Another thing that I credit WordPress for bringing me into the loop about are the two Netflix for books type companies that have joined the e-book fun recently. Hopefully if you’re reading this you have some idea as to what I’m talking about. You don’t? Okay. The two companies I’m talking about are Scribd and Oyster. Like I said, Netflix for books is really all you need to know about them. But both companies are limited to a set number of devices. I think only iPad, Kindle Fire, Nook, and the various Apple and Android smartphones. You’ll notice no regular Kindle reading devices.
Before I continue, you all should be well aware by now that although I own a Kindle, I’ve never been a big user. I’ve read perhaps 20 books all the way through in the time I’ve had it (3+ years). I did read the last two THG books and also more recently The Fault in Our Stars. But those are the rare cases. I’m all for buying the paperback edition of my books so I can store them on my shelves right here next to me as I write this. I’ve read so much about people with too many books that they donate or give them away. I can tell you that I’ll never do this. Ever. So now you have an idea about how much I love my own books.
With all that being said, the announcement just this week that Amazon is in the testing phases of its own reading subscription service caught my attention. People say they have no money, but I really don’t. I work weekends and the little money I do make is gone rather quickly, but even I can afford $9.99 a month to read books. And I could still easily buy the books I really want because $9.99 is essentially the price of one book, so it’s not like price of the service would be astronomical.
I have to say it, Amazon first flipped the publishing industry on its head when it first released the Kindle just a few short years ago. And I think they’re about to do it again. Millions of readers read on their Kindle devices every single day. This service will be heaven on earth for all of those people. According to an article I read, Amazon doesn’t yet have any titles from any of the Big 5 publishers. Assuming this is eventually worked out (crossing my fingers) I’ll gladly fork over $9.99 a month for this service. Why now and not before with one of the other ones already available? Because who wants to read books on their phone? (I don’t have an iPad)
If Amazon is able to bring this service to market, I’ll definitely take part. Will you?
You can read a short article on the service here.
Johnny Reads 
An interesting concept!! But I think for paying every month id like to actually own something… Not read it on the kindle then it’s gone. I’ll stick to the old fashioned library as my tactic to not over-stuff my shelves!
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Hmm. I suppose. Isn’t it hard to get new releases at the library? Cause so many people want them. I’ve never tried so I don’t know.
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I’m experimenting with that at the moment with reserving them…but probably yes! But on the plus side…it’s free!
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It’s free and you eventually get the book a year after its release. Haha
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This is interesting, John. Thanks for the information. I’m not sure yet that I would do it, but I would certainly consider it. I don’t spend $9.99 each week at this point. For me, it would be upping my book budget. You read more than I do! Congrats on that achievement.
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I think you may have mistyped or misread. It’s $9.99 a month. Not week. And I’ve only read seven books this year of my goal of 50. So I think every person in the world reads more than me.
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Oh yeah. I spend that much on books. Thanks.
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this is nothing new, John. Amazon has had a similar service for a number of years call Prime. Prime is actually a better deal–or was. With Prime you can not only download ebook, you can also watch movies and listen to music. The only restriction with Prime is that you can only borrow one book a month and the book has to be in the Prime library. The biggest value, however, with Prime is free 2 day shipping on anything bought from Amazon. The cost used to be $79 a year, however, as of the 01/01/15 the cost will go up to $99 per year–which in my estimation is still a bargain, especially if you have to return stuff you buy and reorder. Free 2 day shipping is awesome.
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I have Prime. And I’ve borrowed books from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. This is strictly books.
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I probably won’t, mostly because I really dislike reading on electronic devices. I have a Kindle and rarely use it. I use my iPhone when I’m desperate, but it’d probably end up being something I’d pay for and never use. And although ten bucks is a pretty good deal, why would I pay the money if I won’t use it? It’s a pretty sweet idea, though, for people who love e-readers and such.
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Hm. I know you don’t like ebooks. I guess you’re right if you don’t think you’d use it. Did you ever finish the first Bosch book? Do not tell me you didn’t like it.
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No, I haven’t finished it, and it’s not because I don’t like it. But I’ll reserve final judgment for when I finish. I honestly haven’t been reading much of anything the last couple of weeks.
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Hm. Okay.
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I will totally subscribe to this!!!
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Well duhh. You read the entire library every year.
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If only! Speaking of libraries! I am looking into schools for a masters in library science!!!! Also wrote 500 words tonight, but on a different story that I felt I had to write immediately!
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That’s something you should tell me in a letter! I was actually just thinking a few minutes ago before you started stalking my blog that I haven’t even asked you about your writing this month. I sorry. 😦
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Hahaha I don’t stalk…okay… Well maybe I do… But that’s alright. Tonight I had an epiphany with my writing and put my current story on the back burner. Have you sent a letter yet???
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Wait, epiphany? What happened!? Now you have to tell me. No. I haven’t. 😦 let’s blame it on my minor injury at the moment that makes me not want to move from bed. Nothing serious, but I’m not training right now and when I don’t train I don’t want to move. But I’m waking up early tomorrow for something and I can easily write it before the mail comes.
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I realized I deal with certain things I’ve gone through and putting them into a story felt right. It’s very raw and emotional but it’s therapeutic. Take your time! Don’t fall out of bed and further the injury… Which is totally something I would do.
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Hm. Well I hope I’ll get to read some of this rather emotional writing of yours at some point. Haha don’t worry. I’m not doing that.
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Well I’m writing this a lot faster than the other story! So probably!!!
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But it’s not nonfiction, right?
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No it’s fiction. It’s just taking my experiences and putting them into another setting
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Well you have my interest already and I haven’t read a single word. I’d never want to write about my experiences, but whenever other people do I always feel like they’re just putting everything into their writing when they do that. Not to say you wouldn’t otherwise, but if it’s personal I think maybe it just adds an incentive. And makes for some great writing and reading.
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Exactly! I feel so connected already and it feels good to be able to share some experiences that I wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing otherwise. No one will ever know what’s truth or tale.
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I’ll know. Cause we’re pen pals and I’m just going to ask you about them. Haha
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I’ll never tell!
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Okay. I’m not writing you anything tomorrow morning. There.
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I can’t. That’s why I’m writing them into a story. I still can’t talk about half of the stuff to my own mother… Who I talk to about pretty much everything!
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Fine fine. Did you just unfollow and follow me? Hmmm. Not nice.
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I clicked on your name and it was like ” you unfollowed John” and I was all like uhh no I didn’t!
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Suuuuure. Probably did it like a week ago. It’s fine.
and why are you not sleeping?
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Well I’m not sure. But I think it has to do with solitare
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The most boring game in the history of the universe has you up at like four in the morning? Haha you’re crazy.
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I hadn’t heard about this. Given the amount of books I read I think I would be interested. Thanks for posting this.
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I still haven’t tried it. Though that doesn’t mean I won’t.
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