Need iPod or MP3 advice

Sherry....have you looked at the Amazon Kindle. You can download up to 200 books (2000 with an SD card) and also download and play audiobooks.

It's the size of a paperback and weighs about the same.

Sherry, try looking at Creative Labs. They have a good selection of players (and other gadgets!) that play music, video and audio books. They're small, easy to use and costs a lot less than an Ipod.

P.S. I forgot to mention that you can download all formats of music with these players including Itunes.

Creative Labs MP3 Players

I often transfer audiobooks on CD to my iTunes (and then to the iPod). You could get CDs at the library or purchase them (I purchase mine because I listen to them in my car at other times). It's easy to import them to the iPod via iTunes. You can also easily download audiobooks from places online like Audible.com. If I use my iPod on the plane, I use the regular earphones and they are fine. I also have some Phillips noise-cancelling earphones that are great.

Sherry, I've never thought about adding E-books to my I-Pod, so can't offer much help there. I use my I-Pod Touch primarily for music, but have a few videos and movies loaded as well. Palm PDA's are able to store E-books and can also handle music on external SD cards (a third party music player such as AeroPlayer is better than the built in music player).

I know from experience that the normal I-Pod Headphones are not the best for air travel, as they don't block external noise too well. You might check www.headphone.com for some Noise Cancelling Ear Buds (Shure, Etymotic, etc.). These don't block the aircraft sound completely, but do reduce it considerably (that's the solution I use - also works well in Hostels when others in the room are snoring like a gorilla!).

For the ultimate solution (if you have the budget), have a look at the Bose full size noise cancelling Headphones (there are two models). These use an active noise reduction, which reduces a lot of the ambient noise. Check the Magellans catalogue also, as they have a very similar but much less expensive model.

Good luck!

I took my 80G iPod to Italy and loved it. I bought a "skin" case (shocking pink, so cute) that hooks onto a belt loop, makes the iPod both accessible and pickpocket-proof. I downloaded both RS free audio guides from iTunes and some I bought at audible.com. Believe me, really easy technology (if I can do it, you can). It's also easy to load books on CD from the library to your computer and then to the iPod (or other player).

mmm sorry I can't answer the audio book question, I use my iPod primarily for music and movies...

but I can recommend some nice headphones... I would NOT recommend the ones that come with the iPod, they hurt and I have small ear holes :)

Personally I thin the 'noise cancelling' specific headphones/ear buds are overrated, bulky and expensive...

I like the ear buds (the ones hat go in your ears).. I also look for kinds that have 3 different sized rubber buds for your personal fit.

If you want decent ones, you'll probably spend about $50, no more than $100 on a nice pair.

Good luck!

I have the Sennheiser CX300 ear buds ($60) take them everywhere with me - workouts, airplanes (works wonderfully on planes).. I have an iPod Touch (32GB). I've had them for about a year and never had a problem with them.

Sony makes some nice ear bud headphones ($50-$60)

Tina, my noise-cancelling earbuds are neither bulky nor expensive. They were $30 (cheaper than the Sony regular ones you mentioned) at Target and go in your ears like regular earbuds. And they work great, either with the iPod or with the plane's sound system when watching movies.

Nancy,

heee.. I guess I'm just particular when it comes to audio (music/movies) I want that good level of bass and quality sound.

But the original poster did mention main purpose for the headphonse is just for audio books, so maybe the quality/sound isn't that big of a deal?

The important thing with audiobooks is clarity. I find that I adjust my car speakers for more treble when listening to audiobooks, rather than more bass, like when I'm playing music. But again, there are noise-cancelling earbuds that provide excellent sound for either, and they are no different in bulk or price than regular ones, with the added benefit of the noise-cancelling feature, which you can use even when music/movies are off to block plane sounds while sleeping.