Will I get used to a Kindle?

[Brigittebidet]

DH, who is lovely in every way, bought me a Kindle today as he thinks I have been very stressed at work (correct) and we are off on holidays with the DC tomorrow and that it was a nice thing for me to have as I love reading (again correct). However, I love reading books, not screens.

I was grateful and enthusiastic but a little bit of me cried inside.

[Knittingnanny]

@ImInStealthMode, ah thanks I’ll have a look

[Serenissima21]

Most of my friends move between kindles and physical books though, it's not one or the other.
Me too. I'm on holiday at the moment and I have a kindle plus 6 "real" books. I read the eeal books at the beach and the kindle mainly in bed so as not to wake dh up. Plus I have a couple of big books that I am reading daily over a year that would take up a lot of room if I didn't have them on kindle.
One waning though - it is far too easy to see a book recommended on here and download it in seconds . I have no willpower!

[HereticFanjo]

I love Kindle but tbh I often read on my phone (Kindle App) and leave my paperwhite lying in a drawer. Still love physical books but the space they were taking was insane.

[SoupDragon]

I can't do that because I never have the WiFi on my Kindle unless I'm buying a book, so the system doesn't know where I am. I thought that it made the battery run down fast but my Kindle is really old, one of the very first paperwhites released.

Mine is a very early Paperwhite too and I always have the WiFi on. The battery doesn't run down that fast really. Certainly not fast enough to be a problem. I just charge it regularly, often overnight. Maybe once a fortnight I think.

[Serenissima21]

I also like to write stories as a hobby and email them to my kindle so I can proof read it like an actual book.
Great tip! Thanks.

I highlight quotations, paragraphs I like as I read and I have a whole file on my kindle now of pieces I love to reread.

[dontgobaconmyheart]

Can you not just tell him so then OP, it can easily be returned. As an adult I'm sure he will cope with the news and the thought was nice, and is appreciated, which is what counts.

I was gifted a kindle a few years ago (i asked for one) and never really used it. I just prefer books. If you can get on with them I think there are a lot of benefits (cheaper reading, the 99p deals, ease of reading when travelling etc) but i didn't enjoy reading on it. If I were getting an ereaders again I'd get one more easily compatible with borrowing library ebooks but either way I can't see it happening. I sold mine on ebay.

[Brigittebidet]

Thanks all. As we are off on holiday and I have just downloaded a book I really wanted to read, I think I'm going to give it a go. Seeing how so many people have been converted I'll see how it goes!

[someonelockthefridgealready]

I use mine for holidays, travelling, taking in my handbag for if I eat on my own, will be waiting for a doctor's appointment etc., and reading in bed at night so I don't disturb DH with the light. I still love books, but you don't have to choose. I definitely read even more than before with it.

[AuntieMarys]

A godsend for travelling...I used to pack 14 books for a weeks holiday! But at home I always read proper books

[Justlovedogs]

I love Kindle but I still love books, too. They're not mutually exclusive, in my opinion. Kindle = convenience for travel, books = the feel and experience of turning the page. I chop and change between the two.

[iklboo]

You definitely will. I tapped the page of a newspaper the other week to move it forward!

I do still love real books though. The feel & smell are so comforting. We have shelves full we'll never get rid of. Anyone 'abusing' a book (dog ears, bending spine, turning into crap 'art') is worse than a supervillain in my eyes 😄.

[Marmite27]

I felt exactly the same when I got my first one.

Now I wouldn’t be without it. No more thinking that I wished I’d brought another book, or fighting with DH to read a new release. As we have a linked prime account I can access any books he’s bought and vice versa.

[Abraxan]

I now pretty much only ever read on a Kindle. Every single day.

It's just so easy and so light, comfortable to hold regardless of how I'm sat/laid. I have arthritis and my wrists can often be painful p a kindle still works for me due to its weight and size.

I can read late into the night as it has a lit screen, so I read far too long after DH has turned his lamp off and gone to sleep.

I'm never without a book no matter where I am as I can download plenty in advance or just download using local WiFi or piggy-backing my phone data.

It's small and compact so fits in hand luggage or even just my handbag - no more taking several heavy paperbacks in a case.


I've used a kindle for years now. Dh got me a new one for my birthday and I love it,

[Abraxan]

Dh has been converted too especially since his eye sight has got worse as he's got older. If he forgets his glasses he can still read as he just makes the font size bigger.

He was adamant for years he'd never go Kindle. Now, he only ever reads real books if it's one he's borrowed from a friend/family. Using my old one on holidays was the turning point for dh.

[MrsTophamHat]

I still do a combination. Kindle is absolutely unrivalled for convenience; I would never take a physical book on holiday again.

I still love real books and I use my local library all the time.

I've got an amazon wishlist for all the books on my reading list and I check every week or so for price drops. I rarely pay more than £3 for a book.

[Abraxan]

@Knittingnanny

I have the Kindle Oasis.
It can be used left handed - screen rotates to be used that way, etc,

Im not left handed but know someone who is and they say it's great for them, specifically as they are left handed.

[Marmite27]

@jackstini

Depends where you read

I would hate it as my only times to read are bath (kindle bit dangerous!) or few mins if sunny in garden (reflection) and the main reason I read is to spend time away from a screen as that's a huge % of my work

It's the thought that counts and give it a go - but I totally get what you mean 😢 I would think my DH didn't know me if he got me one

My newest kindle is waterproof and there’s no glare from e-ink.

[Abraxan]

@jackstini

Depends where you read

I would hate it as my only times to read are bath (kindle bit dangerous!) or few mins if sunny in garden (reflection) and the main reason I read is to spend time away from a screen as that's a huge % of my work

It's the thought that counts and give it a go - but I totally get what you mean 😢 I would think my DH didn't know me if he got me one

If using a proper Kindle or e reader you won't get any reflection at all. The screens aren't like those on a phone or tablet.

[CormoranStrike]

Yes! I was like you, and now I adore my kindle.

I know pack one slim volume and a cable and have thousands of books travelling with me at all times.

It fits in my handbag, in my pocket if I am out for a bike ride, and is just so handy.

[iklboo]

Also DH is dyslexic and can pick a font that's easier for him to read.

[haggisaggis]

I was the same - dh got me one as a surprise birthday present around 12 years ago now and I was a bit disappointed as really loved books but I got used to it really quickly and am now on my 4th. As others have said, it is so easy (maybe even too easy!) to buy the sequel of the book you've finished or a recommended book. I so like mine that I have sometimes downloaded the kindle version of books I already own as the print can be adjusted for eyes gradually becoming more short-sighted. I also like that I can read the same book on my phone when waiting in the car or at lunch while at work and it knows my place.

[therearenogoodusernamesleft]

I love mine. It means I can always have a book with me. I never run out of books on holiday. More comfortable to read in bed and don't disturb DP. I still adore physical books, but these are more of an 'occasion' read. I've read more than ever since getting a kindle.

[Sallycinnamum]

God I love my Kindle!

Was a bit sniffy about buying one as I love books and wasn't sure I could switch to a screen but I wouldn't be without it now.

I'm a voracious reader and my favourite time of the day is getting into bed and reading. The best bit is finishing one book and being able to start another straight away.

[Mamamamasaurus]

I'm on my second Kindle, I broke the first one, and love it. As PP have mentioned, you get immersed in the book more than how you're reading it.



Perfect for commuting, travelling etc. Imagine the weight alone!!



I definitely recommend a 'proper' kindle vs other brands, the background looks like actual paper.



Even my DF, who was a adamant he wouldn't like anything but books, is converted.

[SenecaFallsRedux]

I so like mine that I have sometimes downloaded the kindle version of books I already own as the print can be adjusted for eyes gradually becoming more short-sighted. I also like that I can read the same book on my phone when waiting in the car or at lunch while at work and it knows my place.

Same here. The accessibility features have become very important for me as I age so I have downloaded the books I re-read on a regular basis. I also have the phone app which syncs to the main device; that is so convenient for a quick read while waiting for an appointment, etc.