Disclaimer: I am just a fan of the service Overdrive provides. I am only suggesting it because I believe it’ll bring you value by allowing you to get audiobooks and eBooks for FREE.

Overdrive bringing Library Content to you

In order to improve oneself, it is crucial to have access to the knowledge that is necessary. An app that has recently been brought to my attention is Overdrive, which provides the online content of partnering libraries through their user-friendly app interface. The members of the partnering libraries can access the online database of audiobooks and eBooks by entering their library card information on Overdrive. Once you have a library connected to your Overdrive account, users can browse the available online content. The content depends on the library and what they pay to have available.

To Find Overdrive partnering library:

https://www.overdrive.com/libraries

How Overdrive works

Overdrive allows you to download the content (either eBook or audiobook) as a file onto your phone , computer, and/or tablet. The file will be accessible for 21 days, and will expire after the 21st day. However the file will still be on your devices, so don’t forget to delete them.

User Friendly Compatibility and Design

Overdrive is made to be incredibly user friendly by formatting eBook and audiobook files to be downloaded and used on the Overdrive app. However, Overdrive also gives the option of a Kindle-friendly format for eBooks. The interface of Overdrive does a great job of presenting only the necessary information needed when on any screen.However, navigating the app can sometimes get confusing as to where you are within the interface. However being aware of that possibility of getting confused by the interface helps solve the issue when one is confused. Simply put, you browse the library’s content and have a online shelf of loans, holds, and wishlist for each library attached to your Overdrive account, and you use Overdrive to access the media to listen or view it, after the files have been downloaded from the libraries online shelf.

My Impression

Overdrive is an app that anyone with access to a partnering library should have. There is no cost in ownership and it will allow a person to read for free. I have always enjoyed reading business, philosophy, and marketing books, but the cost to constantly having to purchase new ones or finding someone to borrow from has stopped me from delving more into the those subjects. Thanks to Overdrive, I went from occasionally forking the cash to read a book to not paying a dime and having too many to choose from. I hope for those that can get the app that they take advantage of it. If you have always wanted to read more this is a no-brainer. You’ll be shocked by how many books you can read. I have always thought audiobooks were cool for their convenience of use, but once I had a trove to pick from I found myself listening to books while walking my dog, running, and driving. It has allowed me to go from reading a book every month to 1-2 books a week. For those that will knock the idea of listening to books and suggest low retention of content, I know audiobooks aren’t for everyone and there are books that I find to complex, i.e. finance. However, I have found a note pad and repeating the occasional tough section helpful. Not to mention, the notepad stays with me and retains insights and thoughts from multiple books that I can reference if I ever please. Also, I am not going to dwell on the neuroscience behind it, but I promise that anyone listening to books will get better at it as your brain gets used to using more auditory-learning regions and those neural connections strengthen.

Thanks for reading and watching the video. If you know any other ways that you read or listen to books for free, I’d love to hear it.