For those with a penchant for literary wonders yet a preference for digital versions as opposed to traditional physical books, you may have familiarized yourself with Amazon’s cherished ereader, the Kindle, and the resources it provides via the Kindle Unlimited service. As one of a quartet of Amazon’s literary services, Kindle Unlimited sits alongside Audible (audiobooks), ComiXology (comic books), and Prime Reading (certain complimentary books for Prime members) in an impressive framework of reading subscriptions. Kindle Unlimited has long been dubbed as a book haven by Amazon for more than ten years, delivering the opportunity to access an extensive digital library, which, according to the company, encompasses more than 4 million books and is continuously growing. And thus, for the undecided readers, a comprehensive rundown of what Kindle Unlimited offers follows.
Pricing of the Kindle Unlimited service stands at $9.99 per month, or £9.49 for UK readers and AU$13.99 for those down under. What sets Kindle Unlimited apart from some other Amazon subscriptions is that you needn’t be an Amazon Prime member nor do you need to necessarily own a Kindle device to use the service. Kindle Unlimited books can easily be accessed through the Kindle application on your smartphone or tablet.
So, what exactly can subscribers anticipate from Kindle Unlimited? The main charm of the service undeniably lies in its sheer number of books, an asset that is uncompromisingly substantial regardless of geographical location. This vast library includes classic novels like the Harry Potter series and the Hunger Games trilogy, a handful of Jane Austen’s works, but predominantly features an abundance of contemporary titles. A quick look through Kindle Unlimited reveals a cornucopia of crime and romance novels.
Its vast collection doesn’t stop at fiction; it also offers a rich selection of non-fiction and globally acclaimed titles. A range of genres such as biographies, self-improvement books, and foreign language novels are readily accessible. Moreover, subscribers in certain areas get the added benefit of access to a variety of magazines that are updated weekly.
Depending on your region, a Kindle Unlimited subscription may also give you the possibility of listening to audiobooks without incurring any additional charges. Kindle Unlimited audiobooks are flexible in terms of accessibility as they can be enjoyed either via a computer browser or through the Kindle app on your portable devices. Newer Kindle models also extend this audiobook functionality directly on the device itself.
If Kindle Unlimited is starting to sound appealing, let’s guide you on how to become a part of this reading hub. All you need to do is to head over to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited section on their site. You simply choose your preferred membership plan and click on ‘Join Kindle Unlimited’.
Learning how to download books via Kindle Unlimited is straightforward whether you’re using your web browser, the Kindle app, or directly from your Kindle device. Simply navigate to the library section on your Kindle or the Home page on the Kindle app. Choose the book you’re interested in, which will direct you to its store page, and from there the options to read online or download to your ereader are readily available.
While the service is named Kindle ‘Unlimited’, there are some boundaries to take note of. The service does not actually permit an infinite number of downloads, rather the limit is set at 20 books at once. However, if your Kindle is connected to the internet, you can read an undownloaded book from your library directly.
There’s always something fresh to find on Kindle Unlimited, thanks to Amazon’s regular updates. New books are continuously added, enriching the already expansive library. There are occasional book removals as well, ensuring the catalog remains fresh and relevant for readers.
One important thing to consider around Kindle Unlimited relates to travel. This service is linked to the region associated with your Amazon account, so its availability fluctuates according to geographical location. This regional specificity means that if you’re traveling out-of-country, you may not be able to download new books to your Kindle device from Kindle Unlimited.
The oft-asked question invariably arises: is Kindle Unlimited truly worth it? The answer largely depends on personal reading habits. With its extensive trove of crime and romance novels from emerging authors, Kindle Unlimited is highly appealing for avid readers who are always on the hunt for a new story. However, for those who prefer a slower and more leisurely reading pace, the monthly cost might exceed their usual spending on books.
Furthermore, another factor to keep in mind is your interest in magazine subscriptions or frequently traveling, as these can impact the value you derive from a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Ultimately, the worth of Kindle Unlimited is subjective and dependent on individual reading tastes, reading speed, lifestyle and interests.
In conclusion, Kindle Unlimited serves as a vast digital library, providing a wide array of titles for its subscribers. This service is undoubtedly an excellent tool for voracious readers, especially those with a fondness for modern titles, crime and romance novels. However, before committing, readers should analyze their reading habits, assess the relevance of the offered library to their preferences, and consider the variables of cross-country accessibility and potential additional benefits like access to magazines and audiobooks.