Starting with Kindle and Ebooks

andromedean

I bought my first Ebook off Amazon yesterday. I was expecting a file which could be downloaded and opened from my laptop. To do this I think you need to buy (or trial then buy) their Kindle reader.

However, the book appears to be stored on something called Amazon cloud, and I can use their cloud based reader to read the Kindle book for free using a link on their Email receipt for the book.

I've also downloaded some Kindle software onto my computer, although it doesn't seem to do anything useful such as recognise where the book I've bought is located.

It's all rather baffling, is their an easier way of buying and reading Ebooks? Presumably there are freeware Ereaders? Would such software be able to locate where Amazon have stored the book and read it, or are we forced into buying the Kindle software?

DavidP24

I would not buy another kindle, the screen on my last one died very soon and Amazon were useless.

In fact because of this I seek out PDF or ePub versions of titles.

You can convert your Kindle format to open source epub format

https://www.epubor.com/convert-kindle-ebooks-to-epub.html

and you can use this epub reader

https://calibre-ebook.com/download

You might find this useful

https://ebookfriendly.com/kindle-cloud-reader-tips-facts/

dipsomaniac

you should have downloaded the kindle app on to your laptop. when you open the app and log in your books should appear in your library

you can go to the amazon website to see your registered devices and if your book is still not showing on laptop you can deliver book to your devices from the website

i wouldn't buy a kindle reader. if you need a handheld device just install the kindle app on phone (if suitable) or buy a tablet and install kindle app

Frozen_up_north

We have two Kindles, both the older variety. They still work well and are readable in full sunlight... handy for summer holidays.

You normally buy the ebook via the Kindle, it then automatically downloads to that device. You can also use a Kindle app in a similar manner. If the Kindle(s) and app(s) are all on the same account, you can use the same book/newspaper on several devices, you would need to look in the archive folder on the other devices for your purchase. Each Kindle is given a name, such as "Toms Kindle", "Janes Kindle". You can choose which device to send a purchase to when ordering on line.

Basically, you download directly from the Amazon cloud to your reader, you don't download a file and transfer it.

Robisere

My wife has the original Kindle: between us we have a 15.6" laptop, (2x) 5.5" phones, an 8" tablet and a desktop PC with a 24" Full HD monitor. One of the phones and the laptop are the wife's, another phone, desktop and tablet are mine.

The laptop and desktop both have Kindle for PC installed, the phones and tablet have Kindle Reader installed. We can choose to download Kindle books to any device at purchase, providing of course, that the device has Wireless.

Failing eyesight made reading from the phones difficult, which is why I bought an Android tablet, to which I installed more e-book readers. OH reads from the Kindle or laptop. I found the 24" monitor too large to read from, but the tablet is just right. This is my tablet, which I thoroughly recommend:
http://www3.lenovo.com/gb/en/tablets/android-tablets/tablets-a-series/Lenovo-TB3-850F/p/ZZITZTATB4F

I found it cheapest at Argos. Kindle Reader was one of my first App downloads. EDIT - I should add that we have separate Amazon and other e-reader accounts, to buy our own books.

andromedean

I didn't log in to synchronise before, the reader app seems to be working now.

As far as hardware is concerned, I've only got my laptop for the time being so i will have to manage with that, but I agree a specialist reader seems like a waste of money.

Failing eyesight made reading from the phones difficult, which is why I bought an Android tablet, to which I installed more e-book readers.

That's the reason for choosing an e-book, at least the writing is larger and presumably can be enlarged!

mac.d

andromedean wrote: »

As far as hardware is concerned, I've only got my laptop for the time being so i will have to manage with that, but I agree a specialist reader seems like a waste of money.

If you read regularly, the eink screens on e-readers are terrific. But if you don't read much and are quite happy using a tablet or phone, then just sticking the Kindle app on it to read your books is fine. Not sure reading on a laptop is my idea of "relaxing with a book" though

andromedean

I've ordered this for using a laptop (or conventional book) whilst lying back on the bed!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OXTSLXM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mr.Generous

I love my Kindle, great when you go away instead of carrying 4 or 5 books. It inspired me to start writing, currently selling about 150 ebooks per month. Half a dozen published and working on 2 more. They are 99p bargains, any feedback appreciated.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-Handed-Chris-Robb-ebook/dp/B00YKNNQUE