50 Books Challenge 2023 Part Four

[Southeastdweller]

Welcome to the fourth thread of the 50 Books Challenge for this year.

The challenge is to read fifty books (or more!) in 2023, though reading fifty isn't mandatory. Any type of book can count, it’s not too late to join, and please try to let us all know your thoughts on what you've read.

The first thread of the year is here, the second one here and the third one here.

What are you reading?

Some kindle books now just have the audible narration included so it’s just telling you that you’ve got the audible as well as the kindle version.

Thanks Chessie, I had no idea that was a thing!

@ChannelLightVessel I read Hag-Seed rather than listening to it on audio but I thought it was one of the best I've read of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. It's quite imaginative and explores the work more than the others (rather than just trying to retell it) in a different setting. I've also read Anne Tyler's Vinegar Girl (The Taming of the Shrew) which I enjoyed though I didn't think it was her best work, and Tracy Chevalier's New Boy, which I was a bit disappointed by. I might have read another one but not sure which, and I have at least 3 TBR. I might have borrowed Jo Nesbo's take on Macbeth (title is the same) as a library ebook and I notice that my local branch has a paper copy too.

Oh, and I bought something a bit embarrassing which isn't listed as a Daily Deal but is on offer at 99p, a memoir by Stormy Daniels.

The audible included thing doesn't work for me - they don't show in my Audible library so I don't get it.

Oh I've just clocked it @nowanearlyNicemum - at checkout it asks for your email or number to deliver to your device

And nope that hasn't gone through either. Baffled.

That’s odd Eine - they just automatically appear in my audible library. It’s a bit annoying actually as sometimes I don’t want the audible version!

@ChessieFL

I've just had a conversation with someone from customer support who got very snarky indeed with their assurances that no Audibles come free with the book and I'm making it up - I'm pursuing it with my screenshots

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit let me know how it goes I'm in exactly the same situation. It's not showing up on my audible either. Maybe it only works if you have a recent kindle that you can also listen to audio books on. Mine is not one of those!
Or if you use the same device for both platforms if that makes sense...

@elkiedee I’ve read Vinegar Boy also, and agree with your assessment. I have The Gap of Time, the Jeanette Winterson one based on Winter’s Tale on my TBR pile (subpile: books read and passed on by DM).

I’ve started using my library’s Borrowbox. It doesn’t have a great selection but does have Vinegar Girl and Hag-seed so I’ll give them a try once I’ve finished Lincoln in the Bardo.

@nowanearlyNicemum

Response received

Generic and massively unhelpful

@TattiePants Have you checked whether your local library service only uses Borrowbox or if they use Libby as well for ebooks and/or eaudio? I ask because my local library service actually has a much bigger selection of books on Libby but Borrowbox still seems to be a secret at the moment. Some books are available on both platforms (they are separate copies as I think packages are sold by different firms at the moment. This means that there are a few books available on Borrowbox which still/already have a huge queue on Libby. Though some Libby queues aren't as long as will be suggested. I think there are lots of people like me who place reservations and think oh, I'm busy reading other books now so I'll reschedule and see if someone else wants to read it. Which is quite nice, better than going to the back of the queue if you miss a paper copy reservation.

@elkiedee it would be great if we had Libby too but unfortunately it’s just Borrowbox here. There are lots of titles like ‘Welcome to Weaver Street’ and ‘A school mistress at war’ which definitely aren’t my thing! There does seem to be a better choice in their ebooks but I really wanted it got audiobooks for when I go out walking.

My dad's definitely getting audible books included for free sometimes with his kindle purchases - as well as the offer to add on for £1.99 or so. Sadly I don't see them in the family library, which is a shame since I listen to audiobooks & he doesn't!
Mind you, I've also had a random back & forth with audible after they took payment twice for my annual subscription, & in the course of them not understanding, they ended up giving me 2 lots of 12 credits, and didn't remove them when they refunded me. I figured given I'd explained twice about the credits, I was going to stop complaining & just use them if they don't disappear.

I did get an audible download with a recent book but it was from Kindle Unlimited so assumed it was just because of that. I wish they had better linkage between the main Amazon site and audible. I'd love to easily see when books in my Amazon wish list are on offer as an audiobook, or are included in the Plus catalogue.

A number of library services will allow anyone a card even if they don't live anywhere nearby, for online loans, so you could sign up for one which uses Libby and has a bigger selection. Others allow registration if you work/study.

How would I do this.sorry you've explained what to do.briloiantly but I've no idea where to begin to do this or how?so my brains just gone puffff can't do it!

Anyone a jilly Cooper fan? Her rivals is coming to screen and cast just been announced. DavidTennant, Adrian Turner, Danny dyer
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/rivals-cast-disney-jilly-cooper-819603

I loved Rivals. Shouldn't Rupert be blonde though? And I always thought Tony was fat (not David Tennanty at all) although it is a long time since I've read it!

Ooh I like Alex Hassell! But they should have gone with James Norton. And Aidan Turner is how I picture Bas Baddingham, not Declan…in fact Alex Hassell would make a good Declan!

I've never read a Jilly Cooper

I am DNFing My Year Of Rest And Relaxation totally the wrong headspace for me at the mo and I doubt I'll ever be keen to go back.

You're very welcome to message me offthread for further explanation. I've just gone on to council websites for neighbouring areas and then my home city etc, looked at the libraries page and what services they offer on digital, whether they restrict services to local residents or not. Then if they offer lots of books through Libby and they don't say you have to live there.... I give my real home address. It's easier to use Overdrive/Libby in more than one area than it is Borrowbox, as it's actually set up so you can "manage" multiple accounts on the same device (I use my mobile phone).

thankyou thankyou for the step by step. i can see it clearly now( sorry my brain works in mysterious ways sometimes!)
ive saved that message so i can refer back.