Should I ditch the books and get a kindle?

[Sciencebod]

Sorry if this thread is in the wrong place, but I thought book lovers would be the best to advise!
I have run out of space for books and have not got a kindle. Do you recommend, and can a dinosaur like me who likes real books ever be converted?! Please advise how you got on if you are a convert, and which kindle is best (I don’t like glaring screens) Thank you.

@Sciencebod When you say you have run out of space for books: how many books are you talking about? It's not impossible to run out of space for books, but I have about 3,000 of the buggers in a very small space (including the bathroom) and would never even consider a Kindle or any other screen thing. I bought 50 books the other day, which are stacked on the stairs. How could you?

I have both. At the moment I am trying to go through my enormous death pile of paperbacks but the kindle is invaluable when travelling. The 99p kindle books are far too tempting, though.

When you say you have run out of space for books: how many books are you talking about? It's not impossible to run out of space for books, but I have about 3,000 of the buggers in a very small space (including the bathroom) and would never even consider a Kindle or any other screen thing. I bought 50 books the other day, which are stacked on the stairs. How could you

That sounds like a nightmare honestly. 50 books stacked on the stairs is hoarder territory. When you get to that point books are literally just clutter to be tripped over. Get yourself a Kindle paperwhite. You're still consuming the message of the book. Just without the piles of books junking up your house. People get so sentimental over books like there's some moral value in having a million of them.

I've got the Kindle voyage and it feels very close to reading a paper book but infinitely better. I can instantly download any book i want and it's there, ready to go wherever i am in the world. I can change the font size and brightness. I got a Kindle unlimited deal after Christmas. 99p for 3 months as many KU books as i want. If i read one and don't like it i can return it for a refund. I've got rid of about 95% of my paper books, the ones I've kept are a handful of reference books for my hobbies and my favourite series with beautiful artwork on the covers. Never going back to having to find space in my home for books.

There's a Kindle app that will give you a flavour of it, plus my library does borrow box which is an app that lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free.

I have a Kindle. In theory it's much better than books. Lighter, far less storage needed, the next book is only a click away, you don't lose you page if you fall asleep reading. The only downside is it's harder to flick backwards and forwards through pages so doesn't work so well for non fiction imo

I know it's nonsense, but it's somehow less satisfying and I've gone back to books. I'm using the library, that way I don't have the storage problem and I can order any book I want free of charge. Plus I see it as a mission to keep the local one well used and therefore open.

I like books and kindle but I find if I read my kindle before bed I don't sleep as well due to the light from the screen so I keep kindle for the daytime and my books for nighttime.

I would recommend a Kobo. I chose it originally to avoid Amazon, but it's also great for borrowing ebooks from the library, through Overdrive. I read more library books than I ever did before I got it.

@wherethecrawdadsare how are you getting on now? Are pages still slow to load?

@wherethecrawdadsare I have to admit that's not my experience, maybe the very first time out of the box because its connecting to your amazon cloud, setting up your recommendations, kindle store etc. After that I just open my front cover and it turns on instantaneously, and takes about 5 secs on my home broadband to download a novel. Audible files take longer but that's because they're bloody massive in comparison.

I’ve had my Kindle Paperwhite for 7 years now and it’s still going strong! I always did prefer a physical book and still would buy “special” physical books, but I love the Kindle for being easier/lighter to carry around in my bag, can have several books downloaded if going on holiday or into hospital for example, and e-books are often cheaper than physical books.

I was completely anti kindle and pro physical book and now I wouldn't be without mine.

I have a kindle, I have a kindle app, barely use both

I got one a couple of years ago - just didn’t need the extra clutter of more books and my local library isn’t the best thing.

It’s okay. Great for holidays when you inevitably want the book you didn’t bring. A lot of the classics are available for free on kindle unlimited or prime reading if you’ve got prime. Also days out because say you’re reading a big heavy book, it’s still very portable. Some books you just wouldn’t take out with you because they’re huge, not an issue on kindle.

For me personally it’s not as good as a proper book. I still pick up books in the charity shop! But it was too often that I would buy a book at £10 and read it once then put it on the shelf because it wasn’t something I wanted to reread. I read a lot as well so it was hundreds of books that ended up piled up and as I say we don’t have a good library.

Don’t think that was very helpful! I guess to sum up I think they’re fantastic devices and have a place as they’re very useful but they’re not in the league of a real book.

[quote CaliFrown]@Sciencebod When you say you have run out of space for books: how many books are you talking about? It's not impossible to run out of space for books, but I have about 3,000 of the buggers in a very small space (including the bathroom) and would never even consider a Kindle or any other screen thing. I bought 50 books the other day, which are stacked on the stairs. How could you?

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I have two bookcases. When they’re full I’ve run out of space for books. I wouldn’t want hundreds of books crammed into the bathroom, the stairs etc. I mean at that point you’re just hoarding them, because what are the chances you’ll reread every book? And buying 50 books at once isn’t something I’d do.

I like my proper books but I think limiting it to only two bookcases ensures firstly that my home remains neat and tidy, and secondly that the books I keep are ones I love and will reread frequently. I buy many of mine from the charity shop though so I don’t mind sending them back there when I’m done!

I have a kindle but rarely use it. I read on the kindle app on my phone.

Well honestly. I can't fault Amazon.

I called them (even though I bought from JL!). And they're sending a new one to me on Friday. If that's the same I'll just accept it - it was painfully slow (and kept freezing) in the "choose a few books so we can personalise recommendations" section - otherwise it's absolutely fine.

The screen is smaller than I expected. Has anyone had any issues? I think it's ok, I was just imagining it to be larger! More paperback sized perhaps.

I can’t read real books anymore I find myself tapping the pages instead of turning them.

I love my kindle paperwhite - wouldn’t be without it

I am a prolific and fast reader and had ended up with boxes of books everywhere. I got a kindle about ?10years ago and have honestly hardly read a paper book since. I love the font size (means I don’t have to wear reading glasses) love taking 1 ‘book’ on holiday rather than half my luggage being books, love trying out new authors and series. Downsides - it’s expensive (like a pp above I’ve ended up buying lots of series but I did that with real books too!) and I’ve duplicated a lot of series I love on kindle. I have a paperwhite and generally replace every 2y or do as the battery life starts to drop and it starts freeze more often- but I do read 3 or 4 books a week so prob a bit more than average.

@RedMozzieYellowMozzie

I can’t read real books anymore I find myself tapping the pages instead of turning them.

I love my kindle paperwhite - wouldn’t be without it

Yup me too

I love my new 2021 Paperwhite but tend to do a bit of a mix. I've currently got a library book on the go, a kindle 99p special and an audiobook too!

I'm trying to buy paper versions of classics, but get new/contemporary books either on Kindle or via the library. I check the daily deals and get some good 99p offers that come through too.

@RedMozzieYellowMozzie

I can’t read real books anymore I find myself tapping the pages instead of turning them.

I love my kindle paperwhite - wouldn’t be without it

I do this now if I see a word I don’t recognise (I have to read a lot of academic texts). Even if I’m reading a paper book I have to stop myself from pressing on the word to see the definition.

I have a kindle and it's ok but I miss being able to flick back through the book. You can search by name or word but it's really not the same.

Kindle for travel, I prefer books at home.

I read loads of books so have subscribed to Kindle unlimited which can be rather limiting but any books that don't appeal can be returned immediately. After begrudgingly donating my real books, I struggle with the font size now, and love the (slightly) larger font that I have set the kindle to. I also enjoy my libraries (Jilly Cooper etc.) that have all my old favourites at the touch of a button. A couple of years ago I went on holiday with 'the Thornbirds, Gone with the Wind and Riders and Rivals all loaded and set on the kindle without the bulk that the actual books would have had.

Do miss being able to jump to the end of the book to see the ending and return to earlier pages to double check my thoughts though.

I have a paperwhite now and had a more basic model before, and a keyboard style one before that.
I always said I wasn’t interested but trying to turn pages and hold a baby for hours didn’t really work. DH bought the first when dd was a few days old. I’ve replaced them myself when they got broken/failed etc.
I do sometimes get books now but they tend to be craft based or cookery, those don’t really work on a kindle for me.
But for novels, oh it’s the best!
Light, portable, can use with one hand, adjust the font, backlit so can read in the dark and adjust that too, no losing your page, thousands of books available instantly, the 99p daily deals are worth keeping tabs on.
I can’t read on a tablet for anywhere near as long as it hurts my eyes. DM reads in the bath as hers is waterproof, but that’s not something I need.
The library here is not open convenient hours and charges £1 per reservation anyway, so kindle is better value for me. The e-book system they have doesn’t work with kindle so no good either. But worth looking at as many areas seem better for that.
I had kindle unlimited on offer for a few months, I wasn’t that impressed. Not a lot included that I wanted to read. For the same money I decided to stalk the deals page and get things I want there.
DH has one as well now and reads daily, he wouldn’t read a book otherwise.
Dd thinks we are appalling and insists she gets actual books.
There’s room for both!