<bi-shortcode id="disclaimer" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="insiderpicks"> </bi-shortcode><p><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/60900554f22c6b00185db34d-1667/Libby App Review 4x3.png" border="0" alt="Libby App Review 4x3" data-mce-source="Libby; Alyssa Powell/Insider"></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>Like many people, I spent a lot of the past year reading and listening to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-audible-books" target="_blank" rel="noopener">audiobooks</a> (and, yes, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/masterclass-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MasterClasses</a> as their own <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/margaret-atwood-masterclass-course-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">de facto podcasts</a>). Especially with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-audiobook-apps-subscriptions-audible-libby-scribd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">audiobooks</a>, I feel like I'm getting away with something every time I turn activities I love to do (like laying in the park or taking a long bike ride) <strong>and activities I <em>have</em> to do (folding laundry, doing the dishes) into infinitely more enjoyable versions of themselves. </strong>Plus, I still feel like I'm growingand escaping the daily grindwithout needing to sit still or pay as much attention.</p><p>Recently, I've been using <a href="https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Libby</a>, a free app that lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library, to plan out my next 10 reads. If you're an avid reader, it can help you save some extra money for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/safe-vacation-tips-for-2021#book-a-trip-to-a-domestic-drivable-destination-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a vacation</a> or other <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/student-loan-payments-deferred-start-investing-robo-adviser-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">worthwhile investment</a>. </p><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="medium" data-pid="608c6d23a324790011589a14" data-purchase-option="">App for e-books and audiobooks (medium)</bi-shortcode><p>For example, the last time I bought books, I spent $50 on three paperbacks. <strong>I still <a href="https://bookshop.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buy books from local bookstores</a>, but <a href="https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Libby</a> has spared me storage space and money on titles I don't feel passionate about owning physical copies of.</strong> I'm saving a decent amount just by borrowing library books on my phone, and the experience has barely changed from reading app memberships I've paid for. </p><p>Read on to learn more about the Libby app, including my personal review and some answers to frequently asked questions.</p><h2><strong>What is Libby' </strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"><strong>Libby</strong></a><strong> is a free app that lets you connect to your local library and borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free. </strong>All you need is a library card, which you can potentially sign up for in the app, depending on the library.</p><h2><strong>How do you use Libby' </strong></h2><p>Simply download the app on your phone, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-ebook-readers-kindles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kindle,</a> or another digital device. Follow the prompts to enter your library card information or apply for one through Libby.</p><p>Once you're all signed up, you'll be able to<strong> search for titles at your local library, place holds on them, or hop on waiting lists.</strong></p><p><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/608c686b34af8d001859a5f7-2400/Libby app and audio book.png" border="0" alt="Libby app and Factfulness audio book" style="color: #000000;" data-mce-source="OverDrive"></p><h2><strong>Which books are on Libby' </strong></h2><p>You'll find recent releases that are at the top of the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NYT bestseller list</a> such as "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250178606/ref=as_li_tl'ie=UTF8&tag=biip_043021_free-audiobooks-libby-app-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1250178606&linkId=29da62e57f2da52a083f740ae53596ce" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">The Four Winds</a>" by Kristin Hannah and other cult favorites like "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735211299/ref=as_li_tl'ie=UTF8&tag=biip_043021_free-audiobooks-libby-app-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0735211299&linkId=e81791a38547658a3b39cbe5315a5f72" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Atomic Habits.</a>" And, of course, there are plenty of classics.</p><h2><strong>How does Libby compare to other reading apps'</strong></h2><p><strong>Pros: </strong>I've found Libby's book selection to be great in both quality and quantity. You can also do most of the things other apps offer, like downloading for offline reading, changing playback speed, adding bookmarks, putting on a sleep timer, and syncing with other devices so you don't lose your spot<strong>all completely for free.</strong></p><p><strong>I also loved that you can place up to 10 book reservations at a time. </strong>It pretty much guarantees that you'll always have one ready to read.</p><p>Lastly, Libby lets you borrow books for 21 days and even request extensions if you run out of time.</p><p><strong>Cons: </strong>If you're someone who loves new releases, <strong>the wait for highly popular books can be a few weeks. </strong></p><p>To get your hands on the latest Kristin Hannah book ASAP, you can get ebooks and audiobooks through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/audible/mlp/membership/plus'ref_=assoc_tag_ph_1524216631897&_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=pf4&tag=biip_043021_free-audiobooks-libby-app-20&linkId=937d2befc36a77058976dd2439e7457d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Audible</a> and <a href="https://go.skimresources.com'id=35871X943606&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Scribd</a> for less money than a hard copy. (<strong>Of the paid options, I <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scribd-reading-app-one-million-subscribers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recommend looking at Scribd first</a> thanks to its breadth of options and affordability</strong>). The main difference is that neither option requires you to put a hold on books. And while Scribd is a paid membership, you'll <a href="https://help.audible.com.au/s/article/will-my-audiobooks-disappear-after-i-ve-listened-to-them#:~:text=Answer&text=No%2C%20not%20at%20all!,be%20downloaded%20across%20multiple%20devices." target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">always own your Audible titles once you've purchased them</a>.</p><p><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/608c6962f22c6b00185db138-1500/libby-app-audiobooks.png" border="0" alt="libby app audiobooks" data-mce-source="OverDrive"></p><p><em>"<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XNG5L99/ref=as_li_tl'ie=UTF8&tag=biip_043021_free-audiobooks-libby-app-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07XNG5L99&linkId=82f042ba53aa21d4e7844f64512b8cf6" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">The Vanishing Half</a>" was one of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-books-quarantine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the best books we read this year</a>.</em></p><h2><strong>How do you get a library card through Libby' </strong></h2><p>Libby works with public libraries that use OverDrive, which is reportedly <a href="https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">90% of all public libraries</a>. (You can <a href="https://www.overdrive.com/libraries" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">search for your library here by zip code</a> to see if it's included). Some libraries will let you get a library card directly through the Libby appmy Brooklyn library did, for instance,but some have different requirements. Either way, it should be simple. <strong>It took me two minutes to sign up for my library card through the app.</strong></p><h2><strong>The bottom line </strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Libby</a> is a lifehack. Even if you use it to supplement your reading elsewhere, <strong>it's one of the best services I've stumbled upon in recent years.</strong> The app is free and easy to use, with a broad and high-quality book selection. If you're looking for a cheap way to read any ebook or audiobookand an especially affordable way to read <em>many </em> this app is perfect for any book lover.</p><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="medium" data-pid="608c6d23a324790011589a14" data-purchase-option="">App for e-books and audiobooks (medium)</bi-shortcode><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/libby-app-review#comments">Join the conversation about this story »</a></p>
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