Why You Can Trust CNET Give the gift of unlimited children's books for $42
That's 30 percent off the regular one-year subscription price for Epic, a "Netflix for kids' books" service that also includes audiobooks. Plus: Get Goat Simulator free! (Oh, like you've never wanted to be a goat.)
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Talk about an Epic gift! (See what I did there?) Unlimited children's books for a full year for just $42.
This is a rerun of a deal I shared last year, but it's even better this time -- and too good not to share again.
There's a Netflix-style business model for just about everything: books, magazines, videogames, podcasts, indie movies, even clothes.
The one I'm most excited about today? Epic, which offers unlimited access to children's ebooks and audiobooks for a flat monthly rate.
You can try the service free for 30 days, after which it costs a very reasonable $4.99 per month. However, for a limited time, Cheapskate readers can get a one-year Epic subscription for $42 -- a savings of 30 percent. (There's also a six-month option for $24.)
This is an amazing service, one that I wish had existed 10 years ago. My youngest, now 14, is a hair too old: Epic's titles are intended for ages 2 to 12. But both my kids would likely have chewed through every book in Epic's library -- probably multiple times.
Speaking of which, the catalog includes over 20,000 books -- double the number it had last year at this time. That may not seem like a ton, but it does include some notable authors and series. My son, for example, used to love the "Big Nate" books, and Epic has lots of them.
It also offers audiobooks, including many "Goosebumps" titles and several from Rick Riordan's popular "39 Clues" series, as well as Spanish-language books. The Epic library even includes some "read to me" titles with built-in narration.
The books can be read in just about any Web browser (meaning on PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, etc.), but Epic also has apps for Android and iOS. Each account can have up to four reader profiles, great if you have kids of different ages sharing the service.
Oh, by the way, if you're an educator or librarian, you can get Epic for free! How awesome is that?
This would make an excellent gift, either for your own kids or someone else's. It's a little tough to wrap, granted, but I'm sure you'll get creative.
Bonus deal: Speaking of reruns, this product sold out the last time I shared it, but the vendor now has more in stock -- and it remains, I think, I great gift item. J&L Shop, via Amazon, has the J&L Real 100 Bluetooth 4.1 sport earphones for $9.89 (shipped free with Prime) when you apply promo code RT7CPLCB at checkout. The code works on all three colors: black, green and red.
As I noted last time, I've tried these -- they work well and sound decent. And the option to pair with two devices? Huge plus.
Bonus deal No. 2: Game time! If you enjoy all things bizarre, look no further than Goat Simulator for iPhone and iPad, currently free for the first time ever. It normally costs $4.99. The goal of the game? Cause as much destruction as you can -- as a goat. I am so in.