Simon & Scuster signs Deal with Scribd and Oyster

[drjenkins]

Simon & Schuster deal boosts 'Netflix of digital books' wannabes Scribd and Oyster
http://www.cnet.com/news/simon-schus...tion-services/

Looks like we are a lot closer to viable e-book subscription services. This could be a real boon to people without access to digital library services.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by drjenkins

Looks like we are a lot closer to viable e-book subscription services. This could be a real boon to people without access to digital library services.

I honestly wonder how popular such services would be. The overwhelming majority of people don't read very much at all - reading a book a month makes someone a "heavy reader" in the real world out there. Those of us who read 2 or 3 books a week are a tiny, tiny minority. How many people would be willing to pay for a subscription service?

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I honestly wonder how popular such services would be. The overwhelming majority of people don't read very much at all - reading a book a month makes someone a "heavy reader" in the real world out there. Those of us who read 2 or 3 books a week are a tiny, tiny minority. How many people would be willing to pay for a subscription service?

Such a service might be attractive for a family, though.

[Apache]

As much as I read I would still prefer to own my books.
Apache

[Atunah]

I have signed up for that 3 month Scribd trial and after searching books, I am pretty sure I will stay with the program. If S&S comes on board also, that would be even more fantastic. The more big publisher stuff the better.

I do wish I could read the books on an e-ink device, but I am currently on a search for a 7 inch tablet as my 8.9 Fire HD is just a bit heavy over long reading stretches.

As far as libraries, at least the ones I have access too, the costs of those publishers and their restrictions (Harper Collins for example), have made them go a bit slower with adding to the library. And often they get one book and the wait lists then are very long and by the time one gets to the end, the license might have run out.

Just comparing HC titles, I found many on Scribd that my library does not have in the catalog.

I read a lot and most times I read a book once. If its something I read more than once, I'll buy it.

Now come to think of it, does S&S even have books in the overdrive library?


eta: I just checked and the books are already there. I am in romance reading heaven.

I see over 15,000 titles added by S&S, but I am not sure if all of those are in the subscription service.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Apache

As much as I read I would still prefer to own my books.
Apache

Me too. I guess the question is how typical we are? I use libraries for reference, but not to borrow books from.

[Yapyap]

If I didn't have a massive TBR of owned books already and if those services could be used on eInk devices, I'd be very interested - when reading 10+ books a month, most of those "disposable" (in other words to be read and hopefully enjoyed well enough once), I feel no particular compunction to "own" every single one of them.

As it is, I have too many books already bought and I can't read fiction comfortably on either my phone or the iPad, so it's sadly useless for me at this point. But I do like the idea in principle.

[drjenkins]

The primary downside for me is the limited e-reader support. Oyster only supports Apple iOS 7 devices. Scribd has an app for the Kindle Fire and Android, but I really prefer my PaperWhite. Neither has plans to provide e-ink reader support.

[kristalana]

No e-ink support is a dealbreaker for me, but looking around at the site I don't think this would be right for me if it were. I could get into it for new-to-me authors, but as a big re-reader I'd then end up buying all the books I love, or even just like. And as a kobo shopper books aren't costing me that much anyway, so this is just extra spending.

But I feel the same way about Spotify and that's taken off, so maybe this will too.

[Joykins]

I found it is right for me, as I am a high-volume reader and they have books there I can't borrow in such volume anywhere else. Also I was paying more than $9 a month to buy those books. I think it will find a place for niche and high volume readers (like the romance readers who bought books on subscription). Their romance catalog is good.

I don't love reading on the tablet as MUCH as I like reading on the paperwhite, but reading is reading at the bottom line for me.

[fjtorres]

Well, the Scribd android app requires android 2.3 so the Onyx eink tablets might be a fit for those looking for an eink entry into subscription ebooks.

[little and large]

It looks like a positive move to me. There are many big readers out there, they just aren't grouped tightly; if there weren't there wouldn't be so many sales at places such at Amazon. The subscription service offered has become just that little bit more attractive and I'm sure it will build further. I guess the question is how Amazon might move their pieces to form there next strategic move (or maybe, this time, there'll just be more sharing).

[NickyWithNook]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Such a service might be attractive for a family, though.

This is what makes me wonder about it for my kids. I have a YA reader who reads constantly, and she said a lot of the books look good to her. And then there are the types of books my husband likes to read too. And even the younger one just learning to read - I saw lots of Beverly Cleary books we could read to her and she could, before too long, read to herself.

It might be a very good deal for a family.

[little and large]

Originally Posted by NickyWithNook

This is what makes me wonder about it for my kids. I have a YA reader who reads constantly, and she said a lot of the books look good to her. And then there are the types of books my husband likes to read too. And even the younger one just learning to read - I saw lots of Beverly Cleary books we could read to her and she could, before too long, read to herself.

It might be a very good deal for a family.

It's lovely that you have a voracious reader - good parenting and good genes I'd say (and I'll bet the younger one carries on the tradition, too).

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by NickyWithNook

This is what makes me wonder about it for my kids. I have a YA reader who reads constantly, and she said a lot of the books look good to her.

Does she like audiobooks?

SYNC is a program that gives away two complete audiobook downloads–a current Young Adult title paired thematically with a Classic or Required Summer Reading title–each week to listeners ages 13+ while SYNC is in session each summer.

Titles are delivered through the OverDrive Media Console. You can prepare for the program by downloading the software to your desktop and whichever device you anticipate listening on.

SYNC is dedicated to introducing the listening experience to the young adult audience and demonstrates that Required Reading can be completed by listening.

SYNC gives away 2 FREE audiobook downloads every week each summer. In 2014, 26 titles will be given away over 13 weeks starting May 15th.