Does Family Library Kindle Include Audiobooks?

I’m a huge audiobook fan, and I was thrilled when I discovered the family library Kindle feature. It’s a game-changer for households with multiple readers or listeners. The family library does include audiobooks, but the experience isn’t as straightforward as with ebooks. For starters, only purchased audiobooks are shareable—subscription titles like those from Audible Plus or Kindle Unlimited won’t work. I learned this the hard way when I tried to share 'Born a Crime' with my sister, only to find out it was a borrowed title.

Another quirk is that shared audiobooks require the Audible app. They don’t show up in the Kindle library, which can be confusing if you’re used to having everything in one place. But when it works, it’s fantastic. My husband and I share 'The Lord of the Rings' audiobooks, and it’s been a great way to enjoy the story together during road trips. Just keep in mind that not all publishers allow sharing, so always double-check before buying if sharing is important to you.

As someone who juggles reading and listening to books, I’ve dug deep into how the family library kindle handles audiobooks. The short answer is yes, but with caveats. The family library does support audiobooks, but only those purchased directly from Amazon or Audible. Borrowed audiobooks from Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading aren’t eligible for sharing. I tested this with my wife’s account, and while she could access my copy of 'Project Hail Mary,' she couldn’t listen to 'The Martian' because it was a borrowed title.

Another thing to note is that shared audiobooks don’t appear in the Kindle app. The recipient needs the Audible app, which can be a hassle if they’re used to everything being in one place. Also, some publishers opt out of family sharing altogether, so even if you buy an audiobook, it might not be shareable. I ran into this with 'Dune'—great book, but no sharing allowed.

On the bright side, when it works, it’s seamless. My kids love listening to 'Percy Jackson' on their own devices, and it saves me from buying multiple copies. Just don’t expect every audiobook to be shareable, and always check the fine print before purchasing if sharing is a priority for you.

I’ve been using my family library Kindle for years, and I love how it lets me share books with my siblings. But when it comes to audiobooks, it’s a bit hit or miss. The family library does include some audiobooks, but not all of them. It depends on the publisher’s restrictions. For example, I could share 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone' audiobook with my brother, but 'The Sandman' audiobook wasn’t shareable. If you’re into audiobooks, it’s worth checking the details on each title before assuming it’s shareable. The feature is great for ebooks, but audiobooks are a bit more limited.

Also, remember that even if an audiobook is shareable, the recipient needs the Audible app to listen. It’s not as seamless as sharing ebooks, where everything happens within the Kindle ecosystem. Still, when it works, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy stories together without buying multiple copies.