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Original poster

Kindle?

58 replies

CaptainGrump · 08/02/2023 08:03

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?

OP posts:
slytherinabout · 08/02/2023 11:25

I have a 5 year old 7th gen Paperwhite. I love it. It fits in my back pocket and goes everywhere. I only read physical books if I'm borrowing from someone.

(Had to look in past orders on Amazon to see when I bought it and there's a used one on there for £5!)

amzn.eu/d/b5rb8PQ

AnnPerkins · 08/02/2023 12:11

I love my Paperwhite. No idea how old it is now, at least 10 years I think. I bought it because I often have to read when I wake up at night and don't want to disturb DH. I never read real books now.

I agree the Kindle interface is quite crap. It's easier to buy books through the Amazon website, I often get ones I see advertised for 99p on Twitter or Facebook.

countrygirl99 · 08/02/2023 12:35

Love my paperwhite. With airplane mode switched on the battery lasts weeks. Much better than a tablet for reading outside. I always buy books on the website as I find it easier to find stuff.

countrygirl99 · 08/02/2023 12:37

Also sign up to Bookbub for daily emails with offers.

Jins · 08/02/2023 13:05

Try the fussy librarian for free books as well!

I’ve just been looking at the homepage on mine and agree that it’s not as good as it could be. Kindle unlimited books pop up first in searches and I only have kindle unlimited when I get a free trial.

Prime reading is harder to find and the kindle owners lending library has gone completely!

IJustHadToLookHavingReadTheBook · 08/02/2023 13:10

I resisted the kindle for many years as I love books. But I got my first one about ten years ago and have never looked back. It's revolutionised how I read and made me read more. Currently rocking the one with the warm lighting effect but want a scribe now!

Ilovetocrochet · 08/02/2023 13:11

uhtredbebbanburg · 08/02/2023 10:51

@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.

Thanks, that’s great to know.

MrNook · 08/02/2023 13:15

I have the basic kindle 10th edition from 2019, DP has the paperwhite and I really wish I had that one, it's a bit bigger and it has dark mode and the screen is flush to the rest of the kindle which I prefer, lots of small features which I think make it much better

Ohifyouinsist · 08/02/2023 13:21

Another paperwhite user here. Love it, super lightweight, simple, much easier to read on than a tablet. Not sure I agree about the cost of a cover - you can get one for about £10.

Battery life is great, think I charge mine about once a month. Using airplane mode will maximize battery time.

AmoebicSquid · 08/02/2023 15:28

I have an ancient paperweight - love using it as the light doesn't strain your eyes.
I do have to buy kindle books on Amazon rather than the kindle now - probably due to age of it but it syncs wirelessly with my iPhone so not a huge problem.

I think you have to pay a bit more for a kindle that doesn't have adverts though - so be careful you get advert free version.

I love reading very long chunky books but find them a pain to hold at night when reading in bed - so kindle all the way.

merrymelodies · 08/02/2023 15:33

I love my Kindle. I've had one for years. I like to read in bed before going to sleep and with the Kindle, there's minimal light so I fall asleep easily.

CrossPurposes · 08/02/2023 15:43

I have a Kobo Clara which I'm very happy with mainly because it's compatible with Libby/Overdrive and I can get library ebooks onto it (as well as ebooks from the Kobo store). There is free third-party software available to convert Kindle ebooks to sideload into it. It's a bit of a faff to set the conversion process up but I find it worthwhile.

TonTonMacoute · 08/02/2023 16:52

I use my kindle on holidays and for reading in bed - especially good for insomniacs! I check the daily deals on Amazon, and now have quite a varied and extensive library.

I cannot read for long on my iPad, the kindle is better for that. Also it has not replaced real books for me, it's an extra - a useful one!

haggisaggis · 08/02/2023 17:02

I am on my 5th Kindle. It's an Oasis which I think is more or less the same as a Paperwhite - possible slightly larger screen. I like being able to adjust the print size and I can read a book on my kindle, then listen to the same book where I left off in the car (need to buy audible version though) and then continue reading it at lunchtime on my phone. I don't seem to be very lucky with them though. They have all developed a fault just after the guarantee runs out (the Oasis only syncs to the kindle store if I restart it) and the battery life I get is rubbish - lasts a day if I'm lucky. I don't tend to switch the WiFi off though which I know is partly the reason. Still recommend it though. I have been known to buy kindle versions of books I already have so I can enlarge the font.

coolmum123 · 08/02/2023 17:34

I'm the odd one out here. I have a paper white and I do love the concept of the Kindle but I find that my eyes get really tired reading it. With a book I get into it quicker and I'm loving the feel of books now that I have gone back to them.

BigFatLiar · 08/02/2023 20:48

I agree that reading physical books is better but they end up taking up so much room. Kindle is more convenient.

Footle · 08/02/2023 20:59

@Ilovetocrochet , I don't see how you'd donate it as it's tied to your account. But Amazon will send you a free address label to return it to them, and a voucher for money off a new Kindle.

Footle · 08/02/2023 21:03

I think my 18yo granddaughter might like Anne Tyler. Any suggestions which one might hook her in?

Ilovetocrochet · 08/02/2023 22:54

Footle · 08/02/2023 20:59

@Ilovetocrochet , I don't see how you'd donate it as it's tied to your account. But Amazon will send you a free address label to return it to them, and a voucher for money off a new Kindle.

Ooh, that good to know, I’ll have a look on Amazon, thank you.

SenecaFallsRedux · 08/02/2023 23:00

Another Paperwhite lover here. Like several other posters, I resisted getting a Kindle for a long time. I bought one 10 years ago for travel and in a short period of time I was using it exclusively. I have the latest generation Paperwhite now. It has great battery life.

stayathomer · 08/02/2023 23:08

I love the kindle- hate the kindle app- I used to use my phone or tablet for reading and it’s nothing like the kindle which puts so much less stress on your eyes. It’s also easier to hold and you can change font size easier. I have the paperwhite. It’s the best thing I’ve ever gotten and that’s from someone who lived for paperbacks!

Original poster
CaptainGrump · 09/02/2023 07:54

Thank you for all the comments you have convinced me to go for a Paperwhite. Should I get the 8 or 32GB one? Is there a big difference in weight? I wouldn't like it to be too heavy I think.

Which one is the newest 22/23 model, could anyone helpfully link to to Amazon as there are just so many different models and Kindle devices on there? Many thanks!!

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 09/02/2023 08:25

Whatever is on sale by Amazon will be the newest model, they don't sell previous versions on their website, not on the main bit anyway. It looks like there's currently an offer on the cheapest one.

I wouldn't pay any extra for more storage, no idea about the weight, but it's just extra money for something that you're unlikely to need, unless you want lots of books with illustrations/pictures in, which you wouldn't look at on a standard Kindle anyway, because that's not what they're for.

My current Kindle is a couple of years old and is 8 Gb and I have hundreds of books on there and it's nowhere near full. The very old one I keep as a spare has 4 Gb and when I traded up was about 90% full with the same hundreds of books.

RampantIvy · 09/02/2023 08:43

I find reading books very clunky now. I have a kindle Paperwhite. The advantages of this over a tablet/iPad/phone are that you can read it outside, the battery lasts much longer and the kindle doesn't have the blue light that can affect your sleep.

Being able to adjust the lighting and font size is also a huge advantage over a paper book.

postwarbulge · 09/02/2023 08:49

About ten years ago, I bought a Kobo; just to try it out and because it was on offer, cheap. I have to read myself to sleep and due to general degeneration, I found holding books, or resting them on my knees, was uncomfortable. In these penny-pinching times, it also has the advantage that I can read with the bedside lamp on!

In addition, Kobo helped to solve our perennial 'book problem'. We had not got to the stage where we had to move a pile of books from the lavatory seat before using it but it was getting close!

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