Talk to me about Kindles please

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

The time has come, the Remus said,
to talk of many things
like whether I should buy one
and will I like the thing?
And how the heck do they even work
and other sorts of things.

So - are they idiot proof? What can I do on one? How does one put actual books on to it? Can I listen to music on it? How does one actually buy one and switch it on? Etc etc. And will I hate it? Please bear in mind that I cannot use/do not have a mobile phone or MP3 player or anything, so need words of one syllable or less when discussing anything technical.

Thank you. :)

I definitely recommend Calibre eventually if you don't want to be tied to Amazon when buying books. Very easy to convert most e-reader file types eg the popular (with libraries) and ubiquitous e-pub format. But for now, enjoy your Kindle.

I have a Paperwhite but for the last year seem to be reading mainly paper books. But no doubt will start alternating between the two technologies again soon :)

Sorry to hijack, and also apologies that I haven't read the full thread, so don't know if this question has been answered, but....what happens when your kindle finally gives up the ghost and stops working? Do you lose all your books? Or are they stored somewhere, like an 'iTunes' type thingy? Would hate to lose all my books as I'm a re reader!!

Assuming Amazon don't go bust, or the Internet stops working, your books are all saved in your account and can be downloaded onto your pc or any device with a Kindle app.

If you got to the Kindle store page on Amazon's website, sign in and click My Account, one of the options on the drop down menu is Manage your Kindle - you can see all your books and devices there and download from there if you want.

Another question:
When buying my cover, they hadn't got one with a light. Do you think those tiny booklights would work?

Amazon's own Kindle covers with the built-in light that you just flick on when needed are best imho.

Have bought a cover though, so don't want to buy another now. Read in bed last night with bedside lamp and that was fine, but it's been a grey day and I really needed a bit more light on it when reading earlier.

Are you convinced yet? I love my Kindle (basic, bought last Christmas) and it's given me back my love of reading that was drying up with no time to browse or buy in shops.

I have the cover with the flip up light but I think I have a duff one because the light is flickery and cuts out, I've supplemented it with a clip on light (m-edge brand) which was great for camping/travelling.

The Christmas after I got my Kindle DH gave me one of these

It's great & doubles as a torch if am away from home & haave to stumble to the loo in the night.

Have had it 2.5 years & used it lots & have only just had to replace the batteries.

And it hasn't deformed at all, goes back to being straight just like that. Am most impressed.

Posted too soon - meant to say that it's fairly low tech, so I love it!

I'm convinced!

I was wondering about one of these

Looks as if the batteries don't last well though.

As a fellow technophobe I really, really recommend the mighty light I linked to ^

Read from 4am this morning with it & didn't disturb DH - who had fucking disturbed me by snoring, but that's another story!

The complete Mapp and Lucia (all six novels) is currently 77p. In case anyone is interested...