KindleUnlimited or Scribd – Which is Better for Christian Fiction Fans?
It’s no secret that I love to read. When I first started reading/reviewing Christian fiction over 10 years ago, my options for obtaining books were the library, the bookstore, receiving review copies from the author and/or publisher (both print and eBooks), and eBooks from Amazon. I’m sure that’s not an exhaustive list, but those were the main sources.
Since that time, books are more widely obtainable, and I’ve since discovered two monthly subscriptions that make even more books available to me. There are pros and cons to both platforms, and while there is one that I LOVE more than the other, I still find both to be valuable enough to keep my monthly subscriptions. 🙂
**Please note that this post contains affiliate links, and I may be compensated upon your purchase of any items through those links. Clicking affiliate links here on my blog results in no increased cost to you.
The first option I recently discovered is KindleUnlimited. I was no stranger to it, but I just didn’t know anything about it. In a nutshell, KindleUnlimited subscribers have unlimited access to a WIDE selection of eBooks (well over 1 million) as well as select magazine subscriptions. Monthly cost is $9.95/mo, and Amazon regularly offers an incentive for your first 30 or 60 days. (As of the date of this blog post, they’re offering the first 60 days free.)
Since I only read Christian fiction, I was worried at first that the selection of books on KU would be small. Au contraire… the selection is quite good! Most of what I’ve discovered has been indie published books, although there are plenty of books that have been traditionally published, too. What’s great is that I get plenty of suggestions on other books that I might enjoy based on my searches and KU downloads.
Here’s a partial list of what I’ve read so far on KindleUnlimited –
- The Plum Blooms in Winter by Linda Thompson
- The Mulberry Leaf Whispers by Linda Thompson
- Finders Keepers by Sarah Monzon
- The Canadian West Series by Janette Oke
- A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
With KU, you can download up to 10 eBooks at a time, and there’s no return date. After the free trial and even with a $10 monthly subscription, KindleUnlimited is well worth the money! Amazon also frequently offers deals where if you purchase a new Kindle eReader, it will either include a free or heavily discounted KU subscription for a certain number of months.
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The second option I’ve discovered is Scribd. I have seen Scribd several times over the years, but mostly as a cloud website for book excerpts. It has evolved to include full length novels, audiobooks, magazines, podcasts, and more! Their selection of Christian fiction is also quite broad, and in my observation, has more traditionally published authors to choose from. They also seem to have more newly released Christian fiction with titles showing up on the platform within a month or two after release (some show up even sooner).
Probably my favorite thing about Scribd is the audiobook selection. Prior to using Scribd, I almost never used audiobooks – I (thought I) was a diehard, must-read-it-in-print kind of girl. No, no, no… I have LOVED audiobooks since I started using Scribd! I have a decent amount of driving time every day, and can usually listen to at least 30-45 minutes of an audiobook every day. Plus, slipping in earbuds and listening while I do housework has become an easy way to get my book fix and be productive at the same time. 🙂
Now, while Scribd advertises itself as offering an unlimited selection, they don’t necessarily do that with audiobooks. After I’ve listened to one or two, I’ll notice that other audiobooks on my list (not all, but some) state that they won’t be available for another week or two. While this is a bit of a pain, it doesn’t bother me too much as I still have access to all of the ebooks.
And while I have not used any of these yet, my Scribd subscription also gives me premium access to PandoraPlus, Curiosity Stream, and FarFaria absolutely free!
Here’s a partial list of what I’ve read or listened to so far on Scribd –
- Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham Jr.
- The Kissing Tree by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese
- The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden
- A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden
- The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden
- A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Gray
- An Amish Surprise by Shelley Shepard Gray
- Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta
- If I Run by Terri Blackstock
- If I’m Found by Terri Blackstock
- If I Live by Terri Blackstock
- You’ll Think of Me by Robin Lee Hatcher
- You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher
- When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin
Scribd also has a $9.99 monthly subscription fee, and offer the first 30 days free. However, if you’d like to enjoy your first 60 days free, please use my referral link to take advantage of an extra 30 days!
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Both subscription services offer different things, and while I personally have no issue paying for and using both, I can see where some would want to use only one. Here are some additional tidbits about both subscriptions that you may find helpful –
- Authors get paid for every book that’s read through either of these platforms!
- Both platforms have a mobile app so you can read and/or listen to books with your phone.
- If a book is available on one platform, it probably won’t be on the other. The only exception I’ve found to this is ebook vs. audio. For instance, Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta is available on KU as an eBook and on Scribd as an audiobook. Amazon requires that a book be unavailable on another platform in the same format. Audiobooks can get around this rule.
- Both platforms allow you to make lists to save titles to read later.
- Both platforms have a wide selection of Christian fiction and non-fiction titles.
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If you haven’t guessed by now, my personal favorite of the two is Scribd, primarily because their selection of newer Christian fiction titles seems to be greater, plus I have access to so many Christian fiction audiobooks (something I didn’t know I needed in my life until recently!).
If you use either or both platforms, I’d love to know what you find appealing about them (and if you know something about them that I may have missed above)! 😉 If you’ve not used them, I invite you to try out a 30-60 day trial to see how you like them. Don’t forget to use my referral links posted above (especially Scribd) if you want to enjoy the longest trial periods available.
Happy reading!
