to tell him it's a crap present?

[lal123]

DBIL is into his gadgets - always has the latest phone/pc etc etc. MIL is a technophobe, hates the computer, can't work her telly if it's turned off wrong. MIL LOVES reading.

DBIL has told us that they have ordered a Kindle for her for Christmas. Nice thought - but MIL won't be able to work it, will be terrified of "doing something to it". He's suggested we get her amazon vouchers so she can download some books.

Now - apart from the fact that we will spend all of January at MILs trying to show her how to work the thing, she will not get her usual supply of books for Christmas . AIBU to think that not just is this a crap present for her, but it will actually take away one thing that she DOES love? I think DP should say something. He says to just get her the vouchers.

WWYD? and AIBU?

I love spanking new books too - the thought of reading via kindle does nothing for me.

@ chaosisawayoflife. Kindle prices range from zero for some of the older classics, up to £6 or £7 for something brand new & high in the best-seller list like Tony Blair's 'A Journey'. I bought 'Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid' by Bill Bryson this week for about £4.50.

Reminds me of ther Father Ted episode wher ethey got the house keeper Mrs Doyle an automated tea maker - she hated it and finally got rid of it.

I thought ebooks were typically more expensive than real books...especially as you dont get those fab 3 for 2 offers?

Also one thing i love about reading is then recommending and lending books out! I hate ebooks, sorry. I have a book club with my friends and love to post it note little bits to talk about, how would i do that with a kindle?? Also I'd worry about taking a kindle to the beach or on summer hols by the pool. A bit of sand or a soggy page never did a summer read any harm, and leaving it on your lounger never risked theft...

I'd ignore your BIL, buy her things she wants and needs and let him sort out the kindle!

I'm a bookworm and am currently saving up my Amazon vouchers for a kindle. The two aren't mutually exclusive. But obviously your MIL doesn't agree so is a crap present for her although a fab present for me :o

@coraltoes.... You have to think of e-books vs print in terms of i-pod vs CDs or LPs. LPs/CDs tactile item that you can admire for their covers and pass around friends. I-pod perfect for taking lots of music with you in portable form but not designed for sharing. BTW You can create clippings/notes from the text with a Kindle - expect it would be useful in exams. Haven't taken mine to the beach yet but if you pop it in your bag after reading it's probably as safe as your purse, mobile phone, i-pod etc.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE books I also have a sony ereader and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

I dont think you can claim that something your mil would hate nor can you claim ti is something she will love as i tend to find that it is such a personal experience.

If your mil gets the kindle and loves it thengreat if not then your BiL will feel like he tried.

Why dont you simply do a bit of both buy her books and perhaps 1 gift voucher for Amazon? Or stick with books it is your choice what You buy your mil but it is also BILS choice in what He buys his mother.

it is really nto as simple as saying "she will hate it as she may not"

When I go up to London for meetings I take my ereader I can in my handbag have 140 books.. how amazing is that..

I LOVE LOVE LOVE books I also have a sony ereader and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

I dont think you can claim that something your mil would hate nor can you claim ti is something she will love as i tend to find that it is such a personal experience.

If your mil gets the kindle and loves it thengreat if not then your BiL will feel like he tried.

Why dont you simply do a bit of both buy her books and perhaps 1 gift voucher for Amazon? Or stick with books it is your choice what You buy your mil but it is also BILS choice in what He buys his mother.

it is really nto as simple as saying "she will hate it as she may not"

When I go up to London for meetings I take my ereader I can in my handbag have 140 books.. how amazing is that..

I'm not a technophobe at all and I love reading, but I think I would hate a Kindle. I'm rarely reading more than 1 book at a time (unless I abandon one halfway through because I can't get into it) so the portability aspect would be negligable. I rarely travel, and even if I did, the cost of checking an entire extra suitcase full of only books would probably be less than the cost of a Kindle. You can't get eBooks free from the library. And you don't get the smell, the delicious feel of the matte/smooth cover, the satisfaction of turning pages, the ability to quickly flick forward or back to check a detail you've missed. I also love seeing what other people are reading on the bus/train.