Kindle unlimited - worth it?

[Soulstirring]

Yes - YANBU
No - YABU

I’m finding I’m struggling to find books I love and that kindle unlimited isn’t worth it when I could pay for one great book a month for the same cost. Help my find some fab books please in unlimited.

Have you come across borrow box? It's the library services e-book and audiobook lending service. Our county library isn't signed up to it but dh & 1 have both joined up via neighbouring authorities.

Kindle Unlimited is absolutely worth it. You can get some amazing books on there. Ive found some of my favourites on there. I’m half way through one at the mo, it’s just hard when the kids are about ALL the time to get properly lost in one

I did a free trial with them over the summer, and overall I'd say not worth it (sorry, can't vote on the mobile site!)

There were some OK->good books, nothing really amazing and a lot of average->poor books. There's a lot that you could get free or very cheap on Kindle anyway.

I felt like I wasted time sifting through the poor ones, or downloading and reading a bit, then ditching them. Like you I decided I'd rather buy good ones by authors I know I like, supplemented with charity shops and library (when open) for mediocre/take a punt books

The best for me: the Vine Witch, Wakenhyrst, Dreamland, Death on the Nile (I think there's a couple of other Christie if you haven't read them)

Pretty good: Pachinko, Paper wife, Daggerspell

Harmless readable trash: the Lee Strauss Ginger Gold series, Everland Ever after series.

Obviously it depends on the sort of books you like!

I have kindle unlimited, it’s ok but I don’t think the books are of the same quality generally as the ones you can buy. Tends to be a bit more of the trashy easy to read but forgettable books. If you can only afford either buying a book or kindle unlimited then probably best to go with buying one each month

Totally depends what kind of genres you’re into, when I’ve looked at the titles I’ve never found many that I like, I’d rather buy the ones I really want (or get from the library) than read stuff I’m not that into for the sake of it.

But that’s totally subjective and for people who are into the kind of books they have it’s great value

I had it, but cancelled it recently - there weren't enough books that I wanted to read.

It wasn’t worth it for me, I got the odd book I enjoyed. I agree I would rather buy a decent one. Have you got someone to share with? My DD got the 6 month offer and we share our kindle content so I can access her kindle unlimited.

Going to look up borrow box though.

It will depend on how much you read and what you enjoy.

I read on average 5 crime novels a week. I have no intention of reading them again. It's definitely worth it for me. I buy other Kindle books very rarely.

I'm not going to pretend these are award winning novels. But they are enjoyable escapism.

I did kindle unlimited and there was an awful lot of self published pap on there. That was a few years ago though so it might have improved!

I’ve also just cancelled it, also because i ended up paying for every book I wanted to read anyway!

I think your options are backwards, I answered based on your title.

All the books you get for free on there look like a load of crap to me. There is the odd one I think looks interesting but most of them seem really low quality.

I cancelled it after a week or so. Couldn't find anything I wanted.

Its full of really bad psychological thrillers, weird self published crap and chicklit.

I like BorrowBox, Libby and Indireads which are free through my library.
I find kindle unlimited has so much crap it’s hard to find the decent stuff and I end up buying what I want

There is usually three months for 99p, so use that and try it yourself. Then get a Kobo eReader and use Overdrive to borrow from your local library.

There's a free 2 month trial at the moment. I cancelled it after a few days as there was nothing that interested me.

I cancelled it as, like another poster, I found the books were mostly self published rubbish. I am very wary of any book described as 'life affirming' or 'heartwarming', which a lot of this pap seems to be. I did try a few of the free books, but it's very hit and miss. One or two were unreadable due to terrible editing.

I mostly use kindle unlimited for magazines. I think it's worth it just for that.

Worth it for me. I read 4-5 books a month so have saved a fortune in a year. However, it really depends on the genres you like. The fantasy and sci-selection is great - includes some of the best authors. If more commercial best sellers are your thing then you'll find it lacking. You also have to be diligent at searching and reading reviews rather than looking for specific titles you've been recommended by friends etc.

@Jessicabrassica
I love you!!!!😀
Had never heard pf Borrowbox -just downloaded the app and have already downloaded two books that were on my Audible wish list!
Amazing.
I am a teacher and you can guess what I am going to preface every lesson with next week😀

I love kindle unlimited. I read c. 20 books a month so it's 100% worth it for me. Occasionally still buy the odd book for something like book club where I can't get the specific one I need though.

I found the Undead srs RR Haywood on unlimited it was worth it for those for a month.

Forgot to say about local library online, also worth doing.

I get the BookBub emails (chose your genres and they email you daily with cheap and free books. I just "buy" all the free ones I like the look of and there are enough ones I actually enjoy to keep me going. A lot of them are also Kindle Unlimited when you look, so with KU you are paying for (some) books which are free.
You don't get new release or bestsellers this way, but I'm not fussy just like reading so it works for me.

I just noticed this week that if you have prime some books are already free, including the one i was actually searching for.