eBook Subscription Options - Kindle Unlimited, Prime or Elsewhere?

Waffles on 20/10/2019 - 11:14

I'm looking for some kind of ebook subscription service. My 7 year old never stops reading. We've mostly used up the library which rarely gets new releases so I thought I'd check out an ebook subscription.

I mostly know Amazon's offerings but I'm not necessarily tied to their ecosystem (though I do have a kindle)

My ideal goal would be a service that had new stuff, old stuff and good kid and adult libraries. But prepared to compromise.

  • Kindle unlimited, $14, lots of books
  • Amazon prime, 6$, a rotating supply of books plus amazon prime perks (which I'd probably be interested in)
  • Epic, $8 (usd?), a huge range of kids books organised by topics and ranges of fiction and non-fiction

Do people use/have opinions on these services? Is prime good enough given it's low price tag to balance its limited book collection?

Entertainment

Comments

  • vikvance on 20/10/2019 - 11:31

    Both Kindle Unlimited & Amazon Prime offer 1 month free trials. Why not try them out yourself ?

    • Waffles on 20/10/2019 - 11:47

      I nearly did an edit to include that. Yes, good point and I've just signed up to prime. I just feel like a month is a tough way to get a feel for it. People using these services for months might know better or suggest other criteria

      • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2019 - 12:03
        +1

        You know you can cancel anytime it's not for life.

        • Waffles on 20/10/2019 - 12:24

          Sure, but I've named 3. there are probably at least double or triple that and that's just the popular ones.

          If someone had said "You should try X, or I found the most useful thing to consider in subscription was Y" then that'd be useful

      • vikvance on 20/10/2019 - 12:07

        With Prime, I think you get something very limited like only 1 book per month free.

        You get more books with Kindle Unlimited, but I found the selection to be very limited. Of course, that's based on the types of books that I like to read. Your 7 year old might be very happy with the selection.

        • Kozhutki on 20/10/2019 - 14:31

          With Prime, I think you get something very limited like only 1 book per month free.

          Are you sure you're not thinking of Audible? That's how Audible works, monthly subscription that grants you one token per month to be used on an audiobook of your choice.
          "Prime Reading" works exactly the same as Kindle unlimited, unlimited eBooks, magazines, audiobooks etc.

          • Luckyalways on 21/10/2019 - 08:13

            @Kozhutki: Kozhutki, how is Amazon kindle unlimited with biographies and autobiographies?

            • Kozhutki on 21/10/2019 - 08:19

              @Luckyalways: A lot to sift through at points..

              You can actually have a look yourself without subscribing, here's a link for biographys/memoirs 4 star and up, english and sorted by average customer review.

              No doubt you can find something interesting but there's A LOT of filler. I would imagine there's a community dedicated around finding the "good" books with these subscription services.

  • ihbh on 20/10/2019 - 13:27
    +1

    Try another library?

  • Kozhutki on 20/10/2019 - 13:42
    +3

    I find kindle unlimited to be hit and miss, there's A LOT of crap, I can't comment on the kid section but I had trouble finding anything that wasn't just low-tier romance novels.

    Have you considered using Overdrive with your local library? Some eBook readers support Overdrive natively (personally I use a Forma) but if not there's an app for both tablets/phones.

    The way it works is you link your library card with Overdrive and you can rent ebooks/audiobooks from the Overdrive/Libby service, works exactly like a library; holding books, renting for 1-3 weeks, requesting books, etc.

    I know you said you've exhausted your library but personally my library's digital range is vastly different to their physical range, plus being able to request new books (that are allotted frequently) helps out a lot.

    • Waffles on 20/10/2019 - 14:05

      It looks like only WA libraries are listed on overdrive but I'll check it out. I think I remember seeing borrowbox now that @GordonR mentions it. I'm guessing I should ask the library staff what they subscribe to?

      • Kozhutki on 20/10/2019 - 14:28
        +1

        No it's definitely Australia wide, matter of fact it's a world wide program. When you search your library you may have to search by your council and not your suburb. For example, I live on the Gold Coast and my library is listed as "City of Gold Coast Libraries" not my suburb library.

        I haven't heard of Borrowbox before but based on their website they seem similar, I do believe Overdrive is a more commonly used program though, I would be surprised if your local library doesn't use it. If you're having trouble finding your local library on the website feel free to PM your suburb and I can have a look (if you're comfortable with that of course).

        • Waffles on 21/10/2019 - 09:10

          Here's the library group https://www.cbcity.nsw.gov.au/community/library-knowledge-ce…

          I couldn't find anything under the council (but I did for borrowbox). I tried my suburb but not the others.

          • Kozhutki on 21/10/2019 - 09:38
            +1

            @Waffles: Yep looks like they only support Borrowbox. You can see on this link all the services the "elibrary" supports, rBDigital on that page is good too.

            Not even a bad outcome, some great programs there that you can utilise.

  • GordonR on 20/10/2019 - 13:49
    +1

    I use BorrowBox free with a public library card (also free).

  • f38r1 on 20/10/2019 - 14:00
    +2

    Try mobilism

  • mskeggs on 20/10/2019 - 14:44

    There are libraries worldwide who will let you join for free or for cheap and borrow ebooks online.

  • Loulouinwonderland on 21/10/2019 - 07:59
    +1

    I normally use a kindle and have done so for years but purchased a kobo compatible with overdrive for use with the library. Just like with a physical library book there is a wait period on items but it's worked out really well. Your kid sounds like me as a kid! Good luck!

    • Waffles on 21/10/2019 - 09:09

      Thanks for that, I might check out a kobo

      • Kozhutki on 21/10/2019 - 09:40

        Here's the list of compatible Kobo readers

        • Kobo Libra H2O
        • Kobo Forma
        • Kobo Aura ONE
        • Kobo Aura H2O edition 2
        • Kobo Aura edition 2
        • Kobo Clara HD
  • emjay2000 on 21/10/2019 - 09:38
    +1

    Scrbd is another subscription service you might want to investigate. I've heard nothing bad in terms of the technology but I have heard that if you use the service too much, they will limit the number of books you can access per month. I've yet to see consensus on what Scribd define as "too much".

    I also agree with the suggestion that you seek other libraries. I am not sure where you live, but here in NSW, as a resident, I can join as many libraries as I want. While they all use Overdrive (aka Libby) or Borrowbox or RBDigital, the content available to borrowers varies.

    And as mskeggs mentioned, there are libraries in other countries that allow international members.

    Don't forget, you can also ask your library to buy content you want to read. I ask for reading material about twice a month and have never been turned down.

  • Ozpit on 21/10/2019 - 10:16
    +2

    Congratulations on having a child that loves reading. Each book makes their world a little bigger.

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