Kindle, A revelation or a pain?

[Slink]

I have started to get quite a collection of paper book, and am needing a either a bookcase or a few shelves to house them, and taking a few books, say on holiday or where-ever is taking up space in the luggage and weight.

So i thought of a kindle, as you can store quite a lot of books on there, it might be an idea.

I have 9 books that I have downloaded on my android phone, but i begrudge buying lots of books in digital format, as I dont have anything physical to show for it, and I like physical things over digital, apart from a few when I can get it much cheaper, or i cannot get the physical media only digital, as if i like something i have digital i tend to buy in the physical type as well, that is, if i really like it.


the digital over physical argument, is that a paper book will never run out of batterys and will always be available to read.


the thing is, coming from a book lover that really likes physical media, is a kindle worth it?

im only thinking of getting one as i spend quite a lot of time in hospitals and Im going on holiday soon, so the weight saving plus choosing whatever book i want to read at that time without lugging around a tonne of books would be an upshot.

I can get a older model (newest is gen.3) keyboard 3g one off my dad, but thats got a damaged screen that I would have to get repaired and have been told the older models are not that reliable. is that true?



also, with amazon not selling the keyboard 3G kindle anymore, would it be worth getting one off ebay, and will an ebay special break on me, and is it an easy thing to get fixed if it does break? as i dont really want to get one without a keyboard and 3G, as I will not be able to browse PH and other forums when in a hospital and on holiday.

[Papa Hotel]

I don't have a Kindle, but I've used the Kindle app on iPad and Android. I don't like it. If I want to flick back through a book, a Kindle isn't the same. It doesn't feel the same, smell the same, I just like a book in my hands.

[Slink]

exactly, thats the thing, I like having the tactile sensation of having a book rather than a bit of plastic and circuitry in my hands to read.

[Xaero]

They really are not very good for browsing, so I'd forget getting one for that reason, even as a backup.

I love mine. It's great for reading. But if you enjoy collecting books, and it seems you do, then keep doing that. The kindle, just like an ipod doesn't try to impress with a physical collection (even though it's easier to collect a higher number), it's just a tool that offers a previous experience in a new form.

I don't know about repairing it, mine has a few scratches over it already. I've got the cheap non-touch version. If it gets damaged beyond repair I'll just buy another one, all the data is stored in the cloud and it's not really personal stuff on there (unless you are deliberately sending personal/work documents to it).

[RobDickinson]

On my second kindle, love them.

Much better for actually reading than a paper book and I can take 100's of books with me or download a new one.

In NZ buying books of amazon is 1/3rd the price of retail here. Plenty of (legally) free books too.

[b2hbm]

Slink said:

the thing is, coming from a book lover that really likes physical media, is a kindle worth it?

We are certainly in the book collector thing, our spare room is lined with bookcases and we've got to the stage where we have to thin the collection every now and then. So why get a Kindle ?

Well, my missus refuses to use one, she sticks to dead tree format and buys proper books. OTOH I like the Kindle but I still buy books and tend to alternate between the two.

If the book is something I'm likely to re-read, or an older "collectors" book, then I'll buy the book. I also buy paperbacks in collections when they work out around £1 each, for example I've just bought 10 John Sandford for a tenner. They'll be garden reading and then pass on to the village jumble sale or charity shops, where no doubt they'll get sold for more than I paid....

But anything else, holidays, reading in the car whilst waiting for the missus, etc, I take the Kindle. It's an older keyboard model although I've never used it for anything other than reading books, and it does that rather well. They take a bit of getting used to and I share your views on liking to have something tangible in return for my cash, but it does fill a niche.

I've also found there's lots of free books out there, not all in the Kindle format but there are open source programs out there to convert them for you and this has expanded my reading zone. I'm not likely to buy some titles, older classics, etc in dead tree format but I'll happily download them for free and give them a whirl on the Kindle.

Brian

Edited by b2hbm on Saturday 13th July 07:30

[RealSquirrels]

I like real books, but I use the kindle when travelling. It's real strength is being small and light.

[rumple]

I use both, I love having a new book and starting it etc, the thing is though I can buy 10 books on a Kindle and I don't have to store them, I have one bookshelf now and I'm ruthless with books Ive read, the kindle solves that problem, is light and portable, the big problem with the kindle is the price of the books.

[boxst]

I am not that fond of reading on electronic devices. I have Kindle on my iPad (rather than a kindle itself) and it just isn't the same. I 'treasure' my paperback books, but equally will throw them about, they get wet occasionally etc... and obviously you can't do that with the Kindle versions.

And what irritates me most .... the fact that you can't use them when taking off or landing on a 'plane. That's EXACTLY when I want to read ....

[rumple]

In fairness, to all those that have it on Ipads and phones as such, the original kindle is vastly superior, there is no back light and just looks like a page, trust me I've tried them, for the cost of the Kindle these days buy one and you will see.

[whoami]

A revelation, no question.

[FlossyThePig]

Don't narrow your choice to Kindle, there are other capable eReaders.

Earlier this year I downloaded Suffolk library books on to my Kobo while on holiday in New Zealand.

[FiF]

This ^^

I've downloaded Worcestershire library books onto my Nook from all over the place.

Also when I did a train trip loaded all 4 Bradshaw's guides onto it in pdf format.

If you get one with Glowlight then can read in bed without having to have bedside light on and disturbing She Who Will Complain like hell in the morning if disturbed.

[whoami]

FiF said:

If you get one with Glowlight then can read in bed without having to have bedside light on and disturbing She Who Will Complain like hell in the morning if disturbed.

Top tip.

[Alfahorn]

I think Kindles, kobos or other ereaders are great. I bought one for my stepmum, she reads a shed load and travels an awful lot.

I don't own a Kindle but I have the app on my ipad, however I have to say nothing will replace the satisfaction of reading a proper printed book. I'm also very lucky as the village I live in has a fantastic independent book shop, the owner knows what I like to read and when I need some new books to read she just has a knack of knowing what I will like.

In my current pile to work through I have Standing in another mans grave by Ian Rankin, The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo and yesterday I picked up The Cuckoos Calling by........errrr........'Robert Galbraith' nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

[BigBen]

I bought one to read a book which a friend had written that was only on Kindle. I thought that would be the only time I would have used it. Turns out I really like it, in particular when travelling it is ideal I am a fast reader so need 5 or 6 books for a week on the beach which can be heavy. The general lightness compared to a book opens up a wider range of practical reading positions.

The other plus is my spare room is full of books and there is not that much room for more.

[zax]

I've been looking at the "paperwhite" version since it appears to be easier on the eyes. I hate reading screens. Can anyone who already has one comment on readability outdoors, in sunlight etc?

I'm also a little concerned about durability and using it in outdoors environments (like the beach as mentioned above). I guess some sort of water/sand/dustproof casing is needed?

[ali_kat]

zax said:

I've been looking at the "paperwhite" version since it appears to be easier on the eyes. I hate reading screens. Can anyone who already has one comment on readability outdoors, in sunlight etc?

I'm also a little concerned about durability and using it in outdoors environments (like the beach as mentioned above). I guess some sort of water/sand/dustproof casing is needed?

I'm another book collector, I love paper books.

But I bought a kindle for holidays, now I buy books to add to the authors I collect & get the kindle version so I can carry it with me

You can't compare reading them on an iPad vs the actual Kindle, because that's comparing a peach to a nectarine.

Readability of a Kindle is good in any light, you can't read an iPad in the sun, you do need a light to read in the dark, but it's not as much glow as the iPad & certainly doesn't disturb anyone else.

I have a cover on mine, but that's for the light, not durability, sand won't bother in but they fit in a medium resealable freezer bag if you want it splash proof

I went for the basic one, no keyboard & it's lighter to carry.

[RobDickinson]

zax said:

I've been looking at the "paperwhite" version since it appears to be easier on the eyes. I hate reading screens. Can anyone who already has one comment on readability outdoors, in sunlight etc?

I'm also a little concerned about durability and using it in outdoors environments (like the beach as mentioned above). I guess some sort of water/sand/dustproof casing is needed?

Paperwhite is fantastic. Love the illumination when reading against strong light or in the dark.

Its very robust too. My kindle 3keyboard page turn buttons wore out which is why it got replaced. The Paperwhite has a much improved interface too.

My wife's kindle 3 gets more use than my one did and is still. Fine we have replaced the battery.