To Kindle or not to Kindle?

Floradora9

Jackaranda

Sorry Floradora I forgot to reply - thanks for pointing that out. I hadn't realised, but I have BBC Sounds on my phone and I'm happy with that for now.
I'm so pleased with my new Kindle and I've already downloaded lots of samples. I'll take out a free trial for Kindle Unlimited too, when I get the time!

Did you know if you have any Alexa device she will read the books on your kindle for you . I listen at night and choose books that are a good story but nothing that needs real attention all the time . I find Joanna Trollop's books great for this . I like her voice reaing though she will get the odd word wrond like " read " but in the past tense. I set a sleep timer by just asking for one and find it great in the night if I cannot sleep .

Thank you so much for that tip, re Alexa. I never knew. Everyday is a school day.

I have a Kindle which is quite old but I love it. It has a built in light on a little stalk; part of its leather cover and running from the kindles battery. It is great for reading in bed without disturbing DH. I think this is better for the eyes than an illuminated screen. Kindle is certainly the answer for travelling.

It isn't either or, its horses for courses.

I do still read ‘proper’ books, mostly from charity shops, but I do love my Kindle. If not for that, there are books I’d never have bothered with - the very hefty ‘fat’ ones that are too heavy and awkward to read in bed - which is where I do much of my reading.

A Suitable Boy, and a couple of the longer Russian classics fall within that category.

Plus of course it means I don’t have to take at least 4 books to last me for a week’s holiday! Especially relevant when going hand-baggage only.

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Jackaranda

Sorry Floradora I forgot to reply - thanks for pointing that out. I hadn't realised, but I have BBC Sounds on my phone and I'm happy with that for now.
I'm so pleased with my new Kindle and I've already downloaded lots of samples. I'll take out a free trial for Kindle Unlimited too, when I get the time!

Did you know if you have any Alexa device she will read the books on your kindle for you . I listen at night and choose books that are a good story but nothing that needs real attention all the time . I find Joanna Trollop's books great for this . I like her voice reaing though she will get the odd word wrond like " read " but in the past tense. I set a sleep timer by just asking for one and find it great in the night if I cannot sleep .

I have given my kindle away to my granddaughter. I rarely used it and much prefer a book. I can use my tablet or phone if I want to access an ebook.

Do not forget 'Project Guttenberg'. www.gutenberg.org/[ as a resource for electronic books.

An absolutely invaluable source if you want to read rare or classic books. It is a FREE resource. As all the books are ones out of copyright they include all the great 19th century classic authors, like Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens, but also Conan Doyle (Sherlock), A A Milne (Winnie the Pooh) and Louisa Alcott (Little Women).

You can download directly onto a Kindle.

I have the Oasis because I convinced myself I needed all the features like page turn buttons, waterproof etc. I really like it and have some books on the go on that (especially lighter funny books to replace social media scrolling habit) and some paper books. I like that I can highlight sections in my professional books and then effectively email myself the edited highlights of the book.

I have a Kindle with several books in it. But since my move 4.5 years ago haven't used it. I like holding a book also found out what I was born with in 2022 now I understand why when using my Kindle set my startle reflex off and my limbs stiffen . I thought I lost my grip that's why it always ended up on the floor.

Lovey Kindle. I would definitely recommend.

I prefer real books. I occasionally use my Kindle but it's not useful for books with illustrations, etc.

Sorry Floradora I forgot to reply - thanks for pointing that out. I hadn't realised, but I have BBC Sounds on my phone and I'm happy with that for now.
I'm so pleased with my new Kindle and I've already downloaded lots of samples. I'll take out a free trial for Kindle Unlimited too, when I get the time!

Paperwhite you cannot access audio books you can with an Oasis which is a lot more expensive.

I love my 'real' books and I love my Kindle equally.
MOnica is right about depending on the circumstances, a Kindle is useless if you need to refer to footnotes diagrams etc but it's indispensable for travelling. I first bought mine when we took a caravan to Spain for the winter, there would have been no room for us if we'd loaded the amount of books 2 people needed for several months! Mine tucks into my handbag and can be read anywhere. I haven't tried audiobooks on it simply because I have an app on my tablet and listen to them via that...a great way to pass a long plane journey.
The other great advantage is if you have a visual disability, my DH did and could greatly enlarge the text, actual books had become very difficult for him and required a magnifying glass.
I am on Amazon Prime btw and get a free book every month.

My preference depends on circumstances. Kindle is OK for novels and books without illustrations, but totally useless if a book contains maps, diagrams etc that you need to access while reading.

I love sitting down at home almost anywhere with a good book and in bed when I go to bed, but if I wake in the night, I just want print to run my eyes over and a kindle with light etc turned right down and no light in the room is ideal, within minutes I am asleep again.

Travelling, surgeries, waiting for something, kindles are ideal.

As I said, horses for courses

Absolutely love the kindle. Bought it for travelling (could never pack enough books) but I use it all the time. I find reading on the paper white is much easier and better for my eyes because you can adjust the typeface and size of print. I love that it fits in almost any handbag. Before you buy a book download a sample to make sure you really want it. And don’t forget that if you don’t like a book you can ‘return’ it and get a refund.

One of the things to bear in mind, is the physical effects of using a Kindle. A proper book is better for the eyes and the brain. If I switch from one to the other, I can immediately tell how much more comfortable reading a proper book is.

I use my iPad with the Kindle app. I did not think I would like it as I love a ‘proper’ book but, as my eyesight is poor, I find enlarging the font and the screen being back lit makes for a much more enjoyable read. I do have a Kindle for travelling but my iPad is always at hand at home and the screen is larger.

You can borrow ‘e’ books from your library website for free in my county.

There's a place for both. I too love real books and am a regular library borrower. But a kindle is so useful as well, especially for holidays or travelling, or even a day out if some of it is to be spent reading. Also, if I can't find a particular book in my library I can almost always buy it on Kindle.
So, both I say...

I have a kindle paper white which is linked to my iPhone and iPad, I also use the local library, physical books and the online option.

I also buy hard back copies of my favourite authors.

Thank you everyone - your views are all really helpful. In fact, I've just been online and ordered my Kindle! I'm so very pleased and I know it will be used a lot - I already have a long list of books to download. I agree real books are very special and I will still love rereading my own favourites many times I'm sure. I'll check out Book Bub and Kindle Unlimited too (thanks for the idea FannyD and Tizliz) Have a lovely evening!

I agree with Rosalyn69 e-readers are ok for travelling but there is nothing like the real thing for me. The feel, smell, and proper page turning of book are the best.

Sorry Jackaranda, I misled you in my previous post regarding Book Bub. It’s not an app. You get daily emails. If you google Book Bub you can sign up for it.

Best of both worlds. We borrow books from the local library and take our kindles on holidays and trips because so easy to carry. But nothing beats a real book.