Lapsed reader - is a kindle worth getting to get back into it?

[Mamma53547]

Inspired a bit by the other thread about recommended books that can't be put down. I used to be a voracious reader but then I had kids and I've fallen out of the habit. I'm not one to keep books, I usually go to the library or buy and give them away.

I'm thinking about a kindle so I can always carry something with me and for space saving and reducing clutter. To reread old books and find new ones.

-Are they a good investment long-term for a regular reader?
-I'm on screens far too much - are kindles easy on the eyes.
-Can I read digital library books on them?
-If I buy a kindle book on Amazon, is it really mine forever or is it more like a long-term rental?
-Which one would you recommend - the one with a "warm" backlight is the kind of thing I'd go for but is £200+ and seems much too expensive.
-Any other benefits?
-Anything else to watch out for?

I would just download the free kindle app to your iPhone. If you use it a lot maybe think about getting a kindle then.

I just use the Kindle app on my iPad and phone. I don’t read actual books anymore unless it’s reference / cookery.
The print is bigger, it’s backlit so can read in the dark, I prop it up on a pyramid cushion thing so I don’t have to hold it. I can hold a glass of wines cup of tea, whatever. There are so many 99p books worth reading as well, so it’s much cheaper.
Don’t know about library books, but you own the ones you buy.

Buy a kindle. They are absolutely brilliant. I own hundreds of books and ran out of space in my house so bought a kindle about a decade ago. I’m on my second one now: nothing wrong with the first but I fancied an upgrade.

I find it very easy on the eyes and have approaching a thousand books on it so it has loads of space. You can also buy books which come with audible versions so you can listen or read, depending on your preference that day. I found that great when getting DD to sleep when she was a baby.

Anyway, well worth it and I hope you buy one.

The Paperwhite is a game changer. You can read easily in dazzling direct sunlight, you can read in the dark in bed without dazzling your partner. It is light and small enough to fit into handbags.

The books you buy are yours for life and many old classics are free because the rights have expired. I read very quickly and used to use loads of my luggage weight on books on holidays, again, with a Kindle it’s just not an issue.

I like that paperwhite so I can read in bed if dh asleep. I prefer the matt screen to a normal tablet. About 150. Great battery time and mine is 9yo. I use app on my phone if I'm caught out and have free time unexpectedly while out.
Much better than books cluttering up the house esp if they are trashy psychological thrillers

The kindle paperwhite would be my pick. Easy on the eyes and you can read it anywhere.

you can’t download library books but you can sign up to kindle unlimited (7.99 a month) where you can “borrow” certain books but obviously libraries are free. Not all books are on kindle unlimited. Other e-readers will let you link up to libraries but I’ve never had anything but a kindle so don’t know anything about those!

I’d always been a keen reader and also got out of the habit when I had children. I had an old kindle, but didn’t use it much as it wasn’t backlit and the contrast between the screen and text wasn’t great. Last year I decided I wanted to get back into reading again and I treated myself to a new kindle. I bought the basic one. I’ve been really pleased with it and I’m reading just about every evening now. I buy 99p kindle books. I have a lovely long list of books waiting to be read.

The books are yours forever if you buy them. Kindle Unlimited is separate. It's a subscription library service. I've tried it out a few times on a free trial but there aren't that many books I want to read on it. I would say that most of my kindle books were bought on special offer and it definitely has got me back into reading!

As for the device, you don't need the most expensive one imo but the cheapest one is maybe a bit small. I have the Paperwhite and love it. The advantages are

• doesn't tire your eyes
• can read in bed without disturbing dh
• lightweight
• can read lying on my side more easily than with a book!

Disadvantage: you can't read library books on them although you can read library books on a tablet or kindle fire. Tbh I only do this if it's the only option as reading this way does tire my eyes.

If you're on the fence, bear in mind that there are special offers periodically on Kindles!

I like e-readers and have had a Kindle and recently decided to get a Kobo Clara instead as you can get library books on them (the interface between library and the Kobo is fiddly but you get used to it). But both are great - I just like the free library books:)

Buy a Kobo instead of a Kindle, you can load book from your library on it.

I got out of the habit of reading after having kids and the Kindle Paperwhite has really changed that. I love mine. I do try to read the odd actual book every now and then too. But it’s easier on the Kindle if you are pushed for time/awake when someone else is asleep.

Got the Kindle Oasis. Love it. Like others have said I can carry my library with me. It automatically groups an author's work together too. I can listen to Audible via Bluetooth on it as well.
This is my third Kindle and it's my favourite model.
I do have half a dozen books by my bed just in case I get a bit 'itchy' in my head and can't settle,though.

"Don’t know about library books, but you own the ones you buy." That's not quite right: you don't own the book as you would a paperback or hardback copy, but you do own the right to read it indefinitely on your devices. When I checked with my solicitor, she said I couldn't leave the online books to anyone in my will, as I would the contents of my bookshelves.

If you have Amazon Prime, you can borrow 5 books at once. Then return one before you can get another. It’s on a limited selection of books but I have read some ok ones that way.

How does a Kobo compare to the Kindle? I was thinking of the Paperwhite.

Which Kobo would you recommend?

I think the Kobo is a bit more expensive- similar in terms of how it looks and feels- but then you can borrow books for free, so that’s why I traded in the Kindle and bought the Kobo

If you're not in the habit of reading, I would start with just reading paperbacks again, rather than spend £££ on a new device. Carrying a paperback is barely harder to do than an e-reader.

Plenty of 2nd hand paperbacks available - friends, book exchanges, charity shops etc.

Then if you find yourself wanting more, ask for a kindle paper white for Christmas!

I have the Libra, the original one, it is waterproof (I like reading in the bath!) plus prefer the buttons to press to change page than swiping, although you can do that too. I think it is the Libra 2 now.

I have the paperwhite. It’s amazing. I can read in the dark or outside without any glare. It’s very easy on my eyes too.

I used to have a kindle but changed to Kobo. It’s paid for itself in the books I’ve borrowed from the library.
You have to have library membership but once it’s set up it’s easy enough to use.
The reading experience is much the same. I love that my Kobo has a case which means it can stand on its own so I can read while doing other things. (as can be seen on the attached picture of me reading in peace)

This. I can’t imagine life without my Kindle now.

I'd buy a second hand Kindle if you aren't totally sure if you'll use it. You might love it and find you're reading a lot and the Kindle you have suits you. But if you find you're not using it or you want to upgrade, then you can sell the second hand one for roughly what you paid for it (and the content is digital so moves with you).

Kobo is a good platform and is more flexible with formats than Kindle. I think (but happy to be corrected) a lot of self published books available on Kindle Unlimited have to be Amazon exclusives, but if you mostly read traditionally published books then I can’t imagine anything not being available. Kindle also doesn’t allow library lending on their e reader devices, whereas Kobo would allow you to. I have a Kindle, not Kobo though so never tried it.

Quick breakdown of difference between current models (or what is important to me). All current Kindles come with built in lights (which used to only be the Paperwhite and above models). The Kindle Paperwhite, Signature Edition and Oasis have warm lights; the Signature Edition only have adaptive lights. The Kindle Paperwhite and Oasis are waterproof where the standard edition isn't (though my 2011 Kindle is fine for reading in the bath assuming I don't drop it). The Oasis is the only model which has physical page turn buttons, though hasn't been updated for some years now. Kindles nowadays come with the option for "Special Offers" and I would choose to pay more to not have ads on my lockscreen, but might not be important to you. You can request the ads be removed later if you want - or buy the Kids edition which doesn't have ads as standard.