A Great Way to Read Books

We’re excited for our annual trip to California for the holidays, and we’ve already started packing. The only catch? I always end up bringing a bunch of books on vacation, and they weigh down my bags and break my back.

So, I was THRILLED to hear about the book app, Oyster. For $9.95/month, you can read half a million titles, from New York Times bestsellers to Oprah’s Book Club picks to children’s books to cookbooks. You can read them on your smartphone, iPad, Kindle, Nook—wherever you can get apps. It’s like Netflix for books.

These books would make great vacation reads:
The Glass Castle (one of my favorite memoirs)
Bobcat (gripping short stories)
Mansfield Park (a romantic classic)
Just Kids (I’ve been wanting to read this for ages)
This is Ridiculous This is Amazing (made me laugh out loud—a perfect plane read)

Once you choose a book, you can start reading it immediately. (And if you don’t like it, you can just try a different book.) Such a brilliant idea, don’t you think?

If you’re intrigued, get a 30-day free trial by signing up here. Thank you so much, Oyster!

(Photos by Alpha Smoot for Cup of Jo. This post is sponsored by Oyster. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo)

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kevinjonny

June 11, 2019 3:08 am

Its creepy on how much i can relate on the first part. And then the book that changed everything for me was exactly the same! Only it was given to me by my dad. I never felt so creepy in a good way of one of these videos. What a small world.

It has been around 2 years since i read the 7 habits and in that time i stopped smoking sigarettes and weed, drinking every weekend, bad sleeping en money habits.

I started exercising almost everyday, eating healier, waking up at crazy early, and a few months ago i finally started my own company. And in those years i read countless simular books and currently reading the 48 laws of power and the 50th law alreadg arrived so ill read that next on your advise in a previous video.

Looking back it is these books en these kind of videos that changed my life. And it al started with the 7 habits,, a must read!

Thnx for charing this knowledge!

Gerard

April 27, 2019 1:34 pm

This sounds like a really good idea. I am definitely considering and thinking about trying this out.

faselhd

November 1, 2018 8:54 pm

Love the “model”. So sweet!

Sigrid

August 8, 2015 2:39 am

Could you download the books and read them offline?

kirstenbrontmire

January 19, 2015 6:42 pm

It’s apparently great, unless you live in Canada. Then you can’t get it.

Shagun

January 3, 2015 12:59 am

Will definitely be trying it out. Can you tell me where the iPad mini case is from? Thanks.

The best place to learn music – torrins.com

Samantha

December 23, 2014 11:30 pm

Lovely post — as always :) Would you happen to know who makes that wonderful zippered tote bag in the last photograph? Thank you!

Merry Christmas! ;)

Ina Lee

December 18, 2014 7:42 pm

I really love your red ipad case. could I ask where you got it from?

gina k

December 18, 2014 3:51 pm

Shout-out to all the other librarians and library-lovers commenting on here! I download all my book group books from the library (when available) to read on the Kindle app on my phone, and then I only buy the ones I need more time with or want to keep!

Sarah Bee

December 18, 2014 10:12 am

I was thinking about trying this! Sounds like a really good idea. I love Netflix, and I love reading, so why not, right?

Sarah

The French Press

Courtney

December 17, 2014 9:22 pm

Definitely checking this out! Netflix for books sounds amazing.

What about the nail polish?? I love it!

Amanda aka MamaRobot

December 17, 2014 4:15 pm

I agree The Glass Castle is amazing. What a fascinating story!

Ginny Loeb

December 17, 2014 3:36 pm

Thanks Kristin! That is really great to know – I really look forward to using Oyster. I’ve already filled my library with enough books for the next year.

Oyster

December 17, 2014 2:56 pm

Kristin from Oyster here. I wanted to answer some of the comments/questions posted.

We love libraries too! Oyster is a great complement. In addition to immediate access to books, we offer a beautifully designed reader, social features, and hand-picked curation from our team of editors.

Hi Netanya! Feel free to browse our library at oysterbooks.com/library, or check out our recent blog post on New Releases (http://blog.oysterbooks.com/post/105359742090/featuring-new-releases-on-oyster). You’ll also be able see some of our favorite new releases (https://www.oysterbooks.com/set/EnVZAzUihrDrHFaSHYCz3m).

Hi Etvoilacoralie! We work directly with publishers and rights-holders to build our model, and they and their authors do receive compensation. We spent months speaking to authors, publishers, and agents to build a sustainable model that fairly compensates everyone involved for their creative work. While the terms of our deals are confidential between those parties, I can assure you it is a favorable deal for authors and content rights holders.

Hi Evealyn! For now, Oyster is only available in the U.S. Drop your email at oysterbooks.com/international and we’ll let you know as we expand.

nyclilsmartass

December 17, 2014 2:39 pm

This looks like an awesome idea. I have stopped buying books from amazon just because ti has become to costly to buy each book for my kindle. I have been using the library but most new books are not available for kindle so I have to lug around the actual book. This seems like a great alternative.
Where do you get your next book to read ideas from?
http://www.southernfolly.com

December 17, 2014 1:58 pm

Wow, this app sounds amazing. Is there a Canadian version or something similar that is accessible in Canada? Oyster is only in the US now.

Ginny Loeb

December 17, 2014 1:01 pm

This seems like an awesome concept – but I’m just curious if you have any information about how the authors are compensated. Just curious – since half a million titles at $10 a month is a very good deal!

Amanda Simwaka

December 17, 2014 12:23 pm

Ha, now that I’m reading comments, I guess a ton of people know about the library thing. ;)

Amanda Simwaka

December 17, 2014 12:22 pm

This sounds great!
I also discovered another wonderful thing recently. If you have a library card you can borrow ebooks for up to 21 days for free!
A whole new world. haha.

claudiajd

December 17, 2014 12:07 pm

I second Sugarfiend and Nicole! Save your money! Use the public library!!
http://www.bklynlibrary.org/e-books-and-more

collette

December 17, 2014 11:15 am

Sounds neat if you’re a book buyer but I use my library for this as well. (But, if you can tell me your secret for getting reading done while having two small children around, that’s the golden ticket :).

Marlie Mae

December 17, 2014 10:57 am

Joanna, where did you get that keychain?

KimGallagher

December 17, 2014 10:40 am

Just Kids is one of the best books I have ever read. Patti Smith is an amazing writer.

Tessa Ellard

December 17, 2014 10:37 am

I agree with Make!Do!. Libraries offer a similar service with endless amounts of downloadable e-books, movies and audio-books. The app my library uses is called Hoopla and it’s wonderful. I strongly recommend. Best part is it’s free!

13bees

December 17, 2014 9:38 am

you know me, I’m addicted to the library but this might be the only thing that could sway me….

Lindsay

December 17, 2014 9:33 am

Try the library instead! No fees from ours for e-Books.

Corrin

December 17, 2014 8:47 am

If your library uses Overdrive, you can download ebooks directly from Amazon for free. (This coming from someone who works in the publishing industry. :-) )

kuuleilaniblog.com

December 17, 2014 4:19 am

What a fantastic idea! I’ve only heard about things like Amazon Kindle and Audible, but I’m definitely going to give Oyster a try. Thanks for posting this! (www.kuuleilaniblog.com)

Anjula Montgomery

December 17, 2014 2:39 am

that is really cool, but somehow I still like the idea of collecting books.

Audrey Lin

December 17, 2014 1:03 am

A Netflix for books? My prayers have been answered! I actually don’t have a Netflix account and don’t plan on getting one, because if I did, I’d never be able to get on with my life :P But reading? I can live with getting stuck in a book :) -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

Sofia W

December 17, 2014 12:47 am

I also highly recommend Kobo (www.kobobooks.com). It’s a great way to support your local, independent bookstore (even one on the other side of the country) and read books on your iPad!

Ms. Librarian

December 17, 2014 12:29 am

Another librarian here…definitely check out Overdrive – you might be surprised by the selection! And…no worries about overdue fines!

My Traveling Troop

December 16, 2014 11:22 pm

Netflix for books? Great idea! I heart it, especially the part where if I don’t like a book I can just choose another.

footnotes and finds

December 16, 2014 11:06 pm

this is great! i’m an avid reader, and 9.99 doesn’t sound bad!

http://www.footnotesandfinds.com

Joanna Goddard

December 16, 2014 10:31 pm

The reader here is an iPad mini. And thanks for these tips and recommendations!

Joanna Goddard

December 16, 2014 10:31 pm

Thanks for your notes! The bag is from Rib and Hull and belongs to my friend alpha. It’s really lovely.

Unknown

December 16, 2014 10:15 pm

Where is that perfect bag from?? I love that it has a zippered top!

asiajane

December 16, 2014 10:10 pm

I’m so glad others made the library comments! I’m slightly biased– public librarian here– but I do think that many people don’t realize what a wonderful (free) service they can access right from their library’s website!

Kaitlyn

December 16, 2014 10:08 pm

I am reading Just Kids right now on my iPad! LOVE it! Highly recommend ;)

Karin

December 16, 2014 9:09 pm

Just Kids is so so good. Have a great holiday Jo!

Lindsey McLean

December 16, 2014 8:53 pm

I spend that much in library fines!!! ;) I’m getting an iPad mini soon. I think I’ll give oyster a try.

Sugarfiend

December 16, 2014 8:21 pm

I think people should check their local library for Overdrive. It’s pretty much the same and it’s free.

Molly Martin

December 16, 2014 8:20 pm

I am beyond excited and have already signed up for a free trial! Thank you very much for sharing, it’s about time something like this exists!

Viktoria

December 16, 2014 8:16 pm

Oyster is all fun and games, but don’t forget your local library has eBooks available… for free! :)

emilee

December 16, 2014 8:09 pm

can anyone recommend a good e-reader? joanna, what are you using in the photos? thanks xo

Joyce Novacek

December 16, 2014 8:08 pm

I’m going to have to try this! Have you heard of OverDrive? It’s free, and a library of audio books! All you need is a library card to “check out” an audio book, then in 7 days you “return” it, aka they take it back from you, no hassle at all!

Christina

December 16, 2014 7:55 pm

This is really great idea! I don’t read as much as I’d like to, so I think having to pay $10 a month would be motivating!

Christina
http://www.cityloveee.blogspot.com

Amy Hill

December 16, 2014 7:53 pm

Sounds cool, thanks for the heads up on the free trial! Happy holidays and safe travels.

Evealyn

December 16, 2014 7:51 pm

Is it available to readers outside the US? Sounds wonderful. I like how you can gift a subscription, what a lovely idea.

Make!Do!

December 16, 2014 7:38 pm

As a librarian I feel compelled to say your local library also lets you download and borrow e-books, lots of ’em – for free!

etvoilacoralie

December 16, 2014 7:28 pm

It’s a brilliant idea that call the pay of authors into question… It’s good for us readers, less for them writers!

Nicole Brock

December 16, 2014 7:26 pm

You know, you can also download eBooks from most public libraries. No need to pay for a subscription, though there are sometimes waiting lists on new releases and popular titles. I guess it’s a matter of priorities, but I always recommend using libraries when possible!

netanya

December 16, 2014 7:20 pm

What I wonder about Oyster is: Can you read books that have been newly released and/or are insanely popular? Because otherwise, you can check out pretty much anything for Kindle or e-reader from your local library with the Overdrive and 3M apps (I love that so much!) But I still have to wait a long time for new, super popular releases (think Amy Poehler’s Yes Please).

Lisa Gordon

December 16, 2014 7:13 pm

but where is the beautiful red bag from?!

Mariam

December 16, 2014 7:08 pm

I love the tote! Where is it from? xo

wanderlustywriter

December 16, 2014 7:04 pm

Interesting! I’ll have to check this out.

esgray

December 16, 2014 7:03 pm

Just Kids is fantastic, highly recommend it

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