ReadMeABook

Hosted ReadMeABook: managed audiobook automation for listeners who want the Sonarr workflow, purpose-built for audiobooks.

Early Access

This app is a brand-new addition to ElfHosted, and is considered beta. It runs, we test it, and your trial lets you prove it fits before you commit, but our support team does not yet have deep experience with it. Expect some trial and error: lean on the upstream documentation, experiment freely, and share what you learn in Discord, where the community and team are figuring these new apps out together. If you need a battle-tested workflow today, our established apps are the safer pick.

What is ReadMeABook?

ReadMeABook is the audiobook equivalent of Sonarr and Radarr: monitor the authors you follow, search your configured indexers when new releases appear, and organise the results into a clean library for Plex or Audiobookshelf. It is an alternative to running a Readarr instance dedicated to audiobooks, with a UI focused specifically on audiobook workflows.

ReadMeABook does not host, index, or provide any audiobooks. It orchestrates the indexers and download clients you configure and are authorised to use; you are responsible for complying with the laws that apply to you.

Key Features

• Author monitoring: Follow authors and let ReadMeABook track new releases automatically.
• Indexer integration: Newznab and Torznab support, configured directly or synced from Prowlarr.
• Download-client pipeline: Hands releases to the client you configure, then imports the results.
• Library organisation: Files named and arranged so Audiobookshelf and Plex parse them correctly.
• Audiobook-first UI: Built around narrators, editions, and series rather than retrofitted ebook workflows.
• Media-server integration: Links directly to your Plex or Audiobookshelf instance under Settings.
• AI included: BookDate, the swipe-to-discover recommender, suggests audiobooks from your library and your swipes, running on AI included with your plan. No API key to find; prefer your own OpenAI, Claude or Gemini account? Add it instead.

ReadMeABook in Your Stack

ReadMeABook completes the ElfHosted audiobook pipeline: Prowlarr manages the indexers, SABnzbd or NzbDAV handles downloads, ReadMeABook does the monitoring and organising, and Audiobookshelf (or Plex) serves the finished library to your ears. If you tried bending Readarr into an audiobook manager, this is the tool that was actually designed for the job.

Why Run ReadMeABook on ElfHosted?

Automation apps earn their keep by running continuously next to the services they orchestrate. ReadMeABook reaches the rest of your pipeline over the internal network, so there are no ports to open.

• Managed access and support: Provisioned in minutes, kept updated. Sam, our AI helper, answers questions, and our team on Discord helps when Sam can’t.
• Plays well with other ElfHosted apps: Prowlarr, your download client, and Audiobookshelf are one hostname away.
• Persistent config: Monitored authors, settings, and history survive restarts and upgrades.
• Simple subscription: One flat monthly price with a 7-day trial, cancel anytime.

Works With

• Audiobookshelf: The natural playback and library-serving partner.
• Plex: Alternative library target if that is where you listen.
• Prowlarr: Indexer management for the whole stack.
• SABnzbd / NzbDAV: The download side of the pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ReadMeABook include any audiobooks?
No. It monitors, searches, and organises using the indexers and download clients you configure; it never hosts or provides content.

How is this different from Readarr?
Readarr covers ebooks and audiobooks generically; ReadMeABook is built only for audiobooks, so the UI and workflows (authors, narrators, series) match how audiobook libraries actually work.

What do I need alongside it?
Indexers (or Prowlarr), a download client such as SABnzbd or NzbDAV, and Audiobookshelf or Plex to serve the library. All are available on ElfHosted.

How do I access my instance?
It sits behind ElfHosted single sign-on, so only you can reach it. Connect your media server, indexers, and download client under Settings and add your first author.

Do I need my own AI API key for BookDate?
No. Point BookDate at the included AI in its settings (Custom provider, our base URL, no key) and it runs on an allowance included with your plan. If you would rather use your own OpenAI, Claude or Gemini account, add its key instead, billed by that provider directly.