These days, book lovers are spoilt for choice with the number of services available aimed at making reading easier and more enjoyable. We know that with increased choice can also come confusion, so we’ve created a handy guide to the most popular book subscription-service right now – Kindle Unlimited.
What is Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service granting users access to over one million ebooks, thousands of audiobooks, as well as selected magazines and comic books. With your subscription, akin to a library service, you’ll be able to borrow up to 10 books at a time from thousands of authors and genres. Think of it as Amazon Prime Video or Netflix, but for books.
How much is Kindle Unlimited?
A Kindle Unlimited subscription costs £7.99 per month, but you can start with a free 30-day trial to test the waters.
How does Kindle Unlimited Work?
To access Kindle Unlimited, all you need to do is sign up for the monthly fee. After that, you can browse the catalogue and simply hit the download button to access each title. You’ll be able to borrow 10 books at a time and return them whenever you like – there's no due date.
If you’re interested in Kindle Unlimited but don’t own a Kindle – not to worry. You can access Kindle Unlimited on any of your devices by simply downloading the Kindle App or through the Kindle Cloud Reader. The Kindle app works on iOS, Android, Mac or PC.
Some of the titles come with a free audiobook, indicated by a headphone symbol on the product detail page. This is WhisperSync for Voice, a function that allows users to easily switch between an ebook and audiobook without the worry that they will lose their place.
Is Kindle Unlimited included in a Prime membership?
Kindle Unlimited is a standalone subscription service and is not included with your Prime membership, and you don’t need to have a Prime membership to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. This makes Kindle Unlimited distinct from Prime Reading, a service that Prime users can access for free.
What kind of books does Kindle Unlimited have to offer?
As stated earlier, Kindle Unlimited offers over one million ebook titles – a staggering figure. However, it’s important to note that most Kindle Unlimited books originate from self-published authors. This means that mainstream books and bestsellers can be harder to find as emerging writers are in the spotlight. Of course, with a bit of digging, you’ll still find favourites such as J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series and George Orwell’s 1984.
How can I cancel Kindle Unlimited?
To cancel your Kindle Unlimited subscription, sign in to your Amazon account and select Cancel Kindle Unlimited under Manage Membership. You’ll still have access to all Kindle Unlimited titles until your membership expires.
Can I keep Kindle Unlimited Books forever?
Unlike purchasing a Kindle book, with Kindle Unlimited you'll only be able to access titles while you are still subscribed. After that, you’ll lose access to any titles included in the subscription.
Can I use an Amazon Gift Card to purchase Kindle Unlimited?
At this time, you can't use Amazon gift cards to purchase a subscription to Kindle Unlimited.
Kindle Unlimited vs. Prime Reading
Prime Reading is a feature of the Amazon Prime membership service that offers members the ability to discover thousands of new titles for free. So, what are the main differences between Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited boasts over one million titles, offering users a wider range of options, while Prime Reading offers a smaller pool of around 1,000 titles.
The two services are also distinct in the type of books they offer; Kindle Unlimited is a place for all authors, including the independent and self-published, while Prime Reading stocks contemporary bestsellers.
Is Kindle Unlimited worth it?
If you have an insatiable appetite for books and enjoy indie reads, Kindle Unlimited could be the perfect subscription for you. According to the maths, you’ll need to read between five and eight books a month to make this service worth your while, so it’s certainly suited to those who devour books at the speed of light.
Kindle Unlimited will also allow you to broaden your horizons in terms of new authors and genres while still offering the classics. If you’re a casual reader, preferring to jump on the bestseller and modern classic book train, you may want to consider Prime Reading instead.
Top 10 Most Popular Kindle Unlimited books of 2020
• If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
• When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
• Last Day by Luanne Rice
• In An Instant by Suzanne Redfearn
• The Bad Seed by Jory John
• Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman
• The Last of the Moon Girls by Barbara Davis
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
• In the Heart of the Fire by Dean Koontz