Virginia Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Have you heard? Amazon is selling library cards. Yep, for a measly $120 you will have access to well over 600,000 (plus a three month free subscription to Audiobooks) ebooks. I'll admit, for a split second, I was tempted and I may have fallen for it had I $120 to splurge. But being broke and honest saved me. Knowing me, I'd spend that $120 to re-read the same books (that I have in traditional book form). I use my library's ebook system although its pickings area slim. Maybe I'll invest in a reasonably priced online library card where I can rent ebooks like Harry Potter. So, how do you all feel about Amazon's library card? Any takers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Ah! I was discussing this in a different thread. So it is out now. Is it a $120 per year or is that a one time fee? I think it's an interesting idea, though personally I prefer paperbooks and don't read so much on my Kindle. So it's not for me but I think it could be very interesting for some people . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I was going to ask a similar question - I wonder if it's an annual fee or monthly subscription, Virginia? In the press over here, it was being discussed as a $10 per month subscription, which sounds more reasonable than a $120 outlay in one go. I'd also be curious as to if there's a minimum subscription time, but I guess if it's an annual fee, then it must be a minimum of one year. Personally, I'd want to look at the range of books before subscribing, as I know they've only got deals with some publishers so far, and unless they get a wider range, it might make the choice limiting. It'll be interesting to see how it goes, as I might be interested because it could save me some money (depending on the cost per month in pounds sterling), but I would need to know more about the details, not only the books available, but whether there is a limit on the number you can borrow, and how long you can borrow the books for, and if you can renew/borrow again without restriction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I haven't looked seriously at it yet. Trouble with us is that once we read a book, I want to own it. And, yes, it's a ten dollar fee per month, not an outlay of 120 USD at one time. Haven't seen the range of books they offer but I have the feeling it's probably a bit repetitive. I still think that I find stuff cheaper at Library Sales, Estate Sales and second hand book stores. I have the feeling that Amazon's new service will put a dent in their Marketplace operation for booksellers though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I'm not so sure I could pay that much. The Amazon library was what leered me to Prime, but I didn't need all that it offered- like, I don't need 2 day shipping and it's too expensive for what I want/ need. They sell the library program though for only $9.99 a month to make it seem cheaper- and they do take out $9.99 every month, so you don't have to spend $120 right off. Plus, I like buying my books, I love all my Kindle books. My library has a big selection (so does my dad for the lending program), it goes through the whole county, not just my local library. Still, I'm a HUGE Amazon fan and this sounds cool, I could save some money with it at 9.99 a month, as right now, I read 5-6 books a month, maybe one or two more! But then, if they are good, I'd want them in my Kindle library. So, I dunno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I'm not so sure I could pay that much. The Amazon library was what leered me to Prime, but I didn't need all that it offered- like, I don't need 2 day shipping and it's too expensive for what I want/ need. They sell the library program though for only $9.99 a month to make it seem cheaper- and they do take out $9.99 every month, so you don't have to spend $120 right off. Plus, I like buying my books, I love all my Kindle books. My library has a big selection (so does my dad for the lending program), it goes through the whole county, not just my local library. Still, I'm a HUGE Amazon fan and this sounds cool, I could save some money with it at 9.99 a month, as right now, I read 5-6 books a month, maybe one or two more! But then, if they are good, I'd want them in my Kindle library. So, I dunno (bolding above mine) Yup, that's where they'll get their profit. Great psychologists aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Whereas, I'm the opposite and that's why it's more likely to appeal to me - I very rarely re-read books, and historically with my tree books, as soon as I'd read most of them, they went to the charity shop, and with the Kindle, they just sit there in a collection and I'm unlikely to ever read them again. Borrowing would be ideal for me. My library does lend ebooks, but not Kindle format, so I'd need to get a different e-reader to use that facility, so I've never bothered, but that might be a better alternative for me, as it would be a one-off cost only. I'd then have the dilemma of which ereader to take with me wherever I went, and it would probably be another charger to take on holiday, as they're never a standard connector, are they?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnderTheDome40 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I haven't looked seriously at it yet. Trouble with us is that once we read a book, I want to own it. And, yes, it's a ten dollar fee per month, not an outlay of 120 USD at one time. Haven't seen the range of books they offer but I have the feeling it's probably a bit repetitive. I still think that I find stuff cheaper at Library Sales, Estate Sales and second hand book stores. I have the feeling that Amazon's new service will put a dent in their Marketplace operation for booksellers though. Pontalba, I saw you live in the States so I'll send you a link to the site where I order my books (Not sure if you could order from the UK). I used to be an avid Amazon book shopper, I loved it. Then I found this site and it honestly beats Amazon. It's called Thrift Books www.ThriftBooks.com The prices are truly the best I have ever come across. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Pontalba, I saw you live in the States so I'll send you a link to the site where I order my books (Not sure if you could order from the UK). I used to be an avid Amazon book shopper, I loved it. Then I found this site and it honestly beats Amazon. It's called Thrift Books www.ThriftBooks.com The prices are truly the best I have ever come across. I'm looking at the site now, thanks so much for the link! Looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnderTheDome40 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Glad to help, I hope it suits you.. Its actually funny how the book shopping patterns change. When I was a newbee reader, I shopped at B&N. As I got more experienced into reading, shopping got more sophisticated and I learned Barnes & Noble didn't have a large variety of novels so I found amazon. And that was good for awhile because you can find almost any book on amazon but the prices were usually high for new books and no telling what shape a used book would come in.. That is when I found ThriftBooks. Free S&H, the prices are awesome, and it tells you what condition your used book will come in; acceptable, good or very good. I always choose very good condition because they look brand spanking new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 The first thing on my list of things to do when we relocate, is to locate the libraries. I LOVE city libraries for the large selections, but I will miss my small town libraries because of its quirky coziness and the librarians. Actually I can still use this library for intralibrary rentals and because we will still maintain our house. Gee, the best of both worlds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnderTheDome40 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 The first thing on my list of things to do when we relocate, is to locate the libraries. I LOVE city libraries for the large selections, but I will miss my small town libraries because of its quirky coziness and the librarians. Actually I can still use this library for intralibrary rentals and because we will still maintain our house. Gee, the best of both worlds! Lol yeah, I totally agree with that Virginia. I love the coziness of Libraries. And all the librarians are so cool at my local library too. I wasn't too fond of the library at my college though. They basically frisk you every time you leave to make sure you aren't stealing books (I think the college kids must steal stuff or something). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) The first thing on my list of things to do when we relocate, is to locate the libraries. I LOVE city libraries for the large selections, but I will miss my small town libraries because of its quirky coziness and the librarians. Actually I can still use this library for intralibrary rentals and because we will still maintain our house. Gee, the best of both worlds! I have obtained approximately 36 kindle books through our library so far this year. The kindle has increased my reading almost 100% and most of the libraries are just great for their selections. When we moved to North Carolina I must have donated hundreds of hardcover books to the library. Chances are I will never buy another hardcover again. I kept certain collections of hardcovers like John Steinbeck, Louie L'Amour, etc. I will have to do a cost analysis for my wife and me to see if we buy enough kindle books to make the Amazon rental worthwhile. Edited July 25, 2014 by muggle not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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