Amazon shut their free Kindle library down today

[SheltieLover]

https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/lifestyle/amazon-just-quietly-shut-beloved-104910734.html

I do not use it, but guessing some here might.

[OhNo-Really]

1. I ❤️ Free LIBBY App for Library Card holders

Also I bought a Fairfax County Library card for $28 for out of state members for wider selection & quicker access

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/non-resident-library-card-application

Link to tweet

?

So my Libby App has a link for both my local & Fairfax County locations

I mostly listen to audiobooks while busy doing things

[SheltieLover]

4. Ty!

I'll bet Fairfax has a great selection!
Likely will join up, too!

[OhNo-Really]

8. You're welcome. And, unlike my lame

County library system that is a $100 a year property tax line item, Fairfax buys a large number of copies so the wait time for new releases book holds is much much shorter.
My county buys one or two copies for 500k ppl 🙄

[SheltieLover]

9. Same here!

With populqr new releases there are often 600-800+ ahead of me in line for an ecopy.

[OhNo-Really]

11. Token Library. Tax rip off imo. Odd kids books like all wizards stuff

[northoftheborder]

2. I used the kindle app on my iPad for light night time reading. No big loss for me - their free loans

Mostly minor literature

[SheltieLover]

5. Glad you aren't affected!

I do not own a Kindle.

[Mike 03]

3. I wonder if Amazon is doing some belt-tightening.

Off subject, but I've noticed fewer of their books are reduced-price. Most books I've purchased recently have been at or near full price, and even some twenty-year old WW2 books (and especially books related to the Yugoslav wars of the 90s), paperbacks, have been in the $25-$30 range. These are the types of books you used to be able to get for $12 - $15 dollars.

I don't mind so much if the money is going into the authors' pockets, since that has been an issue. But it's jarring to see these higher prices, particularly for older trade paperbacks.

[SheltieLover]

6. I usually only purchase psych books for reference

And they're always expensive, even used. I use Abe Books. Great prices.

Amazon says they have something else in the works. It would seem they should have rolled out a replacement prior to shutting this down.

I used to belong to a writer's group, pre-tRump virus, and there was talk of Walmart launching a competitive online publishing (& reading) site.

Perhaps this has something to do with Walmart's intended launch?

Sorry, I can't recall what Walmart's new service is called or when it will launch.

There is, of course, hope among authors that Walmart's launch will pay a better "per page" (read) rate.

[Bradshaw3]

7. Belt tightening after doubling profits from last year?

Made almost $11B more than last year due to the pandemic, a 56 percent increase. Yeah, tough times for poor old Amazon and Bezos.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/12/22/amazon-and-walmart-have-raked-in-billions-in-additional-profits-during-the-pandemic-and-shared-almost-none-of-it-with-their-workers/#:~:text=Research%20Assistant%20%2D%20Metropolitan%20Policy%20Program&text=This%20is%20especially%20true%20of,%E2%80%94a%20stunning%2056%25%20increase.

[SheltieLover]

12. And Amazon is or has launched a pharmacy delivery system

I wouldn't think cashflow to be a problem, but who knows how far & deep greed can run?

[Bradshaw3]

14. It's a bottomless pit and that's the problem the world faces

Except for a few cases, governments the world over enable the global corporations and the endless quest for more profit regardless of the impact on workers or the environment.

[OhNo-Really]

10. Add the free LIBBY app if you have a library card

All audio & e books free. The author was paid by libraries

[SheltieLover]

13. I tried Libby

But, unless I did something wrong, only the ebooks available through my library were offered.

[yellowdogintexas]

18. Are you choosing books directly from Amazon?

Have you tried the discount apps that are out there?

Try BookBub, Robin Reads, Bargain Booksey, Book Raider and a few others. When you register (free) you are asked what you prefer to read, then you will receive an email daily with something from each category. Prices range from free to maybe $4.99. I tend to stick with the free and 99 cent ones.

I have discovered a number of good series through these services, and after I have started a series, I will invariably get emails with the link to the complete set, a list of each book in the series and sometimes other books by the same author.

I will admit that if I have become immersed in a series, I won't hold out quite as long when the successive books come out.

Don't forget there are many books you can lend to other readers. My sister and I trade books often for our Kindles.

[hermetic]

15. That's not all Amazon is doing

It is refusing to let libraries lend any ebook it publishes, or any audiobook it creates. During the pandemic, checkouts of ebooks from libraries are up 52 percent. But, Amazon is undercutting libraries for those most in need.
Unfortunately, this behavior from Amazon isn’t surprising. They are the largest monopoly in the ecosystem of books, and their stranglehold gives them power to limit access not only to books and information, but to alter the perception of libraries in the industry.
This has to stop. We must reject Amazon’s attack on libraries, and end their ability to hurt readers and authors alike. Here's a petition.
Tell Congress to pursue an antitrust investigation and legislative action to preserve and expand library services.

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/amazon-let-libraries-have-books

[SheltieLover]

16. That is awful!

Going to sign petition!
I know it is a nightmare to self-publish on Amazon, too.

Ty for sharing!

[yellowdogintexas]

19. looks like I just got in under the wire.

A book came up that I really wanted to read and because I had the maximum on loan, I had to delete one. Once I did that, I was good to go.

[SheltieLover]

20. Glad you got what you wanted!

[Demsrule86]

21. It still works for me...I have kindle unlimited not free though...monthly fee.

[mainer]

22. They also shut down their indie documentary films

Many small and indie film companies can no longer distribute their films through Amazon. It's an earthquake throughout that industry. Artists/creators need to develop other modes of distribution.