So, who has a Kindle?

[niaru]

Hubby gifted one to me for my birthday and I really like it! But the Prime membership only allows you to borrow ONE book per month. Not enough! lol

So I wondered if the Kindle users out there could unite and set up a "public library" type thing among ourselves? I don't even know how that would work, lol, but my local library offers few ebooks, and long wating lists...

[elizabeth_h]

I have a Kindle too. I like it a lot more than I thought I would, though it took me a while to get used to having to turn the page so often when compared to a paper book! It is possible to "share" a book with other people. Actually there are probably several ways to do it but I have not researched it. We are able to share books by having everyone register to the same amazon account. My mother was the first in the family to get a kindle, so when my sister, husband and I all got them we were able to read books that my mother had in her archive by registering to her account. You can very easily register and de-register to different accounts. The downside is that the account holder probably has a credit card linked to that account, so you have to make sure not to buy books when you are registered to that person's account, or else it will be charged to them. I wonder if it would be possible to set up an account, somehow put some money in that account (maybe through a gift certificate) and then buy books with that money. I thought that might work for a book club - just have everyone pitch in $10 or so at the beginning of the year, then have one person buy the chosen book each month but then everyone would be able to register there and read the book. Don't know if that would work though.

[HokieThea]

I just discovered that my library lends ebooks, and they are linked to several library systems. About 2/3 of the books I look for are there, and if they are checked out I can put them on hold. I would say investigate your library system online a little more. Also check out the free books list in the Kindle store on Amazon, which is updated a lot. A lot of it is crap, but I can usually find one or 2 books, and hey, they are free, so if you quit reading you don't feel guilty.

[HokieThea]

BTW, I ADORE my Kindle!! I tell people if there was a house fire, I save the Kindle first, and then the kids!

[brooks]

I too have one and love it. They have lots of free books or real cheap ones which I get. I do have my CC on my acct so buying is not a problem. I have not tried to borrow books yet, too busy with the free ones

[RacetrackRejects]

Niaru, try checking your public library and see if they have a pass card or something for Kindle. If not, check with the Houston Public library as they have a free super pass card that you can check books out on your Kindle with. We live a few hours away and are still able to use their pass, so I think it may be open to anyone. If not, I can give you a Texas address to use. >.> lol

I also believe you can lend books from account to account for something like 14 days.

[niaru]

Aww thanks RR!

I will ask my librarians. I thought it would be easy to lend/borrow from friends with other Kindles, but you're right, usually the CC is linked to the account, so that is a bit tricky. Oh well.

I really like my Kindle Fire too! I probably won't need to take my computer next time I travel (unless I land another contract for work) since I can check my email etc. on it. I love that I can just prop it on my knee to read hands free (so I can eat and read, haha!).
However, it makes it way too easy to buy books. WAY too easy.

[adcooper]

Just pity the poor librarians. You have no idea how many seniors have been showing up at reference desks during the past two weeks with e-readers their kids gave them as gifts, and which they have no idea how to use!

I am certain that Amazon would frown on the idea of sharing ebooks! But if you can find a way to do it, let me know how it works. Did you know that some ebook publishers refuse to allow libraries to buy their products? Harper Collins has set it up so that ebook copies purchased by libraries self destruct after a couple dozen check-outs.

On the other hand, Project Gutenberg offers thousands of free ebooks. Not the recent bestsellers, of course, but you can probably find something you'd like there.
www.gutenberg.org/

[niaru]

LOL Ann! I can imagine!!

I finally broke down and got the Prime membership, which does allow me to borrow 1 book per month (erh-better than nothing, this is how I read the Hunger Games - btw I think she could have done a MUCH better way in writing the end of it! but I digress) but I also get free shipping and other perks.

My library is starting to get more ebooks, but they all have a looong waiting list! That is fine. I enjoy borrowing real paper books too!

Thanks you guys for the useful links!

[Smay]

How much ARE ebooks usually? My son gave his girlfriend a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and instructed me to buy her a cover for it, and an Amazon Gift Certificate for $25...I didn't think that would buy much, but I don't even know how much each ebook is?

[HokieThea]

It depends on the book. Normally current best sellers are $9-13. Amazon has lots of daily sales on books, and some books are cheaper as they get older. Amazon also has a running list of best-selling free books. Some are good, most are crap, but hey, they're free, so if you don't like t you can stop reading! Then of course there is the library lending programs which are free.

[RacetrackRejects]

I just paid $12.99 for a book that was released on 12/27/2011 and I think that is pretty typical for newer books. Older books that I've purchased lately were $5-6.

[Katelyn]

Project Gutenberg is great-it has all the oldies and classics for FREE!!

[Bara]

Thea is the pioneer. Mine isn't a Kindle, but I love it!