Many ask what we should expect of the thriving and interesting market of Audio Books. Audio books have been here for over 20 years and they have become very popular in the last few years but yet I claim that the audio books revolution has only just begun.

Find out the hot trends in the audio books market:

1. Less audio books on CD and cassettes and more downloadable audio books – MP3 audio books and other formats of digital audio books will become cheaper and more reachable, While audio books on CD and books on tape are much less convenient and user friendly. The amount of podcast listeners who download audio books from the internet to listen on their mobile devices such as iPod will rise significantly.

2. Audio book rental services are becoming the most common method of listening to audio books – Similar to the DVD market, a lot of the audio book listeners will prefer renting audio books instead of buying them. This trend will become more strong for downloadable audio books but also true for audio books on CD and books on tape.

3. Free audio books – More online audio book services are offering low cost and free audio books by free trials and special sales and this trend will increase.

4. Audio books has definitely invaded Europe – While the audio book market in the United kingdom is continuing to develop. It had reached a turnover of 180$ million in 2006 and is growing just as fast today. The market in Germany is also constantly rising and had already reached a turnover of 150$ million in 2006. The audio book market in the whole continent of Europe is expected to rise about 20% yearly.

Sony has also recognized the booming market of digital audio books and has in the recent years been the leader in the production of audio book readers, the portable audio book mobile player. These products simply allow the readers of audiobooks to store and listen to digital audio books. Audio book readers like audio books themselves have gained almost similar popularity as the "iPod".

Audio books will become a part of everyone,s life in the not too distant future. Come on and join the audio book revolution today. You are very likely to enjoy the fun and convenience of reading an audio-book.