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Original poster

Should I ditch the books and get a kindle?

127 replies

Sciencebod · 16/02/2022 16:11

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.

OP posts:
muckandnettles · 19/02/2022 13:38

I love books in all forms! Things I miss when I buy a book on Kindle are - not being able to lend them to friends or donate them to charity shops afterwards, not being able to easily flick back a few chapters to where I missed some vital piece of information, not being able to look at the covers and enjoy them as 'things' to have around the house.

Slowdownandsee · 20/02/2022 21:20

Reading with interest as I was just about to order one of these, the paper white looks good but does anyone know if the oasis would be worth the extra ££? Two of my kids have had the cheapest kindles for about three years and use them loads, should I get the paper white to try and if I love that could give to one of the kids to upgrade theirs and get the oasis for myself? Is it just the bigger screen you pay for or would the paper white suffice in terms screen size?

Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 01:48

Not sure about the oasis - I have the paper white and honestly can’t see how it could really be much better for extra money. I can see covers of my books, the screen size isn’t huge but it doesn’t bother me and you can increase the font size if needed.

Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 01:50

I see the oasis is totally water resistant but that wouldn’t really matter to me so I wouldn’t pay all that extra for it. It’s also a different shape but again doesn’t look like a huge improvement to me. One of the things I like about my kindle is that it’s small, so you can lug big books about without having to lug them about!

Slowdownandsee · 21/02/2022 06:48

Good point Kanaloa I wouldn’t need the water proof feature and the point is something small and lighter to hold than books , think will try the paper white, seems like enough to pay!

SoupDragon · 21/02/2022 07:13

I thought about upgrading to an Oasis from my ageing Paperwhite but decided against it for exactly the reasons given by others.

MaudOfTheMarches · 21/02/2022 15:43

Just coming on to say that the Paperwhite is waterproof, if that's important to you. I don't think it's worth upgrading any further because the Paperwhite is already pretty much perfect, in my opinion. The beauty is in the simplicity.

Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 17:51

Oh I didn’t know mine was waterproof! Not sure why the oasis is more expensive then, I guess it’s just newer isn’t it. I think it also has more metal casing while the paper white is plasticky. But I like that because you don’t worry about dropping it the way you do about a phone.

MaudOfTheMarches · 21/02/2022 18:13

@Kanaloa It depends how old it is, actually. I think they made it waterproof about two years ago.

Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 18:16

Oh I think mine is about two years old actually. Either way I don’t think I’ll ever be testing the waterproof function! I hope not anyway. Would be good for ds though as he loves to read in the bath but is prone to splash/dropping. A paperback drying on the windowsill is part of the decor in his room.

GalesThisMorning · 21/02/2022 18:36

My kindle is ny most treasured possession Grin if it broke I would replace it instantly. I just love it. I don't buy books on it, I borrow them from the library. I can browse the library collection from home, sync it to my kindle and start reading straight away. When the loan is up the book just vanishes. No late fees, no worries that I will be stranded somewhere without a book to read... I just load it up and always have it with me. I love that I can read in bed while DH is asleep, I love that I make the font nice and big, I love that the battery lasts forever, but mainly I love having such a huge collection of books available instantly.

Anyone who is debating it - find out what your libraries e-collection is like and how easy it is to borrow e books. Game changing

ArabeI · 21/02/2022 19:30

[quote ChessieFL]@Chrestomanci3 I always had the same issue with forgetting kindle books because I didn’t see the titles and covers, but I’ve just discovered you can set it so that the cover of whatever book you’re currently reading shows as your screensaver so you see it every time you open the kindle up.[/quote]
Is that the newest Paperwhite? Mine is eight years old and I'm considering replacing it. I also have ads I'd like to get rid of, but it was a gift, so...
Wondering whether the signature PW is worth buying over the standard.

ChessieFL · 21/02/2022 21:19

Not the newest I don’t think - I’ve had my paperwhite for a few years now.

2022HereWeCome · 22/02/2022 12:11

Buy a KOBO OP, you can borrow library books digitally on KOBOs. You can't on Kindle's . My KOBO is old but still great. DH hates reading on screens but actually likes it

EatSleepRantRepeat · 22/02/2022 15:37

@arabel no need for a new one - there will be an option in your amazon content and device settings (on the website) for you to pay to remove the ads. It cost me about £10 as a one off, and following that a new option appeared in my kindle settings to show a book cover instead of a screensaver. If you get stick let me know and I'll send some screenshots.

BirdOnTheWire · 22/02/2022 15:40

I never thought I would convert to actually preferring a kindle but I have. I look at my pile of paperbacks TBR and always reject them in favour of the kindle.

Even more I have culled 1000s of books and many bookcases from the house. It's as good as building an extension Grin

PenStation · 22/02/2022 15:42

I’ve got one for holidays but I don’t use it in between times. I buy mostly physical books but give them away or lend when I’ve read them. And friends do the same for me.

Kanaloa · 22/02/2022 17:33

@GalesThisMorning

My kindle is ny most treasured possession Grin if it broke I would replace it instantly. I just love it. I don't buy books on it, I borrow them from the library. I can browse the library collection from home, sync it to my kindle and start reading straight away. When the loan is up the book just vanishes. No late fees, no worries that I will be stranded somewhere without a book to read... I just load it up and always have it with me. I love that I can read in bed while DH is asleep, I love that I make the font nice and big, I love that the battery lasts forever, but mainly I love having such a huge collection of books available instantly.

Anyone who is debating it - find out what your libraries e-collection is like and how easy it is to borrow e books. Game changing

I don’t think you can use library on kindle? I have the Libby app for my library but I have to use it in my phone which is a bit annoying! Unless there is a way to do it on kindle?
CIaireFraser · 22/02/2022 17:33

I've had Kindles since just after they came out and I couldn't live without mine! I also love physical books - to me, it's not an either/or situation. If I love a book enough, I'll buy a physical copy too, for my shelf. But in all honesty I prefer reading on my Kindle - I read a lot of long books so it's much more convenient.

DH bought me an Oasis for Christmas 2021 and it's easily the best Kindle I've ever had. I love how clear and large the screen is, and it's very lightweight, much lighter than the Paperwhite.

Knittingnanny2 · 22/02/2022 18:39

@ClaireFraser
I think that will be my next purchase when my 8/9 year old paper white dies. It still works perfectly though and holds a charge for days
It’s off to Singapore with me in March and will be well used on the 14 hour flight
Along with a bit of knitting for grandchildren as per my name!

Mercedes519 · 22/02/2022 18:50

I don’t think anyone has mentioned the sample feature on a Kindle? You can download the first couple of chapters for free and then see if you like it before buying the book.

I will still buy physical books of my favourite authors as I know I will re-read but when I see a book or review that I like the look of I download a sample and always have a selection to choose from. It really helps if it’s badly written as you can just stop reading!

CIaireFraser · 22/02/2022 18:58

Also, there are so many classics available for free. And if you have Prime there's also Prime Reading, which is included - it's like a slimmed down version of Kindle Unlimited and allows you to read selected books for free.

Knittingnanny2 · 22/02/2022 19:10

@Mercedes519 yes I like the sample facility too
Also I like the fa t that if you choose a book and you already downloaded it a few years ago it warns you that you already have it! Great idea for me as I’m getting a little bit forgetful and have on occasion brought a book home from the library only to discover I’ve already read it.

GalesThisMorning · 22/02/2022 19:13

@kanola if your library used overdrive its pretty instant. Borrow the book on your phone or laptop, sync your kindle and it's on! if your library doesn't use overdrive it's a few more steps, you need to download the book into Adobe and then plug your kindle into your PC and drag and drop the files.

Kanaloa · 22/02/2022 19:18

Oh I might have a look. I think my library only uses the Libby app and not any other one. I will see on my laptop, it would really be good if I could use the library on my kindle!