do I wanna buy a kindle?

wannabehermit

I'm going to put in an argument for the other side I'm afraid. I love, absolutely love reading. Even with 3 children tearing around it still only takes a few days to read a book. I'd love a big library of books, but no space so I thought a kindle would be a great idea. I got it just before last Christmas and sold it a few months ago.

What I liked: Small to carry around
If you're going out and coming to the end of a book you already have your new book with you so don't have to carry 2 books around.
Convenient, esp for library books.

What I didn't like: Cost of books - way more expensive than a paperback and no offers, e.g. Waterstones 3 for 2, WHSmith buy 1 get one for 1p.
Limited availability of books - Several authors I like do not have ebooks and those that do have a few the books are more expensive even than a hardback.
Impersonal - I just felt like I was reading words, I couldn't get into a book like I can when it's a real book. Books that should take me 2 or 3 days to read were taking over a month to read.


Overall I hated it. It didn't feel like reading a book to me. I struggled to get into books, I really couldn't lose myself in a book like I do with real ones. I used to actually get upset when in WHSmith because I couldn't buy any of the books in there, it felt like I couldn't browse because I had an ereader. When it got to the point of deliberately avoiding even walking past Waterstones or WHSmith I knew it was time for it to go. I know that sounds quite melodramatic, but I really did throw a toddler like tantrum in WHSmith at Victoria station one time because I wanted to buy real books not stupid downloaded ones. Now, I love bookshops again and have a nice big list of books that I want to read whereas before I sold it I'd totally lost interest in reading.


*disclaimer: I've also got rid of my ipod and have gone back to replacing all my cds as I prefer real cds than downloaded stuff. Maybe I'm just 31 going on 61 and technology is not for me :rotfl:.

cajef

tanith wrote: »

Yes they are simple to use if you get the Wifi you can download straight from the computer or the 3G just downloads to the Kindle instantly wherever you happen to be in the World.

The wi-fi version loads directly from Amazon using any wi-fi network, you do not need to plug it into a computer, you can if you wish download to your computer then to the Kindle but that rather defeats the object of having wi-fi.

nearlyrich

Love mine and free books and cheap books are everywhere....

tanith

cajef wrote: »

The wi-fi version loads directly from Amazon using any wi-fi network, you do not need to plug it into a computer, you can if you wish download to your computer then to the Kindle but that rather defeats the object of having wi-fi.

I knew that :rotfl: I meant to type website , call it old age..:o

marcowil

I think, for anyone that reads a lot, it is a brilliant idea especially for travelling.

I bought one simply because it was a great offer (Amazon refurb) and am very glad I did. I broke my arm the week i bought it and it made the healing time, sitting at home unable to do anything, so much easier as it is light and easy to hold and turn pages with one hand.

I do think that e-books etc are still way overpriced but there are lots of free book sources (albeit not the most comprehensive selection). As aliasojo said you can purchase books from ebay and other places!

mummyroysof3

i love mine..i will try reading any books though and dont stick to particular authours so can easily work my way through free or 99p books for ages

Flat_Eric

so the conversation went something like this....

OH: so I was wondering, what would you like for xmas? Do you want a kindle?

Me: not sure?

OH: well you have been going on about it for ages .....

Me: Hmmm I know

OH: Well have a think.

Me turns to computer to read up on them and (1) discovers that the original £100 and something priced kindle is out of stock at amaz0n indefinitely....

the new £89 kindle is in stock at my local argo$....

reads all the 1 star reviews on amzon and is put off

that a must have accessory is one of those book cover thing that in argos costs £50 .... :eek:

that the price on the amazon.com is cheaper than the uk site
remembers all the books I have to read in tree format.... including all the jo nesbo books lined up....

so I still don't know whether I want one or not? I don't think I could justify buying a kindle and then replacing all the books I have in tree format with the kindle versions (which would be tempting) particularly as a lot of comments I read would suggest that the e-books are more expensive.

If I drop a book, it isn't going to break. I can also read it in the rain! It doesn't need charging and it isn't going to freeze. I can read it in the bus without fear of losing it/having it stolen/it getting damaged. I can pick up books cheaply in the charity shops.

So I'm still not convinced? I would like one but don't know how I would get on with it and just don't see how it can replace a proper book ?

I have to say that it would appear when the screen refreshes to the next page, this is not a seamless transition (if this makes sense) and I think this would get on my nerves.

scottish_stresshead

Just a question!!! I have kindly been giving a copy of a friend's e books on usb!!

my hubby has got me the wi-fi 3g amazon kindle for xmas...can i still transport these onto my kindle or do i still need to use the wi fi

cajef

scottish_stresshead wrote: »

Just a question!!! I have kindly been giving a copy of a friend's e books on usb!!

Not sure what you mean by a USB, if you mean a memory stick then download to your computer then put them on the Kindle from the computer using the supplied USB connector that comes with it.

kerri_gt

Flat_Eric wrote: »

So I'm still not convinced? I would like one but don't know how I would get on with it and just don't see how it can replace a proper book ?

I have to say that it would appear when the screen refreshes to the next page, this is not a seamless transition (if this makes sense) and I think this would get on my nerves.

My OH bought me a Kindle last xmas, I travel a lot and he thought it would be useful for me. Initally I must admit I wasn't that fussed - I can just read a 'real' book I thought.

Well I am a total convert, I love it. OH thinks it's prob the best used present he's ever bought me. I disagree with the person who said you can't get lost in it like a real book, I deff do. Its easy to read in the garden (you don't get book glare as you do with paper) and your bookmark never falls out. As for a 'seamless transition for turning pages' its no different to turning the page of a book, except you don't get pages stuck together etc etc.

Ok, so you have to look after it (ie try not to drop it, lose it etc) but that's life - you handle it just like you would your bag / purse / ipod / mobile etc etc etc.

The other thing I love is that I don't become predjudiced by book covers as much - I like searching on the Amazon store to find new books and read the synopsis before deciding to purchase.

The covers don't have to be expensive, I bought a Built neoprene one for about £20.