Bookish things we love:
Modern Mrs. Darcy: I (Nikki) want to be Anne Bogel when I grow up. Except for hosting two podcasts, because I don’t like listening to myself. Anne writes the blog at Modern Mrs. Darcy (where she also shares ebook deals on weekdays), she hosts the literary matchmaking podcast What Should I Read Next, and she shares some of her favorite titles on her new podcast One Great Book in about ten minutes per episode. Several of our favorite titles come from Anne or her podcast guests.
Goodreads: Oh let me count the ways we love Goodreads…it integrates with Kindle books, it tracks notes and highlights, it tracks all my reading for me, it challenges me annually, it is social media BUILT AROUND BOOKS AND READING AND SHARING TITLES I LOVE, should we go on?
Kindles: We both resisted the transition to ebooks, and now, we both wonder what took us so long. We both have and love the Kindle Fire, but there are many options as the preferences of readers vary. If you prefer a printed (dead tree) book, then kudos to you, but maybe you should try an ereader if your library offers one, it might change your life. Also, an app on your smartphone + using your blue shade settings could give you a mini taste.
Subscriptions
Amazon First Reads:Amazon First Reads gives customers early access to a limited number (generally four to six) of new books from Amazon Publishing. Each month, readers can select one (sometimes two during special months) books to purchase. Ebooks are $1.99 (or free for Prime Members) and hardbacks are $9.99 or less. Unfortunately, First Reads is only available in the US. First Reads books are typically available for Kindle Unlimited after they release.
Kindle Unlimited: Kindle Unlimited is normally $10 a month, however first time subscribers can get a month trial for free and patient readers can find a month (or two or three ) for $0.99 (or less if you’re a prime member) a few times a year. The selection is limited, but you can cancel any time.
Prime Reading:Amazon Prime subscribers have access to free shipping, music, streaming video, AND ebooks, among other benefits. Prime reading includes a wide variety of titles on loan for free. They’re labeled with the familiar prime logo and can be borrowed without a deadline, but the number of titles borrowed at one time is limited.
Libraries:Check out https://find-your-public-library.dp.la/ or http://www.lib-web.org/united-states/public-libraries/ to find your local library!
Online try Overdrive, Libby, Hoopla, RB Digital, and TotalBoox. Also, look at your local library’s website to see what subscriptions you have access to with your library card! Oh, and sometimes, you can access the library system of an adjacent county. For Nikki, she can get her access to one county’s physical collection for free and their electronic collection for $10 a year! Shop around and see what you can find!
Bookstores: Local independent bookstores are magical places. If you aren’t familiar with your local bookstore, check out Indiebound to find them (or one in a new town if you’re traveling). Make friends with your local booksellers, and your reading life will be all the better for it!
In case you haven’t picked up on this yet, we want everyone to have more books they enjoy! Happy reading!
