I recently discovered an app called “Libby” that connects you to your local library, and so far I really like it. You can place a hold on books (join waitlist), or borrow them for a certain amount of time. There are no late fees as they automatically take the book back from you once your allocated time is up, and everything is completely free, it’s also kindle compatible. What is your preferred way of reading/listening to books and what are some of your favorite features in the apps/tech you use?
I recently downloaded the Kindle app. I like it, my physical Kindle doesn’t. 😅
Though the Kindle menu in general is a bit clumsy at times and could do with a small makeover.
Libby and Hoopla are my free accounts through the library. Then I have kindle unlimited. But I also buy books when I really want to read something.
Whatever is free with my card(s): Libby, Hoopla and CloudLibrary
I also buy from Chirp sales and get books under $3.
Or free borrows for being an Amazon Prime member
The problem with Overdrive/Libby is they’re getting a stranglehold
Libby for audiobooks, graphic novels, and comics (all through my library)
Kindle for most books.
Blue Fire Reader for PDFs and other formats.
I bought an Amazon Fire 7 recently specifically for reading books through Libby and BorrowBox (I’m in the UK, so alas, no Libby available through my Kindle), but I’ve also got the Shonen Jump app on there for keeping up with some ongoing manga, and CDisplayEx for reading manga I’ve purchased.
I also try to get a free trial for Kindle Unlimited every year.
I mean the kindle app is insane to me, I have an apple phone and tablet, two windows pcs, and an android tablet. It keeps my books synced everywhere. I’m talking I close the laptop and take out the phone and it’s like do you want to go to page xyz? Yes, yes I do. I haven’t carried a book out of the house in years.
Libby is mine as well! I love that it’s free.
I do use Audible ocasionally when I don’t want to wait for a loan… usually I try to find a free trial or a reduced price 😅
For Kindle books, I also do Amazon if I don’t feel like waiting for the loan as well :)
Bundles of thinly-distributed bleached cellulose compound bound with high-adhesive epoxy between graphically illustrated printed flaps of thicker cellulose compound.
Have you tried bundles of thinly-distributed bleached cellulose compound bound with high-adhesive epoxy between graphically illustrated printed flaps of thicker cellulose compound 2.0 yet? It rocks.
I read actual books as well, but am finding that I like audio books a lot too!
My favorite is Hoopla.
Same concept as Libby, but there’s no waitlists. The app is easy to use and their audiobook collection is quite large. The only downside is my library’s limit on check-outs but since I only use it for my work commute it doesn’t bother me.
Hoopla occasionally has waitlists. Generally with very popular books (I’ve had.to place holds two times ghis year, both on the current “it” biography.) Those are the only ones though
I work my way around the limit by using hoopla to download long audio times (15+ hours) and box sets🤣
I can’t get Hoopla. Our library isn’t in the system yet. I did talk to the librarian about it though.
My library’s version of Hoopla doesn’t offer audiobooks. I’m so jealous every time I hear people talk about how great their selection is. I do use Hoopla for comics and manga though.
I wish more people knew about Hoopla. I’m too impatient about waiting to use Libby anymore, but having free audiobooks just on-demand has been amazing.
Hoopla’s graphic novel collection is HUGE. My local library could never.
Libby, Boundless, Cloud Library, Everand, Kindle Unlimited are some I use.
I use Libby and Hoopla through the same library. They tend to have different books. I just put a hold on a book on Libby that I will apparently be lucky to get hold of by this time next year.
Spotify suddenly has 15 hours of audiobook time included a month in their membership I pay for. I listen to books only in the car and I don’t commute daily so it’s perfect for me.
I use a Kobo. It’s DRM policy is much more ratoinal than Amazon’s. It also works with Overdrive (the app that sits “under” Libby) in Canadian libraries.
You have no idea how much I hate to corporate shill, but audible is pretty great.
I’ve never not been able to access a book I wanted to listen to in under a minute if I have internet access.
And having permanent (or at least until papa Amazon decides to do some tomfoolery or whatever) access to everything I’ve ever listened to whenever I want has been amazing to me. All downloaded on my phone (100s of gigs) and accessible all the time.
Just finished a book and don’t have a plan for the next book? Better listen to Rosamund Pike narrate the life of Elizabeth Bennet for the dozenth time on my walk home. Want to destress and calm down? Perdita Weeks is there to talk about lonely Circe on her island.
It’s just so incredibly convenient, always there, always exactly what I want, and never any waiting or loss of access or really, anything negative, except that it costs money and I’ve seen posts about some authors complaining about how Amazon treats them.