Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Question for those who use Overdrive: the app on my phone automatically updated about a week ago, and I have been so unhappy! Wondering if anyone else has these issues, and if there is a fix?

First, the display no longer shows which part in on (by this I mean, the audiobook is broken into a number of parts or files). I like to keep track so I can tell where I am in the book. A workaround is that I can bookmark my location, and then it will tell me what percentage complete that spot is, but still, it's annoying to no longer be able to see at a glance.

Second, and MOST annoying!: the app won't save my library card info now, so every single time I log in, I have to enter my card number and PIN again. How do I fix this????

Mine updated too.

I don't have your problems, which sound super annoying. Mine is giving me trouble because switch between reading e-books on my iPad and iPhone and it won't automatically go to the last read page. It used to pop up a box that asked if i want to go to the furthest place read but it doesn't do that anymore for me. Probably just a glitch somewhere...

Hopefully they address your issues in the next update!

I haven't been using the Overdrive app all that long. I think I first used it late last fall maybe? Mine has never stored my library card info (super annoying). Thankfully I memorized my number years ago, but it would be nice if the app could maintain the log in.

I've discovered two other annoying glitches, that happen now and then. Sometimes when I start listening again, it says it has found another location from another device, and should it go there? Which is GREAT if I had been listening on another device, but I don't! I always listen on my phone.

Also, along with not saving my library card (except sometimes it DOES save my card number, but usually it does not), I have to log into Amazon every time I want to download a new book in Kindle format - this is weird, it always saved my account info, and now it doesn't? I would think my phone would govern whether I stay logged into Amazon, but I guess because I am accessing Amazon from within the Overdrive app, it's Overdrive that is losing my info.

I'll see if I can find a helpline to email.

Nadine wrote: "I've discovered two other annoying glitches, that happen now and then. Sometimes when I start listening again, it says it has found another location from another device, and should it go there? Whi..."

I have just recently been using the Overdrive app as some of you know and what I do not like is...

I hate if you are listening to something on your browser than, you have to download it to your app and wait for it there. It will download the whole book even though you could almost be done with it. It also does not save where I am but, I usually can figure it out by then.

The most annoying part is that it doesn't save my library card information. I mean it should save it in my eyes but, that is just me.

Marisa wrote: "The most annoying part is that it doesn't save my library card information. I mean it should save it in my eyes but, that is just me. "

Yes yes yes!!!! It used to save it!!! Now it doesn't! grrrrr

My library has a tech support guy who is in the library now and then for questions = he's not THE most knowledgeable of guys (there have been a few things that I knew more about than he did! for example, he seemed unaware of the highlight feature in Kindle), but he's nice and helpful and he makes it his business to learn about this stuff - if I see him, I am DEFINITELY asking him if he knows how to fix this.

Went on Overdrive site and they have a note about a help page for problem with the IOS app: http://help.overdrive.com/customer/po...

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Went on Overdrive site and they have a note about a help page for problem with the IOS app: http://help.overdrive.com/customer/po......"

Thank you for the help!

Did it work?

Thanks. The issues they have fixes for are not the issues I've had, but they do acknowledge they are working on a fix for the problem of not saving card number info. It is helpful to know they are working on it at least!

Just to update: I (bravely!) loaded the latest app update, and they fixed the problem of not saving library card numbers.

Is anyone's overdrive app not wanting to open on their iPhone or am I the only unlucky one? I think I'm going to turn my phone off for awhile and turn it back on and see if that helps.

Marisa wrote: "Is anyone's overdrive app not wanting to open on their iPhone or am I the only unlucky one? I think I'm going to turn my phone off for awhile and turn it back on and see if that helps."

That hasn't happened to me, but I can say that I jumped the gun when I said they fixed the problem of not saving library card numbers - I guess when I "tested" it, I didn't wait long enough between uses or something, so it seemed to save it. But, no. It still doesn't save the numbers.

Has anyone tried Libby? It seems fine a more user friendly version of Overdrive but it didn't keep the wish list function, which I consider a major drawback.

Chinook wrote: "Has anyone tried Libby? It seems fine a more user friendly version of Overdrive but it didn't keep the wish list function, which I consider a major drawback."

I don't know what Libby is. We are all limited to what our libraries support. My library supports Overdrive, Hoopla, 3M, and Freegal. I never use 3M, I use Overdrive lots for both ebooks and audiobooks, and sometimes I use Hoopla for e-comic books (I'm still undecided on reading electronic versions of comic books - there are pluses and minuses - right now, I only do it when my library doesn't have a paper copy)

My library is limited to overdrive or the browser. I did an audiobook for the first time last week and it wouldn't download parts 1, 2, or 3 but it did download part 4... super helpful 🙄 but I've been having decent luck with the ebooks. It doesn't save my card number but I have a workaround. I usually get ebooks from the library website and they're often on hold, when they are they send to my email and I can open them in overdrive from the email skipping the log in process.

Tara wrote: "My library is limited to overdrive or the browser. I did an audiobook for the first time last week and it wouldn't download parts 1, 2, or 3 but it did download part 4... super helpful 🙄 but I've b..."

That happens to me sometimes, it's because my phone is low on memory so it's having a hard time fitting all the parts in. I delete all but the part I need and the next one, (deleting and downloading files as I go) and usually that works. My Overdrive does save my ID - after one refresh, it didn't, but eventually they fixed that. It's not the best app in the world, but it's the one with the most available titles from my library, so ...

I use the app on both my smartphone and Kindle Fire and have never had a problem with it remembering my #. That being said, I've had my # memorized for YEARS!

Also, the downloading. Depending how the internet is feeling... it will load quickly or spottily.

I gave up. I tried downloading just part one for days but by the time that nothing had happened I'd finished it on the browser. And it shouldn't be an issue because I hated listening to an audiobook! Lol I'm just a words on paper kind of gal I guess... or screen

I love audiobooks. They're especially good if I am having a migraine or sinus headache. Another place I use them when I am in the dentist's chair. Ever since I started that, I no longer have to have valium before my appointments.

I also think they can enhance your understanding for classic literature, fiction with a lot of foreign words, nonfiction...

Some book series I don't even read in paper anymore as the audiobook productions are so good. Susan Ericksen doing the In Death series by J.D. Rob and Katy Kellgren doing the Lady Georgiana series by Rhys Bowen are 2 examples.

Also, some celebrities do audiobooks... Tim Curry doing A Christmas Carol is wonderful!

I started using audiobooks last fall. I get most of the from Overdrive, because that's what my library uses, but I also got a few from Audible.

I agree with Kirsten, especially classics can be so much easier on audio, if you have a good narrator. Lengthy tortorous sentences on paper can turn into wonders on the tongue of a good reader. I really loved Silas Marner, for example, and it might not have been that great just reading it.

I also love it when authors read their own books.

Libby is an Overdrive app. It's new and said to be more user friendly. It will transfer over your holds and loans when you sign in but not the wish list.

Right now, both are operational but I wonder if they eventually intend to shift everyone over to Libby.

Both my girls as babies have liked going to sleep with podcasts or audiobooks while I nurse them. Maddie's very much into that right now.

Chinook wrote: "Libby is an Overdrive app. It's new and said to be more user friendly. It will transfer over your holds and loans when you sign in but not the wish list.

Right now, both are operational but I won..."

Interesting! So it's the same exact library access as Overdrive? Since I've had some issues with Overdrive, I wouldn't mind switching over to something else that's better. Does it save your library card once you enter it? Does it work for audiobooks as well as ebooks?

Definitely saves my card and has audiobooks. I haven't tried it much yet, so it might have its own glitches. I think it's just out for he public.

I use Audible, but there is also Downpour.com

Did you know that the Overdrive system is different for every library?

Each library decides which books will be available on their system. For instance, in my area, we have a lot of LDS (Mormon) and Spanish language books on there.

Also, I only found this out this year... some areas get films & tv on their Overdrive. I guess that's so those libraries don't need to buy as many DVDs for their branches.

Yes. We live in a suburb of Denver and have access to both libraries. Aurora has a much smaller collection. Denver is bigger and tends to a lot of sci-fi, comics and does have some movies. My card from when we lived in Colorado Springs is still active and it has the biggest collection and more Christian options (Col Springs is generally a very Christian city) and more languages like German and Korean, which I suspect is due to many military spouses from those countries.

I find they also all vary a lot as to how many holds/loans and how or if you can recommend titles to the library through the app.

Are you logging into the Overdrive app account when you use it? I stopped doing that and only use it through the main interface, find my library and then sign in there with my library card. I've never had to re-sign in. I don't use the browser though.

Have you tried to contact OverDrive? I'm sure they would be happy to help.

I have heard of Libby but I'm not sure why they felt the need to rebrand and not just change over the original app.

As far as downloading, there are ways to select only parts of the audiobook to download, so you don't have to download the entire Game of Thrones audio at once! The old OverDrive app (years ago) required that it stayed open while it downloaded to finish. That's not true anymore, but I find that I do it just in case. Also, I'd never download unless I am on wifi, that would definitely take a long time. Most books should only take a couple minutes.

https://help.overdrive.com/#videos?dlwo

here is the website help/tutorial page

so based on the video for the app, I would suggest NOT signing up and using the "under 13" user option. No signing up, just find your library.

for Overdrive issues, you can contact your local library and also make sure your phone software is up to date.

Is your Overdrive via library for your whole state? I have multiple library cards in multiple towns and login to each through Overdrive but the holds numbers and copies are the same... Overdrive calls it the NH Downloadable Books Consortium.

And oh god I could never use Libby if there is no wishlist feature!!

Some libraries also have an app called Hoopla. It is good for audiobooks, comics, and ebooks. The app is great for the iPhone, but I found especially with audiobooks you want to make bookmarks where you stop, it will occasionally restart, but not often.

I just started using Libby and I like it a lot better. Its a lot less clunky and way more intuitive. I'll probably start suggesting that over the original Overdrive app to patrons at my library because it takes less explaining and problem-solving.

Yeah. It seems good but I can't get over losing my wish list.

Chinook wrote: "Yeah. It seems good but I can't get over losing my wish list."

I *cannot* lose my wishlist. lol. Over 2000 books on it! So I'll wait until Libby gets that function.

I didn't even know Overdrive had a wishlist!! So I'm open to trying Libby. I'm just too lazy to go find a new app and load it and look up my card numbers and get it all set up ....

Does anyone know how to get my overdrive books onto my KOBO e-reader? I'm currently using overdrive on my iPad but the iPad is so much heavier and brighter etc. I would rather read before bed on the Kobo.

Libby has tags that you can use to create a wish list, so if you're new to the app, you can do it going forward. Sadly you just can't copy over the old list.

Melanie wrote: "Does anyone know how to get my overdrive books onto my KOBO e-reader? I'm currently using overdrive on my iPad but the iPad is so much heavier and brighter etc. I would rather read before bed on th..."

Does this help? https://www.kobo.com/help/en-US/artic...

Elyse wrote: "Chinook wrote: "Yeah. It seems good but I can't get over losing my wish list."

I *cannot* lose my wishlist. lol. Over 2000 books on it! So I'll wait until Libby gets that function."

I love the wish list. Especially the feature where you can sort by books "available now". Perfect for when you don't know what to read next and don't feel like joining a wait list.

Megan wrote: "I love the wish list. Especially the feature where you can sort by books "available now". Perfect for when you don't know what to read next and don't feel like joining a wait list..."

Absolutely! I wish you could also sort by format in your wishlist as well.

Yes. And also by wait list, for when you're trying to fill up your holds list. I also wish there was a way to sort by longest wait time, so I could put those on first.

Chinook wrote: "Yes. And also by wait list, for when you're trying to fill up your holds list. I also wish there was a way to sort by longest wait time, so I could put those on first."

That would be amazing too!

My Library uses both Overdrive and Hoopla, and both seem to have a good range of books available. If they don't have something, there's a spot through my library to ask them to add a book/audio book and it's soon there.

I don't use either a lot, but I've had no trouble so far. Let's hope it stays that way!

I love overdrive, I use it all the time. BUT...... I just set it up on my moms new generation kindle thinking it would be good for her and I can't figure out how the heck to navigate. I got her library set up, but every time I go to her bookshelf , theres an empty book icon that says "add library" and then in the search function I can only search for libraries, not books? I went into settings and her library is set up correctly with her card number, I just can't find the books. The format is nothing like the app I have on my kindle. Irritating :-/

Tracy wrote: "I love overdrive, I use it all the time. BUT...... I just set it up on my moms new generation kindle thinking it would be good for her and I can't figure out how the heck to navigate. I got her lib..."

That's never happened to me either. Is it possible that her library doesn't participate? My library has a "tech guy" who helps out with stuff like this, see if her library has someone like that, he/she can probably answer your question via email if her library is not nearby to you.

Tracy wrote: "I love overdrive, I use it all the time. BUT...... I just set it up on my moms new generation kindle thinking it would be good for her and I can't figure out how the heck to navigate. I got her lib..."

That is what it looks like when I pull up the app as well, Tracy. But when I click on the menu in the upper-left corner, under "my libraries" it lists the one I am set up with. Click on that, and it brings up the screen you are probably used to seeing.

Ohhh! I just opened my Overdrive app and yeah, that's what it looks like on my iPhone too, when I have no audiobooks loaded to the app. I load ebooks from Overdrive to my kindle account so they appear in the kindle app library, not on my Overdrive bookshelf. In the left hand menu just choose your library and then you can browse for books. I load audio books directly to the Overdrive app, so they do show up on my bookshelf, but I can't browse from the bookshelf.