I also carry ebooks to read when commuting by train or flying on business. Right now I'm reading The Metaphysical Club from Palm Digital Media using the Palm Reader program. It's pictured in Figure B.

FIGURE B

The Metaphysical Club is displayed here using Palm Reader

How can you listen to audio books on a Palm handheld?
I've recently started listening to MP3 audio books on my Palm handheld. The ability to listen to work related or entertainment material while driving or traveling on business provides a wonderful way to stay stimulated and educated.

There are a variety of ways that Palm handhelds can play MP3 material. Of course you can use a Palm handheld like the Sony Clie that has a built-in MP3 player. But, you don't need a Clie to listen to MP3 audio books. Add-on MP3 players are available for many Palm handhelds. These include the MiniJam MP3 Springboard Player (at http://www.handspring.com/products/sbmodules/minijamdetails.jhtml) for the Handspring Visors, the Porteson MP3 player for Palm m100 series (at http://www.pocketpyro.com), and the PyroPro MP3 player for Palm V series devices (at http://www.pocketpyro.com). Any of these will allow you to listen to MP3 audio books with your Palm handheld.

Where on the Internet can I get reading (and listening!) material for my Palm handheld?
There are a number of places to find reading and listening material on the Internet.

The Qvadis Library
The Qvadis Library (at http://www.qvadis.com/exlibris/library.html) claims to offer the Web's premier collection of free Palm ebooks, all in PalmDoc format. To quote their press release: "Titles range from classic and contemporary works, from Shakespeare's plays to Henry David Thoreau's "Walden," from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" to travel ebooks on major world cities for mobile business professionals."

Palm Digital Media
Palm Digital Media (at http://www.peanutpress.com) is the best (and cheapest) place I know of to find current bestsellers in ebook format. They have a considerable library of business and technology-oriented books. They also provide an electronic edition of the Wall Street Journal. All of their material is in Palm Reader format.

Fictionwise
Fictionwise (at http://www.Fictionwise.com) is a nice site for PalmDoc formatted books at very reasonable prices. Their selection is much more limited than Palm Digital Media, but if they have what you want, you'll find their prices to be very low.

Audio books
Finally, for audio books in MP3 format, both Blackstone Audiobooks (at http://www.blackstoneaudio.com) and Books On Tape (at http://www.booksontape.com) have good selections of fiction and non-fiction material on MP3 CDs. The MP3 material is much cheaper than the same book on tape or audio CD. The MP3 files can be easily transferred onto your Palm handheld's MP3 player and enjoyed at your leisure.

Conclusion
Most people overlook a key possible use of the Palm handheld: as a document reader. Give it a try; I think you'll like it!

Steve Niles is Senior Editor for ZATZ Publishing. He is also an independent filmmaker and freelance writer. For more information, visit http://www.sn-films.com.