I often listen to audiobooks on my iPod. I work at a microscope, which requires visual concentration, but allows me to listen at the same time. I also have a host of podcasts that I subscribe to.
Since I am cheap, I often check out audiobooks on CD from the library.
It took me a little bit to figure out the tricks to uploading audiobooks to the iPod (or more specifically, iTunes). But I have it down to a science now.
For some reason, the CD’s that audiobooks come on have very random titles. If there are six CD’s, it never fails that there are at least four different variations of the title.
Because of this, when you import them into your library, they will not be together in the list. And given that the tracks can be the names of chapters or as vague as “3c,” you have to organize them so that iTunes thinks that they belong together and in the right order.
It’s very simple to do and only requires a couple of extra little steps.
1. Insert the CD into your computer.
2. When asked if you would like to import the CD now, say no.
3. Go to File -> Get Info.
4. Change the title of the book to something simple (don’t include the extra info that is usually included with the title name). I usually delete the composer’s name, but you don’t have to. Make sure that it says disc 1 of 6 (or whatever numbers), this info is usually accurate. Change the genre to “audiobook” or “books & spoken word” (doesn’t matter which). When you put in subsequent discs, highlight the title and start typing and the title you entered before should show up.
(UPDATED TO ADD:) When you “get info,” click on the options tab and change the “media kind” to “audiobook” and “check remember playback position” and “skip when shuffling.” This will put the book in your audiobook folder and allow you to bookmark where you left off. (Image and this added step from Aldoblog, via Jason.)
5. Import.
6. Create a Smart Playlist using the title of the book as the album name. This will create a playlist that includes all of the discs and will put all of the tracks in the right order.
File -> New Smart Playlist
7. Enjoy!
This post is part of my Multi-Media Mom series, brought to you on Thursdays…sometimes.
