Whatever service you are considering, we advise browsing the available library of ebooks and audiobooks before you commit. Current best-seller lists are not well represented, and the modest list of mainstream hits that appears mostly comprises older titles. The big five publishers (Penguin Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster) dominate the bestseller charts in the US but have had limited dealings with ebook subscription services so far. (This is where the Netflix comparison is useful.) They may boast more than a million titles, but that total doesn’t necessarily include any works by your favorite authors none of the services we tested had a single title by Cormac McCarthy, for example, though some had audiobooks of his works. These digital reading services are often billed as the equivalent of Netflix or Spotify for books, and there are similarities, but ebook subscriptions also have some unexpected restrictions.Ĭontent: All ebook subscription services offer limited libraries of ebooks. While an ebook subscription might sound ideal, you should take some time to consider the pros and cons of each one. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. This includes unlimited access to and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated August 2022: We've added new favorites and updated links and prices.

When you finish reading, check out the Best Streaming Services for movies and TV shows or the Best Music Streaming Apps for some tunes. We tried out several of the most popular options, delving into their available libraries, apps, and features to determine the best ebook subscription services and audiobook subscriptions for different people. If you love to read, an ebook subscription service is a great way to discover new titles, find recommendations, and read more indie books. Physical book sales are booming, but ebooks and audiobooks have a dedicated, appreciative audience. Ebooks have not swept away traditional tomes the way streaming services for music, movies, and TV shows have slashed sales of discs.

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