I have had a big list of books on my holds from my on line library but I swear the wait gets longer and longer. It’s a little disappointing. They just added movies that can be streamed via the library so I think the money pot has be redivided and audio books lost out. I am so bummed. Some of the books I am on a waiting list for and I am the the 16th person in line to get the book. Some of the time there is only one book and if they can be checked out for a two week period, the wait could be 32 weeks…or eight months. REALLY?? That’s awful.
Being it’s this way, and the wait period is so long, I have two library card accounts. One I keep strictly only book that are hold on. I am allowed ten books on hold. As soon as a book becomes available, I add another book to the list. I am very concientious. If I have a book that I’ve completed I return it immediately. I often only have a book for five days. I know the waiting lists are long and try to be respectful of others on the list waiting.
Well none of my waiting list books were available so I flipped over to my other account. On this account I only check out Kindle books and audio books that are available immediately. I wanted an audio so just hit historical fiction and grabbed the first thing that was available. It was A Thousand Never Evers
I really wasn’t expecting a lot of the book as I really spent little time selecting it.
I ended up being pleasantly surprised. The book was good.
It’s a juvenile fiction selection set in the south during the Civil Rights fight. Addie Ann is a great character…she reminds me much of Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird. She spunky, learns family secrets, and finds things aren’t always what they appear to be. I very much enjoyed the book and happily recommend to any others who love coming of age books.
Here’s what Amazon had to say, “IN KUCKACHOO, MISSISSIPPI, 1963, Addie Ann Pickett worships her brother Elias and follows in his footsteps by attending the black junior high school. But when her careless act leads to her brother’s disappearance and possible murder, Addie Ann, Mama, and Uncle Bump struggle with not knowing if he’s dead or alive. Then a good deed meant to unite Kuckachoo sets off a chain of explosive events. Addie Ann knows Old Man Adams left his land to the white and black people to plant a garden and reap its bounty together, but the mayor denies it. On garden picking day, Addie Ann’s family is sorely tested. Through tragedy, she finds the voice to lead a civil rights march all her own, and maybe change the future for her people.”
Amazon readers say 4.8 stars. I’d say 4.5. It was good and well written. The story line relevant and book moved along quickly.
I am guessing that you are talking about downloadable audio books. I work in a public library and we offer downloadable materials as well. What most people do not realize, is that a downloadable book costs a library MUCH more than it costs an individual. Many titles run up to $90 and then it is for a limited number of uses . It is a bit like software that is licensed for a certain number of users. For home use, you may be able to use software on up to 3 computers in the same house. Many downloadable titles are licensed for maybe 50 uses, and then only one at a time. So most libraries truly cannot afford more than one e-copy of downloadable materials.
My library doesn’t have much of an audio book selection either, but it sounds better than yours. 😊
Katy’s comments above are very interesting! I wouldn’t have guessed this.
Does your library have the Hoopla service? That also had ebook, audiobooks and videos. There is a different configuration for paying, and at my library you are limited to 10 checkouts per month, but there are never any holds – all items are available at all times.