What's on offer via the Kindle Owners' Lending Library?

by Steven Mostyn - Nov 7 2011, 04:30

Last week we brought you news regarding the official launch of Amazon’s digital Kindle Owners’ Lending Library book service. And now, if you happen to be a Prime-paying Kindle owner, here’s a taster of what’s in store where content is concerned.

Offering up an initial selection of 5,377 lend-friendly titles, Amazon is looking to tempt customers with popular releases such as the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Fuse of Armageddon by Sigmund Brouwer, and For Time and Eternity (Sister Wife) by Allison Pittman.

There are also plenty of ye olde thigh-slapping classics up for grabs too, including the likes of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.

Although Kindle-equipped bookworms are likely thrilled at the prospect of enjoying free eBook publications (only one per month, mind), not everyone is smiling about the emergence of Amazon’s library service.

Moreover, several major publishing houses have reportedly been left angered to find some of their books on Amazon’s content list—even though an agreement to provide access has not yet been reached.

Despite publisher concerns regarding the effect of digital lending on future sales, Amazon has apparently sidestepped the issue with any publication it purchased at wholesale, which enables it to resell without adhering to price restriction.

“In some cases, Amazon is purchasing a title each time it is borrowed by a reader under standard wholesale terms as a no-risk trial to demonstrate to publishers the incremental growth and revenue opportunity that this new service presents,” outlined Amazon in an official statement. 

Check out the list of titles available through the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library by clicking this safe and direct link.

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