Kindle?

[CaptainGrump]

I am thinking of getting a kindle but I don't know if it's nice to read on and which kindle to go for?

It's my birthday in a couple of weeks and I am planning to treat myself to this but is it worth it and if yes, which model shall I get? Do you love your kindle?Also, how long does the battery typically last?

I like using my kindle and read almost everything on it now because my eyesight is so bad. It means I can increase the print size, and it's lit as well. My kindle is the basic touch screen model with front lighting, which suits me fine. DH has a Paperwhite back lit, which he loves.

I'd say, if you're not sure if you'll use it that much, get a basic model and upgrade to a more expensive one in a couple of years if you want to. Personally I think the basic one has enough features for good reading.

I got one of the first ones many years ago, for a particular holiday (because I read an awful lot and couldn't pack enough books) thinking I would probably hardly ever use it afterwards. I hardly ever read a real book any more! I love it and wouldn't be without one.

I don't know whether you have a tablet, but if you do there is a Kindle app which does everything a KIndle does - you can use it on a phone but I find that too small for any real reading (although can be handy for travel books on the go). I use the app on my tablet and then also have a paperwhite for reading outdoors (because tablets aren't great outdoors). But if you can use the app on a tablet that ought to quickly allow you to decide if the Kindle is for you.

I prefer to read on my iPad but I gave in and bought a Kindle last year as you can read on it in the sun which you can’t with the iPad. I only use it when I go away on holiday or sit outside at home. The interface on the Kindle is clunking and very old fashioned but it does what is says on the tin. I don’t like technology that only does one thing.

I love my Kindle. It's a Paperwhite, this is the one to get as it has an adjustable backlight. I absolutely love it. It's true it only does books but it's smaller than any book to carry, remembers your place, fetches you a new book whenever you want (large 99p list always available) and has all your previous books in it. You can download a sample of a book you fancy.

The battery lasts at least a week.

If you struggle with technology you might not like it but for me, it has given me back the joy of reading.

We both tend to use the app on our phones. I have a kindle (quite old - need to hint to OH that I need a new one). The proper kindle is better for reading outside. Other readers are available and may allow you to borrow ebooks from the library.

Kindles are completely different to tablets and 'technology that only does one thing' is a big advantage because you can only read on it so aren't distracted by internet/social media - in daylight, it looks like a book, not a screen. But you can also read at night without having the light on. The battery lasts for weeks, so doesn't need charging every day or two like a tablet does.

OP, unless you want your kindle to be waterproof the cheapest one is all you need. I've had 3 kindles since the early days and there's been quite a few improvements, so now the basic one now has features like the light that used to be only on the more expensive models.

I bought a kindle over 10 years ago and I found it did the job but was very clunky. I later bought an iPad and downloaded the app but found reading books on it was really harsh on the eyes - my eyes are very sensitive in that way and I was always getting distracted with other apps loaded on the iPad. I recently bought a kindle paperwhite which I’m finding very soothing to the eyes and far smoother to operate than the ancient version I bought.

So I would recommend a kindle though the price of a cover for it is a total rip off.

I bought a kindle over 10 years ago and I found it did the job but was very clunky.

Funny but I now find books clunky! After one-handed lightweight reading for so long, holding books and turning pages seems "clunky"!

I loved mine, but beware, if you look after them and they get old enough, Amazon stop supporting that make / model and you can no longer use them to buy books. Good old planned obsolescence :(

www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GDKLRH4JSYGPLKQK&linkCode=sl2&tag=lp_daily_deals-20&linkId=cefb55a75b092b7a503d454d5d910b81&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
"As of August 17, 2022, you'll no longer be able to browse for, buy, or borrow books directly from certain Kindle devices introduced 10+ years ago. You can still use these devices to read. As always, you'll be able to browse, buy, and borrow books on other supported devices or through Amazon"

They're good for reading while travelling but for me it's a solution to a problem rather than a preference. I still prefer books.

@Sistanotcista I never use my Kindle to buy books anyway. I have an old Paperwhite, which I keep as a spare that is probably affected by that policy, but if I want to use it, I can just send a book using my phone or laptop.

I only read a kindle now, my battery lasts ages and I read mainly crime series so have endless supplies on amazon

@BarbaraofSeville - that's interesting. I can't buy from my app on the phone, as I get a message to say "This app does not support purchasing". Top tips on how to change this would be welcome!

Oh, I don't use apps where possible, I just use the Amazon website..

I will try this - thank you :)

OMG!! This worked! Thank you so much 🙏

I think the app not supporting purchases was a change imposed by the app stores.

I currently use the Kindle App on my iPad mini as I can also download books from my local library as well. But I’m planning to go abroad on holiday this year and am thinking of buying a Kindle paper white as I understand it is easier to read in the sun. I have a very old basic Kindle which I’ve not used for years so that really needs throwing out.

Does anyone know if old Kindles can be donated to a charity?

If I buy a book from Amazon, can I read it on both my iPad and a Kindle?

I love my paperwhite. I have trouble sleeping and switching on the light, making noises with page turning used to wake my DH up. I also like that it’s only for ereading and you can’t go on the internet and get distracted. My phone is downstairs at night. I also love real books too but read more on the kindle now for practical reasons.

Kindles are good, but are locked in to work mainly with Amazon. If you want to have true flexibility get an android tablet instead.

@Ilovetocrochet If you have a kindle and the kindle app on your iPad you can read both. They synch with each other so you can take up where you left off.

I have a paperwhite I bought mostly to save printing huge work documents off, but it’s a very nice reading experience. I prefer buying secondhand books but as a lot of independent authors give away a taster book I’ve read a lot more novels than I’ve expected

I still have and use my Kindle Keyboard - circa 17 years old. It's wonderful. The page size is similar to that of a paperback, I can change everything from font to line spacing and it stores thousands of books. Kindle Unlimited costs £7.95 a month and for that I can 'borrow' up to 20 books s time - roughly a month's worth for me. The best thing is when we go on holiday - no more carrying a weight of books in our bags - one Kindle does it all. It's compact and light enough to carry around in my coat pocket, so there's plenty of opportunity to catch up on a bit of reading.

If you're looking to buy a new Kindle, look at the trade in offers on Amazon. You might get £10 or £20 in Amazon vouchers, so can be used for a few new books.

I have an old kindle keyboard as well and I really splashed out and bought the 3G version. I also have a paperwhite which I bought because of the backlit screen.

Despite being an early adopter I didn’t think I’d give up real books but in fact I rarely pick one up nowadays and I much prefer reading on the kindle.

I wonder if people who think that kindles are clunky are talking about the Fire? They are dreadfully slow and clunky but actual kindles are meant to do one job and they do it well