Forum Topic

Kindle

Now that the library has closed, I'm thinking of getting a Kindle, which I never thought I would as I love my books! Can anyone recommend which is the best one to buy? I've my 70th coming up next week (which I shall be celebrating alone with my cat!). I'm going to ask my boyfriend to get me one, preferably the all-singing, all-dancing one with bells on it! Any recommendations, please?

Jill Merrett ● 2415d38 Comments

I would go for a Paperwhite which glows in the dark so can be read in bed with the lights off.Also consider whether you want to pay extra for 3G, so that you can download content even without a WiFi signal. I have a 3G one so I can use it when travelling, though most places do provide WiFi now, and we'll none of us be going anywhere anytime soon.

Susan Kelly ● 2415d

Another option is to buy a Kindle Fire which is also a tablet like an iPad, though I don't find this as satisfactory for reading.

Susan Kelly ● 2415d

Even the basic Kindle (£70) now has a built in light :-)Spoil yourself and go for the paperwhite. (£130)Now wi-fi is almost universal the value of the 4G connection is (as Susan says) not great (£220)

Will Watson ● 2415d

Thanks for your input. My boyfriend says that for the 3G thingie you probably need a SIM card or contract? I'll wait for a few more replies, hopefully, and then decide which one for him to get me!

Jill Merrett ● 2415d

Not quite. The 4G comes as part of the deal it's all built into the device and last "for ever"."Wi-Fi + free 4G LTE uses the same wireless signals that mobile phones use but with no monthly fees or commitments—Amazon pays for the 4G LTE connectivity."

Will Watson ● 2415d

Definitely the Paperwhite (can read in the sun!). If you have wifi at home I wouldn't bother with the wi-fi one. Have never needed men. Avoid the Fire like the plague...or the Corona virus. I have purchased a few cheap ones and the battery has dies on both. Kindle lasts so much longer and better screen for reading. Love my Kindle, though book prices are much higher than a few years ago. Happy Birthday.

Caroline Carrington ● 2415d

Caroline above :'Have never needed men.'haha, autocorrect/typo/Freudian slip of the day!

Claudia Jachtmann ● 2415d

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your input. So, I'm guessing it's the Paperwhite 10th generation one I need? Sans Wi-fi etc.

Jill Merrett ● 2415d

I had an old fashioned Kindle from when they first came out and the battery life was very long when it failed I bought a Kindle Fire and the battery life is probably about 5/6 hours which is disappointing as I am always charging it and the recharging plug has a very short wire so you can't read and charge at the same time.

Helen Whitman ● 2415d

If you have a smartphone or tablet you could just download the free app and spend the savings on more books.

Chris Jenkins ● 2415d

No, you want the WiFi, Jill, not the 3G.I'm very happy with my Kindle Fire as a tablet, just not for reading.

Susan Kelly ● 2414d

Helen, you can buy a longer recharging wire for a couple of quid!

Susan Kelly ● 2414d

Agree Kindles are nicer for reading. Also tablets need charging much more often. There is plenty of free stuff for Kindles particularly if you like the classics.

Will Watson ● 2414d

E Books should (in theory) get cheaper in December, government abolished the 20% tax on them in last budget,also check out Amazon daily and monthly kindle book deals, some good bargains to be had.

Andrew McClure ● 2414d

This might sound like a stupid question, but I am a novice here. I've heard that reading a Kindle can damage the eyes, blue light or something like that. Is this true?

Jill Merrett ● 2414d

I recommend the Kindle Paperwhite. Unlike a laptop or the Kindle Fire you can read it in full sunlight and also in bed without having to turn a reading light on and disturbing your partner. I absolutely love mine and carry it everywhere with me. I would guess that I am reading ten times as many books now than before I switched to the Kindle. Another thing worth mentioning is that you can take 2,000 books on holiday with you (try doing that in a suitcase) and so long as there is WiFi you can buy and download books from wherever you are in the World at any time!

Chris Blackwell ● 2414d

Thanks, Chris, and all who've given me input. So, no damage to eyes then?

Jill Merrett ● 2414d

I love my Kindle Paperwhite (with Wifi only) which was bought for me when the husband got fed up with the bedside light being on whilst I was reading and he was trying to sleep.  You can alter the brightness which is great.  And change the font, font size etc..  And if you have Amazon Prime (which I don't) then you are entitled to various offers of free ebooks I believe.

Jojo Finn ● 2414d

I have one of the very original Kindles and am wondering about up-grading.  What I miss most is that thing you can do with real books - thumbing through rapidly to find a particular page or passage.  Do any of the new models have some electronic equivalent of that?

Alastair Banton ● 2414d

Thanks Susan I didn't know that I will order one. Just discovered I can't read it outside all I can see is my own face and I am fed up with that already!

Helen Whitman ● 2414d

You can do a search, Al, which should help with your favourite passage. Worth noting that you can store your own documents as well. I have 20 years of diaries on mine so if I can't remember what year we last went to, say, Rome, I can search to track it down.I've been using Kindle for 7-8 years now with no obvious eye problems.

Susan Kelly ● 2414d

My wife has had an old basic Kindle for some years now and really likes it. The text is easy to read as it's not like a computer screen, and she likes being able to download free sample chapters before you buy. There are various search and bookmark facilities if you can be bothered with them, though she does miss turning over the corner of the page!

Peter Evans ● 2414d

I don’t think Kindles damage your eyes, but you may suffer from dry eye using any screen.  You can get drops for this in the chemist.I suggest Kindle Paperwhite and WiFi. The only thing against a Kindle is that you can’t borrow library e books on it, but you can borrow them to read on other e book readers, such as Kobo, or a tablet or mobile phone.

Lucy Chambers ● 2414d

You can also borrow ebooks on a Kindle Fire. Basically, on any device with a proper browser.  For a Kindle Paperwhite you can buy books from the Store or download free books.

Lucy Chambers ● 2414d

It's worth pointing out that you can download free editions of many of those long classic novels you've always been meaning to read if only you had the time.

Susan Kelly ● 2414d

I know, Susan, and I find that search facility extremely useful but for me it doesn’t replace thumbing through.  I can’t imagine that the technology to enable a sort of book equivalent of a fast-forward/rewind bar would be beyond reach.  And any model that had that facility would get huge sales imo.  I would certainly buy one immediately.

Alastair Banton ● 2414d

I agree, Al. In particular, if you're reading a novel which has, say, a family tree at the beginning, it's nice to be able to refer to it easily.You know that if you swipe up quickly, you can get a page within a page which will allow you to flip back and forth without losing your place? It's not as good but it's something.

Susan Kelly ● 2414d

Yes and guide bookd are a disaster. Try flipping from the map to the description of thr site you want to visit.

Will Watson ● 2414d

Guide books are the only paper books I buy now. Won't be needing any of those for a bit.

Susan Kelly ● 2414d

No auto correct necessary! Feminism rules. LOL. Now needing wifi is a different matter!!! LOL.

Caroline Carrington ● 2414d

Definitely go for a Paperwhite.  Its much more the experience of a book with the white background. Brilliant if you wake up during the night and don't want to turn the light on to read and the brightness can be adjusted so that it's not to much on your eyes in a dark room  I could never get in to ereaders despite my husband nagging at me for years but with the paperwhite I'm hooked!  I wouldn't bother with 3G.  You pay for data and quite honestly, I download 10 titles before going on holiday and even then I've never found a place without wifi to download a book or 5! I wouldn't go for the Fire either as you will not be able to read in sunlight if you are outside as it is a tablet not an ereader. Also, sign up to www.bookbub.com free and cheap ebooks everyday based on your preferences.

Jacqueline Whiston ● 2413d

Thanks everyone! My Kindle 10th generation (sans Wifi) is arriving on Thursday with a choice of two cases. Now I've just got to learn how to use it!

Jill Merrett ● 2413d

There is a user guide, Jill, which is -- surprise! -- on the Kindle. Or it may not be, in which case you can download it. You'll find it surprisingly easy, though. As I recall, it pretty much talks you through the set-up.As with all new tech, get the basics then, when you're comfortable with those, read the manual for the bells and whistles.Enjoy.

Susan Kelly ● 2413d

Avec wi-fiSans 4GI hope.:-)

Will Watson ● 2413d

There is no comparison between reading books on a tablet or phone compared to a paperwhite Kindle.The battery lasts for ages (weeks not hours) The legibility of the text is fantastic on the kindle and can be adjusted in size to suit at the touch of a finger. The built in lighting works extremely well while at the same time allowing the screen to be read in full sunlight.Don't pay the extra £10 or so for the version 'without adverts' as this only refers to what comes up on the "front page" when it reverts to sleep mode or you close it down. The ads don't suddenly jump out in the middle of a book.Get one immediately. I leave you with the thought that 70 is only 21 in centigrade.

Patrick Brougham ● 2411d

I've had a few kindles, love the one I've for a year now, kindle fire he 10. Does virtually everything and very portable. Happy birthday for next week 😊

Donna Fraser ● 2411d

One of today's is called Time to Die, which I consider a bit tactless.

Susan Kelly ● 2411d

Yes, Will, just checked. Avec wi-fi, sans 4G. Can't wait for it to (hopefully) arrive on Thursday, not had a book to read for 6 days now! The last book from the library, I realise I've read. Bloody annoying!

Jill Merrett ● 2410d