Really basic question- how does kindle work and which is the best one to buy?

[MrsGethinJones]

Just that really- Im determined to get back into reading this year and wonder if kindle is the way to go.

Is there a most recommended one and are current books cheaper to buy on kindle than in paper format?

Thank you

I have had a paper white and now an oasis and I prefer the oasis. Easier to hold, quicker. Yes easy to use just click download and voila fhe book is there.
Kindle books are much much cheaper. Also if u get kindle unlimited ( which I think is free for three months at the moment. You get loads for free.

Also check out the 99p ones as well.

Also ( sorry keep pressing send and thinking of things ). You can download the kindle app to ur phone. So u can read on there if u find urself out without the kindle. And then you can sync and keep ur kindle up to date when u open it again

Thank you @Paranoidandroidmarvin - what is the difference between the oasis and paperwhite and would you say its worth the difference?

If you're buying books new then yes they tend to be cheaper on kindle, but it's a lot more expensive than second hand and I don't think it works with most library ebook rentals - you might want to look at other brands of e-reader if that is something you'd like to use.

I find I read more on my kindle because it's one handed and has a light so I can read while feeding the baby. Also use the app on my phone a lot if I can't find the kindle itself.

I have the paperwhite, a few years old now. I wouldn't bother with the Fire, as it's more of a tablet. I like the e-ink screen on the paperwhite, it's like paper and calming for your eyes/brain.

You connect it up to your wifi and amazon account and can buy books through the store on the kindle itself or from the normal amazon site they get auto delivered.

I have a Kindle Fire and used to spend a lot on books, but now I borrow from my library (they have tons of ebooks) and hardly spend anything.

Yes, Kindle versions are cheaper than paperback -- but bear in mind you are only renting the content, it's not yours in the way it is when you buy a physical book.

No idea what my Kindle is, but I don't think it's any magic impetus to immerse someone who's stopped reading back into it -- I've had one for a year and a half, and have found it primarily useful for reading in bed at night, if you don't want to disturb someone, or to have to sit up and turn the light off, and for being able to carry multiple books around with me in my bag, rather than being weighed down with actual books.

I cancelled Kindle Unlimited within a week -- most of what's on offer is appalling disposable bilge. IMO, you're better off just buying the books you want as you want them.

If you have a smartphone, you can get the Kindle app. Or if you have a tablet even, rather than buying a whole new device

I agree - I very rarely see anything on Unlimited that I want to read, it mostly looks like self published stuff. Wouldn't pay for it.

Thanks everyone!

I think it depends on what u like to read on u limited. I like supernatural and detective so I find lots.

In regards to the different kindles. The back of the oasis is different. The paper white is flat. I found that hard to hold. The oasis isn’t. And I find it easier to hold as I have bad hands. It also has buttons to use to turn the page which I prefer. It rotates. It also does Bluetooth so I can use my audible in it. If u are not fussed and only starting reading I would go with the paper white. As it is good.

I'm looking for a new kindle. My current one is the paperwhite but I have two old ones, a keyboard and a basic one with no backlight.

It's true you can read on an app or tablet but there is a fundemental difference. The kindle is designed as a reader (not the Fire) it's very gentle on the eyes and I find it immeasurably better than an app.

For years I still preferred books but I now avoid them in preference to kindle.
My current one now has a dodgy charging port which seems to be the weak spot of all devices.

The thing I like about my kindle (rather than reading on my phone or a kindle fire) is that it only holds books. I leave my phone downstairs at night and go up to read in bed, and I can't check email / WhatsApp/ go on the internet even if I want to. Important if you want to get back into reading but are easily distracted! I now prefer my kindle to physical books.

I've just switched to a kobo - you can use your library card to borrow ebooks for free on the kobo but can't with the kindle which is a big advantage for me.

@blossomkil How do you buy books for the kobo? It's so easy on kindle and I'm looking for a new e-reader.

[quote Siuan]@blossomkil How do you buy books for the kobo? It's so easy on kindle and I'm looking for a new e-reader.[/quote]
Kobo has an ebook store. You can buy from it either on the computer or kobo, exactly the same as you can from kindle. And they seem to price match each other on most things. Kobo store also does a 99p book offer like amazon.

However, with kobo, you can also use any other ebook store and download it into your ereader. Ie library books, lecture notes, stuff from any other ebook store. Apart from amazon, they only work on the kindle.

I love my kobo

I've just looked at the borrowbox website. I haven't used my library since I started to prefer kindle.
It makes Kobo a definite contender except that I have many unread books on my broken kindle!

I have the new paperwhite with slightly larger screen and love it.

I bought the kids one; you get no ads, free cover (black or other choices) and a two year accidental warranty for the same price as the normal 'adult' kindle paperwhite. It took a couple of minutes to set up/switch off kids mode and never been bothered by it again.

Note, for anyone with an old kindle, you can get money to trade it in £20 in my case, then 20% off a new one. I took advantage of a pre Xmas deal and got it for £77 after the various discounts.

I also have a Kobo, it's a old one without a back light so reading in dim conditions is impossible which is a pity.
As PP said you just buy books straight on the device .
One of the biggest advantages I found with all e-readers is you can alter the size of the print . In the past I have been put off from buying proper books because the print is to small to read for any length of time.

@Sparkai thanks for the information about Kobo, I was going to get Kindle for Christmas until I realised I couldn’t get my library books on it.
Currently I read my library books on an iPad - how much better would using a Kobo be? Is there one you would recommend?
My local library uses Overdrive which I can see is compatible with Kobo.

An e -reader is massively better than reading on an iPad or tablet.
It's a completely different kind of screen.

[quote Theteapotsbrokenspout]@Sparkai thanks for the information about Kobo, I was going to get Kindle for Christmas until I realised I couldn’t get my library books on it.
Currently I read my library books on an iPad - how much better would using a Kobo be? Is there one you would recommend?
My local library uses Overdrive which I can see is compatible with Kobo.[/quote]
My kobo is a super old one (had it since 2008!) So can vouch for the quality! I almost want it to break though so I can get a new one

My friend has the Kobo Libre and I think she just downloads library books using Overdrive straight from her kobo. She says it's easy. Whereas, mine is too old for that and I had to download onto pc and transfer using cable onto kobo. I've moved house now though and my local library doesn't have overdrive.

Oh and yes, a kobo is much better than an ipad. My eyes just don't get tired in the same way because the screen isn't backlit

Thanks @Sparkai , I’ve done some research and decided the Kobo Libre 2 is the one I want, sounds ideal - looking forward to a late Christmas present to myself .

Definitely look at your local library. Mine subscribe to BorrowBox and they have free ebooks and audio books which I download to my iPad or phone so I donI’t need a kindle. I like to listen to the audio books when I’m exercising or driving.