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Amazon Prime and the Kindle Lending Library


Just Kate
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I received one month of Amazon Prime for free. I would really like to borrow a book on my Kindle, but I keep finding that the books that I want aren't eligible. Anyone have any recommendations for me of books that are eligible?

 

Also, I know I have to initially borrow the book from my Kindle. Is it possible to transfer it to my iPad after I borrow it? Since getting an iPad I just don't read as much on my Kindle Touch any more.

 

Thanks!

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When I am looking for a book to borrow, I shop via my Kindle and via the link in the home page of the store that says Kindle Onwers Lending Library; this way, I only see options that I can actually borrow.

 

Once inside that tab, you can sort by genre, including "suggested for you" which is hit or miss, but sometimes has good recs if you have bought a lot of books that you liked. If you are like me and will download any free thing that sounds remotely interesting, it throws your suggestions all out of whack. :)

 

I *think* that the iPad can pull the book, but I am not 100% certain. I think it will show in your library the same way other stuff does, while you have it, so that you can grab it on the iPad the same way you grab any other book. I only have about 80% certainty on that, but I am almost positive DH has done that, read something on the iPad that I had borrowed via Prime.....

 

As for suggestions....I really enjoyed Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series; I think I was able to even borrow the whole 4-book boxed set via Prime. Remake of the classic tale, lots of modern Koontz-y twists, but really, really good.

 

What else....I recenly read Don't Let Me Go which was a good story. Well written characters, interesting, nice plot (not the usual stuff, very unique premise and a great story), etc.

 

Hope that helps some!

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I don't have any good recommendations, but in answer to your second question, you will only be able to read the book on an actual kindle, not a kindle app on your iPad. Personally, I find that to be really annoying, as I prefer to read on my phone, and feel I should still get the benefits of having Prime and (multiple) Kindles...

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You can browse the KLL books online:

 

-Go to the main Amazon page, and log in to your account if you're not already logged in.

-In the search bar drop down menu, choose Books. Leave the search field blank. Hit Go.

-Scroll down the menu on the left, and choose Prime Eligible

-Under Format (at the top of the new page) choose Kindle Edition.

 

That pulls up all of the KLL books, which you can then browse through or search by genre. Just double check and make sure it has the Prime logo and says Read for Free. Remember, you cannot get a KLL book from your computer. If you try, you'll be charged. I find it easier to browse the books online though, then I go to my Kindle and just search for that particular book.

 

You cannot transfer it to your iPad. It won't work. These books will only go to an actual Kindle device, not the Kindle app.

 

I've read quite a few from the lending library since they started offering it. Someone on the 52 books thread also asked for KLL suggestions. I'm trying to go through my archives to remember which books I read and would actually recommend. When I do, I'll post in a new thread..

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I just re-read your OP and realized you only have a month and would like to try a book. Here are a few I can recommend without having to go through my account to see which ones I read.

 

The Beggar King - decent historical mystery, can get a bit gory. This is the 2nd or 3rd in the series. I believe they're all available to borrow. While there's some continuity, they can be read in any order.

 

Yellow Crocus: A Novel - beautiful, I cried more than once. Historical fiction about slavery.

 

If you haven't read The Hunger Games, all three are eligible for KLL.

The entire Harry Potter series is also free to borrow.

 

Castle Cay - contemporary mystery set in Central Florida. I liked it because I'm quite familiar with the Orlando area. The next one, Swan Song, is also on the list. Best read in order.

 

The Grimm Diaries - If you like the tv show Grimm, these were written by its creator. I haven't read any yet, but they're on my KLL wish list.

 

Many of Stephanie Bond's books are available to borrow. I only read one - Our Husband. Cute, but I'm glad I didn't pay for it. I would borrow one of the others if I wanted a quick, fluff read.

 

Those are just a few ideas to get you started. Try searching your favorite genres as I suggested in my PP. I still plan to list my KLL books, but I don't know when I'll get to it.

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Thanks, Kathy, for posting how to do that. I have never been able to figure out how.

 

I still am pretty unimpressed with the KLL though. It's very limited and they make it very hard to browse the books. Plus, I tend to read across a number of devices including the Kindle but the KLL books are only on the Kindle. I think the KLL is one of the lamest benefits of Prime.

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I think the KLL is one of the lamest benefits of Prime.

 

I agree. I use it because it's there and have found some decent books to borrow, but it's nothing special. Anytime someone asks if they should get Prime, I always ask how often and how much they order from Amazon. It's first and foremost a shipping program (it existed before Amazon even released the first Kindle). Instant Video and KLL are supposed to be perks, not reasons to join. I wouldn't recommend Prime to anyone who won't use the shipping benefits.

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I agree. I use it because it's there and have found some decent books to borrow, but it's nothing special. Anytime someone asks if they should get Prime, I always ask how often and how much they order from Amazon. It's first and foremost a shipping program (it existed before Amazon even released the first Kindle). Instant Video and KLL are supposed to be perks, not reasons to join. I wouldn't recommend Prime to anyone who won't use the shipping benefits.

 

Yes, agreed. Prime has a number of perks, but the shipping is the only reason to pay for it IMO.

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Check out http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/154606011 and look at the books on the right. They are the free ones. You can download them right to an ipad. The selection is updated hourly and some books are on there for weeks and others for only 1-2 hours (some have a set number of free downloads). You do have to wade through a bunch of books that you might find inappropriate but I have found 100s of them that I really enjoy.

 

You can also click on the links on the left to further narrow down the searches to books that might interest you.

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Thanks, Kathy, for posting how to do that. I have never been able to figure out how.

 

I still am pretty unimpressed with the KLL though. It's very limited and they make it very hard to browse the books. Plus, I tend to read across a number of devices including the Kindle but the KLL books are only on the Kindle. I think the KLL is one of the lamest benefits of Prime.

 

 

I like it, but then, I am living where I have zero access to English-language books. So, being able to borrow, even one book/month, free, is very nice. Saves me having to pay for it (add in exchange rate, and we are paid in Brazilian currency, so that $10 book costs me R$22, which is a chunk of change for me), and gives me something to read, free. If I lived where I had real library access, this might not be such a perk.

 

I don't find it hard to browse, at all, though. On the Kindle I routinely choose one list or another, so it is no harder to browse KLL than it is to browse Top 100 Free, or Top 100 Paid, or New & Noteworthy, etc. Or sort books by Prime Eligible when browsing on-line....

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I like Wool by Hugh Howey and that is in the lending library. It's a somewhat dystopian novel set in a massive bunker. The characters do not know why they are in the bunker or What the real state of the world is. It's a mystery that unravels with each short story and character introduced.

 

 

I forgot about that one, but I liked it too.

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