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Project Gutenberg (Free ebooks)
Not everything of quality has to be expensive. If you’ve never heard of Project Gutenberg, you’re in for a surprise! Project Gutenberg is an online library that hosts more than 70,000 free ebooks. Why? Because they belong to the public domain.
What is the public domain? The public domain embodies1 all the creative work to which no exclusive intellectual property2 rights apply. This means that the books are legally free to use in any way! Anyone can use and edit these works without having to request permission from their creative owners.
The only downside3 of Project Gutenberg is the basic look of the website, but we can surely forgive them.
- Gold Coast Libraries (Free ebooks, print books, audiobooks and free online streaming)
If you are serious about studying English, get a free library card now!
As a Gold Coast student, you are entitled4 to a library card too! You simply need two things:
- Your passport
- A letter from your school that shows your course dates (ask at reception)
The Gold Coast Libraries have multiple libraries across the Gold Coast. Each library specialises in types of books. They have an array5 of modern books such as, recipe books from around the world, music scores6, LGBTQ7 books, graphic novels, books in other languages and also books written specifically for adult English learners of any level. The Southport Library is where you’ll find books for adult English learners.
Libby app: ebooks / audiobooks
The Gold Coast Libraries have embraced8 technology and I use the Libby app the most. Use your library card to access the Libby app to read ebooks and listen to audiobooks on your tablet, phone or computer for free!
This app lets you subscribe to magazines and notifies you when there’s a new issue out! What I like most about the Libby app, is that the ebook is automatically returned!
Kanopy: streaming service
If you’re a movie buff9, you will love Kanopy! Each month, you can stream free international films and documentaries online or on the app. You will also find some classics that you cannot find on other streaming services. Simply sign up with your library card and afterwards, login with your Google or Facebook account.
Still looking for an excuse not to sign up to Gold Coast Libraries?
- Lifeline Shops (cheap print books)
For the forgetful people who find it a hassle10 to return print books to the library, you can always buy secondhand books from op shops (secondhand shops) like Lifeline.
Lifeline is a non-profit organisation that provides 24-hour phone assistance to people in need of emotional support during a crisis11.
Shopping at Lifeline is completely guilt-free12! The best thing about Lifeline is that you can find secondhand treasures13 for 50c and if you don’t like or don’t need the book anymore, you can always donate14 it back to Lifeline.
It’s a common hobby for Aussies to go op shopping on rainy days. As it doesn’t normally rain much on the Gold Coast, I just enjoy rummaging15 through their stuff to feel nostalgic! My two favourite Lifeline shops are in Southport and Molendinar – check them out!
Tell me something, which do you prefer – ebooks or print books, and why?
- embodies – includes or contains something ↩︎
- intellectual property – ownership of something you’ve developped with your mind or exclusive knowledge ↩︎
- downside – disadvantage ↩︎
- entitled – you have the right to ↩︎
- array – amazing selection/range ↩︎
- music scores – Sheet music is a handwritten or printed form of musical notation ↩︎
- LGBTQ – An acronym used to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning persons or the community ↩︎
- have embraced – has accepted enthusiastically ↩︎
- movie buff – a person with a passionate interest in cinema ↩︎
- hassle – irritating inconvenience / difficult problem ↩︎
- crisis – a time of intense difficulty ↩︎
- guilt-free – no feeling of having done something wrong or bad ↩︎
- treasures – valuable objects ↩︎
- donate – give for a good cause, like to a charity ↩︎
- rummaging – searching unsystematically / untidily ↩︎
My Life in English 
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