Audiobooks in Catalina

It's quite simple.... By importing the mp4(s) into the "Music" app (formerly iTunes)...you can access the "get info" function.

In that mode, you are able to modify the file with data, including title, cover art, sorting, author, etc.

Once that has been accomplished, you simply use the delete function in Music to move, the now modified file(s) to the Trash.

Open the Trash and do a simple file(s) highlight, and copy. Now, paste that file(s) onto the desktop, or anywhere you wish.

The now corrected file(s) is available to be imported into Books. Simple..really...

If your audiobooks are in mp3 format, you can still edit the metadata by importing them into the Music app instead of the Books app. If they are not in mp3 format, you can convert them with OpenAudible if you want to.

I've been converting a lot of my aax books into mp3 for a while, since my preferred listening app, Bookmobile, no longer deals well with the latest versions of aax. And I can still port my books over from Music into Bookmobile once they're synced to my phone, though it's a more painful process than it used to be.

Overall, though, Apple really screwed the pooch so far as audiobooks are concerned!

They took the ability away to change Metadata within books, my suggestion is within the books app Send feedback.

Within books drop down menu

Books - Provide feedback

And create a ticket with Apple support.

And looking for a replacement for three weeks now, Possibilities media monkey and JR river but still can't deal with DRM.

errr.... you don't need the trash to do any of that. Just work on the file wherever you usually store it, and then leave it there after you've edited the metadata.

You may have the option for "copy files to Music Media Folder when adding to library" function checked in your Music preferences, but in this case that's just adding to your work. I leave that option unchecked.

My current solution is I moved my entire media library over to my gaming PC and install iTunes, I was sinking my iPhone to my PC but this was causing problems for my business. So I transfer the media over the internal network to the iMac. The bigger picture is why should I have to do this.

Here's a workaround....

Add to iTunes library...open "get info"...make your changes.....send to trash....copy files from trash....add to books.

I wish I could help you, but I can only commiserate with you. I tried to revert back to Mojave, but was unsuccessful. I've also looked to see if there is a replacement app available to use for audiobooks, but no luck. Let me know if you figure out anything.

Would you elaborate your workaround? How do you:

copy files from trash....?

add to books?

and are all those metadata; Author, Title, Artwork, adjustable reading speed, etc restored?

It would be an elegant workaround if all work out. Thanks.

Thanks a million. It worked! The beauty of using Trash as a port to "Add to Library'' is you erase duplication and thus save storage space.

Now I have a new question: By default, the imported books/audiobooks are located in Container through a long path with a totally unrecognizable name. Can I store them exclusively in an external drive without duplication? The minute you do "Add to Library...", the books/audiobook is duplicated in the Container, with an unrecognizable name again.

Thanks for help!

Not sure.... Container files are generally sandboxed files, like those downloaded from the Apple Store. (to the best of my understanding) I would imagine that once the corrected file is copied, you can paste it anywhere.