Amazon Prime = free reading

[calmloki]

Amazon has a new freebie for Prime members as of a couple days ago: just go to amazon.com/primereading and enjoy.

 

[greydog17]

Yes, saw this yesterday, pretty interesting add on for Prime service. Also interesting is the video embedded on the article regarding drone deliveries.

Amazon Rolls Out 'Prime Reading' Book and Magazine Offer

 

[travelover]

Thanks for posting this. I'll take advantage.

 

[MBAustin]

Thanks for the info - will check it out!

 

[2017ish]

Interesting. Some of the magazines may appeal to DW for her travel planning....

For books, it doesn't appear to add much to the unwieldy (and not very deep) kindle owners lending library--at least for those of us who use a dedicated kindle device.

 

[harley]

Interesting, thanks. I'm sure I'll find some things to read, although a quick browse through the SF and Mystery sections looks like they're copying the drug pusher playbook. Only Book One of any series is available for free. The rest of the series requires payment. Also, I didn't see a single story by Al Macy. But still, it's at least a good way to figure out if you like a person's writing style.

 

[Philliefan33]

You guys know that you can borrow ebooks from the library, right?

Between my Prime membership, the Kindle owner's lending library, and borrowing from two public libraries, I read 99% of the time for free. A couple times a year I buy an ebook because it's not available to borrow, but since I read an average of ~3 books a month the expense is small compared to my habit.

 

[Tom52]

I tried Prime reading but it would not work for me because I share my wife's Prime account. Prime reading only works for the Prime account owner. Wife can download a book and share it with me but I can't do it. We contacted Amazon and they confirmed that only the primary Prime account owner can access and download Prime reading material.

 

[folivier]

Bookbub is a nice added service to find free ebooks. Daily mailings based on what criteria you setup.

 

[Redbugdave]

Thank you Calmloki for posting this. Guess what? Consumer Reports is one of the magazines! Hurray!

 

[MichaelB]

Thank you Calmloki for posting this.

+1

 

[cbo111]

Does this include audio books? DW loves to listen to books on CD when she drives. I glanced at the Prime website and didn't see anything referring to audio books.

 

[Philliefan33]

Prime members can get a limited selection of free audiobooks through Audible (Amazon's audiobook service).

You can also borrow audiobooks from the public library-- from the comfort of your home.

 

[Rosie]

You can also borrow audiobooks from the public library-- from the comfort of your home.

I really enjoy borrowing ebooks through my public library (I can also borrow audiobooks but I haven't tried them, yet).

I download them to my android tablet and read them with my Kindle reader app. In 3 weeks time, if I haven't returned the book already, the book magically disappears, so I don't have to worry about overdue fees. If I haven't finished the book, I can borrow it again, and the app remembers where I left off. Can't ask for much more than that!

I also checked out the Prime Reading free deal and downloaded a couple of magazines (incuding Consumer Reports) -- nice!

 

[Sunny]

You guys know that you can borrow ebooks from the library, right?

...

I wish the selection, wait time, and ease of use was there at my local library though. Maybe in the big cities it is better?

 

[ziggy29]

Looks like you have to be the subscriber, not a family member of a subscriber. Since DW has the actual subscription, I'd have to get stuff by logging into her account instead of mine.

 

[Sarah S]

I wish the selection, wait time, and ease of use was there at my local library though. Maybe in the big cities it is better?

Sunny you might check whether you can access the library system of your state capital if you are in the US. In Massachusetts any resident can and I was able to sign up online. The choice is better than my local library system.

 

[Philliefan33]

Sunny you might check whether you can access the library system of your state capital if you are in the US. In Massachusetts any resident can and I was able to sign up online. The choice is better than my local library system.

In Pennsylvania, any resident can borrow from the Free Library of Philadelphia. I signed up for my library card there and have borrowed many ebooks-- all without ever setting foot in the building.

 

[Sunny]

Sunny you might check whether you can access the library system of your state capital if you are in the US. In Massachusetts any resident can and I was able to sign up online. The choice is better than my local library system.

Great idea! I'll check out the state capital library system.

Philliefan, sounds like a nice perk for residents.

 

[Rosie]

This might be helpful for finding eBook lending libraries in your state:

MobileRead Wiki - EBook Lending Libraries

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

This is a good added benefit. I would like to add, however, that it isn't "free"...just the same as your breakfast at the Hilton isn't "free". Included with your PAID Prime membership? Yep. Free? Nope.

 

[ziggy29]

This is a good added benefit. I would like to add, however, that it isn't "free"...just the same as your breakfast at the Hilton isn't "free". Included with your PAID Prime membership? Yep. Free? Nope.

"Incrementally" free, perhaps -- for now. Of course, if they raised the price for Prime as a result, it would cease to be even incrementally "free".

 

[braumeister]

This is a good added benefit. I would like to add, however, that it isn't "free"...just the same as your breakfast at the Hilton isn't "free". Included with your PAID Prime membership? Yep. Free? Nope.

I consider it in the same category as the free local library where I live. Sure, it costs money as a component of my property taxes, but I consider it extremely good value for the money. Same here.

 

[calmloki]

This is a good added benefit. I would like to add, however, that it isn't "free"...just the same as your breakfast at the Hilton isn't "free". Included with your PAID Prime membership? Yep. Free? Nope.

Not saying Amazon may not have plans to raise their Prime subscription rate, but for now, when they add value after I've paid for my annual subscription, it is free. Give me an unexpected donut after I pay for filling up the gas tank? That's a free donut. I like donuts.

 

[steelyman]

I hope this thread is still active.

I’ve been using Prime Reading during this godawful heat spell this summer. It really is a nice benefit and easy to use with Kindle.

Most recent title for me was One Day With You by Shari Low which is admittedly a “chick book” but I don’t care. Perfect summertime beach reading