For anyone interested in stepping away from Amazon-as-bookstore: Kobo is a full platform alternative to Kindle, complete with eReaders and ebooks. Libro.fm is a nice Audible alternative. Bookshop...
Exemplary
For anyone interested in stepping away from Amazon-as-bookstore:
Kobo is a full platform alternative to Kindle, complete with eReaders and ebooks.
I used to be very bought in to the Kindle and Audible platforms and have been happy with these as replacements. These don't solve the issue mentioned in the article (an Amazon-published book unavailable at libraries is also not going to be available on Kobo, for example), but there's really no legitimate way around that at present.
I will note that these are not all necessarily US-exclusive services but are definitely US-centric. If anyone has other recommendations for their country, feel free to share them!
Additional info:
The main benefit of using Kobo over Kindle (aside from not supporting Amazon), is that Kobo has native Overdrive/Libby integration, so checking out library books on your phone seamlessly checks them out on your Kobo as well. Also, for those who buy DRM-free ebooks, or for those who find their books from, er, "other" sources, Kobo has native .epub integration.
Also, signing up for non-resident library cards can give you access to multiple catalogs so that you have a lot more selection on Libby/Overdrive (this is beneficial even if you're still on the Kindle platform too, by the way). I have five cards which give me access to five different catalogs, and it’s not uncommon that a book I’m interested in is only available at one of them.
If you do have multiple library cards, searching books on Libby is a little tedious since you have to switch between them for each search. Library Extension saves you the hassle and can search multiple catalogs at once.
I’ll throw in some audible alternatives. Downpour: drm free audiobooks. One minor annoyance is that most books are split into parts even if you use m4b. It’s usually pretty easy to stitch them...
I’ll throw in some audible alternatives.
Downpour: drm free audiobooks. One minor annoyance is that most books are split into parts even if you use m4b. It’s usually pretty easy to stitch them together, but it’s still annoying.
Unbound: I haven’t actually used this one, but I do have an account. Basically an exact replica of audible with one major exception. You select your local bookstore when you sign up. Thereafter, your bookstore gets a portion of every purchase you make on the platform.
I still am on audible for a few reasons. The 2 books per month price makes it cheaper per book than either of these services. I have my audible account tied to my parents account, which lets both accounts ‘own’ all the books the other accounts have. This makes it really easy for us to recommend books to each other. If I made them use a different app for a few books, they would probably forget the app exists. Finally, there are a ton of audible exclusive audiobooks.
I have all of my books downloaded and converted to m4b with openaudible (I used to use inaudible, but openaudible just recently became better in my opinion).
This is of interest to me because I'm extremely supportive of e-book checkouts from the library, especially in the pandemic times. Moreover, I find myself extremely frustrated when digital...
This is of interest to me because I'm extremely supportive of e-book checkouts from the library, especially in the pandemic times. Moreover, I find myself extremely frustrated when digital equivalents to physical items are treated, regulated, or otherwise handled differently. If I buy a physical book, I can do whatever I want with it. Lend it to friends, sell it, donate it, and so on. But DRM locks, region locks, and this example of Amazon's extreme industry reach prevent me from doing the same with e-books. It's mind blowing to me that there aren't stronger rules that regulate that digital books should be treated the same as physical books.
Edit: apologies that the article is paywalled. The gist is that Amazon self-publishes books and they are keeping libraries from buying e-books to rent to patrons. Instead, Amazon has a $10/month subscription service to have unlimited access to their library. But, because they publish so many books, it's a real problem for access. And, libraries pay more for e-books and audiobooks than we do (or for regular books), but they occasionally have expiration dates or a limit on how many times they may be loaned out.
Wow! That's really odd. I use the Libby app for renting library books from my local library, and it has some sort of functionality to connect it to the Kindle app and use the Kindle app to read...
The gist is that Amazon self-publishes books and they are keeping libraries from buying e-books to rent to patrons.
Wow! That's really odd. I use the Libby app for renting library books from my local library, and it has some sort of functionality to connect it to the Kindle app and use the Kindle app to read the books, or something like that. (I've never done it because I don't see the point, but I'm sure someone does or they wouldn't offer it.) I'd think once you're in the Kindle app you're probably going to see things on Amazon and get notifications for offers, etc., and be more likely to buy stuff directly. So I'd think Amazon would encourage that sort of thing?
Well sure, but my point is that I don't understand why Amazon doesn't want that? It seems like it would solve this issue in the short term and be a benefit for Amazon in the long term, so why not...
Well sure, but my point is that I don't understand why Amazon doesn't want that? It seems like it would solve this issue in the short term and be a benefit for Amazon in the long term, so why not just allow it?
The issue isn't that the user cannot buy the books, because they can. The issue is that Amazon won't sell books, even at the elevated price libraries pay, to libraries for users to borrow for...
The issue isn't that the user cannot buy the books, because they can. The issue is that Amazon won't sell books, even at the elevated price libraries pay, to libraries for users to borrow for free.
I feel like I'm missing something in what you're saying, so I apologize if I am.
Sorry, I seem to have a lot of trouble being clear these days. Here's what I'm trying to say: Amazon wants people to buy its books. Libraries let people rent books for free using a mobile app....
Sorry, I seem to have a lot of trouble being clear these days.
Here's what I'm trying to say:
Amazon wants people to buy its books.
Libraries let people rent books for free using a mobile app.
Amazon has a relationship with at least one of those mobile library lending applications.
Because of that relationship, people using library applications have the option to use the Amazon Kindle app as their reader for library books.
Therefore, if Amazon would let the libraries purchase their books, users would likely rent one from their library and read it in the Kindle app. While in the Kindle app, Amazon would likely show them ads for or suggest other books that Amazon makes money from. Users would likely purchase those books because it's easier than going back to the library app and searching for them. This would benefit Amazon, so I don't understand why Amazon is so resistant to the idea. I agree that it would be less than ideal for users who did this, but that doesn't explain why Amazon doesn't want to do it.
Furthermore, by doing it, Amazon gets to look like the good guy because they're allowing libraries to purchase their books.
This is pretty much like the Epic Game Store's approach in gaming, and like what AT&T had with the iPhone. It's purchasing retail exclusivity on an IP. I'm not a fan of retail exclusivity...
This is pretty much like the Epic Game Store's approach in gaming, and like what AT&T had with the iPhone. It's purchasing retail exclusivity on an IP. I'm not a fan of retail exclusivity agreements.
Amazon also has a history of playing hard with competition. They still don't sell the Chromecast, and their Chromecast support is rather recent compared to everyone else's. I don't think they're attacking the library system in general, I think they're just following the spreadsheet to make the most profit with the least resistance.
I haven't read the article, but perhaps the problem is less that Amazon is doing this with their ebooks, and more that authors are publishing their work through Amazon (who is doing this with...
I haven't read the article, but perhaps the problem is less that Amazon is doing this with their ebooks, and more that authors are publishing their work through Amazon (who is doing this with their ebooks).
You're right, alternatively you could say the problem is that consumers make Amazon publishing appealing by voting with their wallets for Amazon books. But sadly those ships have sailed. Authors...
You're right, alternatively you could say the problem is that consumers make Amazon publishing appealing by voting with their wallets for Amazon books.
But sadly those ships have sailed. Authors publish through Amazon because it's cheap, easy and there's built in access to a huge audience that's already conditioned to buy. Until there's a better alternative they won't stop. And the chances of there being an alternative with comparable reach any time soon is slim.
Amazon (or Apple, or Google) scale is the point where the free market starts to fail.
Overdrive books have DRM, though, so I'm not sure how much of a difference there is on the IP protection front. If people can crack that, then they can crack Amazon's and it's a bit moot.
Overdrive books have DRM, though, so I'm not sure how much of a difference there is on the IP protection front. If people can crack that, then they can crack Amazon's and it's a bit moot.
It seems like the price isn’t being put in perspective? This isn’t like Reed Elsevier’s huge charges for their subscriptions. Given the cost of education, it seems like schools could just pay the...
It seems like the price isn’t being put in perspective? This isn’t like Reed Elsevier’s huge charges for their subscriptions.
Given the cost of education, it seems like schools could just pay the $10 for their students if they occasionally need access? The monthly fee is less than one textbook. It could add up if someone really needs to be subscribed all year, but that seems unlikely.
You might also compare with the cost of Internet access. Or lunch.
I agree that it could be a problem for archives, though.
For anyone interested in stepping away from Amazon-as-bookstore:
Kobo is a full platform alternative to Kindle, complete with eReaders and ebooks.
Libro.fm is a nice Audible alternative.
Bookshop is good for new physical books.
BetterWorldBooks is good for used physical books.
I used to be very bought in to the Kindle and Audible platforms and have been happy with these as replacements. These don't solve the issue mentioned in the article (an Amazon-published book unavailable at libraries is also not going to be available on Kobo, for example), but there's really no legitimate way around that at present.
I will note that these are not all necessarily US-exclusive services but are definitely US-centric. If anyone has other recommendations for their country, feel free to share them!
Additional info:
The main benefit of using Kobo over Kindle (aside from not supporting Amazon), is that Kobo has native Overdrive/Libby integration, so checking out library books on your phone seamlessly checks them out on your Kobo as well. Also, for those who buy DRM-free ebooks, or for those who find their books from, er, "other" sources, Kobo has native .epub integration.
Also, signing up for non-resident library cards can give you access to multiple catalogs so that you have a lot more selection on Libby/Overdrive (this is beneficial even if you're still on the Kindle platform too, by the way). I have five cards which give me access to five different catalogs, and it’s not uncommon that a book I’m interested in is only available at one of them.
If you do have multiple library cards, searching books on Libby is a little tedious since you have to switch between them for each search. Library Extension saves you the hassle and can search multiple catalogs at once.
I’ll throw in some audible alternatives.
Downpour: drm free audiobooks. One minor annoyance is that most books are split into parts even if you use m4b. It’s usually pretty easy to stitch them together, but it’s still annoying.
Unbound: I haven’t actually used this one, but I do have an account. Basically an exact replica of audible with one major exception. You select your local bookstore when you sign up. Thereafter, your bookstore gets a portion of every purchase you make on the platform.
I still am on audible for a few reasons. The 2 books per month price makes it cheaper per book than either of these services. I have my audible account tied to my parents account, which lets both accounts ‘own’ all the books the other accounts have. This makes it really easy for us to recommend books to each other. If I made them use a different app for a few books, they would probably forget the app exists. Finally, there are a ton of audible exclusive audiobooks.
I have all of my books downloaded and converted to m4b with openaudible (I used to use inaudible, but openaudible just recently became better in my opinion).
This is of interest to me because I'm extremely supportive of e-book checkouts from the library, especially in the pandemic times. Moreover, I find myself extremely frustrated when digital equivalents to physical items are treated, regulated, or otherwise handled differently. If I buy a physical book, I can do whatever I want with it. Lend it to friends, sell it, donate it, and so on. But DRM locks, region locks, and this example of Amazon's extreme industry reach prevent me from doing the same with e-books. It's mind blowing to me that there aren't stronger rules that regulate that digital books should be treated the same as physical books.
Edit: apologies that the article is paywalled. The gist is that Amazon self-publishes books and they are keeping libraries from buying e-books to rent to patrons. Instead, Amazon has a $10/month subscription service to have unlimited access to their library. But, because they publish so many books, it's a real problem for access. And, libraries pay more for e-books and audiobooks than we do (or for regular books), but they occasionally have expiration dates or a limit on how many times they may be loaned out.
Wow! That's really odd. I use the Libby app for renting library books from my local library, and it has some sort of functionality to connect it to the Kindle app and use the Kindle app to read the books, or something like that. (I've never done it because I don't see the point, but I'm sure someone does or they wouldn't offer it.) I'd think once you're in the Kindle app you're probably going to see things on Amazon and get notifications for offers, etc., and be more likely to buy stuff directly. So I'd think Amazon would encourage that sort of thing?
But that wouldn't be benefiting library users, as they'd still end up on the hook for Amazon books, then.
Well sure, but my point is that I don't understand why Amazon doesn't want that? It seems like it would solve this issue in the short term and be a benefit for Amazon in the long term, so why not just allow it?
The issue isn't that the user cannot buy the books, because they can. The issue is that Amazon won't sell books, even at the elevated price libraries pay, to libraries for users to borrow for free.
I feel like I'm missing something in what you're saying, so I apologize if I am.
Sorry, I seem to have a lot of trouble being clear these days.
Here's what I'm trying to say:
Amazon wants people to buy its books.
Libraries let people rent books for free using a mobile app.
Amazon has a relationship with at least one of those mobile library lending applications.
Because of that relationship, people using library applications have the option to use the Amazon Kindle app as their reader for library books.
Therefore, if Amazon would let the libraries purchase their books, users would likely rent one from their library and read it in the Kindle app. While in the Kindle app, Amazon would likely show them ads for or suggest other books that Amazon makes money from. Users would likely purchase those books because it's easier than going back to the library app and searching for them. This would benefit Amazon, so I don't understand why Amazon is so resistant to the idea. I agree that it would be less than ideal for users who did this, but that doesn't explain why Amazon doesn't want to do it.
Furthermore, by doing it, Amazon gets to look like the good guy because they're allowing libraries to purchase their books.
Oh, shit. Yeah reading your explanation, what you've said to date does make sense now. Sorry about that.
Yup, I agree. I get what you're saying.
This is pretty much like the Epic Game Store's approach in gaming, and like what AT&T had with the iPhone. It's purchasing retail exclusivity on an IP. I'm not a fan of retail exclusivity agreements.
Amazon also has a history of playing hard with competition. They still don't sell the Chromecast, and their Chromecast support is rather recent compared to everyone else's. I don't think they're attacking the library system in general, I think they're just following the spreadsheet to make the most profit with the least resistance.
I haven't read the article, but perhaps the problem is less that Amazon is doing this with their ebooks, and more that authors are publishing their work through Amazon (who is doing this with their ebooks).
You're right, alternatively you could say the problem is that consumers make Amazon publishing appealing by voting with their wallets for Amazon books.
But sadly those ships have sailed. Authors publish through Amazon because it's cheap, easy and there's built in access to a huge audience that's already conditioned to buy. Until there's a better alternative they won't stop. And the chances of there being an alternative with comparable reach any time soon is slim.
Amazon (or Apple, or Google) scale is the point where the free market starts to fail.
this is totally reasonable because digital copyright is already hard enough to protect when buying e-books, not to mention BORROWING them
Overdrive books have DRM, though, so I'm not sure how much of a difference there is on the IP protection front. If people can crack that, then they can crack Amazon's and it's a bit moot.
It seems like the price isn’t being put in perspective? This isn’t like Reed Elsevier’s huge charges for their subscriptions.
Given the cost of education, it seems like schools could just pay the $10 for their students if they occasionally need access? The monthly fee is less than one textbook. It could add up if someone really needs to be subscribed all year, but that seems unlikely.
You might also compare with the cost of Internet access. Or lunch.
I agree that it could be a problem for archives, though.