Requirements:
- Able to pirate books and load them on
- Nice if it can integrate with my arr stack (Sonarr, Radarr, etc)
- reasonably priced
- not locked down to anything
That’s it really just a simple e-reader that I can add what I want.
Edit: this is the first post where I got a lot of comments where I wasn’t too overwhelmed to reply to them all. Hard when you wake up to so many replies but trying to be better thanking people for their input.
Regardless of what reader you go with, look into KoReader, a custom reader app that you install on top of existing firmware. Offers a lot of features that stock firmware doesn’t, like OPDS catalog connections
Thanks for the tip.
I have a kobo Libra 2. Its the first ereader I’ve bought and it’s super nice. I use calibre to load my books. Looks like kobo only has refurbished units of it now, though.
Another Libra 2 owner here, it works great and it looks great too.
Kobo is coming out a clear winner here with Boox in second place. Thanks.
The reader should mount as a USB drive, you put files on it like epub, PDF, or HTML in your own directory structure, and you can browse this and read the files. Nothing else needed.
I saw Boox called out, but not the Boox Palma². I just got it and it’s been pretty nice. The major draw is the form factor though as it’s phone sized making it pretty portable.
It runs android and I’ve set it up to work with AudioBookshelf and Komga
AudioBookshelf, while designed for audiobooks, allows you to download books for offline reading and seemed the best all in one for books self hosting. It also has a native android app.
Komga seems pretty amazing for manga and comic books (haven’t settled on an app, just using the browser now). The e-ink display isn’t the best for reading this medium, but it’s not terrible for black and white comics.
Since both of those are self-hosted solutions they could integrate with readarr pretty easily (although audiobookshelf’s folder structure can be frustrating).
Seconded! I using the Boox tab mini c with audiobookshelf, Covers all my needs
It’s really great software, and the android app is great (given it supports offline mode). I just wish the folder structure was simpler/flexible. Makes me tempted to try to make a pull request, but haven’t done something like that in ages.
+1 to Kobo as well, although I’m admittedly unfamiliar with the pirate apps (arr).
no issues downloading books and adding/editing my library with calibre and you can connect it to your library card to rent ebooks if you’re feeling frisky.
or you can bypass the login steps and change out the firmware and add games and other utilities. it’s as customizable or not as you want.
lots of refurbished options through rakuten and ebay
Thanks.
Seems Kobo is a winner here so it’ll be that or Boox that comes in second.
On more vote for Kobo. I have currently a Clara Colour, works 100% offline with Calibre
Kobo is a clear winner thus far. Thanks.
Kobo was on my short-list not long ago. They seemed like the most polished non-amazon option to me. I haven’t switched for now because my old kindle 2 is still clinging to life and because of it being long out of support from amazon I just keep it disconnected from the internet and sideload whatever I want.
With that said though, now that some decent kindle jailbreaking options are available, an old second hand kindle from eBay might actually be a very good option.
Kobo does seem to be winning right now but good shout on a used kindle and jailbreaking. Something for me to keep as an option.
I just bought a used kindle and jailbroke it a few weeks ago for a similar use case
Which one did you buy?
Kindle Paperwhite 2
Portability is key for me. Others here have recommended the Boox Palma, but for the price difference I’d have to go with Moann’s Inkpalm Plus.
Arr stack integration for e-readers is going to be Readarr linked to a Calibre instance, as described here.
Yeah, Readarr is unfortunately the black sheep of the Arr stack. Ebook torrents are notorious for failing/stalling, and the Readarr team has had some major issues with their metadata server in the past year or so, meaning adding new authors/books is often impossible.
It can be nice for tracking what you’re missing, but I end up using manual searches for most of my ebooks. Ebooks tend to work best with direct downloads, (Z-Library, Anna’s Archive, etc) so an Arr service reliant on torrents is spotty, at best. It isn’t even actively being developed, and the devs still attached to the project have even said that it will likely stagnate and fall into disrepair unless a serious dev is willing to take over the project.
Ahh another one added to the mix. Who knew there were so many options.
Thanks for the Readarr link though. Very helpful!
I see you’re coming from a .de domain so chances are you might have a Thalia (store) in your area. I’ve bought a Tolino Shine about 6 years back and I really like it. Sure, you can buy them online too, but I liked the option to try it out before I buy.
Thanks for the reply.
I am not German, just happened to join this instance and never had an issue. I do see some German subs but not an issue.
The new Tolinos are … not very good though
Might be the case, my experience is with the Shine 3. Giving them an hands on in the store is imho always better than reviews on the net.
I bought my first e-reader a month ago, it’s the Boox Go 7 and I’m really pleased so far. The fact that it’s also an android tablet let’s me download apps for Mangas, music, etc.
Boox is coming in a close second here. Interesting that it’s Android, does it still have e-ink display so it’s not viable for Plex or Jellyfin?
Yep it’s e-ink. There’s a color version as well, but also e-ink.
I‘m very happy with my Pocketbook Era. Nice device, works with the onleihe system my library uses. Would buy the exact same one again
Thanks for the response.
This has had a few people mention it but seems Kobo and Boox are clear favourites, but will keep in mind.
I recently somehow broke my Boox page, and I replaced it with a PocketBook Era. It’s my favourite device, great battery life, integrated with calibre like a dream and the OS is really nice to use after fighting android on the Boox.
Boox is coming in second it seems after Kobo still be researching both for my needs.
Kobo, Pocketbook or used Kindle as there is working jailbreak.
Don’t get the Kobo,it works only mediocre with Calibre Web and other “web based” “personal librarys” - and Kobo is forcing Kepub down users throat more and more. Kobo only looks good if you come from the hellhole that Kindle has become,tbh.
I would highly recommend looking into Pocketbook and especially Onyx if your goal is a more “free” approach.
What’s the issue with Calibre Web? I add book to shelf on Calibre Web, and hit Sync on my kobo, and the kobo downloads the book and populates it in my library. What’s the thing I’m missing or that’s not working right?
