I just saw on Audible.com that they now how unabridged versions of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. I have not purchased them previously because they were always abridged (and usually pretty short dramatized versions). The first part of the Hobbit movie comes out Dec 14 so they have movie tie in covers.
When I was looking at the Hobbit I saw a note on Audible that if you purchase the Kindle version, the Audible.com version was discounted. This is formated for Whispersync for Voice (synchronized versions that allow you to switch between Kindle and Audio without losing your place.) It is not marked that way on Amazon for the Kindle version. So I tested it out and even though it is not marked, you do get the discount.
Each Kindle version is $7.11-$8.32 and then the discounted audiobook is $6.99-$7.99. The normal price of the audiobooks are $20-26 if you are not buying them with a credit. So it is cheaper to buy the Kindle and Audible books together than to buy just the Audiobook. There used to be a full version of all three Lord of the Rings books for kindle, but it looks like it has been removed from the store. For those that do not want to sync with the audiobook there is a single volume Lord of the Rings with all three books for only $9.99 which is definitely the best price.
Make sure you buy the Kindle book first to insure you get the discount.
The Hobbit by JRR Tolien - $7.11 Kindle/$6.99 Audible
316 pages, 2026 of 2230 reviews are 4 or 5-star
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.
The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien – $8.22 Kindle/$7.49 Audible
570 pages, 1201 of 1362 reviews are 4 or 5-star
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.
The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien – $8.32 Kindle/$7.99 Audible
418 pages, 1201 of 1362 reviews are 4 or 5-star
Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in a battle in the Mines of Moria. And Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape, the rest of the company was attacked by Orcs. Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin—alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.
The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien – $8.32 Kindle/$7.99 Audible
622 pages, 291 of 310 reviews are 4 or 5-star
As the Shadow of Mordor grows across the land, the Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, has joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and takes part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escape into Fangorn Forest and there encounter the Ents. Gandalf has miraculously returned and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman. Sam has left his master for dead after a battle with the giant spider, Shelob; but Frodo is still alive—now in the foul hands of the Orcs. And all the while the armies of the Dark Lord are massing as the One Ring draws ever nearer to the Cracks of Doom.
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As always please check to make sure the books are still sale before you “buy” them. Prices can change quickly. This may be a one day offer (but I think it is a regular price). \If you do buy a book and realize later you have been charged the wrong price for it, here is a guide on how to return a kindle book.
I’m ecstatic that they’ve added the Inglis versions–I’ve heard them highly recommended, and very recently checked Audible again to find that they still weren’t available. Thanks for posting; I grabbed two via credits, The Hobbit with a paired Kindle+Audible purchase, and will wait for another credit for The Return of the King.
Incidentally, the single-volume Lord of the Rings is still–or perhaps again–available here–I picked it up a while ago for the wonderful $10 price. Sadly, it won’t Whispersync w/ three different audiobooks.
Thanks for the single volume. For those that don’t want the sync, that is definitely the best price.