Borrow Bea's Kindle Books!

I have a large collection of Amazon Kindle books that can be loaned. One of the disadvantages of ebooks is that often they aren't lendable but there are some publishers and self-published authors who are savvy enough to make their books lendable. And really, borrowing someone's book, or sharing your book, is a great way to try a new author, series, or genre.

For years I've had a shelf at Goodreads labelled "Kindle books to lend" so I could loan friends a book. But I have hundreds and only a few have been borrowed so I decided to open it up to readers of the blog. Check out my shelf at Goodreads to see if there are any books you are interested in. I try to keep the list up-to-date and *try* to remember to remove a book once I've loaned it out. To borrow one of my books, message me at Goodreads or email me at beasbooknook@gmail.com. Put "Borrow Kindle Book" in the subject line.

If I lend you the book, (and as long as you are polite with your request, and the book is lendable, I will lend it), you will get an email from Amazon informing you of the loan. You have 7 days to accept the loan or lose it. The loan period is typically 14 days but is set by the publisher so it may vary. At the end of the loan period, the book disappears from your Kindle device or app and cannot be renewed. If you happen to make any notes or highlights and end up buying the book, Amazon says those will be in your purchased copy. 

ETA: On the 14th of September, I was able to successfully lend a book to Line in Norway. So, even if you don't live in the US, hit me up and let's give it a try!

Happy reading!

Squee! Kindles + Libraries = Awesomesauce

First, I love the expression "awesomesauce". I picked it up from the SmartBitches  and I love being able to use it. :D

Second, SQUEEE!!!!!  Amazon announced today that sometime later this year (which I really really hope doesn't mean end of the year) libraries that lend out ebooks via Overdrive will be able to do so on Kindles here in the US. At this point, it's just US only. I love my Kindle to bits but one of it's disadvantages has been my inability to check out library books on it. I have ADE on my laptop so I can check out library ebooks that way but reading on my Kindle is so much easier and convenient for me. According to the press release, Kindle lending will

be available for all generations of Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps....."We're doing a little something extra here," Marine continued. "Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we're extending our Whispersync technology so that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced."

With Kindle Library Lending, customers can take advantage of all of the unique features of Kindle and Kindle books...

I am so excited I can hardly stop squeeing. I love libraries, I love my Kindle, I am a happy happy book addict. :P

I have to say that I am delighted to see Amazon striving to add to the Kindle's benefits and make it ever more user friendly. First, they made some Kindle titles available for lending (even if they were slow to do it) and now library lending. Since the Nook and Kobo already have these features, it only makes sense that Kindle would jump in. Adding these features adds to the Kindle's appeal and usability. Now, they just need to allow buying books from other sites in a Kindle compatible format and the Kindle would be just about perfect.

Now, I'm sure there will be glitches and not every publisher participates in library ebook lending (McMillan, Simon & Schuster) but it's a start. So Kindle users, take advantage of this and ask your librarians if your library will be participating.

For more information, see this article on LibraryJournal.com.