The Kobo Switch? Exploring my Kobo Clara and Libra Colour

May 26, 2024

Hey, my e-reader buddies! 💕

I switched from physical books to Kindle last year, and honestly, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It saved me space, made reading easier, and allowed me to carry all my books everywhere.

Over the 1 year I switched to e-reader - I have tried Kindle 7th gen, Kindle Basic 2019 and at the moment I am settling with Kindle Voyage. Some of you may know that I am the admin and owner of Kindle Buddies PH, a group in Facebook for e-reader owners. Most of us have Kindle but some also own Kobo, Nook, Boox etc! And then recently, in that same group, I was heavily influenced to buy a Kobo Clara Colour. (*/▽＼*)

Last April, Rakuten Kobo released its first 2 lines of coloured e-reader - Kobo Clara Colour (KCC) Kobo Libra Colour (KLC). I really want the KLC, I have ordered one and it's still on back order. At the moment, I am using my KCC.
Update: I received my KLC. Just sold my KCC!

Kobo Clara Colour


Kobo Libra Colour
Kobo Libra Colour

Did I switch completely? Nope! I still use my Kindle Voyage, and I honestly think Kindle is still better overall. But as a manga and manhwa reader, the colour Kobo experience is unbeatable.

Stuffing My Kobo with E-books

I tried 3 main ways of adding e-books to my Kobo. Here’s how:

1.Adding Books to the Kobo Root Folder (Quick & Easy)

Kobo Root Folder

Kobo Root Folder

  • Plug your Kobo into your PC with the USB cable.
  • Open the Kobo root folder
  • Create a new folder named books.
  • Paste all your e-books there.
  • Eject and enjoy!
.add/kobocloud/kobocloudrc

✅ Easiest method for beginners.

2. Using Calibre (Best for Formatting)

Calibre isn’t just for organizing your library—it’s also great for Kobo users because it supports kepub format, which fits perfectly on Kobo screens.

Steps:

    1.Download Calibre here.

    2. On the Welcome Wizard, choose Kobo > your device.
Kobo Plugins
Install these plugins

    3. Go to Preferences → Get Plugins, then install Kobo plugins

    4. Add your e-books to Calibre.

    5. Plug in your Kobo, select your e-books, and choose Send to Device → Main Memory.

ree

✅ Ideal if you want polished formatting.

3. Syncing with Google Drive (Advanced)

The Kobo Libra Colour has a built-in Google Drive sync feature. But for other devices that don't have this feature like the kobo clara colour, I used KoboCloud.

Steps:

  • Download KoboCloud.
  • Copy the zip file into the Kobo root folder.
  • Restart your device.

.add/kobocloud/kobocloudrc


  • Go to .add/kobocloud/kobocloudrc and edit it with Notepad.
  • replace the codes inside with this:
# Lines starting with '#' are ignored
# Googledrive:
***your google drive link***
# Dropbox:
***your dropbox link***
REMOVE_DELETED

  • Open Google Drive, open the folder you wish to add e-books in. Sub directories are not allowed! Use the "link sharing" option on the Google Drive folder
  • Select the option "anyone with the link can view."
  • Copy-paste the link in the kobocloudrc file
  • Save the file
  • Restart your device

⚠️ Note: Subfolders aren’t supported.

My Kobo Clara Colour
My Kobo Clara Colour

Fun Kobo Tweaks

Add Clock & Battery Display

One thing I missed from Kindle was the clock and battery percentage. Luckily, Kobo has a workaround!

  1. Download the NickelClock zip file from this link.
  2. Extract the zip file to a folder and you will have KoboRoot.tgz file.
  3. (Note: MacOS may extract this by default on download).Plug in your device to the computer Connect
  4. Paste the zip file inside the KOBOeReader>kobo folder
  5. Unplug and your Kobo e-reader will automatically restart.
  6. After the device boots again, plug your device on your PC
  7. Open the folder KOBOeReader > .adds\nickelclock\ folder and then open settings.ini file with Notepad.

Here's my current settings. Just tweak it for your liking. Basically I put the battery and clock on my device's header. After editing, save the file then eject your device.

  • Go to your Kobo's Reading settings>Reading Progress. Turn on Header and/or Footer display.

Now you’ll see both time and battery while reading.

Custom Fonts

We have our preferences when it comes to fonts so it's nice that we can still have this option on Kobo. The device just needs a little tweaking ( again ).

  • Plug in your device to the computer Connect
  • On the KOBOeReader folder, create a new folder and name it "fonts"
  • Drag all the ttf or otf files of the fonts you want inside this folder.
  • You may choose and download fonts here https://www.dafont.com/
  • Eject your e-reader then just wait for it to sync.
Font folder


Fonts I have on my Kobo

Instant style upgrade!

Custom Screensavers

Adding personal screensavers was recently discovered by Kindle users and I have been seeing Kindle girlies posting their own screensavers on the group. The task is a bit tedious because you need to convert and basically make a 2-page book so this can work but it's really fun personalising! Guess what! Kobo users can also do this! Note that this only works on standby mode. This overrides the book cover of the book you are reading.

  • Plug in your device to the computer Connect
  • On the KOBOeReader folder, go to the .kobo sub folder
  • Create a folder named screensaver
  • Start adding the photos you want to use as screensaver. If you add more than 1, your screensaver will change from time to time. Haven't noticed the time interval but if you want only 1 screensaver, add only 1 image.
  • Eject your e-reader then just wait for it to sync.
  • Update your e-reader's settings.


Here's mine!

My Kobo's sreensaver

💡 If you add more than one, your screensaver will use these automatically.

Final Thoughts

I’m still learning more about my Kobo, but so far it’s been a fun experience—especially with all the personalization options. I’ll keep updating this blog as I discover more!

Thanks for reading, my fellow bookworms. <3

This blog first appeared on my WIXSITE



kawaiimemos

Posted by kawaiimemos