My Kobo Libra works perfectly with my self-hosted Calibre-Web, it syncs directly with it in the same way as it would sync with their online platform. You can also use both as it uses the later one as fallback.
this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2023
91 points (97.9% liked)
Selfhosted
40041 readers
728 users here now
A place to share alternatives to popular online services that can be self-hosted without giving up privacy or locking you into a service you don't control.
Rules:
-
Be civil: we're here to support and learn from one another. Insults won't be tolerated. Flame wars are frowned upon.
-
No spam posting.
-
Posts have to be centered around self-hosting. There are other communities for discussing hardware or home computing. If it's not obvious why your post topic revolves around selfhosting, please include details to make it clear.
-
Don't duplicate the full text of your blog or github here. Just post the link for folks to click.
-
Submission headline should match the article title (don’t cherry-pick information from the title to fit your agenda).
-
No trolling.
Resources:
- selfh.st Newsletter and index of selfhosted software and apps
- awesome-selfhosted software
- awesome-sysadmin resources
- Self-Hosted Podcast from Jupiter Broadcasting
Any issues on the community? Report it using the report flag.
Questions? DM the mods!
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
Agree, I would also recommend Kobo. In addition, at my Kobo I can also borrow books directly from our public library for free in Sweden. Very convenient.
Thanks. Kobo libra h2o is high on my list
I’ve been trying to run this with a Libra but the calibre-web sync has been borked for awhile. Kinda frustrating, tbh.
load more comments
(10 replies)
Pretty much all the big brands work with Calibre.
Wirelessly pulling books from calibre and syncing the progress? I doubt my current kindle can do it.
Well, you didn't specify that requirement in your post.
I believe Calibre has the ability to send books via the Kindle email address to get them on your device that way.
This is how I get books to my Kindle. So, take that to the bank for what it's worth.
I run Koreader on a Kobo Libra 2. I just connect to my OPDS catalogue on my Calibre-Web instance. It's not exactly a sync setup; it just gives me access to my library whenever I need to download something, and that covers my needs. There are several other sync options; check out Koreader's features here: https://github.com/koreader/koreader/wiki
If you like it and decide you want to it, go through the list of supported devices and see what sort of sync capabilities are available for them (support for Kobo devices seems to be the best/have the most options).
load more comments
(1 replies)
There's this company, which makes ebook readers that don't seem to be tied to any particular vendor:
https://shop.boox.com/collections/all
They have so many models, though, that I have no idea where to start with them.
They use GPL and won't release the source. Fuck Boox
I am very happy with my boox note 2. Use it to read books, manga, and take notes in OneNote for classes.
It looks like it’s Android based. Can you run eBooks readers on it?
Yes, I haven't come across any apps so far that didn't work. Performance is an issue with some apps, but nothing major.
load more comments
(1 replies)
I have the Leaf 2 and like it a lot. Can be a little slow sometimes, but nothing worse than any other ereader I've used.
On the Kindle, you can email yourself e-books.
I use it with calibre. Works perfect. Even displays the book covers (no matter where you got them) as lock screen background of the kindle. Can absolutely recommend this!
I wish to track progress across multiple platform without amazon. So far calibre web and kobo ebook readers look like the go to
You should put your requirements in your post.
Kindle doesn't work with epub which is what majority of ebooks are
It does work with epub now. They changed it not long ago (afaik)
Can confirm it works now (not sure when change happened; pretty sure I’ve been using since early 2022). I regularly use epub on kindle.
They did recently drop mobi (or at least threaten to - they send me an email saying they are going to drop mobi capability after I send one to my kindle).
Kindle supported file types: • .EPUB • .PDF • .RTF • .DOC, .DOCX • .HTML, .HTM • .JPG, .JPEG, .GIF, .PNG, .BMP
load more comments
(1 replies)
Also idk about the newer ones but the old ones last forever. You might need to change their battery but that's not too hard. I got a kindle keyboard that's been going strong for over a decade now.
Also kindles work fine with calibre, you just need a different file format. Mine can read PDFs! (I do not reccomend reading PDF scans on a kindle)
I just use Kindle for my calibre/calibre-web stack, all within the KOReader app)
I use an iPad. Apple doesn't seem to care where the file came from, they just make it readable. I was somewhat mad about it, as I have never been an Apple fan, but the actual experience of using the iPad as a reader converted me.
I have a Kobo Libre and with KoboCloud[1] it syncs automatically with Nextcloud and other cloud providers. It’s awesome.
I just use Kindle for my Readarr/calibre/calibre-web stack.
Calibre is amazing
load more comments
(3 replies)
I use a Kobo Libre 2 with Calibre Web to sync.
Do you use koreader? I primarily want to be able to switch between reading on my phone and my kobo.
load more comments
(1 replies)
Onyx Boox Leaf 2, and use the OPDS feature of calibre(web) to download books and read them, all within the KOReader app
Thank you i will check it out
This is the exact setup I use and it works great!
Not the answer you're looking for, but I have a self-hosted Calibre server and I stuck to a second hand Kindle I got. It would be neat to be able to browse my remote library like on the Kobo, but I'd rather buy what's second-hand, cheap and readily available (lots of these perfectly working pre-loved Kindles and Kobos). Transfer lots of books at once and I rarely have to do it since I read slowly. If you use it for magazines/news/comics, then other more libre and open recommendations seem quite good.
Been enjoying using my Boox Nova Air that connects to my Kavita through Moon Reader+. I just download my epub or PDF to read. That flow has been working like a charm to me.
Keep in mind that it's an e-reader, so it's black and white only. May be fine with you or you may want an iPad or an Android tablet for color and speed
EDIT
Have read also from my Kindle and Kobo library as it is an Android device and have both apps downloaded
I have a Kobo Forma and a Boox Lumi.
The Lumi is huge and works well for manga, especially considering the sad state of legally obtainable manga in the United States where everything requires proprietary Android apps, or if you want to do workbooks or something using the stylus. It's surprisingly good, even for things you wouldn't normally do an an ebook device. I've never used any of the smaller Boox devices so I can't say whether it's the same for all of them.
The Forma is a normal size so it's much more portable.
Both of them have wifi and you can run your own software on them, but I think running your own software on Kobo devices is less well supported than running your own software on Boox devices.
I have a Paperwhite 2015 version that I got back in 2016 for only $30 when they had a big sale on them to unload for their new version. Looks like on eBay that 2015 version goes for $30-50 today.
I transfer books to it via a USB using Calibre. It doesn't need nor do I connect it to WiFi. Newer models might also be able to work via USB only, I don't know, but I know my 2015 works that way.
load more comments
(1 replies)
My boy pointed me to this one the other day, it’s like completely open. Does not care where you get the book from and can do books and comics ( even though this particular model has a smaller screen)
Pocketbook Touch Lux 5 | E-Book Reader | Glare-Free & Eye-Friendly E-Ink Technology | 6ʺ Touchscreen with HD Resolution | Wi-Fi | Adjustable SMARTlight | Micro-SD Slot | E-Reader in Ink Black https://a.co/d/gXY8b2e
Check out the Onyx Boox which might cost a bit more but run a version of Android.
I used an Asus Android tablet (Android 7, it was OLD) with a giant SD card +& Moon+ Pro reader app. It syncs reading progress & bookmarks via Dropbox, WebDAV, or Google Drive. I moved to a Fire 10 that I added Google Play Services to. It can sync with my phone or any other Android device. I don't bother with calibre-web as I don't have a PC I can keep turned on 24/7 yet, so I just copy over my Calibre library to the SD card. 15k books, 512 GB SD card with ~300 GB left. Moon+ does take a bit to add new books to its database after I think 10k books.
I think the major ones are actually just android. If you were to jailbreak them I don't see why you couldn't just use any app then.
view more: next ›