Honestly, if I have my iPod or something similar... like my iPhone - along with me, then as an avid reader, I am hooked up in more ways than one. Cool huh? I love books! All kinds of books.

I am particularly attracted to antiquarian books from a collectors standpoint... but not for their monetary value per-se, of collecting these old books. I just have a thing for old books... antiquarian style.

I love the feel, the smell, even just the history of old antiquarian books is romantic to me. Not necessarily the history, etc... that they contain... or the stories if you will. For those who love these old antiquarian books, of whatever genre - you know what I am saying, right?

Just to hold them.... okay, enough.

But, the ability to have the books I love recorded, so that I can read them or listen to them is wonderful. Audio-books make it so that I can plug in anytime or in any situation that I want and be read/listening.

This just rocks as far as I am concerned.

My personal theme song was inspired by none other than Napoleon Dynamite - of "I love technology" fame ! Compliments of my children's humor! I am not a techie, but I love what technology has done for our lives.

And it just keeps getting better. If I can use it to enhance my love of reading books.... then whoopee, I am a happy camper!

What would generally be consider an 'audio-book' are the words taken of a 'published' (but not necessarily) book, voice narrated, then recorded as an exact replica of that very book... it's kind of like having story-time anytime and anywhere you want it - if you are enabled to do so!

Now, that is a very narrow definition of an audio-book... so please go and read wiki on their definitions, etc... But always remember when using 'wiki'... it is open source and that means, like the stock-market... what you read one day.... may be different the next. It is only fairly credible, depending on topic.

But for your definition of what is considered an audio-book... mine should be sufficient for this article.

Which like I said, for me usually means that I am using my ipod, or iphone. But you can use any type of MP3 type player, etc... that is compatible with this type of technology. So that you too can read-listen to your books until your hearts content.

Or you can listen to audio-books on CD... yeah, those old-fashioned round things. Hey, I actually had a guy on the plane with me the other day... at the very same time I pulled out my ipod, he pulled out his Compact Disc player - (in case you forgot what the CD stands for) we looked at each other and just laughed out loud!

Of course, he then commented on how he was just an old fashioned kind of guy... and it works! Airplane bonding at its highest and best!

Oh I really do love technology! Technology with all of its frustrations, etc... is such a blessing in our lives. And even if you are not high-tech, meaning you are still having trouble figuring out e-mail. LOL You can use audio-books nonetheless!

It starts most often with purchasing the media, either through buying the actual CD or what I believe is much more popular today - that of downloading from the myriad of audio downloads companies online... that sell audio-books through audio-download format. What I really like about this way of purchasing an audio-book or CD, is that I always have a clean copy available to me - even if I run into a problem with that which I am listening to it - on.

For instance - how many times have you put out the money on a CD, be it music or an audio-book on CD - and no matter how careful you were - ended up damaging the darned thing through general use of it? I hate that! Now, even if I do buy a CD, or audio-book in a store or online - I can immediately import in onto my computers hard-drive and just file that hardcopy - safely away. So, just in case something awful happens to my 'player' and I damage or lose my audio-book capability, I'm not out in the cold as if I never owned it... my book.

There will always be those who will insist on reading only a hardcopy of the books they want to read... whatever? Like I said... I love old dusty, musty, antiquarian books, but.... hey - I love technology too!