Delete a Book Using the Library View
The fastest way to remove a book from your Nook tablet is through the Library view on your device. Open the Nook app or Nook reader, then tap the Library button at the bottom of the screen. This shows all the books stored on your tablet.
Find the book you want to delete and press and hold the book cover for two to three seconds. A menu will appear with options including Delete. Tap Delete, and the book is removed from your device when ready. The book remains in your Nook account online, so you can read it again later if you change your mind.
If you have multiple books to remove, you can select several at once. After pressing and holding the first book, tap the checkbox that appears next to other titles you want to delete. Once you have selected all the books, a Delete button will appear at the top or bottom of the screen—tap it to remove them all together.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold a book cover in your Library for two to three seconds, then tap Delete from the menu that appears.
- Deleting a book from your tablet does not remove it from your Nook account—you can read it again anytime.
- You can select multiple books at once by tapping checkboxes, then delete them all in one action.
- If you want to permanently remove a book from your account entirely, you must do that through the Nook website, not the tablet.
- Freeing up storage space on your tablet by deleting books does not affect your ability to read them later.
Understand the Difference Between Deleting and Removing from Account
When you delete a book from your Nook tablet, you are only removing it from that device's storage. The book stays in your Nook library online, tied to your account. This means you can read it to your tablet again, or read it on another device like a phone or computer, without losing access.
If you want to permanently remove a book from your Nook account so it no longer appears in your library anywhere, you need to use the Nook website instead. Log in to your account at nook.com, go to your library, find the book, and select the option to remove it from your account. This is a separate action from deleting it off your tablet.
Free Up Storage Space on Your Tablet
Nook tablets have limited storage, and downloaded books take up space. If your tablet is running slowly or you are getting storage warnings, deleting books you have finished reading can help. Each book takes up different amounts of space depending on its length and whether it includes images or illustrations.
To see how much space your books are using, go to your tablet's Settings, then Storage or Device Storage. You will see a breakdown of what is taking up room. Books appear under the Nook app category. Deleting books you no longer need is one of the quickest ways to recover space without losing access to them permanently.
Recover a Book You Deleted by Mistake
If you delete a book and when ready realize you made a mistake, you can read it again right away. Open your Library, tap the menu or settings icon, and look for an option like Show All or Show Archived. This displays books you have deleted from your device but still own in your account.
Find the book you want back and tap it to read it to your tablet again. The process takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the book's size and your internet connection. Your bookmarks, notes, and reading progress are usually restored once the book finishes downloading, though very old notes may not sync back.
Delete Books from the Nook Website Instead
If you prefer to manage your library from a computer, you can delete books through the Nook website. Log in to your account at nook.com, go to your library, and find the book you want to remove. Click the three-dot menu next to the book title and select Remove from Library or Delete.
Removing a book from the website removes it from your entire account and all your devices. This is different from deleting it from just your tablet. Use the website method when you want to permanently get rid of a book and free up space in your online library as well.
Troubleshoot When Delete Does Not Work
Sometimes the Delete option does not appear or does not work. This usually happens if the book is currently open in the reader. Close the book completely and return to the Library view, then try again. Make sure you are pressing and holding the book cover itself, not just tapping it once.
If the book still will not delete, restart your Nook tablet. Turn it off completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Then open the Library again and try deleting the book. If the problem continues, check that you have enough free storage space on your device—tablets sometimes prevent deletions when storage is nearly full.
Another common issue is that the book is protected by digital rights management (DRM). Some library books and borrowed titles cannot be deleted from your device until the loan period ends. Wait until the book's due date passes, then try deleting it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting a book from my tablet delete it from my Nook account?
No. Deleting a book from your tablet only removes it from that device. The book stays in your Nook account online and you can read it again anytime. To remove it from your account entirely, you must use the Nook website.
Can I delete a borrowed library book from my Nook tablet?
Yes, you can delete borrowed books from your device just like purchased ones. However, the book remains checked out to you until the loan period ends. After the due date passes, it automatically disappears from your account.
What happens to my bookmarks and notes when I delete a book?
Your bookmarks and notes are usually saved to your Nook account. When you read the book again, they should reappear. However, very old notes or those made on older versions of the app may not sync back.
How much storage space will I free up by deleting books?
Storage varies by book. A short novel might use 1 to 3 megabytes, while a long book with images could use 10 to 50 megabytes or more. Check your tablet's storage settings to see exactly how much space your Nook app is using.
Can I delete all my books at once?
Yes. In your Library, select multiple books by pressing and holding the first one, then tapping checkboxes next to the others. Once you have selected all the books you want to remove, tap the Delete button that appears.