When I wrote last Tuesday about audiobooksonline and its audiobook rental program, I wondered aloud as to why this idea hadn't been done before. Turns out it has, as two GalleyCat readers were quick to point out. A couple of months ago, Val Sykes stumbled across a stateside-service, BooksFree, which provides the same service for audio books and paperbacks. "It seems like it might be a bit pricier, but still an interesting service nonetheless." Indeed it is, as the site offers an unlimited number of CD or MP3-CD audiobooks for a minimum of $24.99 per month.

Freelance writer and consultant Sarah Wernick mentions "Books on Tape (now owned by Random House) which was founded back in 1975 and "works in a similar way to Netflix" thanks to its partnership with Audible to allow for multiple downloads (with an occasional free audiobook thrown in for good measure.)