Speaking of Netflix for ebooks...

eilis1228

I just read THIS about Amazon launching a subscription service for the Kindle. Looks like Oyster Books (and similar services, if they exist) are a threat to Amazon then, eh? I wonder what this will do to libraries. :-\

luckya23

I just hope libraries don't stop the free ebook service...  Not that I have read a book on my kindle in ages!

Blue & White

$120 a year is ridiculous for unlimited ebooks, lol.  I think Oysterbooks is this too if I remember what @swazzle said, but...I get unlimited ebooks for free from the library with new releases available as well.  So Amazon is going to have to work dang hard to get me to bite on their program - actually, I don't like the idea of being stuck with just the books that Amazon offers.  I like being able to read books on the Kindle, nook, OR ibooks app depending on who has the best price/selection.

That being said, I absolutely hate having to pay upwards of $13-15 for ebooks, so I'm hoping that some of this movement of us being picky about ebooks brings the overall prices for new releases down.  Sometimes, I actually do want to own the book because it's awesome.

Swazzle

I'm doing OysterBooks right now because I have 2 free months through a GiltCity deal. 

I'm not sure that I'll continue it. Actually, I will probably cancel once the trial is over because H and I are trying to cut back on spending right now (I even cancelled my HatcheryBox, sigh). 

I need to get a library card. I've lived here for almost 7 years and have never been to my library. I'm not sure if they do the ebook thing, I can't find any info on it through their website so I'm guessing not but it's worth checking it out. 

Peaseblossom55

I was sad because of this thread I looked into my local library they have an ebook program and website I have a regular old kindle and I believe the sytem only supports a kindle fire.  I don't want a kindle fire!!!! I sent an inquiry also just to make sure I'm not misinterpriting the site or missing information somewhere....

luckya23

Swazzle said:

I'm doing OysterBooks right now because I have 2 free months through a GiltCity deal. 

I'm not sure that I'll continue it. Actually, I will probably cancel once the trial is over because H and I are trying to cut back on spending right now (I even cancelled my HatcheryBox, sigh). 

I need to get a library card. I've lived here for almost 7 years and have never been to my library. I'm not sure if they do the ebook thing, I can't find any info on it through their website so I'm guessing not but it's worth checking it out. 

The NYC public library has a good ebook system, although the waits are fairly long bc they have so many patrons!

Not sure if you have to LIVE in NY, you might have to just work in NY, and you have to apply in person for a card, I believe.

The queens and Brooklyn systems are different, too, I think.  At least they were when I was really into renting ebooks.

ETA: I meant NY State, I don't live or work in the city.

Swazzle

Kelani23 said:

Swazzle said:

I'm doing OysterBooks right now because I have 2 free months through a GiltCity deal. 

I'm not sure that I'll continue it. Actually, I will probably cancel once the trial is over because H and I are trying to cut back on spending right now (I even cancelled my HatcheryBox, sigh). 

I need to get a library card. I've lived here for almost 7 years and have never been to my library. I'm not sure if they do the ebook thing, I can't find any info on it through their website so I'm guessing not but it's worth checking it out. 

The NYC public library has a good ebook system, although the waits are fairly long bc they have so many patrons!

Not sure if you have to LIVE in NY, you might have to just work in NY, and you have to apply in person for a card, I believe.

The queens and Brooklyn systems are different, too, I think.  At least they were when I was really into renting ebooks.

ETA: I meant NY State, I don't live or work in the city.

I appreciate the help but I live and work in New Jersey! 

luckya23

Sorry, I thought maybe with the tolls your commute it was into the city... then again, you can't really drive around NJ without racking them up either :-(

eilis1228

Most public libraries have eBook programs, and I know a lot of public library systems will allow you to sign up for a library card even if you aren't a resident. There may be a cost associated with that though. Libraries are charged shit tons of money each year to have access to eBooks, but most make it a priority in their budget to keep the program. I definitely recommend supporting a library over a subscription service! Hell, most eBook collections sold to libraries are a subscription, so if they're already paying for the subscription, then why should you?

I'm a little biased though because I have a MLS degree and sell eBooks to various libraries for a variety of vendors.  

@Blue $120 for unlimited eBooks is actually a decent deal, but I say that as someone who works with eBook publishers. Depending on the size and type of library, eBook packages can cost them roughly $100,000 dollars per year. A lot of those books have DRM and can only be accessed by one user at a time... it's highway robbery. I mostly deal with academic eBooks though, but from what I've heard, the fiction collections geared at publics are exorbitantly priced as well. :-\

luckya23

I would totally sign up for this if it actually had a decent collection of audiobooks, and if you didn't have to wait!!

I used to subscribe to audible before amazon bought it, but it must not be the same content, or it would put their other business out of business...?  SO still subscribes to audible, too.

eilis1228

@Kelani23 It's probably the same content. Just a different way for them to sell/market it. 

Blue & White

@Kelani23 my public library has audiobooks - not a ton of them, but the audiobooks are ALL newer releases and very unpopular because old people don't know how to use them, haha.

@eilis1228 I'm just cheap.  Like @swazzle, we've been trying not to spend a ton of money with this whole house searching stuff.  I'm kinda excited for actually buying the house (3 weeks!) because then we don't have to go INSANE about money.  Obviously we still have to build up our savings and whatnot again, but we can spend smaller amounts of money as needed.

luckya23

I think mine does too, but I don't know how to get them on my phone or whatnot - my kindle is not a fire, but you could still do the "send to kindle" for the ebooks, but I never really figured out the audiobooks side.

I think my library account got deactivated too, I should probably look into that... Maybe I still have a book of theirs, who knows!

eilis1228

@Blue Oh I totally understand! I'm the same way with money right now. No judgment or anything here! I just wanted to point out that the price is pretty decent per month for that particular industry, but I still consider it expensive too. I

[Deleted User]

EBooks seem so easy and handy, but I think I'd miss the feel of real paper pages too much. . .

eilis1228

@EisleyJoGo I like both. I haven't used my Kindle in months, but I go through phases where I use it exclusively to read books. I really like my Kindle for reading fluff books like Nicholas Sparks or LuAnn Rice... stuff I wouldn't necessarily want to bring out in public. lol. 

GoldenPenguin

EisleyJoGo said:

EBooks seem so easy and handy, but I think I'd miss the feel of real paper pages too much. . .

I thought this for a really long time. I didn't think that I would like an e-reader, but I started looking into them more. FI got me the Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas last year, and I love it. I only wanted that one - I didn't want the Fire or anything with internet or apps or anything - I ONLY wanted books. I figure, I can play games, go on FB, etc. on my phone - I don't need to get distracted on my e-reader too. I'm really glad I have it now!

[Deleted User]

eilis1228 said:

@EisleyJoGo I like both. I haven't used my Kindle in months, but I go through phases where I use it exclusively to read books. I really like my Kindle for reading fluff books like Nicholas Sparks or LuAnn Rice... stuff I wouldn't necessarily want to bring out in public. lol. 

Valid point! haha. . . I don't read too many of those, but it is on occasion.

luckya23

I got spoiled and am now too lazy to turn paper pages!

This is why I have piles of real books that I never touch.