Advice needed on an E Reader for my Mum!

I agree get the bog standard kindle I spent a fortune on an Oasis and it is not better and tends to skip pages if my fingers slip. I do not know if you mum had Alexa devices but if she does Alewxa will read any kindle book she has in her library to her.

Her mind is pretty good still, apart from increasing short term memory loss, and being stubborn when anyone tries to help her! She loves historical novels by authors like Philippa Gregory, and I know she'd like to reread classics such as Dickens and Jane Austen; the E Reader will make the latter possible for her, as most of those have absolutely tiny print!

I also wonder HOW we'll be reading at 100; will E Readers be very old hat by then and will paper books still exist?

Hope it works well! Now I'm wondering what books I think I'll be reading when I'm 100!

Thank you all so much! I've just ordered an old version Kindle Fire; I couldn't have decided without your help. I reckon Gransnet is the best place for this sort of advice, as I also bought an Airfryer recently based on one of the threads!

choughdancer

Nannarose I think that is very good advice! If I buy something that isn't easy to use, it will be a waste of money, and if I buy a second hand Kindle, at least I won't be 'supporting' Amazon initially. Thank you!

Always a good idea to buy second-hand tech as long as you are fairly savvy. I know folk still using Fairphone 1!

IKWYM about Amazon though

choughdancer

Thanks so much; some really useful information and advice! She definitely still wants to actually read books, so audio books might not suit her (yet!). Borrowing a Kindle to try out is an excellent idea, too. Callistemon21, that information is SO useful! I've seen some pre-owned ones on ebay, so may go for one of those. Both of the other brands I've looked at have not impressed, so like you MOnica, I may make an exception to my Amazon boycott!
Callistemon, could you tell me exactly which one you have; that would be so helpful.

choughdancer, my newer one is a Kindle Paperwhite (10th Generation) bought last year, I think.
It has a light and is touch screen.

The old one is just a Kindle, 2011 vintage with push buttons. Easier to use but I'm not sure if they're available now.

If you can borrow one first that might be helpful.

The first time I used a Kindle (when they first came out) I tried to ‘turn the page’ and flung it across the floor! It survived.

I have a Kobo and use it with Overdrive to read books from my library. Different local authorities use different systems for E-books, so I'd check first your Library's e-book system. I think she'd find browsing and downloading a bit confusing (it would be very easy to pay for books she didn't really mean to) - so it would depend on you assisting her every few days I guess. But if you can do that it's a good idea. Might help if you both had the same reader then you'd get to know the little wrinkles yourselft.

You can also change the style of font on a kindle as well its size. Some fonts are easier to read than others. The less fancy, the better.

Islecat

I have a Kindle Fire on which I can download books from the local library, free, no charges.

You are right, Islecat- the kindle fire does work with the library catalogue but it is the only kindle that does.
Sorry, I was trying not to over complicate things!

I'd make sure your mum is happy with one first. My mum was given one when she broke her arm and couldn't hold a book. We noticed she seemed to use it less and less. Eventually when asked she said it was very annoying and it kept putting her to sleep. We realised then that she had always dozed (although she denied it) and whereas her book remained open at the same page the Kindle turned off!

I have a now-older paperwhite Kindle. That means it’s back lit so you can read without a light on - that might be useful if these rolling power cuts come to pass this winter

Nannarose I think that is very good advice! If I buy something that isn't easy to use, it will be a waste of money, and if I buy a second hand Kindle, at least I won't be 'supporting' Amazon initially. Thank you!

I'm with M0nica.

I have looked hard and long, and nothing is as simple, or has anywhere near the size of Library that Kindle does.

Amazon does give some authors a decent boost by putting them in Kindle Unlimited, and I have found authors who would have struggled to publish under the old systems.

I also note that most of my friends who use Kindle also buy books, new & second-hand, and use their libraries - you can't keep book lovers down! I realise that doesn't apply to you mum, who wants it for ease (and it is!)

I also note that as I get older, especially if a bit under the weather, I want to find old favourites on Kindle (usually free or cheap).

Whilst I don't want to persuade you against your ethics, my personal take is that we do the best we can. And I think that at 100, you get a free pass (I'm hoping!)

I have a Kindle Fire on which I can download books from the local library, free, no charges.

My ancient Kindle has been wonderful, especially if I can't get to the library. Amazon have such a huge selection of books to choose from.

Kindle is the one e-reader that can’t be used with Libby. It’s to do with licensing rights.

You can download books from libby onto a kindle. Libby is run by libraries.

Thanks so much; some really useful information and advice! She definitely still wants to actually read books, so audio books might not suit her (yet!). Borrowing a Kindle to try out is an excellent idea, too. Callistemon21, that information is SO useful! I've seen some pre-owned ones on ebay, so may go for one of those. Both of the other brands I've looked at have not impressed, so like you MOnica, I may make an exception to my Amazon boycott!
Callistemon, could you tell me exactly which one you have; that would be so helpful.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU5etwj6XI0

This might be useful as it shows the different ways to access the book. Don't forget your own Alexa if that is still your command word and it's in the room with you!

Could you borrow a Kindle from someone to see how she gets on with it before you commit yourself to buying on?

If you do decide to bite the bullet with Amazon I wonder if an Alexa Echo, which is a kindle reader, might work for her. You could set it up and put some audio books on. She would then only have to say "Alexa read xyz". My son got one for his dad, and he uses it for books.

It does mean that, if necessary, they can "drop in" (once it is set up) and check he is okay or have a chat, too. He can also see them and our grandchildren.

I have an old Kindle which is far easier to use than the newer Kindle with touch screen I was given as a present last Christmas.

Perhaps your mother might not cope with a newer Kindle if she is not used to technology at all.
She could, of course surprise you and become adept - do you know anyone who could lend her one for a trial?

Would large print books be too heavy for her? Or audio books? They annoy me but I know they're popular with many people.

Is she using the Large Print books from the Library? My local library has a large selection.

My Grandmother had a magnifying sheet that you could lay over the whole page of a book.

Two alternative suggestions.

I had a Kindle when they first came out and I loved it. It died a sad death last year and I had an up to date version as a present but as MOnica says it has its quirks and I find it far too complicated and touch sensitive so I think your mother would find it quite difficult.