How can I get this book quickly?

[Juli, Moderator]

Hi guys,

I frequently (read ALL THE DARN TIME) find myself wanting to read a book right that instance or at the very least ASAP. I usually check my go-to resources but often run out of ideas where else to look. So, I thought it might be nice to compile a comprehensive list here.

I personally have used

my local library (to get physical copies and Kindle copies)
Overdrive (actually linked to my library account)
Hoopla (actually linked to my library account)
Powell's (mostly to purchase used copies)
Amazon (mostly to preorder books, and Prime to get free books)
Project Gutenberg (for free copies of classics)


Please feel free to add other resources in the comments. I don't have an audible subscription for example, but I have a few book club subscriptions.

[Elyse, Moderator]

Book Outlet Used books
Thrift Books Used books
Alibris Used books
Better World Books Used books
Book of the Month Physical book subscription
Librivox Audiobook app for free audiobooks read by the masses, compiled together (I've downloaded it but have never actually used it)
Audiofile SYNC Program Every summer they have 2 free audiobooks per week for 14 weeks to download to Overdrive and keep forever!
Scribd Audiobook app subscription like Audible (I've downloaded it but have never actually used it)
Audible Audiobook app subscription

I don't do any of the book crate subscriptions but there are TONS, for every genre!

How about ARCs too? If we're in a book-sharing mood ;)
NetGalley e-books
Bookish First mostly physical but sometimes e-books
Edelweiss I don't use this one but know lots who do

[Connie]

thanks for the list of book outlets!

[Carol]

Juli wrote: "Hi guys,

I frequently (read ALL THE DARN TIME) find myself wanting to read a book right that instance or at the very least ASAP. I usually check my go-to resources but often run out of ideas where..."

A great list of resources! I wanted to ask you Juli, do you have any suggestions of where to find German/American books in America? I thought I would try to bone up on my German and maybe read a not so difficult book. Any ideas?

[Shelby]

I basically use Overdrive and Scribd for ebooks and audio if I want something quick. Scribd especially, because I don't have to wait for books to be available (Although there is a limit on how much credit you use per month. Usually I find I can listen to 2 audiobooks a month and I've never hit a limit for ebooks so far, though I've heard there is one.

If it's not on either of those, I either go to my library, usually from the catalogue or special request. Or I'll go to Thriftbooks.com, BookDepository, Chapters, or Ebay.

If I'm looking more specifically for audio or ebook, I'll check Kobo or Apple Books. Apple Books tends to get most of the Audible exclusives I can't find anywhere else.

[Juli, Moderator]

Carol wrote: "Juli wrote: "Hi guys,

I frequently (read ALL THE DARN TIME) find myself wanting to read a book right that instance or at the very least ASAP. I usually check my go-to resources but often run out o..."

Ugh!!!!! This is one of my major problems! I rarely find German books in the US. Honestly, the most I find are at used bookstores that specialize in really old books or at university library sales (which rarely happen). I also looked into ordering some through Amazon (but have not pulled the trigger). I have found a few books I could order that way. I will try to investigate more and post here if I find out anything!


Edit: I just remembered, I think the Gutenberg Project has some classics in German. I will also ask my sister, who still lives in Germany if she can recommend any online resources. She is basically my major German resource in buying me books and sending them here ;)

[Juli, Moderator]

Shelby wrote: "I basically use Overdrive and Scribd for ebooks and audio if I want something quick. Scribd especially, because I don't have to wait for books to be available (Although there is a limit on how much..."

Great suggestions! Thank you!

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "Book Outlet my physical book site weakness
Thrift Books for older physical books
Alibris for older physical books
Librivox Audiobook app for free audiobooks read by the masses, compiled together (I..."

Thanks, Elyse! I knew you have a lot of resources!

[Elyse, Moderator]

I found this website for foreign books. Hope it helps!
https://www.thoughtco.com/german-book...

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "I found this website for foreign books. Hope it helps!
https://www.thoughtco.com/german-book..."

Dude, you're so on point, I can't even!

[Carol]

Juli wrote: "Ugh!!!!! This is one of my major problems! I rarely find German books in the US. Honestly, the most I find are at used bookstores that specialize in really old books or at university library sales (which rarely happen). I also looked into ordering some through Amazon (but have not pulled the trigger). I have found a few books I could order that way. I will try to investigate more and post here if I find out anything!"

Thanks, Juli!

[Carol]

Elyse wrote: "I found this website for foreign books. Hope it helps!
https://www.thoughtco.com/german-book..."

Great list, Elyse! Thanks. Am investigating now!

[Juli, Moderator]

Joanne wrote: "I use this one on and off. You can set what you are looking for etc.

https://landers.bookbub.com/covers_du......"

Nice!

[Juli, Moderator]

Joanne wrote: "Juli wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I use this one on and off. You can set what you are looking for etc.

https://landers.bookbub.com/covers_du......"

Thanks!

[Elyse, Moderator]

Joanne wrote: "I use this one on and off. You can set what you are looking for etc.

https://landers.bookbub.com/covers_du......"

Book Bub is definitely a big problem for me. lol! Those daily emails are so good and so bad! How I've gotten 95% of my free e-books!

[Elyse, Moderator]

One of my local libraries now uses Hoopla and I'm so excited!! I need more reading time. lol

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "One of my local libraries now uses Hoopla and I'm so excited!! I need more reading time. lol"

Mine does too and I have been trying to take advantage of this!

[Elyse, Moderator]

Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "One of my local libraries now uses Hoopla and I'm so excited!! I need more reading time. lol"

Mine does too and I have been trying to take advantage of this!"

Do you have the library extension for Google Chrome? AMAZING!!!! I made shelves for my libraries and Overdrive and now Hoopla so I can better categorize my Want to Read books and so I don't buy them if I can get them somewhere for free! Even though sometimes I still buy them. lol. Accidentally or because I don't really like the format that I can borrow.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/de...

[Elyse, Moderator]

I stole (not really) my niece's library card and it works with Hoopla from their town's library because it turns out the Google Chrome library extension was only going by what was available on Hoopla, not that it was affiliated with my local libraries. I'm in! Woot! 3 titles a month allowed. Good, I can't go crazy with it. lol

[Juli, Moderator]

Elyse wrote: "I stole (not really) my niece's library card and it works with Hoopla from their town's library because it turns out the Google Chrome library extension was only going by what was available on Hoop..."

Oh nice solution!

[Elyse, Moderator]

Better World Books Used physical books

Audiofile SYNC Program Every summer they have 2 free audiobooks per week for 14 weeks to download to Overdrive and keep forever! Right now it's week 8!

[Juli, Moderator]

Found this nice little summary of free resources.

[Sarah]

I found this place called Open Library on another group - someone was talking bout it. You can read books free over there. I did look around on the site and it's lots of mystery, sci-fi, etc. Mostly older books. Lots of popular authors. I have not used it yet.

[Andrea, Moderator]

When I read a lot of classics I used Project Guttenberg a lot.