Amazon has just launched Your Books, a personalized space with all your print, Kindle, and Audible books. However, the service doesn’t include your sideloaded ebooks.

Amazon seems to understand that many Kindle and Audible users keep buying print books.

The company has just launched a new service that will let you access all the books you have ever purchased on Amazon – and in any possible format.

Called Amazon Your Books, the service “is a personalized space to explore all of your print, Kindle, and Audible books”.

From now on, you don’t have to go separately to the Content Library (to find Kindle ebooks and Audible audiobooks) and the Orders history (to find print books).

The service is designed to help you find books easier, and the format doesn’t really matter. When you visit the home page of Your Books, you will see the filter bar at the top.

An interesting thing is that filters are adjusted to the content of your library. The “Suggested filters” bar lets you quickly find books based on your favorite format, but also genre or author. If you have many books from the “history” genre, you will have a “history” filter button. Or the “Stephen King” button, if you have bought a lot of King’s books.

When you filter your books to a specific genre, all the formats will be displayed: print, Kindle, and audiobook.

What’s interesting, the service lets you combine the filters. You can, for instance, find all the books from the “mystery & thrillers” genre that are in the Kindle format.

Amazon wants the new service to be “your personal book sanctuary”, and it means not only the books you’ve bought, but also about the ones you may buy. Yes, Your Books is Amazon’s another tool to get you into buying more stuff.

Just enable the “discovery mode” by clicking on the button in the top-right corner, and for every book in your library, you will see a list of similar items to consider.

A great thing about Your Books is that it also includes a quick link to your Notes and Highlights, an online preview of all the remarks you’ve made in your Kindle ebooks.

The biggest disadvantage of Your Books service is that it doesn’t include your personal files that you have added to your Kindle library. Amazon thinks they are not your books.

Don’t worry, all your sideloaded ebooks are still available from your Amazon profile section. They are stored in a Content Library section in a drop-down list that appears when you click on a menu item with your name.

One important thing to know is that Your Books is not a part of your profile list (and I hope it will change in the future).

So far, there are two ways to access the Amazon Your Books home page:

▸ Go directly to the dedicated url link at amazon.com/yourbooks.

▸ Type “your books” in Amazon’s search bar, and the section will appear right at the top of search results.

Are you planning to try Amazon Your Books? Are you missing your personal ebooks in here? What would you improve in the section?

Keep reading. Here are more news and tips:

Are you looking for a deal on Audible audiobooks? You can save $36 on Premium Plus membership.

Audible Premium Plus normally costs $14.95 per month, but the deal offers a monthly fee reduced to $5.95 for the first four months. It means you save 60%.

Audible Premium Plus provides unlimited access to Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts. You earn 1 credit per month to buy any title from a premium catalog.

After the deal period ends, your credit card will be automatically charged with $14.95 each month, not $5.95. You can, however, cancel your membership any time to avoid paying the full price.

Here is a full catalog of Audible Plus audiobooks – you can explore it without signing up to Audible.

The deal is available directly on Audible website. You can’t find it on Amazon.

I have spotted the deal just now, but it is valid much longer than Cyber Monday. You have time until December 31, 2022.

⇢ Get the deal

Are you interested in audiobooks? Keep exploring:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”audiobooks”]

The best books don’t always make the best gifts. That’s why it’s always good to know what most other users are giving as gifts. Amazon has a great tool for that – here is what you need to know.

How do you find the books you could give as gifts to your significant other, a family member, or a friend?

There are many well established tools for book finding (and I’m sure you’ve tested them many times already): book bestseller lists of all possible kinds, book awards, book reviews and gift lists from leading literary blogs, or book recommendations by social media influencers.

On Amazon only, you can easily find a few book recommendation tools and services:

▸ Annual and daily Top 100 book bestseller lists – these rankings list the most sold books in, respectively, the current year and current day. You can browse the lists of print books and Kindle ebooks, as well as Audible audiobooks.

▸ Best Books of the Year – these rankings list the Top 20 best books picked by Amazon editors in the most popular categories. The rankings are published twice a year (in June-July and in November-December).

▸ Amazon Charts – these weekly lists rank Top 20 books in two categories: Most Sold (based on the number of copies sold), and Most Read (based on the number of daily Kindle readers).

These tools are great if you are looking for a book you’d like to read yourself.

The problem is that not every best selling book would make a great gift. And not every book that’s a great gift would make it to a bestseller list. 

You may say that there is a special Editors’ Holiday Gift Picks section that puts together the rankings curated by Amazon editors, and that these rankings are intended specifically to help you find the best book to gift.

The problem here is the same as with book reviews or book recommendations. Someone, even the most renowned authority, may just be wrong.

And here is the solution: thousands of people who have the same goal – finding the best book to give as a gift – can’t be wrong. And you can follow their way, because they are recommending the books using their wallets.

Did you know Amazon curates the lists of most gifted items in almost every major product category? It’s a lesser-know feature many Amazon customers are still not aware of, so I have decided to give it a bit more attention.

Called Amazon Gift Ideas, this special store section puts together the Top 100 most popular products ordered by customers as gifts. These rankings are updated daily. By the way, this section’s title is misleading, because it doesn’t highlight the major benefit. The section should be called “Most Gifted on Amazon”.

As you know, you can order lots of products on Amazon as a gift. When you proceed to checkout, you will find gift options under product details. When you check the “this is a gift” option, the item you buy is automatically counted into the most gifted Top 100 list in the relevant category.

[ef-reco id=”155812″ title=”Read also” info=”Top article”]

How to find most gifted books on Amazon

1. Go to Amazon Gift Ideas front page on Amazon, and from the left sidebar choose “Books” for print books or “Audible Books & Originals” for audiobooks.

2. Products in the ranking are presented the same way as in the bestseller lists, with the orange rank in the top left corner, title, author, number of reviews, and average rating. You can click on either the book cover or book details to go to the product page.

3. If you want to see books in a specific genre, find it in the left sidebar. You will see that any major genre has subgenres you can click to further specify your needs. The category structure in the lists of most gifted products is the same as in the store.

For your convenience, here are the exact links to the most gifted books on Amazon:

▸ Books – print books that were ordered as gifts by Amazon customers. The list is updated every day.

▸ Audiobooks – Audible audiobooks, and Audible Originals that were ordered as gifts on Amazon. The list is updated every day. 

I guess that titles ordered as gifts directly on Audible website count into the list of most gifted audiobooks as well. Amazon and Audible platforms are highly integrated.

Make sure to bookmark these webpages in your browser to quickly access them the next time you want to buy a book or audiobook as a gift.

To bookmark any page in a browser, click on a star you should find in the search box. Alternatively, you can use a shortcut – Ctrl+D on a PC computer and Command+D on a Mac computer.

Most gifted books on Amazon – tips and facts

How to find most gifted Kindle ebooks on Amazon

As you have probably noticed, there is no Kindle ebooks category among Amazon Gift Ideas rankings.

In my opinion, it’s because of the Kindle for Groups feature, which is mainly used for corporate gifting. It lets you buy as many copies of a single Kindle ebook as you want, and send them to the recipients via email.

As a result, the list of most gifted Kindle ebooks would be populated by titles for professional development.

There are two alternative ways to find most gifted Kindle ebooks on Amazon:

1. Visit a page with Popular Gifted Kindle Books 

It’s a selection of Kindle ebooks that is probably put together manually by Amazon editors, but it should be based on the actual number of orders as gifts.

The list includes between 150 and 200 books and it includes evergreen titles such as A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander, or Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.

2. Start browsing most gifted Amazon print books 

Browse the “Books” section of Amazon Gift Ideas. If you find a title that you believe is worth giving, go to its product page and order its Kindle version (if available).

Please keep in mind that many gifted print books are image-rich and usually their Kindle editions are not available.

Here are the best genres in the most gifted books category, where you can find both print and Kindle editions:

• Literature & Fiction
• Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
• Romance
• Biographies & Memoirs

Most gifted or bestsellers – which Amazon lists are better?

I have compared the lists of the most gifted books with bestsellers, and the conclusions are:

▸ On the top level – without going to specific genres – the lists overlap in less than 10%. It’s because the most gifted books are the ones for kids, while the bestselling titles are from various categories.

▸ When you compare “Literature & Fiction” category, between 30% and 50% of titles are present on both lists. The top 5 is occupied by the books everyone is talking about, for instance, the latest novel by Stephen King. But you don’t need any of these lists to take this book into consideration, do you?

▸ I have noticed that in categories that provide both print and Kindle editions – such as literary fiction, mysteries, biographies, or romance – the list of most gifted books are more relevant.

– The books come from recognized authors. These authors write for well-known publishers, such as Simon & Schuster or Penguin Random House.

– On the contrary, the books on the bestseller lists are offered by Amazon imprints, and come from many authors that write exclusively for Amazon.

– Also, there are lots of Kindle Unlimited titles among them. As a result you may see many best selling titles that you know nothing about.

▸ My advice is to use the lists of most gifted books instead of bestseller lists. You will find hot new releases from familiar authors much quicker. 

Most gifted books and audiobooks on Amazon – tips

▸ Please keep in mind that the lists of most gifted books are refreshed every day. If you visit them today, you will see the books that have been ordered as gifts in the past 24 hours.

▸ If you want to gift a book for Christmas, you should visit the lists at the time most users are buying Christmas gifts. 

▸ Make sure to bookmark the lists of the most gifted books and audiobooks on Amazon in your browser to quickly access them when the time comes. Click on a star you should find in the search box, or use a shortcut: Ctrl+D on a PC computer and Command+D on a Mac computer.

▸ If you want to find the books that were most gifted in the past, you can use an online tool called Wayback Machine. It’s a digital archive of the web and collects archived copies of web pages. For instance, if you want to buy a book for your Mom for Christmas, you can use Wayback Machine to learn which books were most gifted before Mother’s Day. Here is the archive of the page made two weeks before Mother’s Day 2022.

▸ If you start browsing Amazon from the lists of bestsellers, you can quickly jump to the most gifted items by clicking on the “Gift Ideas” tab at the top of the list. The navigation bar with bestsellers, new releases, movers & shakers, most wished for, and most gifted items is available only on the front page of Amazon Top 100 lists.

▸ The lists with most gifted products are obviously available not only for books and audiobooks. You can browse all major categories, from Amazon devices, to home appliances, games, personal care products, electronics, toys, or clothing. ⇢ Browse all categories

Most gifted books on Amazon – conclusions

I think the lists of most gifted books and audiobooks on Amazon are a very helpful but still overlooked way to find books you could give as gifts for Christmas, Mother’s Day, birthday, or wedding.

A recommendation based on other users’ gift buying choices is a way to increase the chances the book you give will not end up in the present drawer.

⇢ Books ⇢ Audiobooks

Keep exploring. Here are other lists and tips for modern book lovers:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”lists”]

These days, you can hardly find someone who is not fond of audiobooks.

Audiobooks are fun. They are a new way to discover the world of literature. They let you enjoy the story together with other people. They allow you to follow the plot when you wouldn’t be able to read.

Most people listen to audiobooks on their smartphones or tablets, using dedicated audiobook player apps. If you are an Amazon customer, you know it’s not the most convenient solution. Unlike in other digital platforms (naming only Kobo, Google, or Apple), you will need two apps to enjoy both ebooks and audiobooks: Kindle and Audible.

Wouldn’t you like to have all your ebooks and audiobooks managed in one place? The Kindle e-reader is the perfect tool for that.

Choose the best Kindle for audiobooks

Kindle as an audiobook player – things to know

Are Kindle e-readers ready to play audiobooks? Yes, they are, but you should be aware of the following circumstances and limitations.

All Kindle models lack audio-related hardware

Currently, no Kindle model comes with:

• built-in speaker or speakers
• 3.5 mm mini jack port

Amazon’s last e-reader with speakers was Kindle Touch launched back in 2011. I don’t expect Amazon to bring back either the speakers or a mini jack. These hardware elements will make the devices more expensive, especially that there is another way to play audiobooks.

All Kindle models come with Bluetooth

All current Kindle models have a built-in Bluetooth module. Thanks to that, you will be able to connect Bluetooth headphones or speakers to your Kindle.

Connected Bluetooth enabled speakers or headphones is the only way to hear audiobooks played on your Kindle. In the next few years, Bluetooth will be the default tool for listening to audiobooks on all Kindle e-readers.

Audiobook player features are provided by the software

Even without built-in speakers, Kindles are great audiobook players.

When you tap on an audiobook cover in your Library view or Home screen, an audiobook interface pops up, and you can control the playback just like you do it in a dedicated audiobook application on your smartphone or tablet.

You can only listen to Audible audiobooks

The thing to remember is that on your Kindle you can listen only to Audible audiobooks. Even when you upload an audiobook file to your Kindle via the cable from your computer, you won’t be able to play it.

It’s because audiobook player features are powered by Audible – and Audible only.

Not all Kindle models support audiobook playing

All new Kindles come with an Audible audiobook player built right into the interface. However, some older models can’t play audiobooks.

Audible maintains a list of audiobook-compatible Kindle models: Does Audible work on my Kindle?

No Kindle model comes with memory card slot

Opposite to Amazon Fire tablets, Kindle don’t sport microSD card slots, so there is no way to extend the memory in case you would like to download more audiobooks from your Audible account.

Best Kindle for audiobooks – features that don’t matter

Screen size and resolution

It doesn’t matter whether your Kindle has the 6, 6.8, or 7-inch display. You won’t be looking at it for hours, but just for a few seconds – to start and stop the audiobook.

For the same reason (the time you spend looking at the display), the screen resolution doesn’t matter either.

Warm light

Warm light feature, present in the Paperwhite or Oasis, changes the tone of the front light from blue to yellow during the evening. 

Blue light may cause problems with sleep, but such problems may arise when you read for a long time. You don’t need a warm light feature if you stare at the display for a few seconds.

Water resistance

The fact that the Kindle is the device you put away the moment the audiobook starts playing totally changes the way you use this device.

You won’t be holding it in your hand or hands for long hours. You won’t need to place the Kindle on a stand to allow for hands-free reading. You will most probably put the Kindle on a desk or a bedside table – in a safe place where there is no risk of spilling a liquid.

What you should be more careful about are the Bluetooth speakers or earphones. You take them, not the Kindle, to the bathroom when you want to listen to audiobooks while taking a bath.

Best Kindle for audiobooks – features that matter

Battery life

A common opinion is that e-reader batteries last for weeks. According to Amazon, Kindle e-reader batteries run up to 6, 8, or even 10 weeks. A stunning performance, don’t you think?

Well, that’s based on a specific assumption – that you read for half an hour a day, with a screen brightness set to 13. How many hours a day do you read on your Kindle? Is it really half an hour?

If you read for an hour a day, the battery will last not 8 but 4 weeks. How much time would that be in hours, anyway?

Let’s calculate the battery life for Kindle 11, which runs up to 6 weeks on a single battery charge.

6 weeks × 7 days × 0.5 hours = 21 hours

A typical tablet, for instance any of the Amazon Fire models, can run on a single charge for around 10 hours.

It turns out the Kindle’s battery is not so powerful, especially if you want to listen to audiobooks continuously.

The length of a typical audiobook is about 10 hours. You can listen to two or three full audiobooks and then you’ll need to plug-in your Kindle to the power socket.

As you see, the longer the battery life, the better.

Memory space

An e-reader can hold thousands of books. This is true only when we are talking about text-only novels. They usually take no more than 5 MB of the space.

What about audiobooks?

Each hour of the Audible audiobook requires approximately 28-30 MB of space when you download it in high quality. For the standard quality, it’s 14-15 MB per hour.

Let’s assume you want a standard quality and it takes 10 hours to listen to the entire audiobook. You will need 150 MB of space for this audiobook file on your Kindle.

150 MB for a single audiobook is 30 times more than for a single ebook.

If you want to make your Kindle an audiobook center, you should buy the model with the largest possible internal memory.

Please note that not the entire space is available for the user. You should assume that some 2-3 GB are already taken by system files. As a result, if you buy the Kindle with 8 GB of internal memory, you will have 6 GB at your disposal.

Here is how many 150 MB audiobooks can fit into different memory sizes:

• 8 GB (6 GB for the user) is enough for 40 audiobooks
• 16 BG (14 GB for the user) is enough for 95 audiobooks
• 32 GB (30 GB for the user) is enough for 200 audiobooks

How many audiobooks do you have? Do you want to keep and manage them in one place? The more memory space you get, the better.

How to choose the best Kindle for audiobooks

The most important thing you should ask yourself is: will I use the Kindle for ebooks and audiobooks or just for audiobooks?

Obviously, when it comes to mixed content use (ebooks + audiobooks) there is no clear answer. There are two many factors to consider.

But if you are looking for a Kindle model that would be used primarily for audiobook listening, the answer is simple: the cheapest possible with the largest possible internal memory.

The basic Kindle is all you need. It has 32 GB of internal memory, its battery life is extended to 6 weeks (over 20 hours of continuous playback), and it still costs below $100.

Keep exploring. Here are other lists and tips:

Now, when all Kindle models are capable of playing Audible audiobooks, it’s high time to look at the best available headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers.

What you have to keep in mind is that Kindle e-readers don’t have a headphone jack. The only way to listen to Kindle audiobooks is via Bluetooth speakers and headphones.

The main advantage of Bluetooth headphones is that they are wireless. You are not limited by cables and irritated by cable mess. You can freely move around your room or garden while the Kindle is lying on a table.

The main disadvantage of Bluetooth headphones is that you need to recharge them. Compared to the Kindle, which runs a few weeks on a single charge, you’ll have to find a power source every even day.

That’s why, in the list below, we’ve rounded up Bluetooth headphones and speakers that have the longest possible battery life.

Nevertheless, if you are going on a vacation to a distant cabin in the woods, and plan to listen to audiobooks via your Kindle, make sure to take the charger. You will need it.

One would ask: why should I listen to audiobooks via the Kindle if I can do it via Echo smart speaker? There are two reasons: you can’t download audiobooks to the speaker (so listening offline is not possible), and you probably won’t take it on your holidays.

Kindle audio – highlights

In the following overview of the best, most innovative Kindle compatible speakers, headphones, and home appliances, you will see:

• Innovative bedside and desk lamps with built-in Bluetooth speakers
• Long-battery earphones for every weather condition
• Outdoor speakers with extensive high-fidelity sound
• Compact and waterproof Bluetooth speakers
• Powerful solar-powered speakers that double as power bank
• Wearables with built-in speakers, including sleep mask and winter cap
• Most reliable folding wireless headsets

What are the best headphones and speakers that you can use to listen to audiobooks from the Kindle? Let’s take a look.

Kindle Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and wearables

1. Senso waterproof earphones

Our pick: Best sports Bluetooth earphones

You are looking at one of the most popular earphones on Amazon. They are sweat and waterproof, with IPX-7 rating. They will be a perfect companion of the waterproof Kindle Oasis!

Most importantly, these earphones have one of the most effective batteries in a category. The new and improved lithium polymer battery will allow you to listen to audiobooks for up to 8 hours. What’s more, it takes only 1.5 hours to recharge them.

Senso Bluetooth earphones come with Bluetooth v. 4.1 technology, enabling you to connect to devices that are 30 feet (10 meters) away.

2. Multi-purpose bedside lamp with speaker

Here is something that will make every book lover happy – a bedside lamp from Boiabs puts together five benefits into one minimalist design that can be an irreplaceable element of every modern bedroom.

First of all, it’s a reading lamp (in case a gift recipient loves to read books the classic way). Touch activated LED-powered lamp offers as many as 48 combinations of brightness and colors.

Then you have a digital alarm clock and calendar that features a sleep mode. You can play audiobooks from a microSD card, AUX input, or a flash drive.

Most importantly, the device sports a Bluetooth speaker, so that you can wirelessly connect your Kindle or another device with an audiobook app. A built-in 4400 mAh battery will let you play audiobooks for long hours.

3. One-piece earbud with noise-cancelling mic

Our pick: The best one-piece earbud with the longest playtime

I’ve seen many people who buy a pair of wireless earbuds but use only one because they want to be aware of what’s happening around them.

So, why buy two earbud if you can just invest in a single, good-quality one? One-piece earbuds become more and more popular, and they are worth exploring.

From Mpow comes a slim, one-ear Bluetooth headphone that offers high-quality sound and is equipped with noise-cancelling microphone.

This upgraded Mpow earbud adopts a professional CSR chipset which, combined with Bluetooth 5.0 module, makes multi-data transmission stable and offers wide wireless range.

The earbud weighs only 3 grams (0.1 oz), supports 8 hours of playtime, and 300 hours of standby mode – all after just 2 hours of charging.

4. Portable solar speaker with 50-hour playtime

Our pick: Portable speaker with the longest playtime

If you are looking for a Bluetooth speaker that would be used more flexibly, in different conditions and places, for as long as possible, the one from Color Coda should meet your expectations.

This large-capacity compact speaker comes with 5,000 mAh li-polymer battery that will also let you use the speaker as a portable power bank to charge your smartphone or Kindle.

Plus, on the back there is the latest high-power solar panel with high conversion rate. All that will guarantee the playtime of up to 50 hours!

5. Mpow Flame Bluetooth noise-cancelling earbuds

If you are determined to buy wireless sport earbuds that have a long battery life and provide noise cancelling technology, take a look at the slim design offered by Mpow.

The earphones are waterproof, come with Bluetooth 4.1, and have a richer and clear sound. The quick charge of 1.5-2 hours will enable you to listen to audiobooks for up to 9 hours.

Mpow earbuds are available in seven fashionable colors, including Flash Blue (shown above), Viridis Green, and Light Gray.

6. Bluetooth-enabled sleep headphones and eye mask

Here is a perfect gift for people who listen to audiobooks to relax and get to sleep peacefully.

These soft sleep headphones feature ultra-thin Bluetooth speakers. Thanks to that, you can listen to music or audiobooks even if you are a side sleeper.

The second great feature is an eye mask which adopts 3D ergonomic technology to block out 100% of external light “for you sweet deep sleep.”

Bluetooth-enabled stereo speakers can play audiobooks from your audiobook app for an entire night. The producer claims the battery will handle 8 hours of continuous use. Imagine listening to audiobooks all night long!

7. Outdoor heavy-duty speaker with subwoofer

A solid, waterproof and shockproof speaker can be a great outdoor companion, no matter whether you listen to audiobooks in the garden, on a camping site, or during a mountain hiking.

From Kunodi comes one of the most popular heavy-duty Bluetooth speakers you can find on Amazon.

The speaker is shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof (IPx45 rating), has a built-in subwoofer for increased sound quality, and a microphone for hands-free calls.

Available in six colors, including Camo, Green, and Red.

8. Bluedio T2s folding wireless headset

Are you looking for solid Bluetooth headset with a playing time reaching 40 hours? Meet T2s from Bluedio.

The headset combines Bluetooth 4.1 low power high speed chip with ergonomic design featuring adjustable foldable headband and ear cups covered with soft leather. Best of all, it comes with an optional 3.5 mm jack cable.

Available in four colors: Black, Blue, Red, and White.

9. Waterproof outdoor rock speaker

Does the gift recipient spend a lot of time in the garden or on a terrace? What do you think about gifting them an outdoor speaker that blends into the nature?

Take a look at this gorgeous rock-looking from Alpine Corporation.

This high-quality speaker can connect to any Bluetooth enabled device, including the latest Kindle e-readers. 50-foot high-fidelity sound will reach you no matter how far you are.

A durable design is lightweight, weather-resistant, and waterproof. Most importantly, the speaker is powered by a solar panel, even during cloudy days, so you don’t have to recharge it too often.

A battery works up to 12 hours on a full charge – enough to enjoy an entire audiobook (or even two).

10. Bluetooth speaker that looks like a book

Here is a great idea if you know the giftee loves to listen to audiobooks in the living room or home library.

Called “Cloud Book,” this speaker is designed to look like a real book and has dimensions of a hardcover. It’s available in three colors, so it can fit into any space.

The speaker can connect directly to a Wi-Fi network for Internet radio, a personal audiobook library, or favorite online music services.

A rechargeable battery will let it play audiobooks for up to 12 hours.

11. Anker SoundCore speaker with 24-hour playtime

If you are looking for a device that could allow you to listen to audiobooks together with other family members, you should pick up a Bluetooth speaker instead of headphones.

And one of the most popular devices on Amazon, durable, compact, and offering long battery time, is SoundCore from Anker.

The speaker has a minimalist design, offers superior sound quality, but its most appreciated feature is long playing time. The high-capacity li-ion battery can let you listen to audiobooks for even 24 hours without the break!

Available in three colors: Black, Red, and Blue.

12. Edifier MP200 cubic compact speaker

If you want the speaker, but need it to be as compact as possible and as heavy-duty as possible, then you’ll be satisfied with the MP200 line from Edifier.

The speaker has a cubic design and comes with a hand string for easy carrying. The IP54 technology protects the speaker from rough environment. The simple 3-button panel lets you easily control the audiobook playback.

MP200 comes with the largest number of color options available in the compact Bluetooth speakers. You can choose from seven colors, including White, Light Green, and Yellow.

13. Premium bedside lamp with speaker and charger

Are you looking for a Bluetooth speaker that you could place in your bedroom? Take a look at a premium home decor appliance that combines a stylish bedside or desk lamp, a Bluetooth speaker, and a wireless charger.

Developed and offered by Masdio, this exclusive-edition lamp is shaped to look like a tree, and includes a speaker optimized to deliver crystal clear full-range sound.

The lamp features a wireless charger. Simply, put a wireless charging compatible smartphone on the lamp’s base – no need to connect the cables.

14. Foldable 45-hour playtime over ear headphones

From Letscom comes one of the most popular headphones you can get on Amazon. It’s also among the best-rated headphones, as it combines a reasonable price with high-quality and great features.

Besides 3 EQ sound quality, Bluetooth 5.0, Type-C charging port, lightweight and foldable 90-degree swivel design, these over ear headphones allow you to play music or audiobooks for up to 45 hours!

This longest playtime in the category is achieved thanks to a built-in 750 mAh rechargeable battery.

15. Fashionable winter cap with wireless headphones

Our pick: Best Kindle-compatible wearable

Here is another refreshingly different idea in this overview. Instead of getting a bookshelf speaker or wireless earphones (which are quite common as gifts) go for a creative outdoor wearable.

This winter cap from Rotibox combines a winter cap with wireless headphones. It will allow the gift recipient to listen to favorite audiobooks during daily commuting or outdoor activities – without the need to wear extra headphones.

The wearable sports Bluetooth 4.1 module and comes with a user-friendly control panel on the side. It also includes a built-in microphone.

What’s most important, the built-in rechargeable battery guarantees up to 6 hours of continuous playing.

The cap is available in almost 50 different colors and shapes! It’s fully washable, simply remove the headphones from the pouches.

16. Steampunk candle lamp with Bluetooth speaker

Our pick: Best-rated wireless speaker home decor

There is a growing number of home appliances that come with an integrated Bluetooth speaker, for instance alarm clocks, reading lamps, or power banks.

None of them looks as gorgeous as a new desk light that offers a steampunk look, flickering light, and speaker with a clear sound.

The lamp’s flame mode gives soft warm light that resembles flickering of a candle. You can adjust the light brightness by rotating a switch in the base of the lamp.

The wireless speaker supports Bluetooth 4.2 technology. Many reviewers have pointed out that it gives a surprisingly crisp and powerful sound.

How long is the playing time? It’s the most important question for audiobook lovers. This steampunk, battery operated lamp & speaker can play audiobooks for up to 8 hours at the maximum volume.

Keep exploring. We’ve got more posts and tips:

Audible Plus is an affordable audiobook subscription which lets you access, stream and download original audio productions, popular podcasts, documentaries, and full-length audiobooks.

For $7.95 per month, you get full and unlimited access to a special catalog of eligible audiobooks, called Plus Catalog, opposite to Premium Catalog which includes all other audiobooks that you can either buy or exchange for credits.

How many audiobooks are included in the Audible Plus subscription? At the launch of the service, some 11,000 titles were listed, but new audiobooks are added every week.

What’s good to keep in mind is that most bestselling audiobooks are not a part of Audible Plus. If you are a Plus member, and wanted to get one of the bestsellers or hot new releases, you would need to buy it – as credits do not come with this subscription. See a comparison of Audible subscriptions if you want to pick up the one that suits your needs the most.

If you want to quickly check out how good are the titles included in Audible Plus, we’ve prepared a list of Top 20 most interesting titles you can get right now, grouped into popular categories: biographies & memoirs, children’s books, health & self-help guides, mystery & thrillers, and classic novels.

On this list, you’ll find Scarlett Johansson’s brilliantly expressive reading of an all-time children’s classic, one quirky satirical story about a 100-year-old man who hopped out of his old people’s home window to embark on an unbelievable journey, a bold investigative piece that reveals that foods rich in saturated fats are not as bad for you as you’d think, and many more.

Our personal favorite is a short thriller about a man who, due to an extremely rare sleeping disorder, is awake for only one hour, from 3AM until 4AM, every day. And so when he hears a woman scream and just a second later sees the President of the United States quickly fleeing the house, he has no time to spare.

Top 20 Audible Plus audiobooks in 2023-24 season

Biographies & memoirs

Twelve Years a Slave

Written by Solomon Northup, narrated by Hugh Quarshie

Twelve Years a Slave tells the story of Solomon Northup, an educated, free black man living with his wife and kids in New York, whose life takes a drastic turn when he’s kidnapped and sold as a slave.

With the documents proving his freedom stolen and his identity snatched away, Solomon spends twelve years in bondage, experiencing inhumane cruelty every single day.

But, above all, Twelve Years a Slave is a story of the unfathomable atrocities of institutional racism in 19th-century America.

• What it’s like: From a respectable carpenter and father of two, Solomon becomes a nameless slave in Georgia in this brutally thought-provoking account of what it was like to be a slave in America.
• Length: 7 hours and 22 minutes

The Hiding Place

Written by Corrie ten Boom, John and Elizabeth Sherrill, narrated by Wanda McCaddon

Corrie ten Boom has lived a completely normal life – as a spinster living with her family in the tiny house over their shop in Haarlem, she’d spend her days making watches and learning from his wise, devout father.

When the Nazis invade and occupy Holland, the ten Boom family takes it upon themselves as Christians to save their neighbors, hiding Jewish people in their home and aiding their escape from the Nazis.

The Hiding Place tells the story of a courageous family who risked their very lives to save others.

• What it’s like: The Hiding Place is a story about selfless sacrifice and remaining forgiving, even in the face of unspeakable cruelty.
• Length: 8 hours and 14 minutes

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

Written by Kate Clifford Larson, narrated by Bernadette Dunne

The third child of Joseph and Rose Kennedy has long been treated as an afterthought – but now, the strikingly beautiful Rosemary takes center stage in this heartbreaking account of her tragic life.

Just like her siblings, she attended exclusive schools and traveled the world. But unlike her brothers and sisters, she was intellectually disabled – a fact kept secret by her ambitious family.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter takes a peek through the fiercely guarded façade, and reveals the tragic story of a family that cared for Rosemary but feared about their reputation, all against a backdrop of a stigma attached to mental illness in the 20th century.

• What it’s like: Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter is a carefully researched account, with fascinating new details into Rosemary’s life.
• Length: 7 hours and 44 minutes

Guides

The Compound Effect: Multiply Your Success One Simple Step at a Time

Written and narrated by Darren Hardy

Lose 30 pounds in a week! Fix your love life in a week! Rub 20 years off your face with a cream! Every day, we are bombarded with a plethora of marketing claims that promise to change our lives in the blink of an eye.

But change is a slow, habitual process, where even the smallest, seemingly insignificant everyday decisions snowball into long-lasting effects in your life, Darren Hardy argues in The Compound Effect. In this extremely practical, sobering guide, Hardy reveals the essence of success that has guided the most phenomenal achievements in business, relationships, and beyond.

Make sure, however, to listen to a sample of the audiobook before buying it because while the majority of listeners love Hardy’s energetic tone, it might not be for everyone.

• What it’s like: The Compound Effect is a major kick in the butt and a highly pragmatic, straight to the point must-have for those looking to improve themselves.
• Length: 4 hours and 44 minutes

Children’s books

Tales of Beatrix Potter

Written by Beatrix Potter, narrated by Nadia May

This brilliant collection features eighteen of Beatrix Potter’s most charming stories, narrated by the wonderful Nadia May. Run through the garden of Mr. McGregor with the mischievous and reckless Peter Rabbit, have a cup of tea with Tom the Kitten, and follow Mrs. Tittlemouse as she tries to keep her dwelling tidy, and many more – all in this short, but incredible audiobook.

Nadia May’s excellent narration brings the characters to life in a way that makes you want to snuggle by a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa and just listen.

Keep in mind, however, that this audiobook does not allow skipping from one story to another.

• What it’s like: Tales of Beatrix Potter prove that these classic stories really do stand the test of time.
• Length: 3 hours and 11 minutes

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Signature Performance by Elijah Wood

Written by Mark Twain, narrated by Elijah Wood

“All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn”, Ernest Hemingway famously declared.

One hundred years after its author’s death, this classic really does remain as relevant as ever – and in this brand-new edition, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is rediscovered in a refreshingly energetic performance by Elijah Wood.

Filled with narrative nuances and read in a youthful voice, it’s guaranteed to be one of the most enjoyable audiobooks you’ll ever listen to.

• What it’s like: A fresh new take on the all-time classic.
• Length: 10 hours and 10 minutes

The Secret Garden

Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, narrated by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Even though published over a century ago, The Secret Garden is still considered a classic in the genre of children’s literature up to this day.

It tells the story of Mary Lennox, a petulant, neglected and unloved girl born in India to a wealthy British family, who returns to England having suffered the immense trauma by losing both her parents in a cholera epidemic.

Obnoxious, spoiled, and short-tempered, she dislikes her new home and the people living it. But everything changes when Mary discovers a secret garden, and is determined to revitalize it.

• What it’s like: Narrated by the wonderfully soothing Carrie Hope Fletcher, The Secret Garden is a coming-of-age children’s classic.
• Length: 7 hours and 38 minutes

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Written by Lewis Carroll, narrated by Scarlett Johansson

Take a trip down the rabbit hole with this brilliantly unique reading of an all-time classic that has inspired both children and adults for over 150 years.

Scarlett Johansson brings a unique voice to each and every character, from curious Alice, through the frantic White Rabbit, to the mischievous Cheshire Cat, creating an arsenal of memorable voices and an incredible listening experience.

With perfect pacing and wonderful expression, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a definitive tour de force of the Academy Award-nominated actress.

• What it’s like: Whimsical, curious, and wonderfully narrated, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is perfect for a bedtime story.
• Length: 2 hours and 44 minutes

Health

The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet

Written by Nina Teicholz, narrated by Erin Bennett

Yes, you read the title right. In this captivating narrative based on a nine-year-long investigation, journalist Nina Teicholz reveals how the misinformation about saturated fats took hold in the scientific community and the public imagination, and how recent findings have overturned these beliefs.

Above all, she exposes how ego, bias, and premature institutional consensus of the researchers have allowed dangerous misrepresentations to become dietary dogma.

She debunks the “commonsensical” beliefs of what constitutes a healthy diet, explains why the Mediterranean Diet might not be the healthiest and reveals how avoiding meat, cheese, and whole milk might do more damage than good – all exceptionally well-researched and comprehensive.

• What it’s like: Bold and thought-provoking, The Big Fat Surprise will make you re-evaluate of what a healthy diet means.
• Length: 13 hours and 26 minutes

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Written by Thich Nhat Hanh, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini

In this simple but powerful audiobook, world-renowned Zen master and spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh demonstrates how to approach everyday situations that usually pressure us – dirty dishes, traffic jams – and make positive use of them.

As one reviewer notes, Peace Is Every Step is an absolute must-have in this hectic, anxiety-inducing world of work and responsibility. What’s even more, the audiobook is narrated by the excellent Edoardo Ballerini, who gives it a uniquely soothing tone.

• What it’s like: Peace Is Every Step is a wonderful guide to healthy living that will teach you how to achieve peace within yourself.
• Length: 3 hours 29 minutes

History

A Higher Call: The Incredible True Story of Heroism and Chivalry During World War Two

Written by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander, narrated by Robertson Dean

When Charlie’s B-17 is riddled with bullets and half his crew lays wounded or dead after an unsuccessful first mission, Charlie thinks nothing could possibly make the situation worse.

So when a German Messerschmitt pulls up on the bomber’s tail with one of their best pilots on board, Franz Stigler, Charlie Brown believes he’s met his end. But Franz, instead of shooting him down, does the unthinkable – and what happens next defies imagination up to this day.

In this wonderful story of two war veterans, Makos provides all the descriptions of battle and heroism you’d expect in a historical book – but what he really focuses on is the human side of the conflict and demonstrates that some soldiers remained chivalrous and honorable, even during wartime.

• What it’s like: A Higher Call grips you like a movie from the very beginning up to the very end.
• Length: 13 hours and 21 minutes

Escape from Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West

Written and narrated by Blaine Harden

As a child, Shin Dong-hyuk knew nothing of civilized existence. Born in Camp 14 as a son to two political prisoners, he was condemned to a life of hunger and misery in forced labor.

Locked away in the hidden dystopia, he was taught to inform on his closest friends with no remorse and saw his mother as nothing but a competitor for food. Very few born in these camps have escaped. But Shin Donghyuk did.

A New York Times bestseller, Escape from Camp 14 is a harrowing story about one of the very few people born inside a North Korean prison to have escaped, meticulously chronicled and narrated by the brilliant Blaine Harden.

• What it’s like: Heart-wrenching and eye-opening, Escape from Camp 14 is a true story that reads like fiction.
• Length: 5 hours and 31 minutes

Mystery, thrillers & suspense

CyberStorm

Written by Matthew Mather, narrated by Tom Taylorson

Mike Mitchell is an upper-middle class businessman struggling to keep his family together and living the life of your everyday New Yorker when a bizarre string of disasters come crashing down on the City that Never Sleeps.

With blizzards cutting New York off from the rest of the world, both the real and the cyber begin to collapse, and the cracks in civilization start to show.

CyberStorm is a brilliant techno-thriller that asks an incredibly fascinating question: Are we capable of living without technology? As one reviewer notes, CyberStorm will definitely appeal to fans of Michael Chichton and Tom Clancy – it’s an incredibly fast-paced, cutting-edge dystopian read, impeccably narrated by Tom Taylorson.

• What it’s like: A gripping novel with an intriguing premise, especially in today’s world.
• Length: 11 hours and 15 minutes

The Stranger

Written by Harlan Coben, narrated by Eric Meyers

A big house, a good job, a beautiful wife and two wonderful sons – Adam Price has it all, or so he thinks. That is, until he runs into the Stranger – a mysterious individual who seems to know everyone’s dark secrets. Including that of Adam’s wife, Corinne.

When he confronts her, the mirage of perfection disappears as if it had never existed at all. But the Stranger is not yet done exposing dark secrets and ruining lives.

Only start listening to this audiobook if you have a bit of time on your hands – because once you start, it’s extremely difficult to put down. Packed with twists and turns, The Stranger is guaranteed to suck you in from the very first sentence.

• What it’s like: Intricate, fast-paced and engaging.
• Length: 10 hours and 21 minutes

3:00 a.m. (Henry Bins, Book 1)

Written by Nick Pirog, narrated by Jamie Renell

Henry Bins has Henry Bins.

A sleeping disorder, named after him.

He is awake for one hour a day.

He wakes up at 3 a.m. then falls asleep at 4 a.m.

Life is simple.

Until he hears the woman scream.

And sees the man leave the house across the street.

But not just any man.

The president of the United States.

• What it’s like: A brilliant short thriller with a refreshingly unique premise.
• Length: 2 hours and 31 minutes

Classics

1984: New Classic Edition

Written by George Orwell, narrated by Simon Prebble

“Big Brother is watching you,” the citizens of Airstrip One are reminded at every step. Big Brother stares out from every poster, peeks through every hidden camera, and controls everything you do – what you know, how you speak, what you want and what you believe.

In this reality, two plus two equals five and independent thinking is considered one of the most serious felonies.

As one of the most fascinating novels of all time, 1984 continues to shock, haunt, and force to reflect readers from all around the world.

And this time, it’s elevated even more with the incredible narration by Simon Prebble.

• What it’s like: An unforgettable, bone-chilling timeless classic everyone needs to listen to.
• Length: 11 hours and 22 minutes

Pride and Prejudice

Written by Jane Austen, narrated by Emma Messenger

Set in rural England in the early 19th century, where both expectations and reputation matter, Pride and Prejudice is a timeless tale about the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner, both of whom have to learn to overcome their biases and unlearn the titular pride and prejudice.

And this time, Emma Messenger’s brilliant interpretation of the timeless classic makes Pride and Prejudice not just thoroughly entertaining, but also straight up hilarious. Her shrill, loud Mrs. Bennet, combined with a lovely voice and dramatic inflection, makes listening to this version an experience unlike any other.

• What it’s like: A hilarious, enthusiastic and theatrical narration of an all-time classic.
• Length: 14 hours and 12 minutes

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Written by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Derek Jacobi

Everyone knows Sherlock Holmes. The world’s most famous consulting detective has been reborn in popular culture time and time again: from Benedict Cumberbatch’s wonderfully clever arrogant prick with no social skills, through Robert Downey, Jr.’s goofy but charming eccentric.

But not many people have had the chance to get to know the original Sherlock – and this audiobook is the perfect place to start.

Derek Jacobi seems like he was made to narrate Arthur Conan Doyle’s books – his performance is fresh and entertaining, and he manages to squeeze out every ounce of emotion from the text.

• What it’s like: Derek Jacobi’s narration is truly one of a kind.
• Length: 11 hours and 4 minutes

Other

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Written by Jonas Jonasson, narrated by Peter Kenny

Allan Karlsson’s birthday is right around the corner (a one-hundredth birthday party, to be precise) and Allan could not be any less excited. The Mayor will be there. The press will be there. But, as it turns out, Allan will not. Instead, he hops out of his old people’s home and make his getaway…

In this extremely charming audiobook, the down right ridiculous plot, charismatic characters and quirky style are guaranteed to make you smile all the way through.

And, above all, Peter Kenny’s brilliant narration and skillful vocal jumping (from Einstein to an angry female Swede) will keep you wanting to hear more.

• What it’s like: This laugh-out-loud funny satire is a bit like Forrest Gump (in the best way possible).
• Length: 10 hours and 59 minutes

So You Want to Talk About Race

Written by Ijeoma Oluo, narrated by Bahni Turpin

In So You Want to Talk About Race, Oluo answers all the questions listeners don’t dare to ask to inspire better, more productive conversations on race.

She tackles all the most important contemporary issues: privilege, police brutality, intersectionality, micro-aggressions, the Black Lives Matter movement, the “N” word – in a way that’s raw and brutally honest, but also with a great deal of compassion and humor.

So You Want to Talk About Race is further complemented by Bahni Turpin’s wonderfully deep, slightly raspy voice, makes you feel like you’re listening to a friend while having a cup of tea.

• What it’s like: A current and constructive inquiry into today’s racial landscape, and a must-read for every American.
• Length: 7 hours and 41 minutes

Keep exploring. Here are other tips and lists:

Our latest infographic goes through the milestones in the history of ebooks, puts together essential benefits, and shows how attitudes towards ebooks evolve.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of ebooks, we have prepared another piece of content – this time it’s visual.

The infographic is based on the list of 50 most interesting facts about ebooks and audiobooks. The timeline is obviously the most important part, as ebooks turn 50 at the beginning of July.

Yes, it’s been 50 years since Michael Stern Hart had typed the text of the US Declaration of Independence on a terribly expensive Xerox Sigma V mainframe and sent it to other users of the University of Illinois network.

The world’s first ebook is still available, and you can download it for free directly from the Project Gutenberg – the home of the world’s earliest ebooks, and a fantastic source of publications that have entered the public domain.

The infographic includes also a list of major benefits, lesser known facts, as well as a Google search instant suggestions that show how our attitudes towards ebooks evolved in the recent ten years.

Don’t hesitate to share the visual with your friends and followers and make sure to come back for more staff that celebrates the 50th anniversary of ebooks.

Keep exploring. Here are other visual projects created by our team:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”original-projects”]

Cyber Monday deals are already active! Kindle Oasis $75 off; up to 40% off Kindle Unlimited plans; 400 top Audible audiobooks for $6 each, and more!

Amazon has made an announcement a few days ago about upcoming Cyber Monday deals. Among them are Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis.

There is no need to wait for Monday. All the deals are active right now! Not only the basic Kindle, but also other Amazon e-readers.

Plus there are deals also Audible deals. You can explore 400 audiobooks that are priced $6 each for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

For the first time ever, Amazon offers a deal on Audible Plus. It’s a new, affordable audiobook subscription which lets you access, stream and download original audio productions, popular podcasts, documentaries, and full-length audiobooks.

Just like during every Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are a few deals on Kindle Unlimited subscription, some of them are also available for active members.

Make sure to come back during the weekend for an updated roundup.

⇢ Black Friday ⇢ Cyber Monday

Kindle deals

Save $30 on the basic Kindle

• You save: $30; the Black Friday deal price is set at $59.99 ($89.99).
• Status: Available for all Amazon customers, not only Prime members.
• Valid: Since November 21, 2020.

In the early Black Friday 2020 announcement, the basic Kindle was the only model that would be available at a reduced price during Black Friday event. The other two will go on sale on Cyber Monday.

The Black Friday price of the basic Kindle is set at $59.99 for the entry-level variant with ads. Your saving is $30 and you can spend it on a decent Kindle case. For the version without ads you will pay $79.99 ($109.99), and your saving is also $30.

The 10th-generation Kindle was introduced in April 2019. The biggest improvement is a front-lighted display. Four LED lamps spread an even light across the display to help you read in the dark without a bedside lamp.

Main benefits of Kindle 10

• An adjustable front light that makes the text readable in any light conditions.
• Ability to play Audible audiobooks via connected headphones and speakers.
• Smoother design, compared to Kindle 9.
• A display with a bit better contrast.
• White color!

Deals related to Kindle 10

• Get an Amazon gift card and 20% off a new Kindle with trade-in – the value of the gift card will be equal to the appraised value of your old model.
• Save $45 on Kindle Essentials Bundle – the bundle includes the basic Kindle model, original fabric case, and power adapter. The deal price is $94.97 ($139.97).
• 23% off original fabric cover for Kindle – the cases rarely go on sale, but right now you can buy one for $22.99 instead of $29.99.

⇢ Basic Kindle

Save $45 on Kindle Paperwhite 4

• You save: $45; the deal price is set at $84.99 ($129.99).
• Status: Available for all Amazon customers, not only Prime members.
• Valid: Since November 26, 2020.

Amazon announced that the Kindle Paperwhite 4 deal would start on Cyber Monday, but it’s available for all customers right now.

Compared to Prime Day 2020 deal (Paperwhite was $50 off) this deal is less attractive, but at the same level as a year ago. The deal price set at $84.99 means you will save $45 – enough to get other Amazon devices, naming only the 7-inch Fire.

4th-generation Kindle Paperwhite is the oldest model among currently offered by Amazon. It was launched almost two years ago. Despite rumors about Kindle Paperwhite 5 featuring warm light, the next-generation model will be released next year.

So, if you are looking for a waterproof Kindle available at a relatively reasonable price, this Cyber Monday deal on the Paperwhite is for you.

Benefits of Kindle Paperwhite 4

• Waterproof design that makes it withstand immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for up to 60 minutes.
• Slim design with edge-to-edge glass front.
• Bigger storage options (8 or 32 GB), compared to the predecessor. A helpful feature if you are planning to listen to Audible audiobooks on the Kindle.
• Multiple colors to choose from, matching the new color line of Amazon Fire tablets: Plum, Sage, Twilight Blue, and Black.
• The largest number of compatible case covers and accessories.

Deals related to Kindle Paperwhite 4

• Get an Amazon gift card and 20% off a new Kindle with trade-in – the value of the gift card will be equal to the appraised value of your old model.
• Save up to 25% on original Kindle Paperwhite 4 covers from Amazon – both water-safe fabric covers and leather cases are on sale. The fabric covers cost $22.99 instead of $29.99 each, so you save $7.
• $20 off Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle – the bundle includes the Paperwhite, original leather cover, and power adapter. The price is reduced to $169.97 during Black Friday.
• Get the Hunger Games bundle for $159 – this limited edition Paperwhite bundle includes a case with an iconic cover art from The Hunger Games trilogy.

⇢ Kindle Paperwhite

Save $75 on Kindle Oasis 3

• You save: $75; the deal price is set at $174.99 ($249.99).
• Status: Available for all Amazon customers, not only Prime members.
• Valid: Since November 26, 2020.

Originally, Amazon planned to reveal this deal on Cyber Monday, but – surprise, surprise! – the deal is active right now. And the sooner you order the device, the better the chances to get it before Christmas.

For the first time, the latest-generation Kindle Oasis was offered at a reduced price for Prime Day 2020. Just as we expected, the huge price cut – $75 – will be repeated for Black Friday & Cyber Monday shopping event.

If you consider getting the most innovative Amazon e-reader in the world, this is the best time to do it.

Benefits of Kindle Oasis 3

• Adjustable warm light that lets you control the color of the front lighted screen. In the evening, you can replace blue light with a warmer tone to reduce eye strain and minimize the negative effect on sleep.
• Large, 7-inch touchscreen that displays crisp text and helps enjoy larger documents with fixed layout. It’s the largest currently available Kindle model.
• Asymmetric design that shifts the center of gravity to one side to help you keep the e-reader comfortably in one had for long hours.
• Audible player combined with 8 or 32 GB internal storage to enjoy Audible audiobooks to the fullest.
• Waterproof index IPX8 – tested to withstand immersion in 2 meters of fresh water for 60 minutes.
• Aluminum body combined with premium finishes: Graphite or Champagne Gold.

Deals related to Kindle Oasis 3

• Get an Amazon gift card and 20% off a new Kindle with trade-in – the value of the gift card will be equal to the appraised value of your old model.
• Save almost 60% on designer Kindle Oasis 3 cases – you can choose from a range of colorful, floral patterns, or pick up one of minimalist versions.
• Save up to 26% on original Kindle Oasis 3 covers from Amazon – make sure to follow the link to get coupon code OASIS25 you could use at checkout to be eligible for the discount.

⇢ Kindle Oasis

Get 2 months of Kindle Unlimited free of charge

• You save: $9.99, compared to 30-day free trial.
• Status: For all Amazon customers who haven’t used Kindle Unlimited before.
• Valid: Through March 31, 2021.

This offer can be grabbed by any Amazon customer who is new to Kindle Unlimited.

The deal gives you access to Kindle Unlimited for two months completely free of charge. After that period, you will be charged $9.99 for the first paid month of the subscription until you cancel it during the free period.

It’s like having the 60 days of free trial of Kindle Unlimited instead of 30 days.

⇢ Kindle Unlimited

Up to 40% off pre-paid Kindle Unlimited plans

• You save: Between $12 and $96, depending on the length of subscription.
• Status: For all Amazon customers: new, existing and free trial Kindle Unlimited members.
• Valid: December 31, 2021.

Opposite to Kindle Unlimited deal featured above, this one is available not only to all Amazon customers, but also to active Kindle Unlimited subscribers – also the ones who are still using their free trial.

The deal on long-term pre-paid plans lets you save $11 on the 6-month subscription ($48 instead of $60) or $96 on the 24-month plan ($144 instead of $240).

⇢ Kindle Unlimited

Audible deals

400 Audible audiobooks are $6 each

• You save: Approximately $20. On average each audiobook costs well over $20. The deal price is set at $6.
• Status: For Amazon and Audible customers. Read how to link your accounts.
• Valid: Through November 30, 2020.

The Black Friday 2020 Audible sale features hundreds of premium audiobooks, so that you can stock up your library for long winter evenings.

Each of the audiobooks from the list costs $6, while in most cases the regular price is well over $20. Additionally, if you get more than 4 of Black Friday audiobooks, you will get a $5 coupon.

Audiobooks are grouped into nine popular categories, including literary fiction, mysteries & thrillers, romance, memoirs, and nonfiction.

The deals are available exclusively on Audible website, but we hope to see them revealed on Amazon as well.

⇢ Audible ⇢ Amazon

Save 40% on 6 months of Audible Plus membership

• You save: The total saving is $18. For the first 6 months you pay $4.95 per month instead of $7.95.
• Status: For Amazon and Audible customers. Read how to link your accounts.
• Valid: Through December 31, 2020.

Audible Plus is a brand-new subscription that works the same way as Kindle Unlimited. It gives unlimited access to 11,000 audio files in the Plus catalog. Many of these audio publications are exclusive to the Audible platform.

The regular monthly fee of Audible Plus is $7.95, but during Cyber Monday and beyond you can grab the subscription for only $4.95 per month.

So far, the deal is available only on Audible website, but we hope to see it featured among Amazon Black Friday 2020 deals in the coming days.

⇢ Audible ⇢ Amazon

Keep exploring. Here are other lists for book lovers:

[ef-archive number=5 tag=”lists”]

The new Audible Plus subscription is only $4.95 a month for your first 6 months. The total saving is $18.

Audible Plus is a cheaper subscription plan introduced in September 2020.

It’s like Kindle Unlimited for audiobook fans. For $7.95 per month you get unlimited access to a catalog of select audiobooks and podcasts. Many of these audio publications are exclusive to the Audible platform.

You are eligible to get free audiobooks from the Plus Catalog. It includes over 11,000 titles that offer over 68,000 hours of listening time in total.

Unfortunately, the rest of audiobooks – and there are over 450,000 of them – are included in Audible Premium catalog. And, as a Plus subscriber, you will have to buy them separately.

What’s also worth keeping in mind is that Plus members are not eligible to get credits they would exchange for premium audiobooks.

On the other hand, there are some exciting titles there. Have a look at the list of the best Audible Plus audiobooks you can listen to right now.

If you are ready to give Audible Plus a try, there is no better moment to do so. By the end of December 2020, you can grab the Audible Plus deal that lets you save 37% on the 6-month subscription. So far, the deal is available only on Audible website, but we hope to see it featured among Amazon Black Friday 2020 deals in the coming days.

Audible Plus Black Friday 2020 deal

• For first 6 months you pay $4.95 per month instead of $7.95. You save 37%, and your total saving is $18.
• The total price is $29.7 and you pay it the moment you grab the deal.
• If you get this deal, you are not eligible for a 30-day free trial.
• After 6 months, you will be charged the regular fee of $7.95 for each month.
• Audible Plus gives unlimited access to 11,000 audio files in the Plus catalog.
• You don’t get credits that you can exchange for audiobooks that you will own forever.
• Your access to audiobook ends when your subscription ends.
• The deal ends on December 31, 2020, but it’s very possible that will be prolonged.
• Once announced, the deal will not be replaced by a more attractive one towards Black Friday 2020.
• We expect to see deals on longer plans – 12 and 24 months. They may appear on Cyber Monday or beyond.

⇢ Audible on Amazon

Keep exploring. Here are more posts for audiobook lovers:

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The Kindle would not exist without the print book, not only in general meaning but the one more specific, and referring to the company which created it.

The first Kindle e-reader – and everything that happened later – is an effect of Amazon’s success in the online retail business.

In 1995, Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, identified five product categories with the highest e-commerce potential: videos, books, compact discs, computer software, and computer hardware.

Eventually, he decided to focus on books. At that time, there was a huge global demand for English-language literature, which combined with relatively low prices and a vast number of available titles made it the most promising category.

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022

As a result, Amazon launched as an online bookstore and began service in July 1995.

A less-known fact is that the first book was bought on Amazon a few months earlier. One of the beta testers of the service, John Wainwright, ordered a hardcover edition of Douglas Hofstadter’s Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies on April 3, 1995.

Without this single book order, which ignited Amazon’s giant machinery, and without millions of books sold in the next twelve years, we would most probably not see the first Kindle at all.

Below you’ll see a timeline of the Kindle. And by “Kindle” we mean the entire Kindle world, not only devices.

Please note that this timeline doesn’t include Amazon Fire tablets. They were called “Kindle” for some time, but as they are now a different brand, we will showcase them in a separate timeline.

You can also check out our infographic with the evolution of Kindle e-readers and services.

A timeline of Kindle e-readers and services

2007

November 19, 2007

Amazon introduces Kindle 1

The 1st-generation Kindle has an asymmetric shape with the full-size keyboard, white bezel, and a dark 6-inch E-Ink display. It looks outdated compared to other mobile devices of that time. But it beautifully serves the purpose it was designed for: read books conveniently and without any distractions.

Kindle 1 has an internal storage of 250 MB, which is enough for 200 medium-length books. It is Amazon’s only Kindle e-reader that offers a possibility to extend available disc space by a memory card. It also sports a headphone jack and a speaker.

The 2007 Kindle costs $399. The battery has to be recharged every other day if the wireless connectivity is turned on. With this option being turned off, you can read one week without recharging.

You can still see Kindle 1 product page from the launch date using Wayback Machine.

November 19, 2007

Kindle Store opens

Together with the launch of the 1st-generation Kindle, a store with Kindle ebooks opens within Amazon.com website.

88,000 Kindle ebooks are available at launch. The catalog includes 100 of 112 current New York Times bestsellers. Most of the books in the Kindle Store cost $9.99 or less.

In the Kindle Store, users can find not only ebooks but also popular newspapers (The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post among them), as well as magazines, including Time and Forbes. Kindle Store also includes 250 top blogs on technology, business, entertainment, and politics.

Two well-known features are available in the Kindle Store since the very beginning: free samples and ability to add own documents.

Three days after the launch, top three places on the list of Kindle bestsellers are occupied by newspapers and magazines:

1. The New York Times
2. The Wall Street Journal
3. Time

The most popular novel on the list takes the 6th place. It’s The Pillars of the Earth, the first part of the historical series by Ken Follett.

2008

My definition of Kindle: a gadget with stories hiding inside it.

– Stephen King, January 23, 2008

May 30, 2008

The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, reveals that Kindle ebooks account for more than 6% of all books sold on Amazon.

He also shares the news that a total number of titles bought on Amazon by customers who purchased the Kindle increase by 2.6 times.

May 30, 2008

Amazon and Simon & Schuster release a joint statement with information that by the end of 2008 Simon & Schuster will make 5,000 additional titles available for Amazon Kindle. It will more than double the number of Simon & Schuster titles offered in the Kindle Store.

2009

February 23, 2009

Kindle 2 starts shipping

The 2nd-generation Kindle starts shipping one day ahead of its official launch day set for February 24.

Announced on February 9, 2009, the new Kindle costs $359. It is slim, weights 10.2 ounces, and sports a new 5-way controller, which makes it easy to select text for highlight, switch between books in the library, or look up words.

Its internal memory has 2 GB and is eight times bigger than in Kindle 1. It’s seven times bigger if you count space available for the user – approximately 1.4 GB. It can hold more than 1,500 books without images.

Kindle 2 offers 25% longer battery life, 20% faster page turns, and crispier text with the display’s 16 shades of gray (versus 4 available in Kindle 1).

A new experimental feature called Read-To-Me converts the written to the spoken word. Thanks to that, the user has an option to choose between reading and listening. Pages turn automatically while the text is being spoken, and users can choose between male or female voices.

With the 2nd-generation Kindle, you can also download and listen to Audible audiobooks. At that time, more than 50,000 book titles are available as audiobooks. Audio files can only be downloaded to the Kindle using the included USB 2.0 cable.

Users can listen to text-to-speech, own audio files, or audiobooks via rear-mounted stereo speakers or by plugging in headphones using 3.5 mm stereo audio jack.

Another new feature offered in the 2nd-generation Kindle is an instant dictionary look-up. The device comes equipped with the New Oxford American Dictionary, containing over 250,000 definitions.

February 23, 2009

Whispersync is launched

Together with Kindle 2, Amazon is launching Whispersync technology. The feature lets sync content between devices registered by the same Amazon user.

The feature can sync the library, reading progress, highlights, and notes between Kindle 2 and Kindle 1. It’s planned to be used in the upcoming Kindle applications.

March 4, 2009

Kindle app for iPhone and iPod Touch is available in Apple’s App Store. The app is free to download and supports the newly launched Whispersync technology.

The app lets see and sync Kindle ebooks from the user’s library; add highlights, notes, and bookmarks; change font and paragraph settings.

This is the point. One technology doesn’t replace another, it complements. Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators.

– Stephen Fry – March 11, 2009

E-reading’s success depends more on a Kindle behaving like a book and less like a machine.

– Thessaly La Force, April 22, 2009

May 19, 2009

Amazon launches a Kindle Store version optimized to work seamlessly on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

From now on, when Kindle app user taps “Get Books” button, the mobile version of the Kindle Store opens in a Safari browser to conveniently browse and buy new ebooks.

June 10, 2009

Kindle DX starts shipping

Amazon’s largest Kindle e-reader features a large 9.7-inch 1200 × 824 px E-Ink display, auto-rotate capability, and a built-in pdf reader. The device is addressed to users who want to read a lot of graphic books, pdf documents, newspapers, magazines, and blogs.

The launch price of Kindle DX is set to $489. Its internal memory of 4GB gives approximately 3.3 GB to the user. It’s enough to hold up to 3,500 books, periodicals, and personal documents.

The battery lets read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on.

Kindle DX has 3.5 mm stereo audio jack as well as built-in stereo speakers. Just like Kindle 2, it can play text-to-speech, Audible audiobooks, and user’s personal audio files.

October 19, 2009

International launch of Kindle 2

Kindle 2 starts shipping from Amazon.com to over 100 countries and destinations around the world.

The international version of the e-reader was announced and available for pre-order on October 7. It costs $279, and foreign users can choose from 200,000 English-language books (versus 360 available to customers living in the US).

October 22, 2009

Amazon is introducing Kindle for PC – a free application for reading and managing Kindle ebooks on the Windows computer. The app can be downloaded directly from Amazon.com website.

November 17, 2009

Kindle and Kindle Store launch in Canada. Customers can order the device on Amazon.com website, for the same price as US citizens – $259.

Over 300,000 Kindle ebooks and over 90 top newspapers and magazines are available for purchase by Canadian users.

November 24, 2009

Kindle 2 gets a built-in native pdf reader, introduced earlier this year with Kindle DX. It enables the user to read documents in their original pdf format without conversion.

The second enhancement introduced today is 85% more battery life. The Kindle can now work on a single charge for seven days, compared to four, with wireless turned on.

The battery life enhancement was achieved thanks to improvements in the Kindle’s firmware. Users who bought the device earlier can also enjoy a better battery life after they install a free software update.

December 25, 2009

For the first time, customers purchase more Kindle books than paper books.

December 26, 2009

Amazon announces that Kindle has become the most gifted item in the company’s history.

2010

January 6, 2010

Kindle DX is available for the first time to customers around the world.

The international version of the e-reader can ship from Amazon.com to over 100 countries and destinations.

June 28, 2010

Kindle for Android available in Android Market.

The free application can be used on Android-powered devices around the world and supports Whispersync to save and sync user’s books, highlights, and reading progress.

July 6, 2010

Hachette reveals that up to date James Patterson had sold almost 870,000 Kindle ebooks.

Four more authors – Nora Roberts, Charlaine Harris, Stieg Larsson, and Stephenie Meyer – have each sold more than 500,000 books in Kindle format.

July 19, 2010

Jeff Bezos reveals that for the first time in history Amazon customers buy more Kindle books than hardcover books.

Over the past month, for every 100 hardcover books Amazon has sold, it has sold 180 Kindle books.

It’s astonishing when you consider that we’ve been selling hardcover books for 15 years, and Kindle books for 33 months.

July 27, 2010

Amazon reveals that Stieg Larsson, the author of the bestselling Millennium Trilogy has become the first author to sell over 1 million Kindle books.

Larsson becomes the first member of the new Kindle Million Club, which will recognize writers whose entire body of work has sold over 1 million copies in the Kindle Store.

August 27, 2010

Kindle 3 is launched

The third-generation Kindle e-reader, called “Kindle 3” or “Kindle Keyboard” starts shipping today.

Amazon announced the device a month earlier, on July 28. It has a display with 50% better contrast than Kindle 2, while the resolution of 600 × 800 pixels remains the same. Kindle 3 offers 20% faster page turns. New crispier and darker fonts are designed to improve readability.

The new Kindle is 21% smaller and 17% lighter than its predecessor. Its weight is only 8.5 ounces (241 grams). The battery can work without the charge for up to four weeks.

Kindle Keyboard is the first Kindle that comes in two versions – with and without the wireless connection. The Wi-Fi-only variant costs $139; the wireless is $189.

It’s also the first Kindle device that since official launch day can be shipped outside the US. Kindle Keyboard is available to customers from 140 countries and 30 territories around the world.

September 28, 2010

Amazon is introducing Kindle for the Web

Kindle for the Web a feature that allows readers to read free samples of Kindle books on their web browsers without the need to install anything or register an Amazon account.

When users find interesting Kindle books on the Amazon website, they can click “Read first chapter free” button, and the free sample – usually the first chapter – will open within the web page.

October 25, 2010

Amazon reveals that in the past 30 days the customers purchased more Kindle books than print books (hardcover and paperback combined) for the top 10, 25, 100, and 1,000 bestselling books.

The Kindle is – and I say this with a mixture of delight and dismay – really rather fabulous.

– Judith Woods, December 11, 2010

2011

January 5, 2011

Kindle app for Windows Phone 7 is released. The app includes new features built into a mobile Kindle app for the first time, such as personalized book discovery or recommendation sharing.

January 26, 2011

Kindle Singles are launched

Three months earlier, on October 12, 2010, Amazon made a call to writers, thinkers, business leaders, and publishers to join Kindle in creating a new kind of content – Kindle Singles.

Kindle Singles are “compelling ideas expressed at their natural length.” They are quality reads usually taking between 5,000 and 30,000 words (roughly between 30 and 90 pages of a typical book).

The name “single” comes from the world of music. A single is a song that is released separately from an album.

Each Kindle Single is focusing on a single idea which should be well researched and well argued. Each title costs much less than a typical novel or a non-fiction book.

The first set of Kindle Singles includes “The Happiness Manifesto” by Nic Marks, Jodi Picoult’s “Leaving Home,” and “The Dead Women of Juarez” by Robert Andrew Powell.

May 3, 2011

Special offers land on the Kindle

Announced in April, special offers are ads that are displayed on the Kindle screensaver and the bottom of the home screen. Kindle versions with such ads are cheaper regular versions.

The first Kindle featuring ads and sponsored screensavers is Kindle 3 with Special Offers. It costs $114, which is $25 less than the regular version.

To encourage customers to buy Kindle version with ads, Amazon offers special deals, including $10 for $20 Amazon.com Gift Cards.

May 19, 2011

According to today’s announcement, Amazon customers are now buying more Kindle books than all print books – hardcover and paperback – combined.

It happens less than four years since the introduction of the 1st-generation Kindle, and sixteen years since the first print book was purchased on Amazon.com website.

Amazon reveals that since April 1, 105 Kindle books were bought for every 100 print books.

I know the Kindle will eventually carry the day – an electronic reader means no more embarrassing coffee stains, no more library holds and renewals, no more frantic flipping through pages for a lost quote or going to three bookstores in one afternoon to track down an evasive title.

– Sara Barbour, June 17, 2011

August 10, 2011

Kindle Cloud Reader is launched

Kindle Cloud Reader is a web-based reading application that enables users to read and manage Kindle books instantly using only their web browser. No downloading or installation is required.

Just like any other Kindle app, the Cloud Reader syncs the user’s library, reading progress, bookmarks or highlights.

Kindle Cloud Reader is compatible with Chrome and Safari browsers on desktop computers. A version optimized for Safari on the iPad is also available.

September 21, 2011

Kindle ebooks are now available to borrow from over 11,000 public libraries in the United States.

To borrow a Kindle book, customers visit their local library’s website and select the title they want to read. Then they choose the “Send to Kindle” option and will be redirected to Amazon website where they finalize the process. The book will be delivered in seconds to their preferred e-reading device or application.

Kindle books borrowed from a library are the same books as the ones bought in the Kindle Store. You can read them on the Kindle e-reader or in a Kindle mobile app, using the same unique features these reading environments provide.

September 28, 2011

Kindle 4 is launched

Amazon’s newest 4th-generation Kindle e-reader is the first one without the full-size keyboard. It sports five buttons and a cursor pad instead. The device is 30% lighter and 18% smaller than Kindle 3.

The silver-gray e-reader is considerably cheaper than its predecessor. The version with special offers costs only $79.

Reduction in size and price was achieved at the cost of the internal memory. The new device offers 2 GB compared to 4 GB of Kindle Keyboard. The device doesn’t support audiobooks and doesn’t have a headphone jack or built-in speakers.

November 2, 2011

Amazon is introducing Kindle Owners’ Lending Library

Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (better known as KOLL) is a part of Amazon Prime multi-benefit subscription program.

Owners of Kindle e-readers or Amazon Fire tablets (but not Kindle applications) can borrow for free from thousands of eligible Kindle ebooks, including 100 current and former New York Times bestsellers.

At launch, the number of books in KOLL catalog is 5,000, but it’s quickly growing.

There are no due dates, but the user can borrow one book at a time, and no more than one book per month.

For a lot of people who are more and more immersed into technology, the Kindle became a way back into reading books.

– Jeremy Toeman, November 11, 2011

November 15, 2011

Kindle Touch starts shipping

Announced the same day as Kindle 4 (September 28), Kindle Touch is Amazon’s first e-reader with the touch-responsive display.

It’s also the first e-reader to support an advanced reference tool called X-Ray.

Amazon Prime members will be able to use Kindle Touch to borrow books from Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.

The e-reader features an internal storage of 4 GB (for approximately 3,000 books), deep integration with Audible, and battery life extended to two months.

The Wi-Fi-only version with special offers costs $99. The version with Wi-Fi+3G and no ads is available for $189.

November 15, 2011

X-Ray feature debuts on Kindle Touch

X-Ray is a unique, highly advanced reference tool, developed by Amazon to be used in Kindle e-readers and applications.

The feature helps the reader easier and deeper explore the book.

With a single tap, you can see the passages from across the book that refer to characters, ideas, places, or topics mentioned in the text.

X-Ray is not only a must-have tool to follow more complicated plots but is a great way to extend knowledge about topics the book is about, by providing extended definitions from Wikipedia and Shelfari.

2012

April 20, 2012

Kindle Touch starts shipping to international customers of Amazon.com. The list of locations the Kindle can be shipped includes 175 countries and territories.

June 19, 2012

Harry Potter books are coming to Kindle Owners’ Lending Library

Members of Amazon Prime can enjoy Harry Potter books for free. All seven parts of the famous J.K. Rowling’s series are now available to borrow from Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL).

Harry Potter editions included in Kindle Owners’ Lending Library are not only in English but also French, Italian, German and Spanish.

August 28, 2012

Amazon reveals that Kindle-exclusive books have been downloaded more than 100 million times.

At the time of the announcement, there are over 180,00 Kindle-exclusive ebooks in the Kindle Store. You can’t find them in any other ebook platform.

September 6, 2012

Whispersync for Voice is introduced

Whispersync for Voice is a new part of Amazon’s ever-growing Whispersync technology aimed at improving user’s reading experience on several connected devices.

Whispersync for Voice was developed in cooperation with Audible. It enables the user to seamlessly switch between reading a Kindle book and listening to its audiobook version – all in just a few taps, within one book.

The feature helps readers enjoy following the story, no matter what they are doing.

September 6, 2012

Kindle Serials are introduced. They are a new way to enjoy serialized stories.

A digital format enables publishers and authors to release their works in parts. It’s is what Kindle Serials are about. They are stories published in episodes.

When you buy Kindle Serial, you will immediately receive all currently available episodes. Future parts will arrive at your Kindle or Kindle app once they are released.

October 1, 2012

Kindle Paperwhite 1 starts shipping

In an announcement from September 2, Amazon called the 1st-generation Kindle Paperwhite “the most advanced e-reader ever constructed.”

The device features a patented built-in front light, which enables users to read even in complete darkness without the need to have an external source of light. The screen is lighted by four small LED lights located on its edges.

Another highly advanced feature is the newest 6-inch e-paper display. With 212 ppi pixel density, it has a resolution of 758 × 1024 px, giving 62% more pixels than Kindle Touch. The screen also has a 25% better contrast. All that makes text look crisp no matter the size and images show more details.

A battery is Paperwhite’s another strong point. Even with the front light on, the device can run up to eight weeks on a single charge.

The 1st-generation Kindle Paperwhite is available from $119 (Wi-Fi version with special offers).

The Kindle – by design – is digital paper. And the tablet – by the hubris of its own design – is not.

– Kevin Kelleher, October 4, 2012

October 11, 2012

Amazon reveals that later this month Kindle Owners’ Lending Library will be available to users from the UK, Germany, and France.

Members of Amazon Prime program will be able to choose from over 200,000 eligible titles and borrow one book per month with no due dates.

October 25, 2012

Kindle for Windows 8 is available for download.

The application is tailored to devices running Windows 8 and offers features similar to other apps, including syncing of bookmarks, notes, and reading progress.

2013

January 25, 2013

Kindle Paperwhite 1 is available for readers in 175 countries around the world.

Foreign customers can order on Amazon.com two international versions. Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi costs $139; Wi-Fi + 3G version is available for $199.

May 1, 2013

Amazon brings accessibility features to Kindle applications.

New features enable blind and visually impaired users to read books aloud, navigate their Kindle library, sort and search books, add notes and highlights, use X-Ray, or share passages to social media.

The first app to support accessibility features is Kindle for iOS. Other applications are planned to join in the future.

June 27, 2013

Amazon is launching Kindle Worlds

Kindle Worlds is Amazon’s new innovative publishing model focused on fan fiction. Any writer can publish authorized stories inspired and based on original stories and characters.

The platform opens with licenses from Warner Bros., Valiant Entertainment, and authors such as Hugh Howey, Barry Eisler, or Neal Stephenson.

Over 50 fan fiction stories are available at launch. They are written by several well-known authors such as Barbara Freethy, Charles Sasser, Anita Clenney, or Robert Rodi.

September 30, 2013

Kindle Paperwhite 2 is launched

Compared to its predecessor, the 2nd-generation Paperwhite sports the display with higher contrast.

The new front-light technology allows the light to distribute more evenly. 1 GHz processor is 25% faster, which results in faster page turns and a better response to touch.

The price of the Kindle Paperwhite 2 version with Wi-Fi and ads is $119.

The 2nd-generation Kindle Paperwhite with 3G and no ads, priced $189, is planned to ship later – on November 5, 2013.

2014

June 10, 2014

Kindle apps for iOS and Android come with Audible support.

Amazon introduced Whispersync for Voice in September 2012. Now the technology comes to tablets and smartphones operated by Android and iOS systems.

From now on, using Kindle for Android and Kindle for the iOS application you won’t only read ebooks but also listen to their audiobook versions.

The Whispersync for Voice enables the user to seamlessly switch between reading and listening without leaving the app and the book.

July 18, 2014

Kindle Unlimited ebook subscription is launched

Kindle Unlimited is an ebook subscription service which gives members unlimited access to a growing collection of Kindle ebooks and Audible audiobooks.

The fee for using Kindle Unlimited is $9.99 per month. Other subscription options – 6, 12, and 24-month pre-paid plans – will be introduced later.

At launch, the catalog of Kindle Unlimited ebooks includes 640,000 titles. Most of them are books published exclusively in the Kindle Store.

The Kindle Unlimited subscriber has unlimited access to all eligible books but can download and keep up to ten titles at a time.

Unlike Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, Kindle Unlimited can be accessed not only from Amazon devices (Kindle e-readers or Fire tablets) but also Kindle applications.

October 2, 2014

Kindle 7 is released

The new model is the first basic Kindle without buttons. It’s fully operated by the touchscreen.

Compared to the basic Kindle released in September 2012 (Kindle 5), the new device sports twice the storage (4 GB). A single battery charge lasts up to four weeks.

The version with special offers costs $79. The one without ads is $99.

October 21, 2014

Kindle Voyage starts shipping

Voyage is Amazon’s most advanced e-reader so far. It’s the thinnest Kindle ever produced. Its depth is 0.3 in (7.6 mm).

Weighing only 180 g, Kindle Voyage has a flush glass front and magnesium back.

The device features a new way to turn pages, called Page Press, with custom-designed force sensors located under page-turn buttons. To turn the page you need to press lightly, and the operation will be confirmed by a haptic.

A next-generation 6-inch display offers the highest resolution (1430 × 1080 px) and pixel density (300ppi) available in e-readers at that time. The contrast is 25% higher than in the 2nd-generation Kindle Paperwhite.

An improved front light consists now of six LED lamps for even light distribution. A built-in light sensor allows the brightness of the screen to be automatically adjusted to current light conditions.

The entry version of Kindle Voyage (Wi-Fi, ads) costs $199. The most expensive variant with Wi-Fi + 3G (no ads) is $289.

2015

June 30, 2015

Kindle Paperwhite 3 is launched

3rd-generation Kindle Paperwhite offers the same pixel density as the top-shelf Kindle Voyage – 300 ppi – for crisp, laser-quality text and more detailed images. With a resolution of 1440 × 1080 px, the new Paperwhite offers twice as many pixels as the 1st-generation Paperwhite.

The new Paperwhite is Amazon’s first e-reader to feature the new Bookerly font and improved typography.

The price of Kindle Paperwhite 3 is kept at the same level as Paperwhite 2 from 2013. The cheapest version (Wi-Fi and ads) is $119.

⇢ Tech specs

June 30, 2015

Amazon introduces Bookerly font

Bookerly font is used for the first time in the 3rd-generation Kindle Paperwhite launched today. It is a new font “inspired by the artistry of the best fonts in modern print books.” But its purpose is different. The focus was made to optimize the reading experience on the screen.

The font looks good in any size and on any screen, e-paper or LCD. It is lighter and has a more modern look than other digital reading fonts while maintaining maximum readability.

2016

April 27, 2016

Kindle Oasis 1 starts shipping

1st-generation Kindle Oasis is the thinnest and lightest Kindle ever made. Weighing only 4.6 oz (131 g) without the battery cover, it is just 3.4 mm on the thinner side.

A reimagined, asymmetric construction shifts the gravity center to the user’s palm. Combined with advanced page-turn buttons it makes one-handed reading much more comfortable.

Another unique feature is a dual-battery system. One battery is built into the device; the other one is in the detachable case. Once you connect the cover to the Oasis, the battery starts charging the e-reader immediately.

Kindle Oasis 1 features the same 1440 × 1080 px, 300 ppi display as the one used in Voyage.

A single built-in battery can last up to two weeks, but with the energy from the battery cover, you can read several months without the need to recharge.

The prices of 1st-generation Kindle Oasis start from $289.99 (Wi-Fi, ads). For the most expensive version – Wi-Fi + 3G, no special offers – you will pay $379.99.

The Amazon Kindle is probably the least gadget-y gadget ever created. No one ever exclaims about its remarkable specs. It doesn’t need upgrading every two years. You just pick it up, turn it on, and read.

– David Pierce, May 13, 2016

⇢ Tech specs

July 7, 2016

Kindle 8 is launched

Amazon’s 8th-generation Kindle is 11% thinner and 16% lighter than the 7th generation model.

Kindle 8 has the same price tag as its predecessor – $79.99 – and comes in two color variants: Black and White.

It’s the first Kindle that comes equipped with accessibility feature, called VoiceView, that activates via the built-in Bluetooth audio.

The version of Kindle 8 without special offers is planned to be launched on July 30.

⇢ Tech specs

July 19, 2016

Amazon introduces Kindle Single Classics

What if iconic articles, stories, and essays from well-known authors and journalists were available in digital form? This is what Kindle Single Classics are about.

Classic articles from the past, worth reading but hard to find, are available for $0.99 each.

Kindle Single Classics launch with 140 articles, essays, and short stories. Among the authors, you will find Susan Orlean, Norman Mailer, Gloria Steinem, John le Carré, and Kurt Vonnegut.

2017

Ten years after the first Kindle, e-ink remains the best technology for the devoted e-reader.

– Brian Heater, October 12, 2017

October 24, 2017

Redesigned Kindle apps for iOS and Android operating systems are launched.

The apps have a unified look and set of features across the two platforms. No matter which platform you use, you will find in the Kindle app a more intuitive search, Goodreads integration, and support for Audible audiobook playback.

The new thing is that you can now choose the app’s theme. You can pick up either Light or Dark look.

October 31, 2017

Waterproof Kindle Oasis 2 is launched

The 2nd-generation Kindle Oasis is Amazon’s first waterproof e-reader.

The e-reader meets IPX8 water resistance rating. It means you can safely put it two meters under fresh water and keep for up to one hour.

Oasis 2 is also the second Kindle that sports the display larger than 6 inches. Kindle DX, introduced in June 2009, had the 9.7-inch screen.

With Oasis 2, Audible is coming back to Kindle e-readers. This time, however, the device does not have built-in speakers or even a headphone jack. Instead, you can listen to audiobooks by connecting the e-reader to a Bluetooth-enabled speaker or headphones.

The new Kindle has much bigger internal storage than its predecessors – 8 and 32 GB. More memory is needed to hold audiobook files.

⇢ Tech specs

2018

November 7, 2018

Waterproof, Audible-ready Kindle Paperwhite 4 is released

The long-expected new generation of the most popular Amazon e-reader is finally arriving, with prices starting at $129.99. The device offers features that were most often requested by readers.

First of all, the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof. It has passed the IPX8 test, and it means you can put it in 2 meters of the fresh water for 60 minutes and it will withstand it.

Another most requested feature was the ability to play audiobooks. After Oasis and the basic Kindle, the 2018 Paperwhite can play Audible audiobooks and audiobook companions via connected Bluetooth-enabled headphones or speakers.

There are two storage options to choose from, just like in Oasis 2017: 8 GB and 32 GB. The smaller memory variant will let you download dozens of audiobooks for offline playback.

The new Paperwhite looks modern and is thinner and lighter than any Paperwhite previously released. Just like Kindle Voyage and Oasis, Amazon’s newest e-reader sports the glass front and comes with a large selection of original case covers, some of them made from water-safe fabric.

⇢ Tech specs

2019

April 10, 2019

The new entry-level Kindle model starts shipping

The newest-generation Kindle model is announced on March 20, three weeks ahead of the official release day set for April 10.

Kindle 2019 is smoother and thinner than its predecessor, comes in two color variants (black and white), offers the same internal memory of 4 GB, and can play Audible audiobooks via connected Bluetooth speakers or headphones.

The biggest improvement is a front-lit display. Four LED lamps embedded in the front bezel spread light over the screen enabling you to read in the dark without the need to turn on an external source of light.

The second upgrade is the display. It has the same resolution of 800 × 600 px, and the same pixel density of 167 ppi as the predecessor, but offers better contrast.

This very feature makes the price of the newest Kindle go up by $10, to $89.99, for the variant with special offers. The ad-free version costs $20 more – $109.99.

In a limited-time offer, a free Kindle Unlimited subscription plan is bundled with the 2019 Kindle. You can read eligible books free of charge for three months, a value of $30.

⇢ Tech specs

July 24, 2019

Kindle Oasis 3 is launched

The newest Oasis (3rd-generation) is the first Kindle to sport adjustable warm light. You can change the color temperature of the front light to be warmer.

The new feature is helpful if you are reading a lot in the evening, as blue light (which is natural for daytime) can cause sleep problems. You can adjust the intensity of warm light, as well as schedule how it works during a day.

Besides warm light control, the new top-shelf Kindle offers the same features as the previous-generation model. It’s waterproof (IPX8 rating)m, has a 7-inch touchscreen (1680 × 1264 pixels, 300 ppi), and comes with Audible support and two storage options (8 and 32 GB).

Kindle Oasis 3 (2019) has the same price tag as its predecessor: $249.99 for the entry-level version.

⇢ Tech specs

2021

October 27, 2021

6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite 5 is launched

For a price $10 higher than the previous generation, Kindle Paperwhite 2021 offers a slim waterproof design with a 6.8-inch display, adjustable warm light, and USB-C port.

The device is offered in two distinctively different variants: Regular and Signature. The Signature Edition exclusively features auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB memory size.

The new 6.8-inch display is 13% larger than in the previous-generation model, but the overall dimensions of the new Paperwhite are only a bit bigger.

Amazon claims, the battery can last up to 10 weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day, with Wi-Fi connection turned off, and the brightness level set at 13.

⇢ Tech specs

2022

August 2022

Amazon starts supporting epub file format

For many years, Amazon was the only major ebookstore that required the mobi file format if you wanted to add your own books to your Kindle library, devices, and apps.

It changed in August 2022. From that time you were able to send epub files via Send to Kindle extensions. Even before that, since the beginning of 2022, it was possible to successfully add epub files to the Kindle by sending them via email to your dedicated Kindle email address.

All the mobi files that you have added to your Kindle library before are 100% safe, and will not be deleted. However, since August 2022 it’s not possible to add mobi files to the Kindle library – you will get an alert email every time you do that.

October 12, 2022

Kindle 11 starts shipping

Announced by Amazon on September 13, 2022, the newest 11th-generation base Kindle model sports the crisp 300 ppi display, adjustable front light, fast USB-C port, and 16 GB of storage.

The biggest improvement is the new 6-inch, high-resolution 300 ppi touchscreen that offers three times more pixels than the previous model, offering sharper text and images in a paper-like feel.

USB-C becomes the standard in charging and data transfer. It lets you charge and send data to and from the Kindle much faster than the standard USB port. You will need approximately 2 hours to fully charge the Kindle 11 using a 9W USB-C power adapter (not included in the box).

The battery life is extended to 6 weeks, compared to the previous generation model. The calculation is based on the assumption that you read for half an hour a day, with the display brightness set at level 13.

⇢ Tech specs

November 30, 2022

Kindle Scribe 1 is launched

Announced on September 28, 2022, and available from November 30, 2022, Amazon’s latest e-reader is one of the most important milestones in Kindle history.

Kindle Scribe sports the 300 ppi 10.2-inch Paperwhite, glare-free touchscreen display that’s enhanced by both the front and warm light. The e-reader is offered in three memory variants (16, 32 and 64 GB), is equipped with a USB-C port, and has the asymmetrical look of the Oasis.

Most importantly, the Scribe is the first Amazon e-paper device that supports handwriting. You can choose from two compatible pens – Basic or Premium – that come free with a chosen Kindle Scribe variant.

To make the most use of the Kindle Scribe, you will have to change your habits, routines, and – most probably – productivity tools. 

⇢ Tech specs

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