Re: Any tips for keeping those library books and fines under control?

[Anonymous]

Do what I did- marry a librarian! OK, maybe not a practical solution for a lot of folks. My real solution is to switch almost totally to e-books. I bought a Nook Touch, which runs on Android underneath the B&N software. I rooted it (allows me to use the Android OS directly), and installed the Kindle app, plus some other handy stuff- I can still use the original software to read Nook versions, Kindle for Amazon stuff, etc. Don’t think this can be done with a Kindle, and the Nook can use a MicroSD card for more memory. I use a program called Calibre to organize and manage my e-books (I have just over 4,300, sadly I’ve read most of them)- Calibre also allows you to convert books from one format to another, such as PDF to Kindle (although PDF’s are kind of funky). Also, Amazon (maybe others) allows you to “loan” certain e-books to another person for 2 weeks, have shared a lot of good books this way.

Anyway, there are tons of free e-books out there which are new and interesting, and many libraries are starting to loan them. Which means that when your due date comes up, and you haven’t renewed it, you just can’t read it anymore. Works kind of the same way as physical books, but without the driving. Look around for a regional/large library system near you, most allow non-residents to join for a nominal fee. We joined the NY Public Library, only bad part about them is that to use their e-books, you have to apply for and pick up your card IN NYC. After that, you can just use their website to check out e-books. My son reads a lot of series books, a nearby multi-county system has most of the “in-demand” books in several e-book formats.

Another source is ereaderlove.com – she combs through Amazon and lists books which are free for a limited time. Usually anywhere from 30-100 a day on her list. Lots of different categories, including kids’ books and non-fiction. Worth it to spend 2 minutes scrolling through the list and it’s easy to get them once you have an Amazon account- the books are automatically delivered to my nook.

The nook is tiny, the battery lasts a long, long time, and I like reading on the black and white screen. My wife has a tablet, which is great for certain things, but I have to read on a backlit screen all day, one of the reasons I need glasses. The nook is small enough that I can hold it with one hand and read, only beef I have with it is that the side buttons (to turn the page) only work on Nook books, so you have to tap the side of the screen to change pages in Kindle books.

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