Bundles are one of the best ways to try a new subject or several new authors without paying full price for each book. They are also easy to overbuy. This guide explains the main kinds of bundles, how to judge them in a minute, and how BooksOasis bundles work.
How ebook bundles work
A bundle takes several separate books and sells them as a package at a lower total price, usually for a limited time. Publishers like bundles because they introduce readers to more of their catalog; readers like them because they get more books for the money.
There is no printing or shipping behind an ebook, so bundles can be generous. The main question is whether the books in the bundle are ones you actually want.
The main kinds of bundles
| Type | What you get | Typical saving | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor's pick bundle | A handful of books on a theme, chosen by the store's editors | A percentage off each book, more for the whole set | Short time window |
| Series set | The first few books or a whole series | Often 30% to 50% | Make sure you like book one |
| Box set | A fixed collection in one product, often an omnibus | Varies | Sometimes one long file instead of separate books |
| Author bundle | Several books by one author | Varies | Mixed quality across early and later books |
| Pay-what-you-want | Tiers of books unlocked by how much you pay, sometimes supporting charity | Can be very high | Many books you may never read |
How bundles work on BooksOasis
BooksOasis runs Editor's Pick bundles twice a week, with two bundles live at a time. Each bundle groups a few books our editors chose to read together, by genre or theme.
- 20% off each book if you only want one or two of them.
- 30% off the whole bundle if you take them all.
- Books you already own aren't charged when you buy the bundle.
- Ebooks, paperbacks or hardcovers: choose the format on the bundle page.
Each bundle has its own page showing the books, the regular total struck through beside the bundle price, and the date the offer ends. Bundles run from Monday to Thursday and Thursday to Monday, so there is always something new in the middle and at the start of the week.
Is a bundle good value? A one-minute test
- Count the books you would read anyway.If it is zero, skip the bundle, however cheap.
- Price those books separately.What would they cost at their normal price, or on their usual offers?
- Compare with the bundle price.If the bundle costs less than just the books you wanted, it is good value, and the rest are free extras.
- Check what you already own.Make sure you won't pay twice for a book you have.
A worked example
Imagine a three-book bundle of $9.99 ebooks, at 20% off each or 30% off the set.
| You buy | Price | Saving vs full price |
|---|---|---|
| One book at 20% off | $7.99 | $2.00 |
| Two books at 20% off each | $15.98 | $4.00 |
| All three as a bundle at 30% off | $20.97 | $9.00 |
Example based on $9.99 ebooks. Actual prices are shown on each bundle page.
If you wanted two of the three books, the whole bundle costs only about $5 more than those two, and gives you a third book to try. That is the sweet spot for bundles.
Bundles vs series deals vs subscriptions
| Bundle | Series deal | Subscription | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you get | A themed mix of books | Books in one series | Borrowing from a catalog |
| Keep the books? | Yes | Yes | No, only while you pay |
| Best for | Trying a subject or new authors | Binge-reading one story or theme | Heavy readers who love the catalog |
| Time limit | A few days | Usually a week | Ongoing monthly fee |
For series, see buying a whole series. For subscriptions, see Kindle Unlimited alternatives.
When bundles are a great idea
- You are new to a subject. Three books on ancient Rome or on habits give you a rounded view for less.
- You want to try new authors. A bundle lowers the risk of an author who turns out not to be for you.
- You are planning a holiday. A bundle gives you a ready-made reading list for a trip.
- You are buying gifts. A print bundle on a theme makes a thoughtful present.
- You read with a group. A bundle can give a book club its next few months of reading.
When to skip a bundle
- You wouldn't read any of the books at full price.
- You already own most of them.
- Your unread pile is already long.
- It is a huge bundle of dozens of books you will never open.
A bundle's value is in books you read, not books you own.
How to read a bundle well
Buying a bundle is the easy part. Getting through it with enjoyment takes a little intent.
- Start with the book you wanted most.Momentum matters; begin with the one that made you buy the bundle.
- Mix in the others.Alternate bundle books with other reading so a theme doesn't start to feel like homework.
- Give each book a chapter.If a book hasn't caught you after a chapter or two, move on. Bundles make that painless.
- Look for connections.Books on one theme often talk to each other; notes and highlights help you spot where they agree and differ.
- Review what you enjoyed.A short review on the book page helps other readers, and the authors.
Bundles for book clubs, classes and families
A themed bundle is a ready-made reading plan for a group.
- Book clubs: a three-book bundle can cover a club's next three meetings, with a shared theme to discuss across them.
- Study groups: history and business bundles give different viewpoints on one subject.
- Families: devotional series and bundles work well for shared daily reading.
Each member buys on their own account, so everyone keeps their own highlights, notes and place in the book.
Formats, ownership and refunds
A few practical points that trip people up:
- Each book is its own purchase. Once bought, bundle books sit in your library individually, exactly like books bought one at a time.
- You keep them. Unlike a subscription, bundle books stay in your library after the offer ends.
- Refunds follow the store's policy. Check the refund policy before buying if you are unsure.
- Mixed formats are possible. You can buy the ebooks now and a single favourite in print later.
Bundles in print
Bundles aren't only for ebooks. On BooksOasis, you can switch a bundle to paperbacks or hardcovers on the bundle page. Print discounts are more modest than ebook discounts, because every printed copy has a real printing cost, but a print bundle on a theme can be a lovely gift or a start to a collection.
Why stores discount bundles so deeply
It can seem too good to be true that three books cost less than two. The reason is simple: bundles help readers find authors they would never otherwise have tried.
A reader who enjoys one book in a bundle often goes on to buy that author's other books, or the rest of a series, at their normal price. The bundle is an introduction. That is why publishers are happy to take a smaller amount per book for a few days.
For independent authors in particular, a bundle alongside better-known books can be the moment a new reader discovers them.
Other places to find bundles
Beyond BooksOasis, you will find bundles in a few other places:
- Specialist bundle sites offer limited-time, often pay-what-you-want bundles, typically in genres like science fiction, fantasy and comics, sometimes supporting charities.
- Authors' own stores sometimes sell their series or backlist as a bundle.
- Big ebook stores sell box sets and omnibus editions, especially of complete series.
Whichever you use, the one-minute test above applies.
Tips to get the most from bundles
- Check twice a week. BooksOasis bundles refresh on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Keep a wishlist. Tap the heart on books you want; if one turns up in a bundle, you will spot it.
- Read the book pages. A minute on each book's description and reviews tells you whether it fits.
- Buy single books if that is all you want. Each book is 20% off on its own; you don't have to take the set.
- Mind the end date. Bundles show when they end; the discount disappears after that.
Themes our readers enjoy together
Bundles work best when the books genuinely belong together. These are themes where BooksOasis has strong shelves, so they often turn up as bundles:
| Theme | Why the books work together | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Rome | From Caesar and the First Triumvirate to Augustus and Marcus Aurelius | Ancient Rome |
| The American mafia | The Five Families, Chicago and the men who broke omertà | Organized Crime |
| Habits and productivity | Practical systems for consistency, focus and execution | Productivity |
| Business and careers | Branding, career capital and personal finance | Business |
| Corporate scandals | Enron, Theranos, WeWork and Wirecard | Business |
Bundles on BooksOasis
- Two Editor's Pick bundles at a time, refreshed twice a week.
- 20% off each book, or 30% off the whole bundle, with books you own never charged twice.
- Ebooks read instantly in Oasis Reader; print editions printed and shipped to you.
Good to know: a book is in one offer at a time, so a bundled book won't also be in the daily deal.
See today's offersOn offer right now
These books are discounted on BooksOasis today, including any in this week's bundles. Prices are live.
In short
Bundles are one of the best deals in reading when you choose them well. Buy a bundle when you want at least two of its books, take single books at their own discount when you don't, and use bundles to explore subjects and authors you would never have tried at full price. For everyday savings, see how to find ebook deals every day.
Questions
Are ebook bundles worth it?
They are worth it when you would read at least two of the books anyway. Then the bundle price usually beats buying those books separately, and the rest are a bonus.
What happens if I already own a book in a bundle?
It depends on the store. On BooksOasis, books you already own aren't charged again when you buy a bundle.
Can I buy just one book from a bundle at the discount?
On BooksOasis, yes. Each book in an Editor's Pick bundle is 20% off on its own, and the whole bundle is 30% off.
How long do bundles last?
Editor's Pick bundles on BooksOasis run for a few days, twice a week, with the end date shown on the bundle page.
Is a box set the same as a bundle?
A box set is usually a fixed collection, often a whole series, sold as one product. A bundle groups separate books for a limited time at a lower combined price.
Can I give a bundle as a gift?
Print bundles make good gifts, since paperbacks and hardcovers can be shipped. Ebooks are added to the buyer's own library and read in Oasis Reader, so they suit your own reading best.
Do bundle books stay in my library after the offer ends?
Yes. Each book you buy is added to your library individually and stays there, whatever happens to the bundle afterwards.
Why are there only a few books in each bundle?
Small bundles stay focused. Three or four books on one theme are easy to read and discuss together, rather than a long list you never finish.
Where do I find the current bundles on BooksOasis?
Current Editor's Pick bundles appear in banners across the store and among today's offers. Each bundle has its own page showing the books, the saving and when the offer ends.
See this week's bundles
Editor's Pick bundles change twice a week.