This content material accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. Once you purchase by these hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee.
Welcome to At this time in Books, our each day round-up of literary headlines on the intersection of politics, tradition, media, and extra.
Amazon Calls an Audible
Amazon introduced yesterday that subscriptions to Amazon Music Limitless within the U.S., UK, and Canada now embrace one free audiobook per 30 days from Audible’s catalog. It is a clear transfer to shore up Audible’s market place towards Spotify, which rose to being the #2 supplier of audiobooks inside simply three months of introducing audiobook advantages to Spotify Premium clients late final 12 months. I’ve been ready to see how Amazon would reply since January, when a leaked recording of an all-hands name revealed Audible CEO Bob Carrigan’s fears concerning the new competitor, and I feel this play can inform us a couple of attention-grabbing issues.
This transfer confirms that Amazon is unquestionably apprehensive that Spotify is coming to eat Audible’s lunch. As of Might, six months after the audiobook launch, 25% of Spotify Premium subscribers had already engaged with its audiobook choices, and that quantity can solely have elevated since. However they’re most likely not as apprehensive as they might be as a result of they haven’t but reached for the massive gun: Amazon Prime subscribers. Since Amazon is notoriously stingy with its numbers, it’s unimaginable to know for certain, but it surely’s affordable to imagine that Amazon Music Limitless is working with a meaningfully smaller person base than Amazon Prime’s practically 200 million. If or when this profit is prolonged to Prime clients, we’ll know Amazon has seen some troubling writing on the wall. Competitors is sweet for {the marketplace} and good for shoppers, and personally, I’m glad to see somebody lastly giving Audible a literal run for its cash.
Out of This World Studying
Sci-fi and fantasy followers, this one’s for you. Charlie Jane Anders provides a spotlight reel of the 11 finest SFF books of 2024, and no matter your taste, there’s one thing for you. If, like me, you’re weaker on SFF than you’d prefer to be, you’ll additionally discover loads of horizon-expanding choices. I’ve had my eye on Ours since its launch in February and am grateful to be reminded of it in time for my end-of-year catchup studying.
At this time In Books E-newsletter
Signal as much as At this time In Books to obtain each day information and miscellany from the world of books.
Thanks for signing up! Keep watch over your inbox.
Get Your Present On
Ebook lovers are notoriously laborious to purchase for, so we’ll take all assist we will get. Vulture’s guide present information has a pleasant number of new releases and newly related backlist titles.
Energy Rating the Books of 1994
1994: Mates was the recent new present. Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction competed for field workplace supremacy. OJ Simpson was on trial. Kurt Cobain died, and Inexperienced Day launched Dookie. Oprah’s Ebook Membership was not but a factor. Hop within the DeLorean and be part of me and Jeff O’Neal for an influence rating of the books of 1994.
The feedback part is moderated in response to our neighborhood pointers. Please examine them out so we will preserve a protected and supportive neighborhood of readers!