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Sharing/lending/library borrowing for Kindle/Nook?

Created by DrinkBourbon on July 30, 2012, 1:01 a.m.
  • After carting the 11/22/63 hardcover to work and back on my bike for two weeks, I think maybe I should look into getting an e-reader. Problem is, almost all of the stuff I read is borrowed from my public library and/or family and friends. My finances just don't allow me to buy books like I would like to, and if I get a digital device for reading, that won't change. If I spend $100 on a Kindle/Nook/whatever, I don't want to find out the hard way that I need to spend $20+ bucks a month on content for it.

    So, how does sharing/lending between friends work on these devices, and are you able to "check out" a book like I am able to from the library? I'll always pay for books when I can, but if I don't have access to a decent selection of digital options (legit ones, mind you...not looking for pirated books) to supplant the analog ones I get from my library, then perhaps one of these devices just aren't for me.

    What say you?

    P.S. 11/22/63 was pretty good.

  • Check with your local library, but many are embracing ebooks now. As far as lending books from Amazon, it's up to the publisher on whether or not a book is lendable, and it seems like fewer books are on the platform with "lendability". You should definitely check with your library though, I would be really shocked if they weren't subscribed to an ebook lending service.

    Also, yes, 11/23/63 was pretty great. The tie-ins to The Dark Tower were a nice touch too. Susan Delgado, Susannah Dean, Sadie Dunhill... come come commala.

  • @DrinkBourbon said:

    After carting the 11/22/63 hardcover to work and back on my bike for two weeks, I think maybe I should look into getting an e-reader. Problem is, almost all of the stuff I read is borrowed from my public library and/or family and friends. My finances just don't allow me to buy books like I would like to, and if I get a digital device for reading, that won't change. If I spend $100 on a Kindle/Nook/whatever, I don't want to find out the hard way that I need to spend $20+ bucks a month on content for it.

    So, how does sharing/lending between friends work on these devices, and are you able to "check out" a book like I am able to from the library? I'll always pay for books when I can, but if I don't have access to a decent selection of digital options (legit ones, mind you...not looking for pirated books) to supplant the analog ones I get from my library, then perhaps one of these devices just aren't for me.

    What say you?

    P.S. 11/22/63 was pretty good.

    The San Francisco public library let's you check out Kindle books now, but there's typically a pretty good wait. The lend books to your fiend feature is determined on a publisher by publisher has, and isn't used much, at least on books I've read in the last few years.

  • I live in the middle of nowhere, and my local library supports ebook lending in some form. I can't speak to non-US locations, but the odds seem good that your library will support lending. Also, Amazon Prime lets you read a free book a month, I think.

    Note also that you can fill your Kindle with public domain stuff, and if you like classic books that stuff can seriously entertain you until the end of time.


  • Amazon has tons of free books. Yes, many are garbage but if you read a couple of pages and it doesn't do it for you - delete and move on. No biggie. I've found getting books through my library an unpleasant experience but that's just me.