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Books/book club

Buying books on Amazon

(50 Posts)
RachelD Sun 28-Sept-25 22:43:00

I buy nearly all my books on Amazon as Kindle books. I can change the print size to suit me and the prices are good.

I also quickly forget the books I have read. If I tried to repurchase a book I had bought previously, a note would flash up saying ‘You purchased this book on 2 April 2022. (Or whenever’.).
Amazon seems to no longer do this. I asked their Customer Support why and got a generic rubbish reply .
Has anyone else found this a problem.

PS I know I could go through my Kindle library to check whether I had bought a book previously, but with 1978 books on there , it a bit of a faff.

Ktsmum Tue 30-Sept-25 13:50:08

I now keep a notebook where I.write the title and a brief synopsis of every book I read. I was finding that I could remember the title but not much about the book itself, so this definitely helps me to recall the story so I know if it's worth re reading. It also gets the book out of my head so I am ready to start a new one without thinking of the last

SueEH Tue 30-Sept-25 13:51:22

I’m still getting the notification that I’ve already bought a book. Hope you get it sorted out.

lizzypopbottle Tue 30-Sept-25 13:54:46

I just tried it, (see above) and sure enough, it took payment again. Obviously, I cancelled it but how annoying!

DeeAitch56 Tue 30-Sept-25 14:18:47

I still get a notification if I’m trying to buy a book I’ve already purchased. On an aside note are you in the UK? If so you can join your local library and borrow ebooks from them free of charge, you may have to read them on something other than your kindle depending on which device you have, but it’s definitely worth a consideration

Megwich Tue 30-Sept-25 14:27:56

If you have a library card you can get talking and reading books free online. You just need to ask your library for details and a password.

DeeDe Tue 30-Sept-25 14:46:07

I still get a reminder on Amazon and date I purchased a book and anything else I’ve purchased before …

Thisismyname1953 Tue 30-Sept-25 14:46:26

I too have a kindle with about 1600 books on it but don’t buy them anymore because I pay monthly for Kindle Unlimited. It costs me about £10 per month but , as an avid reader, I would pay at least double that each month for actual books . I read mostly crime books and if I find a police character that I like I read the whole series if I can . If I find I’ve read a book a long time previously then I may read it again or just delete it . I didn’t realise that they no longer flag up if you’ve already read a book but I’m not bothered . You can download a sample of each book to buy and I can tell from that if I’ve already read it even if it was years ago .

libra10 Tue 30-Sept-25 14:49:40

I read quite a lot, and get most of my books free from NetGalley.

When finishing a book I add the title and author to a word document, then I know I've read it.

Glenfinnan Tue 30-Sept-25 14:58:32

I don’t have a kindle but I have an Apple iPod … which has a library section … I can type in title/author and it confirms if it in my library . Does the kindle have something similar ?

Frenchgalinspain Tue 30-Sept-25 14:59:51

Amazon also has a fabulous Spanish selection as well as other languages besides English.

Prices are quite good.

I order some from Amazon.es

NO customs taxes !!

It is a good deal if you find what you like or want.

Stansgran Tue 30-Sept-25 15:05:14

Glad to see there are so many like minded people here. Amazon reminded me that I’d bought a book I was trying to buy. If you like crime please try Peter Grainger. He was recommended by Janice turner in the times as someone who self published on line and now I gather he has become so popular that he has publishers interested in him. I found the first one a bit puzzling but read the second and the first fell into place. I’d read them in order. I can highly recommend. Very very interesting especially if you like Norfolk.

Flakesdayout Tue 30-Sept-25 15:25:04

I had a reminder a few days ago. I keep a notebook of all the books I have read with a small synopsis so I remember what they were about and I comment whether I liked it or not. Many of my books are free or I use the Amazon Prime Reading where you borrow up to 10 books and swap them. I very occasionally will spend a £1 for a book that looks particularly appealing.

Bicycle1 Tue 30-Sept-25 15:55:13

The same happens me with audible , I have to recheck if I have bought it or listened to it as doesn't always say in your library

glammagran Tue 30-Sept-25 16:27:31

I think the reason you forget which books you’ve read is because when you read a physical book you see the title and author every time you pick it up. Sadly I can no longer read books due to my declining vision. On my kindle I have sometimes been in the middle of a book and can’t for the life of me remember the title or author and have to move to the front page to find out.

Peaseblossom Tue 30-Sept-25 17:49:41

Can't you do a search to see if you've bought it before? I have a list on my notes on my iphone of everything I've watched in the last few years. Before I watch anything I do a search to see if I've seen it before. It is very useful.

EllieW Tue 30-Sept-25 19:13:54

Yes Noodle Nut - as long as you have a library card, you can download books on to your Kindle for free. You need the Libby App on your phone or Kindle. Just like Amazon, you can download samples to see if you’d like the book.

RachelD Tue 30-Sept-25 19:14:50

Thanks to all who replied.
My account is now showing the message , ‘You purchased this book on (xyz date.)
It was definitely missing fo a couple of days, but I am pleased it is working again. Thanks to those who replied, and from whom I learnt -new to me - things: how to search my orders and why a book might not show as already purchased if it is a new edition .

Thank you all.

NoodleNut Tue 30-Sept-25 19:56:01

EllieW

Yes Noodle Nut - as long as you have a library card, you can download books on to your Kindle for free. You need the Libby App on your phone or Kindle. Just like Amazon, you can download samples to see if you’d like the book.

Thank you, I have a library card smile
I know what I'll be doing this weekend now!

ruthiek Tue 30-Sept-25 20:00:33

If you look at this book whilst in your kindle store it tells you you own the book

Lindaloulabel Tue 30-Sept-25 20:46:50

Did you know you can add books to a collection.
I’ve got
Read
Rubbish
5*
Can’t be bothered to finish….
Just a fun way of keeping track.
😁😁

Mojack26 Tue 30-Sept-25 21:09:20

No,mine still says when I purchased it

MaggsMcG Wed 01-Oct-25 05:45:19

If you have an Apple device Apple Books are quite good.some are Free and sone are about the same price as Kindle.

mum2three Wed 01-Oct-25 06:38:47

I made the mistake of downloading two Amazon books onto my Chromebook. It seems Chrome have programmed their devices to only last a certain time, then they stop working. I had a really interesting book about the Bible and hadn't finished reading it. In future I shall stick to the physical article.

lainieb56 Wed 01-Oct-25 09:17:35

If you are in the UK, you can down load an app called 'borrowbox'
This is an online library where you can download books and audio books using your library card. I've read loads on there. And just like a library, you can renew them of you've not finished in time or return them if they are rubbish. They don't have e every book known to man, but there are thousands of titles in all genres.