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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want a kindle!!

91 replies

guhjof · 15/04/2022 23:38

I really would like a kindle but with so many different models I have no idea which one to get. I don't want to spend hundreds...something basic with a good battery life would be idealz
Can anyone recommend one? Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Knittingnanny2 · 16/04/2022 23:11

Paper white here as well. Still going strong with brilliant battery life after 9 years. I love books in all forms, library, charity shop and kindle versions
Are you left handed? The paper white needs some getting used to if you are. I’m ok with it now .I think the newer oasis is more left handed friendly

Redglitter · 16/04/2022 23:18

Can you read in the dark on a paper white

Yes & it's easier on.your eyes than a phone or tablet

The basic Kindles are back-lit now so you can get one quite cheaply.

Danikm151 · 16/04/2022 23:18

My latest paperwhite was £15 on ebay with a case worth £30 😂

murasaki · 16/04/2022 23:22

I just use the app on my tablet, fewer things to carry when travelling and it works fine.

CounsellorTroi · 16/04/2022 23:26

Cheap kindle fire is great for reading in the bath. I'm afraid of dropping my phone or iPad in the water!

I put my iPad inside a clear ziplock bag if I’m using it in the bath. The touchscreen still works.

Theteapotsbrokenspout · 16/04/2022 23:32

Another vote for the Kobo, if your library uses Overdrive then definitely worth a look.

Belkell · 16/04/2022 23:38

You can read library books on a phone or iPad as well.

But the downside is i look stuff up instead of reading because i have the attention span of a carrot.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 16/04/2022 23:42

Does no one know that there is a cheaper option than a Paperwhite? Confused

It’s still back lit but is half the price. Having tried them both in John Lewis I don’t think the paperwhite is worth the extra money if that is significant to you.

I had a Nook and gave it to a friend, which I really regret. It was a great interface and had buttons which kindles don’t.

I still love mine though. My most used item ever, use it every day.

LouLou198 · 16/04/2022 23:44

I posted the same question here last year. I was recommended the paperwhite and I love it! It is compact and lightweight, and goes everywhere with me. I have recently bought dd one and we now pay £7.99 a month for kindle unlimited, loads of books included in this. If you have prime I would hang on until July, they usually have another prime day. I got a great deal that included a charger and a case.

StripyHorse · 17/04/2022 00:02

I have a paperwhite and I love it. I think this is my 2nd paperwhite.

But, since I had that, the basic model was upgraded and is also backlit. DD2 has that version - it is absolutely fine, and as with the paperwhite, means you can read in the dark.

I wouldn't bother paying to get rid of ads, it's only on the lock screen - and they are ads for books anyway which somehow doesn't seem as irritatating as if it was for other products.

SmellyOldOwls · 17/04/2022 00:03

Kindle 7 is on offer for like £29 or something atm.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 17/04/2022 00:23

Get a kobo instead and then you can read Library books free of charge!

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 17/04/2022 00:25

With Kobo you aren't tied to one store so as well as free library books and books from the kobo store I use my Google Play Points to buy books and read classics from project Gutenberg

Nat6999 · 17/04/2022 00:31

I use Kobo & have a large smartphone so use that or my tablet, it's great because I can read wherever I am & don't need to carry anything extra with me. I also subscribe to Kindle unlimited & can read some books for free.

RhubarbFairy · 17/04/2022 00:32

I had a Kobo initially and wasn't blown away by it. I've had my Paperwhite for just over three years now and I love it!

MrsDamonSalvatore · 17/04/2022 00:37

I’ve got a Kindle Oasis. I don’t recommend it and I don’t think it’s any better than the Paperwhite, despite being more than double the price. I actually use the free Kindle app on my iPad more than the kindle itself as I like to read magazines on it and the Kindke Oasis (and I believe the Paperwhite) are no good for that as they are black and white.

TokenGinger · 17/04/2022 01:39

I'm not sure what the Paperwhite does in comparison to the cheapest model, but I'm very content with the cheaper one. I paid £50 for it on Prime Day. It downloads books, has a back light, can be read in the sun, or at night in the dark, and the better lasts for around two weeks (and I read daily).

I love mine and I wouldn't be without it. I'm not sure I'd pay the price of a Paperwhite though, unless it does something exceptional I'm not aware of.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-now-with-a-built-in-front-light%E2%80%94with-special-offers%E2%80%94black/dp/B07FQ4XCR1/ref=mpssa111?crid=1LRPD351AGEA7&keywords=kindle&qid=1650155847&sprefix=kindle%2B%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1&th=1&psc=1

Runliketheclappers · 17/04/2022 02:07

Can you really get used to it though? I worry I’d miss the feeling of having an actual book. Wish I could get over that.

Onynx · 17/04/2022 02:30

@Dogscanteatonions and @EilonwyWithRedGoldHair totally agree. The Kindle Voyage is amazing- best purchase ever. Mine is still perfect - such a pity they've discontinued it. The bevel around the screen on the paper white is something that irritates me - love that the Voyage screen and edge are all one surface. Haven't tried the Oasis but it also looks fab.

SuchAsSeals · 17/04/2022 02:43

When I bought my first Kindle (Keyboard), I wasn't sure how I'd feel about an e-reader compared to paper books, but I never looked back.

I have an older model Paperwhite, now, and it's even better. I love the built-in lighting. Every "page" is clean, I can change the font and font size for days when my eyes are tired, perfect for reading in bed without disturbing DH, can easily switch from book to book without any delay, lightweight...

I only read paper books if I have no choice. It feels just as natural and pleasant to read a Kindle as it did to read paper books. When I do read a paperback, I catch myself trying to turn the page by swiping or tapping.

countrygirl99 · 17/04/2022 06:13

The new paperwhites have a really long battery life. I've had a Fire for years but it's not great in the sun and the battery life is not what it was so I bought a Paperwhite a few weeks ago. 3 weeks of heavy use & not on airplane mode before recharging (even then I reckon it was good for s few days) so all good for our 2 week camping trip this year.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 17/04/2022 06:27

The basic one is cheap but excellent value. There is not much difference between it and the paperwhite now

NameInUseAlreadyAgain · 17/04/2022 06:31

@Spermysextowel

I think my first Kindle needed a cover with a pull-out lamp thing. I’m now on No. 4 (2 died, 1 was my fault). I think mine have always been Paperwhites; they just look like a book but they’re so much better. I do have Kindle on my phone but I don’t like reading on a shiny screen. I do recommend getting a cover so that you can hold it like a book, & if you read in bed you can change the orientation to landscape & prop it up & read (nearly) hands-free!
I still have my original kindle with the case and pull out light and use on holiday by the pool as I don't mind it getting covered in sun screen!

Another vote for paperwhite - I have one too. I just got the cheapest one and it's lasted years now

CaptainMyCaptain · 17/04/2022 08:55

@Lincslady53

The cheapest kindle includes ads, but they are very unobtrusive, so don't spend more to avoid them. The cheaper ones are wifi only, dearer ones have mobile Internet connection. As they are used for books, we have never had a problem using wifi only. Even on holiday, it is not difficult to find a free wifi connection almost anywhere. So buy the cheapest paperwhite. The paperwhite has a backlit screen, so if you read at night you don't disturb anyone else in the room. The none paperwhites do not have a backlit screen, but you can buy a case with a flip out booklight which works well, but not as good as the paperwhite.
Interesting. I have never had adverts on my Paperwhite unless you count suggested books on the screen before you open it. I wouldn't even count them as adverts. I also keep it on Aeroplane mode unless I am downloading a book as it saves the battery.
Belkell · 17/04/2022 11:18

@Runliketheclappers

Can you really get used to it though? I worry I’d miss the feeling of having an actual book. Wish I could get over that.
I am a massive bookworm, and had similar fears. My old flat had acres of bookshelves.

But

Actually the convenience is bloody amazing. I zip through books, and so half my holiday baggage was books. (Slight exaggeration). Now I can just put my kindle in a coat pocket. Similarly anywhere I’m likely to be waiting around. It’s there and I’m not in danger of completing the book I brought and scrabbling for something else.

Im getting older and have arthritis in some fingers, so a kindle is so much easier and lighter to hold. I have a pop socket loop thingy so I don’t even have to actually hold it properly.

Also I can increase font size, or change font to a more readable one. Helpful now I’m fighting the need for reading glasses.