For the avid reader, e-book subscription services are an excellent choice. Some allow you to access over 1 million titles for a low monthly fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to purchasing each e-book individually. Though you won’t get to enjoy that new book smell when you’re reading an e-book, you will be able to save some space and money when choosing e-books over physical copies.
With e-book subscription services, there are a variety of ways to enjoy the e-books and surprisingly, an e-reader isn’t necessary. Instead, you can use apps if you choose to and read on your smartphone or tablet. No matter which gadget you decide to use, here’s how to choose the best e-book subscription service for your needs.
Keep Your Interests in Mind
Though many of these services have a good variety of titles in different genres, certain ones are tailored to particular interests. There are a couple of subscription services that are more suitable for comic book lovers, for example, such as Marvel Unlimited. Thankfully, most e-book subscription services do offer free trials so you can browse through their selection before committing to the monthly fee.
It's generally a good idea to keep your interests in mind when choosing an e-book subscription service, so you don't find yourself missing out on a selection better suited to your taste. Browsing through each library of titles can help you decide on the best one, so you get your money's worth.
Check Compatibility
Most e-book subscription services can be accessed on your smartphone or tablet, but if you prefer to use an e-reader such as Amazon's Kindle, you might end up paying for a service you can't use. Unfortunately, not all e-book subscription services are compatible with the Kindle, but not to worry—Amazon has their subscription service that should suffice, offering over 1 million titles for unlimited reading (and for only $9.99 per month).
Scribd offers as much variety as Amazon does too, making it a great choice for avid readers, but unfortunately, it won’t support every Kindle device. It may be a good option for those using the Nook HD though, as not every e-book subscription service is compatible with Nook devices.
Be sure to check compatibility before signing up for any subscription service, as you may not be able to use the service on your preferred device.
Choose Wisely
Many e-book subscription services cost around the same per month (under $15) and offer a vast library of titles, so they really aren't too different from one another. Choosing one is likely to be dependent on your particular interests and what device you prefer to use. Some subscription services offer specific titles you may not be able to find elsewhere, but due to the low monthly cost, it may be worthwhile signing up for more than one, at least if they offer an unlimited plan.
Perhaps most importantly, when you're searching for a good e-book subscription service, watch out for fake websites and use common sense when downloading any e-books online. Sometimes downloads can contain malware, and using public networks to download anything can also be risky. Keep yourself protected with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to ensure that you don’t leave yourself open to cyberattacks while browsing the web for a good read.
Have you given any e-book subscription services a try yet or do you have any tips for choosing one? Let us know in the comments section below.
About the Author: Cassie is an entertainment blogger and internet security expert who enjoys a great book in her spare time. If you enjoy reading, check out some of her other posts on Culture Coverage.
