www.playawaydigital.com.
Reading books is great, and watching movies is exciting, but there really is nothing like an audio book. Curl up in a comfy chair and let the sound of a narrator's voice weave the story around you as you relax. Without the need for a heavy CD player or a bulky bundle of CDs, the Playaway Ready-To-Go-Audio is the perfect way to indulge in the simple joy of being read your favorite book. This is definitely a product that I highly recommend, whether as a gift or just for yourself.
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