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Original poster

To Kindle or not to Kindle?

63 replies

Wishiwasmycat · 17/09/2023 18:45

Late to the e-reader party. Is the 2023 version worth the extra money or is the older version good anyway?

OP posts:
Mapletreelane · 17/09/2023 22:26

Huge Kindle convert here, got me back into reading as I could actually read the font! I have a v old paperwhite and that does the trick perfectly. Reading at night is brilliant as the backlighting is so much better than a night light.

Completely disagree with buying a tablet instead. The light is much softer and better for your eyes on a kindle than a tablet, the screen is matt, so much easier to read, and with a tablet you have got the option of getting distracted and going down the usual social media rabbit hole for hours.

Hope you enjoy it! X

haggisaggis · 17/09/2023 23:02

I am on my 5th Kindle. Would not be without it. I find myself buying books in Kindle form I already own in hard copy as with Kindle I can adjust the font size so my age 58 eyes can read them more easily. I have the Kindle app on my phone so I can continue reading the book I have on Kindle when I am at lunch at work or waiting in the car. I will even buy the same book on Audible so I can listen to it on my commute in the car! They all sync so I catch up on whichever device I can access at a particular time.

FarmGirl78 · 17/09/2023 23:34

I have a kobo rather than a Kindle. I ungraded from my original to one with a backlight after about 18b months, and I've had this one about 10 years ish now. Wouldn't uograde again, and I'm perfectly happy with this one.

Reasons for getting a Kobo instead of a Kindle..... You can sometimes borrow ebooks from your local library (depending what system they have). It's also MUCH easier to find knock off books online and load them on without hitting issues with Amazon's walled garden.

Defender90 · 17/09/2023 23:35

I'm on my second kindle, this one is backlit and so good.

My first was about the second generation one I think, fine but you still need a light etc.

Would recommend backlit.

Clefable · 17/09/2023 23:36

Definitely don't get a tablet. E-readers use e-ink, which mimic a book page and don't cause eye strain. Reading on a tablet is fine if you want to read on a tablet screen or want a tablet to do other stuff and also do some reading on it. If you want to read something that actually feels like reading a book, then you need a proper e-reader.

I love my Kindle, I've had a few over the years and currently got a Kindle Oasis, which I use very often, but I think I will look at a Kobo next time as I can borrow books from the library on that, which is quite a draw.

JMSA · 17/09/2023 23:39

I really like my Kindle, especially now that my eyesight isn't great (changeable font size). Mine is pretty old now but it has the light (Paperwhite version??). I couldn't go back to the ones that don't have the lit-up screens.

Nemesias · 17/09/2023 23:43

Kindle paperwhite is the one to go for op

Caswallonthefox · 17/09/2023 23:59

I have a paperwhite. I don't like it because it hasn't got page curl, (tiny violin playing).
I had a fire, but that's limited in what you can do on it and it's sloooow, plus if you are a room away from the WiFi router it can't cope.
I personally prefer the app, it has page curl, I can change the background colour and I don't need a specific tablet.
Although I listen to my books through my alexa using kindle assistive reader, which I can't do with the paperwhite.

LardoBurrows · 17/09/2023 23:59

I've got an old Kindle paperwhite, about 9 years old and it's been great, but when the battery started to decline last year I bought a Kobo Libra2 which is fantastic and just as good as the latest paperwhite in terms of reading experience. However, with my Kobo I can borrow books from my local library which you can't do on a Kindle in the U.K. I love being able to download books from my local library.

NotSoLittle · 18/09/2023 00:58

I've got an ancient Nook & when it dies I'll be buying a Kobo - my library uses epubs and also I don't want to be tied to Amazon

PlantsAndSpaniels · 18/09/2023 01:21

I love my kindle. I've gone from reading 15 physical books a year to over a hundred purely because of how much easier it is.
Mine is a 2020 version which is brilliant but I have been tempted to upgrade to the newer one for the slightly longer battery life but I'm on mine more than my phone.
Would recommend waiting until black Friday if you don't need it now as they're always on offer.

Nat6999 · 18/09/2023 06:00

I have Kindle & kobo on my phone, I prefer Kobo as it is easier to buy books, I only use kindle for kindle unlimited.

WandaWonder · 18/09/2023 06:31

I hated with an absolute passion the thought of an ereader of any kind for about the first 5 years, now it is glued to me, I ❤️ my kindle more than anything

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 18/09/2023 06:40

I'm on my 3rd Kindle - a Paperwhite Signature. The extra waterproof rating, lack of ads and wireless charging plus the battery life (it being my most used tech) made it worth the extra. DH has my old paperwhite, 6 years and going strong. I will never cancel Kindle Unlimited. I read 80-100 books a year.

My favourite thing is being able to continue reading on my phone when stuck somewhere boring.

sashh · 18/09/2023 06:47

I'm dyslexic, not only can you change the font size but you can change the actual font.

RampantIvy · 18/09/2023 07:24

What is page curl @Caswallonthefox?

DinosApple · 18/09/2023 07:33

I've got an older paper white one - maybe 7 or 8 years old. It's great because:
It's backlit. I can read it in bed with the table lamp off and fall asleep reading (every single night).
You can highlight a word and get a dictionary definition, abbreviated Wiki entry or translation up (doesn't do Latin, but no problem with French etc).
It stores lots of books. Far more than I can carry.
The battery lasts about 3 weeks on mine - I read every day.

Original poster
Wishiwasmycat · 18/09/2023 09:15

Youve all been so helpful! Thank you. I was given an Amazon voucher, so I shall treat myself.
Now….any recommendations for some good reads?

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 18/09/2023 09:23

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 18/09/2023 06:40

I'm on my 3rd Kindle - a Paperwhite Signature. The extra waterproof rating, lack of ads and wireless charging plus the battery life (it being my most used tech) made it worth the extra. DH has my old paperwhite, 6 years and going strong. I will never cancel Kindle Unlimited. I read 80-100 books a year.

My favourite thing is being able to continue reading on my phone when stuck somewhere boring.

Edited

I thought for a moment I’d written this! I replaced my second Kindle at the end of last year as the battery life had diminished too far. The joy of having all my holiday reading in my handbag will never grow old.

Madcats · 18/09/2023 09:28

If you can hold off for a couple of weeks it looks as if there might be another Prime (members) sale:
https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/amazon-prime-day/amazon-prime-big-deal-days-october-2023-b2390775.html

One thing I discovered recently (because ads kept popping up on my social media feed) is BookBub. I'm not sure what is in it for them (I am guessing a % commission from sales), but they will send you a daily alert for your device/preferred website and book categories for when Amazon (or AN Other retailer) put book titles on special offer/offer them free: https://www.bookbub.com

Amazon to host another Prime Day in October

Another deals bonanza has been confirmed, and Amazon is promising the best savings of the season

https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/amazon-prime-day/amazon-prime-big-deal-days-october-2023-b2390775.html

Original poster
Wishiwasmycat · 18/09/2023 09:32

@Madcats thank you! I can indeed hold off and wait. Much appreciated

OP posts:
Teddleshon · 18/09/2023 09:33

Absolutely love my kindle and there is a huge number of books that you can download for free. Love going on hols with dozens of books loaded up.

KimberleyClark · 18/09/2023 09:35

I use the kindle and IBooks apps on my iPad mini. I put it on night shift when reading.

PinkRoses1245 · 18/09/2023 09:40

I have an older Kindle, maybe 8-10 years old, and it's totally fine and still works perfectly. Holds its charge very well. it isn't backlit, and if I did upgrade, I'd consider a back lit one.

ManateeFair · 18/09/2023 10:04

Purplebunnie · 17/09/2023 22:03

I second this. I have also downloaded library app (Libby) to the android tablet and read books and magazines for free

Edited
Show quote history

The experience of reading on a tablet is quite different from reading on a Kindle, though - Kindles are lit in a different way that's a lot gentler on the eyes, and the screen isn't reflective so there are no problems reading in bright sunlight and you don't get finger marks on the screen.

I know some people can happily read on a tablet or a phone and obviously whatever works for you is great (and as you say, a tablet app is useful if you want to read magazines or non-fiction books with lots of illustrations or photos) but if someone is looking to read text in a way that's as close to reading a paper book as possible, then an e-reader delivers that more effectively than a tablet.