# bookshare is it worth it?

Category: book Nook

## Post 1 by pianoplayer4jesus (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Sunday, 12-Jun-2011 14:55:24

Hi I was thinking about joining bookshare until I found out that you can only read a book with computerized software voices. They don't appear to be actual audio books like audible or nls books are. So my question is given that knowlidge is it really worth joining? I mean to me if I'm to pay 50$ a year for this I'd rather pay for audio books not computer voices reading to me. I could see it being usefull for textbooks etc if I had to have them but as for just books to read for fun no way. Thoughts?

## Post 2 by Twinklestar09 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Sunday, 12-Jun-2011 16:24:35

I would think it's worth it just for the fact that you can get as many books as you want for $50 a year. I don't know about the DAISY-format versions of the books, as I get mine in brf-format to read with a Braille display. But yeah, I'm thinking unless you can find a DAISY player where you can choose a synthesizer with a more human-sounding voice, it's going to be in computerized speech, since the books aren't actually read by a person like the NLS books are. I personally think it's worth it because I am able to download any kinds of books I'm interested in and they have thousands of books to choose from, a lot of which I wouldn't be able to find thru NLS or without purchasing each book from another place with those same books. But if you're looking for audio books that are not read by synthesized speech, then it might not be, unless there's a DAISY player that has a human-sounding synthesizer to read them. That would actually be nice if they did have that actually. *smile*

## Post 3 by TechnologyUser2012 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 12-Jun-2011 16:33:23

I think it's definitely worth it; you can download as many books as you want, and if you're a student it's free.

## Post 4 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Monday, 13-Jun-2011 9:07:45

Totally worth it to me. As others said, it's as many books as you want. And if you read a lot of popular series like I do, you get the new books faster than waiting for it to come out on NLS. I know, I could get it faster on Audible too, but as a general rule, commercially produced audio books get on my nerves. They usually seem over produced and the narrators go overboard with acting out the characters. Sure, that goes on with NLS readers, but they don't seem to go as over the top with it so I don't get as annoyed. I also don't like multiple narrators for one book and this seems to be pretty common with Audible. It's just personal preference on my part. I know most people like that stuff. I just want to read the book so I have no problem listening to synthetic speech. I have come to the conclusion that Audible is not worth it to me because I don't like paying $15 per month for 1 book that drives me batty with all the annoying narrators, etc.
Something else to consider if you have an iPhone or iPod touch. Bookshare has an app that is currently in the approval process with the app store. I believe the delay in the approval is related to an Apple policy that has just been reversed so I have high hopes that the Bookshare app will be available soon. It's supposed to include a tts engine that's better than what's on the Iphone. I can't remember which one, acapella maybe but I could be remembering wrong. Anyway, the iPhone app will make Bookshare an even better bargain in my book. I'm really looking forward to it.

## Post 5 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Monday, 13-Jun-2011 18:34:49

Hmm agreed with the last poster though I haven't ever done voice-narrated books: went from PAC Mate to iPod touch. Will say that reference books for your profession are probably there. I have tons for my day job as a programmer and still use FSReader to look through those. And for my other life / the Coast Guard Auxiliary,, there are books on search/rescue, disaster, FEMA etc. which would be really expensive to buy all of them.
And with a desktop DAISY player or one that will let you move through text and read it like the PAC Mate it works great.
I have never seen the Stream or other devices like that so can't compare. I'm also looking forward to the iOS version, hoping they will show the tet also so someday when I get a Braille display for it it's still possible to read with Braille.

## Post 6 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Monday, 13-Jun-2011 20:55:43

wow. I didn't know about it being free if you're a student. Thanks for the tip.

## Post 7 by SatansProphet (Forever in the service of Satan, my King...) on Friday, 17-Jun-2011 17:49:28

Well, personally, I would rather have too much acting than not enough. I mean, come on, who wants to listen to someone who's all monotone when they're reading about someone dying? Lol. But that's just me...to each their own, obviously.

## Post 8 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Monday, 20-Jun-2011 6:54:13

Bookshare is def worth it. Think of if you purchase audible and how less you get for the money you will shell out.

## Post 9 by Sword of Sapphire (Whether you agree with my opinion or not, you're still gonna read it!) on Monday, 04-Jul-2011 23:04:51

I use Bookshare, NLS, and RFB&D (now known as Learning ally). For leisure reading, I go to NLS because I prefer a human voice to synthesized speech. I do go to Bookshare if NLS doesn't have a book I'm looking for, or just to find more books by an author that were not available. Depending on how good a book is, I've been just as drawn into a story, even though the monotone voice of the Braille+ was reading it. Sometimes, the story can just be just as thrilling, emotional, or interesting, despite the lack of a human voice.
Also, I have been able to acquire a textbook through Bookshare, so if you're going to school, that might give you an incentive to join.
It's a wonderful thing to have an account with all three.

## Post 10 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Saturday, 09-Jul-2011 17:41:27

I was a Bookshare subscriber for a couple years but I'm with Pianoplayer. If it's for pleasure reading I'e ot to have a decent human voice, not a synthe. So while I might considering renewing my Bookshare subscription but for my pleasure reading I'll stick with NLS or Audible. So I may not even bother with Bookshare. Besides I've noticed that even in excellent quality books there were enough errors to make me cringe, usually because of the Grade II translation. It would read Saint, abreviated as St. as Still. Of course that might just have been a BrailleNote issue.

## Post 11 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 19-Jul-2011 23:28:23

I love Bookshare. I also have accounts with NLS and Learning Ally and do agree that the human voices are more enjoyible. However, bookshare have a much wider sellection. Besides, while reading with the Jaws voice and my wireless headphones, I can get a tun of stuff done while still reading at 300 wpm. lol
Bookshare is great for cookbooks too!

## Post 12 by Siriusly Severus (The ESTJ 1w9 3w4 6w7 The Taskmaste) on Monday, 01-Aug-2011 9:05:04

Personally, I think the more sources you have the better, but I must admit that bookshare is my last choice. my first choice is my local library and then it's the braille library or nls, but I do prefer the green tapes. and then it's bookshare.
I'll say though there's nothing wrong with bookshare so don't block the road and not give yourself that choice. avoid doing that because you want the choice at some point and you'll need it one day and regret not having it. If it's free then get it but if it's not free then keep it in mind just incase you do need it.

## Post 13 by turricane (happiness and change are choices ) on Friday, 12-Aug-2011 10:17:32

i love bookshare. have been with it since its inception. i've saved a bunch of money because i was about to buy a book and scan it and then i happened to look it up on bookshare and it was there waiting for me. i also enjoy the library but especially like bard you know the downloadable books. audible is ok but i get a point a month which means i can only get one book. of course i can pay for others, but i'm too cheap

## Post 14 by Lisa's Girl forever (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Friday, 07-Oct-2011 12:23:59

Yay! i love bookshare.
I've used it's service.
It's worth it all the wa
y. 4 many years.

## Post 15 by rat (star trek rules!) on Friday, 07-Oct-2011 17:36:33

i've been a bookshare member for quite a while, found more books there than i've ever found anyware else. some of the newer books are direct from the publisher so there's no errors what so ever. 50 bucks a year for 100 bucks a month is an amazing deal if you ask me. so in total that means 1200 books for 50 bucks?

## Post 16 by Siriusly Severus (The ESTJ 1w9 3w4 6w7 The Taskmaste) on Sunday, 06-Nov-2011 18:28:56

I've been using bookshare a lot these two past months and have been downloading a lot of books it's about to expire at the end of this month but yeah, I am getting to like it though I am not sure if I can reget it.

## Post 17 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Sunday, 06-Nov-2011 20:28:30

In an earlier topic on this exact same thing I was totally against bookshare because there services to international folks (outside the u.s.) was lacking (it's improved but could probably be improved even more) and because they charged $50 per year.
Well, I broke down and got a membership.
Now bookshare is my primary source for books.
They always have the new york times latest books shortly after they come out.
They have a volunteer service that is fantastic. I started volunteering shortly after I joined. I, personally like proofreading books (is this a scanning error, a publisher's error or not a mistake at all). Plus volunteers get $2.5 credit for each book they scan or proofread. I haven't paid anything for my membership after I started volunteering.
Plus bookshare is always increasing the publishers that send books to them directly.
Finally, if you can listen to synthesized speech (and I have no problem with it) then I'd recommend bookshare.
Bob