The other day I was trying to decide between purchasing Gospel Writing: A Canonical Perspective in paperback or Kindle format. Then I realized that I didn’t need to decide because Amazon has a new service called Kindle Matchbook. If you purchase a hard copy of a book there may be the option that you can download the digital version for only a few more dollars. I did this instead so I could have the book in digital form, but also in hardback just in case.
This feature has proven even more useful when I realized that a few of my books that are in California (most of my library remains in the attic of my friend’s home) can be downloaded to my Kindle for a few dollars:
There were nineteen books available this way (I show you five). Though I don’t want all of them there are some like Dunn’s The Theology of Paul the Apostle and Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses that I’ve more than once wished were with me. Now they can be! For those of you who like both hardcopy and digital versions of books you may want to check out this feature and see which of your previous purchases can be added on Kindle for a few more dollars.
I wish more publishers participated in this. I have only had a handful of books show up with Kindle Matchbook.
This is so cool! I’d never heard of it before. Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses would definitely be a great one to have on hand.
@Adam: I agree, but maybe if it is successful for those who are participating it will be attractive to those who aren’t?
@Joshua: I know, right?!
For curiosity sake, are you able to estimate what percentage of books you read in strictly digital form? (You’ve mentioned Kindle before and it seems you make good use of digital resources).
I can estimate perfectly how many books I’ve read digitally. One.
“Edom and the Edomites” by J. Bartlett is frightfully difficult to get in traditional form, but I was able to get access to a digital copy, and so ….. only one book have I read cover to cover in digital form.
I’m guessing here, but I’d say about 50-60% of the book I purchase I do through Kindle now. But I read books at libraries more now, and I read them through online sources like EBSCO Host, and when publishers send me copies for review those are hardcopy (only Baker Academic has done digital downloads for review of the publishers who send me books). So, overall I’m not sure how many are hardcopy and how many are digital, but far more are digital for me than say even a year ago.
Thanks.