Why This Hidden Gem is Book Lover's Best-Kept Secret
Hey Y'all!
Back in early 2023, I mentioned to a colleague that I'd been wanting to read more and dive into some history audiobooks, but Audibles wasn't doing it for me. She then introduced me to the Libby app and the rest is history!
You know that feeling when you stumble on something amazing and wonder, “Why didn’t I know about this sooner?” That was me the day I discovered Libby, a free app that lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks straight from your local public library.
Yup, you read that right!
Free. Books. On your phone or tablet.
No subscription fees. No late charges. No catches.
Just pure, straight-up reading (or listening) bliss.
What is LIBBY?
Libby is a free app developed by OverDrive that connects to your public library’s digital collection. Once you download it and link your library card, you instantly get access to thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, comics, graphic novels, and even magazines all at for free, y'all!
If you’ve tried Audible and wasn't digging the monthly fees, Libby will be the breath of fresh air your reading life needs. Though it's comparable to Audibles, you don't own the content, but are simply borrowing it like you would any book from a library.
Features I Adore
- the highlight and dictionary tool for eBooks: some terms and colloquialisms allude me. The dictionary feature allows you to conveniently highlight word(s) in question and retrieve the definition without having to open another tab or app to do so.
- the playback speed tool for audiobooks: sometimes narrators speak too fast (or too slow). This lets me adjust the listening speed.
Wanna listen to the latest bestsellers during your commute? Easy-peezy!
Curious about a new genre but not sure you’ll like it? Try it out risk-free!
Need a comfort read while doing the dishes or walking the dog?
Libby’s got you!!
My Love Affair With Books
Growing up, my mom read to me and my younger brother almost daily. Some of my fondest memories are of us spending hours at the library after school, rummaging through selections of Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark; my backpack filled with detective stories and science fiction novels.As a tween, I'd lounge in my favorite tree in the backyard, book in hand, avoiding my brother and our friends, captivated by the potential that My Teacher Could Be an Alien!
In high school I was a typical teenager, distracted more by the internet, boys and MTV than reading. And moving on into adulthood, though I collected books like girls do nail polish and makeup, my passion for reading was waning, becoming a distant memory, replaced with fulltime work, relationships, traveling, college, partying and eventually, adulting.
I never lost my love of reading, life was life-ing, and I couldn't find or make the time to get lost in it like before.
A Game-Changer For Me
In the span of 1 year, y'all, I've listened to over 110 audiobooks and read 11 actual novels! Like A Boss!

Pick a Genres, Any Genre!
- Fiction
- Mysteries
- Historical suspense
- Self-help
- Feminism and Empowerment
- American history (actual grisly, barbaric, hateful events not taught in public school)
- Poetry
- Memoirs
- Graphic novels
- Comics
- Children's books
Not Just for Bookworms
Even if you’re not a big reader, Libby has something for you:
- cookbooks
- magazines
- new releases
- BANNED books (my favorites)
- cultural and social justice reads
- young adult
- classics
- non-fiction
- biographies and so much more
NOTE:
📌Selections vary based on the libraries so you may find some titles have limited copies available at a given time. In those instances, put yourself on the waitlist, as each library has access to only a finite number of copies of certain books.
📌On occasion a title may be unavailable altogether.
My local libraries allow up to 15 ebooks/audiobooks to be checked out at a time for up to 21 days.
Check-out and hold limits vary depending on the regulations put into place by your local library.
📙📚📖
Ready to Fall in Love with Reading Again?
If you haven’t tried Libby yet, this is your sign to do something different for 2024.
Grab your library card (or sign up for one), download the app, and Voila, start exploring.
And no, I'm not affiliate marketing for Libby.
"The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it". Laurence Stern
Although Libby has been adopted by 90% of US libraries and 78 different countries, some libraries may use different apps for accessing their digital content.
If your library doesn't use Libby, ask if CloudLibrary is available as an alternative.
Happy Reading!!📕📗😎
EM
Libby App: Free ebooks & audiobooks from your library | by OverDrive



Good information. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to check with your local library to find which app is supported. Happy Reading!
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