Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
Wheeling Around the World
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Baggage Claim (Pre Challenge Chat)
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Kelly (Maybedog)
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Oct 02, 2025 06:31AM
Storytel is available in a lot of countries. I recommend you check it out if you aren't in the US. It's unlimited audiobooks and matches closely to Hoopla I'm told.
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Definitely grateful to have the library I do. I live in the most populated county in my state (US), so our library options are pretty robust — more than 20 physical branch locations and most of the ebook and eaudiobooks you could want. The only time usually they don't have something I want is if it's indie. They have most traditionally published (at least the ones I'm looking for!).
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We call them street libraries (I think as it sounds like the same thing). Anyone can build one at their house and also lots of churches and sometimes councils also put them up in parks and things. They are like a big letter box with the top half where you can put books.( They are usually full!) and people colour and paint them so they look super cute as you drive around.
They are just that! Some of them are adorable, some of them are a bit more simple. There are a few in front of houses near me that look like castles or Tudor houses. There is one that is built from a huge tree stump. I love them. If my HOA allowed it, I would put one in front of my townhouse, but of course that would ruin the aesthetic of the property or some crap like that. HOAs are evil.
I wonder if they would let one be built by the common room and pool. Hmmm...
Vicki wrote: "Reading how limited some of you are in your country makes me realize how super blessed I am in California, USA. Sometimes I grumble when I can’t find a book on Libby, Hoopla, my local Library, or S..."Yeah, I definitely take advantage that all California residents can get a library card anywhere in the state. Since I travel around a bit, I have a couple of library accounts that are synced up with Libby. As long as it isn't the hot new release, I can usually get the book.
Street libraries have popped up in lots of places here in Canberra. There's a three drawer filing cabinet in one street near me, also an old fridge at a nearby suburban shopping centre. There's a small one close by on my way to the bus stop, too.During the Covid lockdowns when we were all allowed out for a walk every day, people would leave boxes of books out for exchanges.
I have a friend who said whenever she goes on holiday and stays somewhere for a week or two in Aus she joins the local library,
Jenny wrote: "They are just that! Some of them are adorable, some of them are a bit more simple. There are a few in front of houses near me that look like castles or Tudor houses. There is one that is built from..."That is what we have done in our building. Many of the families with children realised that they had tons of books that their kids had outgrown so the management committee installed a cupboard in the party hall for everybody to leave books they didn't want anymore which other people could borrow. That has grown to a collection of board games, sports equipment, etc, as well.
Jhmingos wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Reading how limited some of you are in your country makes me realize how super blessed I am in California, USA. Sometimes I grumble when I can’t find a book on Libby, Hoopla, my local..."Oh, that's great for you then! :)
Elisabeth wrote: "Street libraries have popped up in lots of places here in Canberra. There's a three drawer filing cabinet in one street near me, also an old fridge at a nearby suburban shopping centre. There's a s..."That's a really good idea! I thought that you had to live in the state at the very least where you get your card. I'm going to try that too.
Vicki wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "Street libraries have popped up in lots of places here in Canberra. There's a three drawer filing cabinet in one street near me, also an old fridge at a nearby suburban shopping c..."You might have to but she lived in the ACT and holidayed in NSW, or maybe QLD.
Vicki wrote: "That's a really good idea! I thought that you had to live in the state at the very least where you get your card. I'm going to try that too...."It depends on the library and the state! Some states charge a fee for a card in a city that you don't live in. Some have out of start cards but are very expensive. Some have a few for out of state, but it is half the rate, if you are over 50/55/60 (again depends on the library).
It worth checking it out!
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Another new term 🤭 I think HOA is like strata council here (when you live in units or a complex of duplexes/ houses?)
Sounds like it. The only caveat in regards to units is that the members own the property. They can have renters but it's the owners that belong. So only the owner of an entire apartment complex is a member, but in a building of condos, it's the unit owners who belong. I'm not sure what is meant by "corporation" in a strata council though.
Yes, "Home Owners Association" is just that. They even end up being in whole neighborhoods or new developments of houses. The upside is that the HOA fee I pay goes to exterior repairs/ improvements/ upkeep of the lawns, etc. The downside is that I can't paint my front door green if I want to, or put up a little library without permission from the board.
Jenny wrote: "Yes, "Home Owners Association" is just that. They even end up being in whole neighborhoods or new developments of houses. The upside is that the HOA fee I pay goes to exterior repairs/ improvement..."
I'm so surprised your HOA is so strict about a little free library. Those book boxes are usually so cute and charming.
