You might've heard that a big weeklong boycott against Amazon and all its subsidiaries kicked off on March 7, organized by the same group -- People's Union USA -- behind the Feb. 28 "economic blackout" day. The prospect of this boycott can feel daunting given the many companies Amazon owns: Whole Foods, Ring, Twitch, IMDb, Zappos, and the list goes on. However, one of the more prominent companies in Amazon's portfolio is one I've done a lot of business with over the years, Audible, and if you're feeling a certain way about losing your audiobook fix, I've got a super cheap alternative you need to know about.
Audiobooks are an addiction I picked up straight out of college, with a newfound need to occupy my brain during commutes to work and lunch breaks. I was pushed to try them after being mightily embarrassed over my inability to make much progress in Lord of the Rings throughout my undergraduate education. With just a few months of an Audible membership, I had worked through that fantasy bible and was off onto new literary horizons.
Audiobooks aren't for everybody -- some people have told me they find it difficult to retain what they hear -- but if audiobooks are for you, you need to check out an app called Libby. It's easy to use and costs nothing, so I wouldn't blame you if you kept on with it even after the Amazon boycott wraps up!
For another way, you can dial back how much money you give Amazon; check out how going Prime Video-only can save you a bundle.
What is Libby?
Previously known as OverDrive, the Libby app lets you access digital publications from real library systems. While I might be here to evangelize about its audiobook offerings, you can also borrow ebooks, digital comic books and digital magazines.
All of that content won't cost you a dime, but while there might be such a thing as a free lunch, there probably isn't such a thing as a no-effort lunch. All that to say, Libby requires an actual library card to access anything, and while some systems will let you sign up for a card online, in most places, you will eventually have to go to your local library in person to get set up with a card. You'll need to make sure it stays up to date. A small price to pay, if you ask me, for a nearly unlimited supply of free books.
Read more: Best E-Reader of 2024
Where can I get Libby?
Libby is available through Apple's App Store and the Google Play store. It's also on the Amazon App Store, but if you're already boycotting them, that's probably not helpful information. If you've got a phone, tablet or laptop in your pocket or bag, you can get Libby. You can also access the service via a web browser at libbyapp.com.
So how does it work?
Once you've created a Libby account and entered your library card's info, all you have to do is search for the title you want and borrow it. If you've ever used Spotify, the Apple Music app or other audiobook apps like Audible or Apple Books, you'll know what to expect with the Libby player. Elsewhere, you can read ebooks in Libby or by exporting them to your Kindle app. (No such luck for non-Amazon e-readers, I'm afraid.)
One of Libby's major value propositions is the ability to add multiple library cards. Some library systems will allow you to sign up for a card even if you don't live in its local area. For example, as a resident of New York state, I can access the New York City Public Library in Manhattan, the Queens Public Library and the Brooklyn Public Library, as well as my local library, dramatically expanding the catalog I can pull from. Go digging on Google and see if any library systems in your state offer something similar.
Are there any drawbacks to Libby?
As Libby is connecting you with real libraries, you must work within the limitations of library rentals. That means that each title will have a limited number of "copies" that the library can lend at a time, so if the one you're looking for is all booked up, you'll have to place a hold and wait for it to become available. Once you borrow something, you'll only have access to it for a certain amount of time, usually two to three weeks. Maybe reconsider using Libby to check out Infinite Jest or Stephen King's The Stand unless you have a mountain of free time.
You'll also notice on Libby, compared to Audible or Apple Books, that the audio quality for audiobooks leaves something to be desired. And unlike Audible, there's no option to choose from higher- or lower-quality files. Certainly, not something that will be a deal-breaker for most people, but something to keep in mind for perfectionists.
For more on audiobooks, find out how audiobooks could become another medium shaken up by AI.
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