Are you a paying subscriber to Kindle Unlimited/Scribd/Oyster? - Page 8

taosaur · 02-20-2016, 03:09 PM

It looks like Scribd is circling the drain. The other issue with Scribd is that the vast majority of anything I was interested in reading on their site is also available from my library, usually without even a wait, and as Kindle borrows and Overdrive audiobooks, both of which are a much better experience than the Scribd app.

If my comic consumption were more consistent, it might still be worth it, but I can go months without reading a single comic and then binge for a week or two, which doesn't work so well with the subscription model. I suppose I could sign up for a month here or there when I'm feeling the itch. I wonder if comics are subject to the 3 credit limit?

Rbneader · 02-21-2016, 02:05 PM

I mostly used Scribd to get PDF versions of books I had in hardcover or literally could not find anywhere else like out of print tabletop RPGs. So my use for Scribd isn't really effected by the change. They probably want more customers like me too, since I don't think I've read a single book through them in the whole I'm I've been subscribed.

QuantumIguana · 04-05-2016, 03:30 PM

I'm listening to the audiobook of Rendezvous with Rama by Clarke that I got from Kindle Unlimited. Clarkes' books should keep me on KU for a while.

sydmalicious · 05-27-2016, 08:57 PM

Scribd used to host all kinds of pirated books so I kept away from them. I pay for Kindle Unlimited but I haven't downloaded many books lately.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

BearMountainBooks · 05-28-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sydmalicious

Scribd used to host all kinds of pirated books so I kept away from them. I pay for Kindle Unlimited but I haven't downloaded many books lately.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

SCRIBD did get off to a rough start with a lot of uploads that were stolen. I hope it's a lot better now that they actually have a business model (whether the model will work or not remains to be seen!)

theducks · 05-28-2016, 12:14 PM

2 main reasons I do not use all you can eat subscriptions:

1) I like to KEEP my books (in Calibre). I never know when/if I will re-read.
2) I am picky. I don't always read the same quantity or story type every month.

0) I am cheap

I looked at my years buying history, I did not buy $120 in books any one store. Baen got the most last year

taosaur · 05-28-2016, 05:20 PM

At least where I live, these services have little or no advantage over the library. Just recently I discovered Hoopla, which covers the comic book gap and might have an audiobook or two to interest me.

sassanik · 05-28-2016, 08:49 PM

I loved the model Scridb used to have, and the same with Oyster. But since Oyster closed and Scridb changed its model I have not used it.

I think the subscription idea is still a good one, they just need to make a better option for true heavy readers like me. My local library just does not have a good selection of ebooks.

Amy

sydmalicious · 06-03-2016, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taosaur

At least where I live, these services have little or no advantage over the library. Just recently I discovered Hoopla, which covers the comic book gap and might have an audiobook or two to interest me.

Hoopla is offered by my library as well. I just despised all the promotional emails I got from them. I quit using it.

I find I use OverDrive from either my school library or the Carnegie Library System to binge on audiobooks when I am out of Audible credits and need something to listen to.

I am a slow reader, which is why I have listened to books more than reading them lately.

taosaur · 06-04-2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sydmalicious

Hoopla is offered by my library as well. I just despised all the promotional emails I got from them. I quit using it.

I find I use OverDrive from either my school library or the Carnegie Library System to binge on audiobooks when I am out of Audible credits and need something to listen to.

I am a slow reader, which is why I have listened to books more than reading them lately.

I just opted out of emails when I signed up. I get any audiobooks I can from OverDrive and haven't even installed the Hoopla app anywhere yet--I just read all the Saga comics they had with the web viewer

Tarana · 06-09-2016, 01:48 PM

I have an on and off again subscription for Kindle Unlimited. Family members keep track of what books that they would be interested in. Then after 6 or 7 months, I join for a month or two and then quit again. Why? I don't find enough to read once I read all the Ed McBain books. So, unless something shows up from the backlist of an author I enjoy, I don't get much use out of the service personally. Family members easily go through 20 books a month while I am a member (all their kindles are hooked to my account). I should add that another family member has a Prime Account and I get a free book every month since he doesn't use that feature.

BearMountainBooks · 06-09-2016, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

I have an on and off again subscription for Kindle Unlimited. Family members keep track of what books that they would be interested in. Then after 6 or 7 months, I join for a month or two and then quit again. Why? I don't find enough to read once I read all the Ed McBain books. So, unless something shows up from the backlist of an author I enjoy, I don't get much use out of the service personally. Family members easily go through 20 books a month while I am a member (all their kindles are hooked to my account). I should add that another family member has a Prime Account and I get a free book every month since he doesn't use that feature.

I"ve seen a few people post that they stock up on books they want to read in a wishlist and then join for a couple of months. Seems like you're able to make good use of the program!

Joykins · 06-16-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

I should add that another family member has a Prime Account and I get a free book every month since he doesn't use that feature.

How do you set that up? From what I can tell, my husband's account gets the Prime and he has a kindle but doesn't use it. I'm linked to his shipping for Prime but I can't get the books on my kindle? Would I have to use his kindle?

Xianxia · 08-09-2016, 07:53 AM

Only silence from Apple and Google, I thought they would be in the game by now.

Kindle Unlimited debuted 2 years ago.

fjtorres · 08-09-2016, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joykins

How do you set that up? From what I can tell, my husband's account gets the Prime and he has a kindle but doesn't use it. I'm linked to his shipping for Prime but I can't get the books on my kindle? Would I have to use his kindle?

It's automatic.
He should be getting an email early each month offering a choice of six titles.
I usually wait until late in the month to let reviews accumulate.

The program is called Kindle First.

Here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custo...deId=201376210

One neglected aspect is that non-Prime members get to sign up for the newsletter and buy the books at a deep discount (typically $1.99). For Prime members the first is free but they can buy the others too.

View Poll Results: Are you a paying subscriber to Kindle Unlimited/Scribd/Oyster?
Yes, Kindle Unlimited	37	20.33%
Yes, Scribd	16	8.79%
Yes, Oyster	2	1.10%
No	131	71.98%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 182. You may not vote on this poll

05-28-2016, 08:49 PM	#113
sassanik Guru Posts: 774 Karma: 1211741 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oregon Device: EB1150, iPhone, Cool-er Purple, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Fire	Oyster and Scridb I loved the model Scridb used to have, and the same with Oyster. But since Oyster closed and Scridb changed its model I have not used it. I think the subscription idea is still a good one, they just need to make a better option for true heavy readers like me. My local library just does not have a good selection of ebooks. Amy

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02-20-2016, 03:09 PM	#106
taosaur intelligent posterior Posts: 1,562 Karma: 21295618 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohiopolis Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Samsung S8, Lenovo Tab 3 Pro	It looks like Scribd is circling the drain. The other issue with Scribd is that the vast majority of anything I was interested in reading on their site is also available from my library, usually without even a wait, and as Kindle borrows and Overdrive audiobooks, both of which are a much better experience than the Scribd app. If my comic consumption were more consistent, it might still be worth it, but I can go months without reading a single comic and then binge for a week or two, which doesn't work so well with the subscription model. I suppose I could sign up for a month here or there when I'm feeling the itch. I wonder if comics are subject to the 3 credit limit?

02-21-2016, 02:05 PM	#107
Rbneader Fanatic Posts: 503 Karma: 2661351 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: None	I mostly used Scribd to get PDF versions of books I had in hardcover or literally could not find anywhere else like out of print tabletop RPGs. So my use for Scribd isn't really effected by the change. They probably want more customers like me too, since I don't think I've read a single book through them in the whole I'm I've been subscribed.

04-05-2016, 03:30 PM	#108
QuantumIguana Philosopher Posts: 2,034 Karma: 18736532 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2 gen, Kindle Fire 1st Gen, Kindle Touch	I'm listening to the audiobook of Rendezvous with Rama by Clarke that I got from Kindle Unlimited. Clarkes' books should keep me on KU for a while.

05-27-2016, 08:57 PM	#109
sydmalicious Cantankerous Contrarian Posts: 153 Karma: 506950 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Hershey, PA, US Device: Kobo Sage 32gb, Kindle Paperwhite, Pixel 7 Pro, M1 iPad Pro 12.9	Scribd used to host all kinds of pirated books so I kept away from them. I pay for Kindle Unlimited but I haven't downloaded many books lately. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

05-28-2016, 12:14 PM	#111
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,267 Karma: 61916422 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	2 main reasons I do not use all you can eat subscriptions: 1) I like to KEEP my books (in Calibre). I never know when/if I will re-read. 2) I am picky. I don't always read the same quantity or story type every month. 0) I am cheap I looked at my years buying history, I did not buy $120 in books any one store. Baen got the most last year

05-28-2016, 05:20 PM	#112
taosaur intelligent posterior Posts: 1,562 Karma: 21295618 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohiopolis Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Samsung S8, Lenovo Tab 3 Pro	At least where I live, these services have little or no advantage over the library. Just recently I discovered Hoopla, which covers the comic book gap and might have an audiobook or two to interest me.

06-09-2016, 01:48 PM	#116
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,061 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I have an on and off again subscription for Kindle Unlimited. Family members keep track of what books that they would be interested in. Then after 6 or 7 months, I join for a month or two and then quit again. Why? I don't find enough to read once I read all the Ed McBain books. So, unless something shows up from the backlist of an author I enjoy, I don't get much use out of the service personally. Family members easily go through 20 books a month while I am a member (all their kindles are hooked to my account). I should add that another family member has a Prime Account and I get a free book every month since he doesn't use that feature.

08-09-2016, 07:53 AM	#119
Xianxia Zealot Posts: 101 Karma: 3017168 Join Date: Nov 2015 Device: phone	Only silence from Apple and Google, I thought they would be in the game by now. Kindle Unlimited debuted 2 years ago.