E readers. Kobo/kindle or?

[Bargebill19]

I have taken to reading a lot of library books on my phone. However the screen is small!
My iPad is v old and heavy. So am considering an e reader.
Any preferences from MN users?
I don’t want one you have to sync with a computer to download books. Not bothered about it doing anything else. Would like a decent battery life.
Utterly confused by google reviews as there doesn’t seem to be much difference between £70 and £300 models. Plus I would love to have some idea/knowledge before I wander into a high street shop!

Thanks In advance.

[Wolfiefan]

Library books? I couldn’t easily get them on my paper white so bought a fire. Do check with the library and the app they use.

[Ylvamoon]

I have a kindle paperwhite.
I really have no experience with other e readers or tablet, exept for phone / kindle fire. But the paperwhite trumps these by miles!

[Photosymphysis]

As far as I know you can't read library ebooks on a kindle.

Last year I bought myself a Kobo precisely because of this.

I bought the cheapest Kobo Clara, it's got a soft & warm coloured backlight.

Syncs with Libby (overdrive) if that's what your library uses (I use my phone to do the searching and borrowing and then sync the Kobo).

I've also joined the neighbouring county's library service and can use their catalogue on BorrowBox - although I do have to download via a computer. But it's easy and worth it for a different catalogue.

If you want library books, definitely get the Kobo. I reckon it's saved me £££s in books over the last year!

[Photosymphysis]

I should say, I did have an old kindle which works perfectly well. Just didn't want to pay for books I could read for free via the library.

[Wolfiefan]

Our library uses BorrowBox and Libby/overdrive. I access both via the Fire.

[ClumpingBambooIsALie]

I use a Kobo because the display is easier to customise to my needs. I'm extremely short-sighted, so like to be able to adjust the text to a very narrow column in a tiny font so I can read monocularly without my glasses with the device about three inches from my face. This is an extremely niche use case, though…

[Bargebill19]

Thank you! I currently use BorrowBox app for our county library. Really don’t want to have to connect via a chromebook. (Although new it’s a pain to get out and connect to my hotspot, and am thinking of just getting rid of it and not replacing it).

[Bargebill19]

@ClumpingBambooIsALie. Oh I don’t know?!
My arms need to get a lot longer in order to ditch my glasses!

[KilledByWitches]

You can read library books on Kindle, you just need to add them via another book management program. I use caliber and can borrow, install and read books without issue.

[Bargebill19]

Oo that’s interesting. Will have another google. Thank you.

[Photosymphysis]

@KilledByWitches

You can read library books on Kindle, you just need to add them via another book management program. I use caliber and can borrow, install and read books without issue.

Ooh, this is interesting. I'll have a look (DS uses my old kindle)

[GrolliffetheDragon]

Ooh, this is interesting. I'll have a look (DS uses my old kindle)

It won't work if the files are protected by DRM, but there are plug-in's that can help.

[KilledByWitches]

@GrolliffetheDragon

Ooh, this is interesting. I'll have a look (DS uses my old kindle)

It won't work if the files are protected by DRM, but there are plug-in's that can help.

You do need a little bit of technical knowledge to do it, but it's worth it. It also means you can buy books from any platform so can always get the better deals.

[UnaOfStormhold]

Amazon devices are cheaper basically because they are tying you into buying books from them and making money back that way. I love my paperwhite but am planning to shift over to a non Amazon ereader soon.

[CounsellorTroi]

I use my iPad mini as an e reader. I use the Kindle and IBooks apps. There are apps such as Borrowbox on which you can read library books.

[GrolliffetheDragon]

You do need a little bit of technical knowledge to do it, but it's worth it. It also means you can buy books from any platform so can always get the better deals.

Having bought books from Nook and Sainsbury's, it's also nice that you can make sure you can keep your books even if the seller withdraws from the market.

[CaptSkippy]

Pocketbook. It does not force you to make an account in order to use it.

[Bargebill19]

@CaptSkippy

I think you’ve nailed it! It does everything I want for a good price. Thank you.

Kobo rules out as no audiobooks playable unless bought direct from kobo.
Kindle - apparently there is an issue with my amazon account on a Apple app and my (d)h also having a kindle account attached to it. To complicated to explain and attempts to sort it have failed. I suspect dh to be behind this - he has form for locking me out of various techy stuff which I usually manage to unpick, but not this time. It’s not malicious it’s a lack of knowledge. (I think and hope!)

[GrolliffetheDragon]

@CaptSkippy

Pocketbook. It does not force you to make an account in order to use it.

Pocketbooks are good, nice eReaders.

[reluctantbrit]

If a Kobe doesn't work I would go for a simple tablet in a size you can hold easily.

A kindle won't help with audiobooks either.

I read a lot lying on my side and so far the kindle is the best option for me as a tablet is too cumbersome.

[MrsT1405]

I have a Kindke paper white. I like to read outside and this is really good. I use Bookbub for free or cheap books. When you join you set your preferences and get an e mail everyday with cheap and free suggestions . Some are poor but a lot are good but lead you into buying new authors. You can download onto several devices and sync with your phone. This has been good on severaI occasions when I've been unexpectly stuck without my book I.don't mind paying small amounts.

[CaptSkippy]

Your husband locks you out of your own/shared devices?

[Bargebill19]

@CaptSkippy

Yep. So far he managed to lock me out of iTunes and kindle. iTunes i managed to retrieve and separate from his iTunes.
Amazon account he managed to lock both of us out. I retrieved that one too.
He’s also managed to kick me out of my Tesco and Sainsbury’s club card. I haven’t bothered recovering those as there isn’t anything on them.

I have managed to kick him out of our canal and river trust account and both his and my own google account. So far he hasn’t been able to get either back….

He likes to think he is an IT wizard —— he soo isn’t.

[CaptSkippy]

That's really annoying. It would be much better if he admitted he didn't know what he was doing. I think I'd keep my accounts separate from his.

[Bargebill19]

@CaptSkippy

It is. Our accounts are entwined for various reasons. Tesco, because he’s an employee and so my account was automatically ‘taken over’ by his staff discount by Tesco and transferred into his name die to being registered at the same address. Sainsbury’s, was because he borrowed one of the spare key tag cards and then wanted to check how much was available to spend at Argos - as I was working I just sent him my login.
No idea how he managed to snaffle the kindle account.
iTunes was due to historically having to back up to a Microsoft computer, then he discovered not only so I have a large music collection, but it’s also varied and quite good - so he thought why buy twice and downloaded it to his iPhone and somehow kicked me out.
Amazon was done back when it first started and we were very cautious about it.
Remember when you used to get sweets in your Amazon parcel ?!
Other online stuff has been cocked up because he can’t wait or write down passwords clearly, or has forgotten them
or hasn’t put in a rescue telephone number that isn’t his phone. (Phone not charged, not with him, broken or he can’t toggle between screens fast enough for the time out element).

I’ve snaffled back most things, I can’t do Tesco due to company policy and discount. Kindle I’ve zero idea - might just have to start a new account. It is fun watching him trying to get google access - I think he’s beginning to realise how annoying his actions are!! I know say no, if he asks for access to any other things!