I splurged and bought three extra Audible credits. Â I’ve been more and more frustrated with the long waits for audio books. Â One blog reader explained the complications for libraries purchasing audio books. Â I understand but still wish there were more books or that it was easier to have access to free audio books that was more convenient.
Another blog reader friend Mary Jo from Lacrosse mentioned that I should check out Hoopla. Â Apparently it’s an on line library and there is no wait list for the books. Â I was excited about that. Â There aren’t many libraries in my area that offer it. Â I did find out the Manchester and Cedar Falls libraries offer it. Â I sent a note to the Manchester library. Â I can get a library card from there and use the system. Â I just need to get there and get a card. Â Manchester is about an hour away. Â I think I am going to plan to do that sometime when I’m off from my Radioactive Iodine treatment. Â At the end of my time off period I am fine to be around people just not babies and toddlers.
Anyway…I burned up one of Audible credits on this book The English German Girl: A Novel
The book is set during WWII in Berlin. Â A Jewish family is struggling to make their way through the turbulent times. Â After LOTS and LOTS of work and waiting the family is finally about to get a transport out of the country but the transport is only for one child. Â The family much choose. Â Which child will they send? The book was good. Â The narrator was really good. Â I do, as always, wish the book was in first person but still I did enjoy the book.
Here’e what Amazon had to say, “This powerful, meticulously researched novel is a moving tale of one girl’s struggle against a world in turmoil. In 1930s Berlin, choked by the tightening of Hitler’s fist, the Klein family is gradually losing everything that is precious to them. Their fifteen-year-old daughter, Rosa, slips out of Germany on a Kindertransport train to begin a new life in England. Charged with the task of securing a safe passage for her family, she vows that she will not rest until they are safe. But as war breaks out and she loses contact with her parents, Rosa finds herself wondering if there are some vows that can’t be kept.
A sweeping tale of love and loss, with the poignant story of the Kindertransport at its heart, this is an exceptional accomplishment from one of Britain’s bravest and most-vibrant young writers.”
Amazon readers say 4.2 stars…I think I’d have to agree.  It was a good book.  It was worth my time but there are other WWII Jewish stories that I’ve liked better.
I’m the library director here in my small town and I understand your frustration with the Overdrive system’s audio books. Can they be returned early if you are finished or do they stay unavailable to the next person until the loan period is up? The e-books CAN be returned early. I emphasize that with our e-reader users, but I think only a few actually do it. I try to return mine as soon as I’m finished, but I forget sometimes to until the notice comes in my email. Some of the wait periods can be pretty long and here in Nebraska we are only allowed three holds.
Wow – Linda only 3 holds. I am allowed 10 holds, and I was considering writing to ask for more! I also have about 40+ books on my Wish List. I am going to have to print out my Wish List, and see if I can get the books in paper form. Some of the books have 30+ people on the waiting list. If everybody take the full 3 weeks with the book, that’s a long time to wait.
I’m working on a library card from one of the hoopla libraries in Iowa. The three libraries nearest me are all an hour away and I have to go in person to get the card. It will happen. THANKS so much for telling me about that. It’s going to be great.