Happy September, SEers! If you live in the U.S., or Canada, I hope you enjoyed your long Labor Day Weekend. You’re with Mae today, and I’d like to share a summer reading challenge. It may sound odd to do a post with the word “summer” given we’ve now inched into September, but summer isn’t over yet.
I want to share something you may not be aware of, and apparently is currently in a beta version. I’m referring to Amazon Reading Challenges. I was invited to participate in my first one last February. It only lasted a month, but I enjoyed it. I’m a voracious reader even without a challenge, but I liked earning badges for different types of books I read. I don’t remember all the categories but one that sticks out in my mind was to read any book in a series. I also earned points and badges for the number of days I spent reading. When I completed the challenge, Amazon gave me a $5.00 ebook credit at the end of the month. SCORE!
Then near the end of June, this showed up in my mailbox.
Oh, the goodies inside! Thirty-five pages of books, with special recommendations geared toward my reading taste. Of course I devoured it, checking off every book that interested me. Amazon even provided a handy large bookmark with space to write a Wish List on the back. Hmm… wasn’t that thoughtful?
I still refer to this catalog when I’m looking for a new book.
Then in July, I received an email invitation from Amazon to participate in their Summer Reading Challenge, running from July 2nd to September 22nd. Maybe the February Challenge went over so well, they decided to make this one longer.
As with most things, we have a Good, Bad, and Ugly. Let’s start at the top and work our way down.
THE GOOD
More rewards, and more fun! As I’m typing this (mid August), I’ve already earned badges for being a bronze level reader, reading any fiction book, reading from any nonfiction book (scholar badge) and triple threat (read any 3 ebooks). There are also simple rewards like visiting the challenge home page. For each completed badge, more points are earned. For every 400 points, Amazon gives you a $4.00 ebook credit. As of this writing, I’ve earned $12.00 in ebook credits–all quickly spent.
THE BAD
I’m spending money on books. Hey, I can think of worse things to spend money on! For me, it’s also not necessarily a bad thing, as it’s something I do anyway, but Amazon makes it more appealing. I spend, I earn more points, they give me more credits, and the cycle continues. Different ebooks will earn different points. The higher the price, the more points you earn. Print books also earn points, but at a lower rate. Here are some examples of points:
$2.99 ebook earns 15 points
$11.49 ebook earns 58 points
$12.99 new release ebook earns 65 points
(I don’t believe all books in all prices ranges are the same. It think ranking and author also factor into it).
That same $12.99 new release only earned 29 points in paperback and 38 points for a hardback, despite the higher price tags, so this challenge is definitely Kindle driven.
THE UGLY
Hopefully, these items will all vanish in the future, but for now, the ugly list:
Amazon reading challenges are still in beta form.
They are by invitation only from Amazon.
Reading challenges are only open to U.S. readers at this time.
THE TAKEAWAY
So how do you get invited?
According to Amazon, you can increase your chances by signing up for Kindle special offer emails HERE. If you like to read and you have a Kindle, this is a no-brainer. My guess is the more people who sign up, the larger the pool of readers Amazon will have to choose from. That may mean I might not get invited again. I have no idea if there were other challenges between the first I did in February and the summer challenge, but I’m hoping this isn’t my last.
Has anyone else heard of these challenges, or participated? If you were invited, do you think it’s something you’d enjoy? Do think challenges like these are beneficial in encouraging more reading? Let’s chat books and reading in the comments.
Ready, set, go!
Story Empire 
I never heard about this until today. I do read a lot but I doubt I will be chosen since they won’t let me leave any reviews. Not sure I want to try and fit in books of Amazon’s choosing. I am thinking about it. Thanks for sharing.
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I know about your review situation, Michele and think it’s terrible. I wish Amazon would change that.
Even without reviewing, the Kindle Challenge is great for earning Kindle dollars. I love that they give something back in return!
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I knew it had to be Americans only, Mae, or I would have been invited. So many cool things on Amazon are only for the USA [at the moment, anyhow].
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I know. They really need to open up and include other countries. Jacquie Biggar is taking part and she’s from Canada, so maybe Amazon is expanding in that regard. Fingers crossed!
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That would be nice.
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I have never even heard of this despite the fact I read a great deal. Lol- people always think that I am some kind of savant because I often get through three books in a week. The opposite is true, I just have a really dull job that allows me time to read throughout the day and I am an insomniac and so can be reading most of the night. Surely Amazon must know this from the purchases I make. It passed me by.
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Ray, do you subscribe to their emails? I think that’s the key. Or at least that’s what they’ve hinted around about.
I envy all that time you have for reading (er, not the insomnia though)! You would do AWESOME on this challenge. I hope you’re included in the next one!
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Sadly no.
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If you’re interested, you can subscribe through the link in the post. That could make the difference in the future. In any event, I wish you HAPPY READING!
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I think I’m in (even though I’m in Canada)! I can see badges earned and my balance- just shy of 400 points. Kind of cool 🙂
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If you can see badges and your balance, you’re in Jacquie. I didn’t realize Amazon opened it to Canadian readers. That’s awesome!
I’m cheering you on to that 400 point goal. I just earned another today!
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Thanks for sharing, Mae! I subscribe to Audible and read (?)voraciously. This sounds like a great way to get books if the points transfer over to Audible.
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Hmm. I hadn’t thought about that Linda, but you raise an interesting point. I’m sorry I don’t know the answer, but I rather think there would be a different challenge for Audible subscribers???
That’s something I’ve never done, but it is a great way to enjoy books!
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I will investigate. Since Amazon owns Audible something similar might be possible. Still, I just subscribed to Kindle Rewards. Thanks again!
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🙂
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I’m all in for Kindle $ rewards:) I subscribed to the mailing list. As much as I read maybe I’ll get that invite too. Thanks for sharing this, Mae!
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Oooh, yay! Glad you subscribed, Denise. I hope you get an invitation to the next challenge. It’s been fun participating and the Kindle dollars are a really nice plus. I have my fingers crossed for you!
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I don’t read fast enough to win many challenges, but this sounds like a fun win/win for voracious readers. And it sounds like the badges and points make it worthwhile. Glad you love the catalogue they sent!
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I love to read, so these challenges are perfect for me, Judi, and the badges are definitely fun and intriguing. I love that the points add up to Kindle dollars which keeps me reading even more.
The catalog was a really nice bonus as it was based on my reading tastes! 🙂
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Most interesting, Mae. I was aware of this but hadn’t looked into it to any extent. The only challenge I’ve participated in, as an adult, is the yearly Goodreads challenge. This piques my interest, though, as I too am an avid reader. I’ll look into it more. Maybe it will stick around. Thank you for sharing the good, bad and ugly!
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I love the Goodreads challenge too, Jan. Like you, I do that one every year. Maybe since Amazon owns GR, that challenge is what prompted them to test one out on Amazon in beta form. Since you’re an avid reader I think you’d really like participating. I do hope it sticks around and Amazon makes it available to more readers.
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This is fascinating. I read a blend of fiction and nonfiction, and the latter is often paperback. Compared to you, I’m definitely a slow reader, usually just before bed. Thank you for sharing this possibility. I’m happy Amazon is incentivizing readers! Excellent post, Mae.
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Thanks, Gwen. My reading time is mostly before bed too, but weekends (especially summer) I squeeze in a lot more.
Like you, I buy my nonfiction in paperback, mainly because I like to read with a highlighter!
I’m glad to hear you like the idea of the challenge (it’s fun!) and enjoyed the post!
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Super post, Mae. This is great information for mega readers. I get through maybe 15 books a year (night-time reader), so this isn’t my cup of tea. My TBR is my primary focus, and I’m not sure I will ever catch up. Thanks for the super share of information.
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Mega readers. I like that term, LOL, though I consider any amount of reading good reading. And I fully understand what you mean about the TBR John. In the last two days I’ve bought two more books, even though I still have the last stack I bought sitting untouched!
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It is the way we are for sure.
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🙂
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I didn’t know about the February one but I am taking part in this summer one. I’ve already redeemed two $4 credits and am working on a gold badge for books read.
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Sorry, I meant a gold badge for days reading, not books read.
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I knew that 🙂
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Woohoo! That’s so exciting, Jeanne! I’m glad to hear you’re participating as well. I’m working toward my gold badge too now, though I’m not sure I’ll reach it. I read a few hardbacks and NetGalley books during the challenge period. The only other badge I haven’t earned is the Neverending Bookshelf. You used to be able to borrow a book from the Kindle library, but that one looked like you have to sign up for Kindle Unlimited to earn it and I didn’t want to do that.
I hope they do more of these challenges. And I’d love to get another fat book catalog from them in the mail. Happy reading!
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Cool. I don’t have a Never-ending Bookshelf badge available on my list, maybe because I’m not a member of Kindle Unlimited.
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Interesting. I’m not a member either.
I just assumed all the badges would be the same for every reader. Now I’m thinking some of them must be different. Hmm.
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I hadn’t heard of this. I tend to read more paperbacks than eBooks, but a challenge might help me expand reading outside my comfort zone.
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I go back and forth with paperbacks and ebooks, Dan, though I’ve probably upped my ebook reading due to this challenge. There’s some books I just want to have in hardback, and I always order nonfiction in paperback. It has been a fun challenge. I hope they expand it to more readers soon!
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I can see this working quite well for Amazon. It reminds me of Green Stamps, but you have to spend them at Amazon.
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I remember green stamps! They were fun.
So far I’m having a blast with the reading challenges. Amazon seems to be trying out a lot of different things lately. I like this one and hope it takes on.
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The only time I heard of this was when you mentioned it. I’ve read more this year than in the past several. The downside is I’ve written fewer words. Thanks to Net Galley and renewing my local library card, I’m getting more free books. The challenge sounds like fun but I figure Amazon won’t offer anything that won’t make them more money. I could see many readers spending more just to get the badges.
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I’ve been reading a ton more this year too, and just added an e-library book card. I think you were the one who mentioned that before, Joan. I haven’t used it yet, but it’s nice to know libraries lend ebooks, too. And I love NetGalley.
I’m always buying books from Amazon, so for me the challenge has been a good one. Some of the badges are really simple things that don’t require spending money, but the “points” system for buying books is definitely geared for spending. My guess is they’re keeping it in beta stage until they see if they’re making more than they’re giving away.
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It would be a good incentive to buy some books I consider overpriced.
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Anything that encourages people to read is a good thing, and I do sell a lot of books in America.
Taking part is a no; Like Books & Bonsai, I live in the UK.
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I’m all for encouraging people to read too, Sarah. I hope when this moves past beta stage, Amazon will open it to countries outside of the U.S. I guess we’re the testing ground! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing more details on the challenge, Mae. I’ll admit to deleting the emails from Amazon, but your post has me somewhat intrigued.
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I get some really good reading recommendations for Amazon, Jill. Others are junk. They sent me one yesterday that had me scratching my head. But mixed in with the “doesn’t interest me” is plenty of books I’ve purchased, and of course, I was excited to be invited to a reading challenge–twice now!
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Being in the UK, nobody wants me, lols 😂Sounds like fun, though. Thanks for sharing, Mae 🙂
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LOL! I’m hoping Amazon sees the light and opens these challenges to other countries (and more readers) once they’ve finished with the beta stage.
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Thank you for the news, Mae! It sounds like a good idea. Congratulations to your won. Lets hope Amazon will beside they need to make money, not forget lower consumed books. algorithms are not human 😉 Best wishes, Michael.
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Hi, Michael. Ah, those pesky algorithms. They can be such a pain in the rear. I agree, that it would be nice if all books earned points equally. One can only hope!
Have a great week!
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for the reblog, Michael!
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I had no idea Amazon was doing this. It sounds like fun, but I could probably become obsessed with it. LOL! Thank for sharing, Mae! 🙂
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Very creative marketing by Amazon. I don’t buy many books from Amazon. Probably would not participate.
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Thanks, Miss Judy. I do agree it’s a clever idea by Amazon. I’ve had a lot of fun with it, but I still also find books at NetGalley and my local library. There are always alternatives!
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LOL! I love reading challenges, Yvette, so I can relate to be a little obsessed. Because of the amount I spend on books regardless, it’s been a good fit for me–and definitely fun! 🙂
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I only knew about the challenge because you mentioned it before in conversation. I stopped doing the Goodreads challenge. I don’t know if I’d do this. It feels like pressure, and I like to read for fun. But it’s cool that they give rewards. It’s certainly something to consider. Thanks for the info.
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I love the Goodreads challenge! I still do that one every year. This one has been a lot of fun, too. I’m especially thankful they give Kindle dollar rewards. As if I don’t already have enough on my TBR, I keep loading on more, LOL!
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I am beginning to wonder what Amazon has against all their fans in UK?
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Me too! It’s always the same 😢
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They need to get past that pond!
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I would hope once they’ve analyzed it to death (because we know they will), and move it past beta stage they’ll open it to readers in other countries, including the UK. They always seem to test things out in the US first. By the same token, they won’t let me post reviews on Amazon UK because they say I don’t spend enough there. 😦 It should just be across the board!
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Yes, I agree, and why isn’t it? 💕
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Hopefully, someday!
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