What Is Amazon Prime Reading?

Amazon Prime isn't just about shipping benefits anymore. These days it offers members a variety of perks, including one that's perfect for bookworms: Amazon Prime Reading.

Read on to learn about Prime Reading and how it compares to other book services.

What Is Amazon Prime Reading?

Amazon Prime Reading offers Prime members unlimited reading opportunities, with access to over a thousand free eBooks, magazines, comics, Kindle Singles, and other types of material. You can read anytime and anywhere, thanks to the Kindle app.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Music vs. Other Streaming Services: How Do They Compare?

How Much Are Amazon Reading Services?

Not every book-related Amazon service is included with Prime. Here's how the prices break down:

• Audible: $7.95 per month to $14.95 per month, or $95.40 per year to $179.40 per year
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• Kindle Unlimited: $9.99 per month
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• Prime Reading: Included with Prime

Prime Reading vs. Kindle Unlimited

The main difference between these two programs is that your Prime membership includes Prime Reading. But it doesn't end there. Your Prime Reading choices are restricted to whatever books and magazines make up the current selection.

You'll often see the first book of a series available on Amazon Prime Reading. If you want to know what happens, you'll either have to purchase the rest of the series, or access it with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Kindle Unlimited offers a ton of freedom — for a price. Members get access to over a million books, and thousands of audiobooks with Audible narration. You'll also get current issues of popular magazines, and the freedom to read anywhere, on any device.

How Are Audible and Amazon Prime Reading Related?

While Prime Reading doesn't include any special Audible perks, it does have a selection of eBooks with Audible narration. However, like the rest of the choices, those will likely change over time.

What Is Amazon First Reads?

Like Prime Reading, Amazon First Reads is included with a Prime membership. It offers members early access to a curated selection of titles every month.

SEE ALSO: Your Complete Guide to Amazon Prime Video

Amazon editors choose eight books, and members can pick one to download for free. (Non-Prime members pay $1.99.) Want more than one title? You can score the other books for $4.99 each.

The benefits don't end there. First Reads also provides hardcover books at discounted prices — think $9.99 or less. And you can browse previous First Reads, too. We saw prices as low as 99 cents.

How Does Prime Reading Compare to Other Services?

Several alternatives to Prime Reading are available, and they might be more appealing if you aren't already a Prime member. Check out the breakdown below.

24symbols
Download the 24symbols app on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, or Blackberry devices. While there are free titles available, becoming a Premium member will provide access to over a million books. You'll also be able to read offline and without ads.

Bookmate
This service provides access to the Bookmate library, which has 1,800,000 books in 16 different languages.

Harlequin
This subscription service is for all the romance lovers out there. It offers eBooks a month before their wide release, knocking up to 25% off list price. When you sign up, you'll receive two books free. Choose from 11 different series to read.

Hoopla
This free service is good for anyone who doesn't want to pay for another program. It works with local libraries to provide access to movies, music, audiobooks, eBooks, comics, and TV shows.

Libby by OverDrive
Similar to Hoopla, this OverDrive service offers free eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines through your local library.

Scribd
You can test out Scribd with a 30-day free trial. The service offers access to an unlimited number of books, audiobooks, and magazines, though restrictions on select titles could apply.