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'm on my second Kindle, the screen failed on my first one after about 10 years of faithful service. I have a lovely new Paperwhite, it's perfect.
I love that I can download samples of books before committing to buying & can share books with DH. It's great for travelling, reading at night before sleep and if I have a period of peri-waking.

I also have a paperwhite- I've always been a prolific reader and it's been a game changer.
I love that I can read in the dark due to its back-light and that I can also change the font so I don't need my glasses to read in bed. I have about 200+ electronic books stored in my library now, I'm glad I don't need to worry about where I'm going put them.
I also love the fact that I can order and download a book almost instantly and not have to go out and physically buy it.
There are not the physical eye strain issues you'd normally associate with screens and it's definitely a superior experience to reading on an iPhone or iPad.
I've probably not answered all your questions but clearly a definite thumbs up from me.

Not sure if you use it @ScribblerIran but I find Calibre E book Management tool a help, it also allows you to use Kindle books on a Kobo.

I find it easier to download to Adobe on my laptop then load onto the Kobo via Calibre. I never download directly onto the Kobo.

That isn’t true. What you are buying is the right to read books on Kindle and Amazon-approved apps/devices. Amazon is riding high now, but there are no guarantees, tech changes — it’s possible you won’t continue to be able to download or read books in outdated file types or on devices Amazon no longer supports. And there are circumstances in which Amazon can revoke your licence to read:

https://www.nbcnews.com/technolog/you-dont-own-your-kindle-books-amazon-reminds-customer-1c6626211

@CheerfulBardo As I mentioned earlier Calibre is very useful 😉

I have the kindle and library apps in my phone. Saves having to carry around another device and I am much less likely to forget my phone as it is also my sat nav. I don't like the bright screen for reading, so set it so it is black background and white writing. Might be worth giving the apps a go and see if yiu like digital reading before committing to buying a new device you might not use.

Phone apps are rubbish in glare, rain etc, so there definitely is still a place for the e-readers depending on where and how you want to use.

@CheerfulBardo Yes but that's true of any technology. I think the OP was referring to whether or not you have access to them forever.

But my point is that you don’t. Even setting aside obsolescence of technology, you are only conditionally licensing books, which can be wiped remotely if Amazon thinks you’re in breach of its terms, or if a third party rightsholder is, or if publishers decide to withdraw content. I mean, I use a Kindle myself, but it’s simply not the same as owning a copy of a book.

I have both a Kindle Paperwhite and a Kobo Clara (for library books) and bloody love them both. They’re fairly similar to use.
It’s so much easier to read in bed or in poor light on them and I love being able to obtain pretty much whatever I want instantly. I mostly can’t be bothered with paper books now.

According to this you can access library books on the kindle?

www.wikihow.com/Access-UK-Library-Books-on-a-Kindle

Anyone tried this? I'm thinking about buying a kindle but not being able to use BorrowBox to get free library e-books puts me off

I don’t think that works on a Kindle e-reader in the UK, just Kindle Fire tablets.

Thanks all. I've never considered a Kobo but I'm tempted if the reading experience is the same and for the free library access. Any advice on which one to buy, where to buy, or when it might be discounted? 🙂

You can access library books on your phone etc., you could try that before buying something new.

https://libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#doYouHaveACard

I agree @CheerfulBardo , this is an important consideration especially in relation to non-fiction.

I love my Paperwhite for all the reasons already given by everyone. I can read without needing to put the nightlight on (insomnia hell), and it’s lightweight enough to always have in my handbag.

Being able to just whip out my current book anytime I’ve got 5 mins, whilst waiting for appointments, on the train - it’s brilliant. I’ve owned one form of kindle or another for over a decade and still love it.
I do buy myself a fancy cover to give it the feel of a book.

I use my phone for library apps (but this is mainly audiobooks or magazines).

I really couldn’t be without mine.

Thanks, I already have Libby and Borrowbox on my phone. I don't enjoy reading books on it.

@Mamma53547 You can buy direct from Kobo UK, they do refurbished models I believe, there are also sales sometimes especially when a new or updated model is due out.

I actually purchased by Libra at Argos - I found all outlets were the same price as Kobo direct. I used Argos as the Libra was out of stock with Kobo direct.

As I have mentioned in a couple of posts, the use of Calibre overcomes the "books are never yours" situation.

I was always anti e-readers but now eat my words having used the Kobo, it was so useful during Covid when I could not go to the library.

There are also online places where some books are available free of charge, sometimes authors will publish .epub of older books etc.

I love my kindle. So comfortable to read in bed and at any angle. so convenient to take with you, especially on trips away. I can read in bed with bedroom lights off when my husband wants to go to sleep.

I’ve subscribed to kindle unlimited on and off and read all sorts of stuff on it I would never have found otherwise. Ditto my son. definitely been good for me!

I am similar to you OP.

I bought a kindle fire and it does everything I need.

• I can read books via the BorrowBox app
• I can listen to audiobooks via Audible or Spotify
• the screen is fine for my eyes, no issues there
• it's set up to directly download any books I buy or borrow (via kindle unlimited)
• the battery life on the latest model is really good
• and I'm an emergency I can use it to keep my kids entertained with bbc iPlayer/Netflix.

I absolutely love my 10+year old paperwhite.

I download free books from via telegram from zlib email ftom my phone to kindle.

I love that I can read at night without needing light, when I'm tired or finding hard to concentrate I enlarge text sixe. Love not needing space for physical books. Love the fact I could be reading a very long book and not know it (sometimes I'm put off large books in physical format).

I'd suggest getting a 2nd hand paperwhite if you could but don't bother try reading from kindle fire or tablet as it's awful on the eyes.

Why is the Amazon Fire so much cheaper? Does it not have the lighting like the kindle so it's dim in bed but readable in bright Sun?

The Amazon Fire doesn’t use e-ink - it has a normal tablet screen. You can read e-books on it but it’s not an e-reader.

Just wanted to give an alternative perspective - in a similar position to you OP, recently really getting back into reading a lot post babies - I really don’t think reading on the kindle app (or sim) on your phone is a similar experience t kindle reading. The phone app is nice as a backup but if you’re getting back into reading especially, it’s so different to read on a device that has no distractions, tempting you into doing some life admin etc. instead of getting stuck in.

I can’t answer all your Qs, sorry, but I love my paperwhite and would definitely recommend but I still really enjoy reading real paper books too and don’t plan to stop this. I love being able to borrow and lend real books which kindle stops.
Ultimately, unless you’re travelling a lot I don’t think there’s mucn advantage to getting a kindle straight away to help get back into reading - you just need a few really good books 🙂

Reading on an e reader is very different from reading on a phone or tablet. Much better.
I am on my 4th kindle and I also have an ancient kobo for library books.
However I don't think the act of buying a kindle will turn you into a reader again. With the best will in the world it's like buying a gym membership in the hope it will get you fit.
Do some reading first. Buy books from a charity shop and see if you can get back into it.

F