Here’s how I was able to read 51 books when just 2 years ago I could barely finish even one.
The TL;DR: listen to Audiobooks on Libby (100% free) and get a dedicated pocket-sized e-ink e-reader.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Audiobooks on Libby (100% free)Why I LOVE audiobooksWhy LibbyIs Libby actually free?What titles does Libby have?Why Libby over other apps (cough Audible)What devices can I use Libby on?What countries does Libby work in?Libby’s downsidesPart 1.1 What to do when there’s no audiobook Best programs for text to speech What about using disability tools…Part 2: The dedicated e-reader with audioMy dedicated e-reader of choice: the Hisense A9Other e-readers with AudioReferences
Part 1: Audiobooks on Libby (100% free)
Why I LOVE audiobooks
Why Audiobooks vs books
Finding the opportunity to read can be a challenge. Audiobooks are, a convenient alternative to old-fashioned reading. You can listen to the latest bestseller while commuting, cleaning up the house, exercising, drawing, or walking the dog.
Does listening to audiobooks really count as reading?
Why Libby
Libby is a free app where you can borrow ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines from your public library. You can stream titles with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere. All you need to get started is a library card.
Is Libby actually free?
Yes! The Libby app is free to install, and all the digital content from your library is free to borrow with a valid library card. There are no subscription costs, no in-app purchases, and no late fees (digital titles are automatically returned on their due dates).
What titles does Libby have?
Your library chooses which digital titles they'd like to provide in Libby. They also set lending policies, like how long you can borrow titles and how many you can borrow at a time.
Libby is only for digital titles. It doesn't include any physical materials from your library.
Why Libby over other apps (cough Audible)
- Free
- Easy to use books on demand
- Supports your local library
Though if you have money to burn, get both. Use Libby for anything in your library catalogue, and audible for what you can't borrow.
What devices can I use Libby on?
Libby automatically syncs your book and audiobook positions across your devices.
Use Libby as:
- Mobile app on iOS, Android, Fire (Kindle/Amazon)
- Browser at libbyapp.com on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, etc…
What countries does Libby work in?
Libby works in over 75 countries with over 43,000+ libraries. See this infographic from Libby’s parent company, OverDrive below.
Libby’s downsides
It is the library, so you might have to be put on a waitlist for a popular book. I’ve seen waitlist times ranging from 1 day to 14 weeks.
If you’re extremely impatient and have a one track mind (Ex. “I want to read this popular book, and I want it now” then buying audiobooks via audible might be the right way to go).
Part 1.1 What to do when there’s no audiobook
Your two-step solution for Textbooks, assigned reading, etc..
First, Get an ebook of it from a dedicated website. TXT, EPUB, MOBI, AZW, and PDF.
Then, use a text to speech app
Best programs for text to speech
App name | Description | OS | Price |
Microsoft Edge’s built in reader | ..OR a chrome/Firefox browser extension | Windows | Free |
Voice Dream Reader | Voice Dream Reader lets you listen to PDFs, Web pages, and books using text-to-speech. | iOS (iPhone and Mac) | $30 USD |
All-in-one ebook documents management and better designed book reader with powerful controls & full functions | Android | $8 USD |
What about using disability tools…
like text-to-speech which is built into my phone?
Look at you, smarty pants! Thinking outside the box.
My cheap ass tested this again and again with my iPhone 10, but alas there are great limitations to built-in screen readers, the biggest one being that there is no auto scrolling so you always have to keep your phone screen on and manually scroll to the next page of books when reading. This takes away from the biggest upside of text to speech - that it’s hands free - so I really do recommend investing in a paid app for you to listen to in the background.
Part 2: The dedicated e-reader with audio
I wanted to read e-books but I found that reading on my phone or my iPad was way to distracting. It was too easy for me to leave the app and swipe to an app like YouTube or a game like Hatsune Miku Colorful Stage. That was until I found…
My dedicated e-reader of choice: the Hisense A9
The Hisense A9 is designed to be a reading device that can also be used like a smartphone. It has an e-ink screen which is great for combating eye strain, and can be used in bright sunlight or at night with its backlight settings. You can access the internet, download apps, and listen to music or audiobooks. This product has a high battery life that will last you a whole week as opposed to 1-2 days with a regular smartphone.
You can think of it as and Android phone but with an e-ink screen.
- Pocket sized so its really easy to carry around with you, just like a phone
- No restrictions with file type, unlike with a Kindle
- Speaker built in, has an audio jack, and bluetooth for wireless headphones
- Download any apps compatible with Android
- Music, news, notes, calendar, messaging, to-do lists etc
Other e-readers with Audio
- Kindle Paperwhite (recent gen)
- Kobo Libra