Have you heard about BookBub? If you have, I hope that you are happily downloading some great books at bargain prices. If you haven’t, read on…
A friend told me about BookBub a couple of years ago but it took me awhile to consider it further. Since I prefer actual, physical books, having a bunch of ebooks available for download wasn’t of much interest.
What changed my mind and prompted me to look at BookBub again was my purchase of a Kindle Paperwhite. I was tired of carrying books with me when I traveled and thought a single, light-weight device (that can hold more than a thousand books) made more sense.
BookBub is a free service that emails me several book suggestions every day. Most books cost about $1.99; some are a little more, and some are a little less… even free. If a book in the selection looks good, I click on the title and am taken to Amazon’s website, where I can read more about it, and, if I want, purchase it with one click. Easy peasy.
And, don’t assume that the books offered are the type that you might find on a remainder table in some dusty corner of a bookstore. Many are best sellers, or written by best-selling authors. Recent purchases include the critically acclaimed Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, Doris Kearns Goodwin’s biography of President Lyndon Johnson, and A Long Way Home, the fascinating memoir that the movie Lion was based on.
BookBub members can customize the selections to their taste. For instance, I particularly enjoy historical fiction and biographies so that’s the genre I see the most. I can update my settings at any time, and I can see everything BookBub is currently offering by going to their website.
I typically borrow my paper books from the library or purchase them from second-hand stores, so I am not about to buy a bunch of ebooks at full price. I am grateful that BookBub has allowed me to populate my virtual library with quality books for very little cost.
And, just in case you thought I might have been paid for this post, I have not. I love BookBub and wanted to spread the word. If you haven’t yet tried it, you might want to check it out.
Retirementally Challenged 
After I left a library book at a hotel a year or so ago, I only travel with my tablet now. I have not used this service so thanks for the info. Currently, I download e or audio books from my library, but one can never have too many reading options. 🙂
I get most of my books from the public library too but, for just $1.99 each, it’s hard to resist adding a few books to my personal library also.
I, too, was reluctant to read on a tablet, but my husband bought me a Kindle and I use BookBub. Still prefer a real book, but it is great to just take one item when travelling.
My Kindle takes up so little room in my suitcase and, with airline weight restrictions, it helps lighten the load. At home, real books are definitely my preferred way to read. It’s hard to curl up with an ereader.
Thanks for the suggestion. I downloaded the kindle app onto my iphone and ipad, so I use those devices for ebooks and they work great.
I use Overdrive to borrow books from the library, and was pleased to discover that you can highlight and EXPORT those highlights to your device. That really helps me when i am trying to remember what I’ve read, which books I loved, and why.
A sad result of the aging process–my memory isn’t what it used to be and I need aids to jog it
I didn’t know about the highlighter ability. Our library uses another e-reader service so I’ll see if I can do the same thing with that one. Thanks for the tip!
I’ve never heard of this service, so thank you for recommending it. I haven’t had much time to read this year, but when life calms down I’ll know where to go. I did read Hillbilly Elegy and cannot recommend it enough. His description of his life in small town Ohio rang true to me. It wasn’t my story, but I knew these kids inside and out growing up here.
I am really looking forward to reading that book. I imagine reading has taken a backseat to paint color and tile selection for you. Soon, you’ll be curled up with a good book in your new family room.
You can read my mind!
I’d heard about bookbub awhile back, but didn’t know it had connected with Amazon so smoothly. Nice suggestion. 🙂
I was reluctant to use it at first, but soon discovered how easy it is to use… almost too easy 😀. I hope you enjoy it too!
I’ve heard mention, but never looked further – I will now, though. Like you, I prefer a print copy of a work, but unfortunately, the library has a rather limited collection. The price is right, that’s for sure.
Thank you!
The library first, BookBub second, and used books at a second-hand shop next. I can’t remember the last time I bought a book for full price.
Thanks for passing this along!
I hope you enjoy their selections! It’s hard to beat the price.
I read so many books that I need good suggestions at a reasonable cost.
Thanks for the suggestion. Sounds like a good and inexpensive way to acquire ebooks.
I am always amazed at the quality of their selections. I don’t purchase a lot of them, but I always look at what they are offering each day… you never know.
Sounds perfect! What a great resource and the price is right. All I need now, is more time to actually read. 🙂 I will certainly check BookBub out one day, Janis. Thanks for sharing. First, though, I want to read all the paper backs I am still hauling around, so I can donate them. That will take a while…
I will never have the time to read all the books I have 😀. And now, of course, I also read blogs.
Facebook keeps telling me about Bookbub, as some of my friends like it. I’ve not explored it yet but it’s certainly worth bearing in mind.
Facebook sure seems to know a lot about us, huh? I wonder if my friends are getting the same notice.
I’ve heard of Bookbub. I subscribe to InstaFreebie, but tire of the constant email signups. There used to be a great free daily book sharing but it discontinued. These are great services for discovering new authors. I have been enjoying downloading/borrowing audiobooks from the library lately. My one hour drives to the delta and back every weekend (or on other road trips) are so much better being “read” to 🙂
I’ve never tried audio books. My work commute was pretty short and, now that I’m retired and traveling, I think I’d be distracted by the story and miss an unfamiliar turnoff.
Bookbub is an amazing resource I’ve been using for years. My Kindle library is proof! 🙂 I think the thing that amazes me the most is that the bargains aren’t reserved for older books, but will often by relatively newly published. If you purchase over time the offerings will be matched to your particular interests and reading tastes. I am in agreement with you and hope my positivity will add to your wonderful review. It is well worth the time it takes to review the frequent email. I’ve slowed down recently–I won’t even open the email, at least not every time! I have so little self-control when it comes to books. Ha!
I’m glad that you love BookBub too! They do make it very convenient to buy so I have to be careful also. I always look at the email “just in case…”.
I have noticed the choices are becoming better suited to my interests over time.
I have my own personal BookBub, in that B is a librarian, but this sounds like a great idea!
I love the library too! That’s my first choice for books. The only issue I have is that I can’t highlight especially meaningful passages in borrowed books. I was very excited to find one of my favorite books offered on BookBub. I intend to read it again and highlight the heck out of it!
Sounds interesting! I have to get on the e-book band wagon. I will always like paper books, but can see the advantage of books on a single devise that is so easy to travel with. Plus, some books are only available in digital format.
Paper books will probably always be my favorite, but e-readers can be very convenient. And now that I’ve found this cheap source for books, I’ll probably load up more and more on my Kindle.
Paper books will probably always be my favorite, but e-readers can be very convenient. And now that I’ve found this cheap source for books, I’ll probably load up more and more on my Kindle.
Welcome to the dark side,lol. In my case I also belong to Kindle Unlimited for ten bucks a month-good for checking out first books from authors to see if you like them as well as new and indie.
Kindle unlimited sounds interesting. Is it connected to Amazon Prime at all? Dark side is right, it took me a long time to decide to get an e-reader (although, I had one or two books downloaded on my iPad). I like to think of myself saving trees.
Thanks for the recommend. I too like my books in print but with a lot of travel and small bags this sounds like a great option and at a fraction of the cost.
Peta
The other great thing about e-books when you travel is that you can replenish your library from just about anywhere. I would imagine that finding a good supply of books in some of the places you travel could be a challenge.
What a great idea! I will be checking this out soon!
I hope you enjoy it too! I have found some great books to read.