Thinking of giving a Kindle for a Christmas present. Any recommendations? or gotchas I should be thinking about?
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Last: 1 mo ago by Saxsoon
I've had several kindles since they first started selling them. I love it. Well over 100 books stored that would be filling up shelves if I had bought paper books.
if it is strictly for books then one of the versions with paperwhite is absolutely the best. lightweight and the screen works well indoors and outdoors. the fire versions are nice if you want internet connectivity as well. I've wanted to get one of the new Scribes but I really don't think I would use that capability enough to justify the expense.
if it is strictly for books then one of the versions with paperwhite is absolutely the best. lightweight and the screen works well indoors and outdoors. the fire versions are nice if you want internet connectivity as well. I've wanted to get one of the new Scribes but I really don't think I would use that capability enough to justify the expense.
The paperwhite is the way to go. Can go so long between charges. Plus I love having the kindle app on my phone so I can read on the shuttle into work if I don't have the kindle on me then it syncs back up
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2012
I have the expensive one (forget the model) with the buttons and auto features. Upgraded a few years ago thinking it was worth it because I use it daily. Honestly I haven't been that impressed and wish I had just gotten the regular paperwhite. I kind of like the buttons for page turning, but the auto brightness and color became annoying so I turned it off. It is bigger than the regular one and the biggest negative is the battery. It does not last very long at all compared to my old one.
Thank you all for your feedback. Much appreciated.
Not even kidding I think the Kindle paperwhite is one of the best new consumer products of the last 20 years or so. Completely got me back into reading. Find whatever app your library uses (The B/CS libraries use Libby) and connect that to your amazon account and you're off and going and don't even have to pay for a lot of books.
Two pro tips:
- Anyone in Texas can join the Houston Public Library, and you can add that library card on the libby app also which gives you another library to access.
- If you borrow a very long book and need to return it, just put your kindle in airplane mode until you finish the book.
Two pro tips:
- Anyone in Texas can join the Houston Public Library, and you can add that library card on the libby app also which gives you another library to access.
- If you borrow a very long book and need to return it, just put your kindle in airplane mode until you finish the book.
I'm an avid reader and have been on the fence. I'm typically a minimalist and love the feel of tangible books when reading, and love the different jacket arts and look in the library. My wife bought me one for my birthday on a whim (I'm hard to buy for) and can say I love it. An absolute yes!
As I am looking at purchasing a home I do lament not having physical books to fill out a bookshelf. But I have been picking up the leatherbounds of Brandon so I do have a little something to display
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2012
I read 1 to 3 books per week. I love my Paperwhite. It's nice to read a little before going to sleep and I don't have to worry about turning off a light before I roll over and go to sleep.
When you're not having to move boxes full of books, you'll realize the Kindle was the right move.Saxsoon said:
As I am looking at purchasing a home I do lament not having physical books to fill out a bookshelf.
It sucks that they squeeze every last penny out of you, but spend the extra $20 for the version that is not ad supported. It sounds dumb, but it's really nice to have the cover of the book you are reading displayed on the lock screen instead of stupid Amazon ads...
Not sure if I will offer anything, and maybe will fill this out with asking a question, but for me:
I read a lot and several years back got fed up with continually taking my hard back and paper back books to the used book store and getting pennies on the dollar. So I have switched to Kindle exclusively.
I had the original Kindle and loved it. The battery would last forever. It eventually died, and I switched to the Kindle Fire about 4 years ago.
For the kindle Fire, here are my thoughts:
In summary, the Kindle Fire is awesome for reading books, but that is all. Any other function or app on the Kindle is either a painful or frustrating experience. Navigation within the Fire is horrible.
Based off what I said, would the Paperwhite be the way to go next time.
I read a lot and several years back got fed up with continually taking my hard back and paper back books to the used book store and getting pennies on the dollar. So I have switched to Kindle exclusively.
I had the original Kindle and loved it. The battery would last forever. It eventually died, and I switched to the Kindle Fire about 4 years ago.
For the kindle Fire, here are my thoughts:
- Good: The ability to store hundreds of books on it is awesome
- Good: I like the ability to swipe right to turn to the next page. Much easier than pushing the button to go to the next page on the old Kindle (and how I think the Paperwhite is, but could be wrong).
- Good: I like the resolution of the text, and the precise control of brightness and background color (I use black background with white text).
- Good: Ability to turn off the internet connection. I only turn it on to download new books.
- Average: The battery life is not as great as what I assume the paperwhite would be, but still good. I assume I get 8 to 12 hours out of a single charge. I would assume battery life can vary depending on whether wireless is on and what brightness you are set at.
- Horrible: The user interface on this is horrible. Its so bad, I cant imagine what drugged up, preschooler they got to design this. Its really bad and makes no sense. I really, really hate this. If you get out of the kindle app where you can see all your books, its a mess to get back to it.
- Bad: Performance for surfing the internet is bad. The browser is clunky. Its just a bad experience, so after the initial few times trying, I gave up. The same can be said for any apps on there.
In summary, the Kindle Fire is awesome for reading books, but that is all. Any other function or app on the Kindle is either a painful or frustrating experience. Navigation within the Fire is horrible.
Based off what I said, would the Paperwhite be the way to go next time.
I use my Fire HD 10 for both Kindle and the Internet.
To me, it's a good in-betweener when I'm not at my desk ... bigger than my phone (and easier to read) and not as clunky as a laptop.
To me, it's a good in-betweener when I'm not at my desk ... bigger than my phone (and easier to read) and not as clunky as a laptop.
Pretty sure the interface sucks on them all!
I resisted the change for a long time, wanting my boxes and boxes of books. Once I swotched, I was sold forever though.
For a while I used the kindle app on a nice android tablet. Eventually I noticed the eyestrain actually being a thing. Switched to the paperwhite and haven't looked back.
I resisted the change for a long time, wanting my boxes and boxes of books. Once I swotched, I was sold forever though.
For a while I used the kindle app on a nice android tablet. Eventually I noticed the eyestrain actually being a thing. Switched to the paperwhite and haven't looked back.
I do this a ton. I'll check out a few books in a series, download them, put it into airplane mode and return them so the next person can check them out.bobinator said:
- If you borrow a very long book and need to return it, just put your kindle in airplane mode until you finish the book.
Downside is you can't sync with another device, but I don't read on my phone or iPad so not an issue for me.
My only other suggestion would be get one with usb-c charging, one less random cable to have if your phone uses usb-c
I love my paperwhite kindle. Im on my second (or maybe third?) one, pretty much since the first one was originally released. The only negatives I can think of would be with books that incorporate pictures of maps that help with visualizing more complex stories that are hard to see and can't be zoomed into (I've looked them up online to see them more clearly, so it's not that big a deal), and another is when you have stuff at the end of books that outline characters or terminology (think game of thrones), which I didn't realize was even there until I got to the end of the book. Along with those points, I also miss the ability to quickly jump around to reference points from earlier in books that I didn't know were important until later, but by then it is almost impossible to find again in digital format.
Otherwise, I use mine literally daily since I bought the original. Using it for travel has made it invaluable for me. Worth every penny.
Oh, and with prime, if you select shipping options for items where you don't need faster shipping times amazon will often give digital credits, so most of my books are significantly cheaper because of this.
Otherwise, I use mine literally daily since I bought the original. Using it for travel has made it invaluable for me. Worth every penny.
Oh, and with prime, if you select shipping options for items where you don't need faster shipping times amazon will often give digital credits, so most of my books are significantly cheaper because of this.
Love my Paperwhite. Someone mentioned earlier about buttons to turn the page. I think this has been gone from the Paperwhite for at least 4 years now. I just tap the screen to turn the page.
I had a Kindle Fire before the Paperwhite, and the Paperwhite blows it out of the water for reading. The Fire is better if you want a true tablet to surf the web and stream video.
If you're a Prime member, be sure you're getting your free book each month:
https://www.amazon.com/firstreads/
I had a Kindle Fire before the Paperwhite, and the Paperwhite blows it out of the water for reading. The Fire is better if you want a true tablet to surf the web and stream video.
If you're a Prime member, be sure you're getting your free book each month:
https://www.amazon.com/firstreads/
Just looked and it doesn't look like my model is available anymore. Not a bad thing. The scribe thing looks potentially interesting for some uses. Not me, just go with the ad free paperwhite!
If you're not locked into the Amazon ecosystem there are other options. I switched from Kindle to Kobo about 7 years ago and haven't looked back. Their current 7" model has color of that matters at all and they have an 8" model that I adored until it got caught between the forces of gravity and a kid jumping on my backpack.
I believe they also price match with Amazon
https://us.kobobooks.com/collections/ereaders?utm_source=Kobo&utm_medium=TopNavTest&utm_campaign=AlleReaders
I believe they also price match with Amazon
https://us.kobobooks.com/collections/ereaders?utm_source=Kobo&utm_medium=TopNavTest&utm_campaign=AlleReaders
I have the Kobo and while it's a nice device, I regret leaving the Kindle ecosystem because the Kobo integration with Libby is terrible. Cannot get the books to sync.
Yeah they used to have really good Overdrive support but Libby took over and they never added it. I'll be honest, for that I tend to check out on Libby and then find…. Alternative solutions to get them on the kobo.
I'll throw in my two cents worth. I've had a Kindle going back to the first generation with the full keyboard buttons and navigation button. I currently have a fourth gen Paperwhite that my wife bought me in 20118 when my previous one crapped out. I also lost one a plane trip in the mid '00s, so this is my fourth one. I read several hours every day, but honestly, I don't use it that much, because I use my iPad Pro with the big screen. The Kindle app is fantastic on the iPad, and that is my go-to. If I'm somewhere waiting for an appointment I use the app on my phone.
I have yet to meet anyone that loves to read that doesn't use the Kindle app in some form. My wife uses her Paperwhite quite a bit as well.
I have yet to meet anyone that loves to read that doesn't use the Kindle app in some form. My wife uses her Paperwhite quite a bit as well.
Same here. Haven't had an actual physical Kindle in several years. Use the app on my phone or iPad. Works great.lurker76 said:
I'll throw in my two cents worth. I've had a Kindle going back to the first generation with the full keyboard buttons and navigation button. I currently have a fourth gen Paperwhite that my wife bought me in 20118 when my previous one crapped out. I also lost one a plane trip in the mid '00s, so this is my fourth one. I read several hours every day, but honestly, I don't use it that much, because I use my iPad Pro with the big screen. The Kindle app is fantastic on the iPad, and that is my go-to. If I'm somewhere waiting for an appointment I use the app on my phone.
I have yet to meet anyone that loves to read that doesn't use the Kindle app in some form. My wife uses her Paperwhite quite a bit as well.
rednecked said:
I've wanted to get one of the new Scribes but I really don't think I would use that capability enough to justify the expense.
I moved from legal pads to the scribe for work, and it's been a game-changer. So much so that I'm considering moving on further to the ReMarkable. I got the scribe since it was cheaper and i didn't know how much I'd use it, and I can't live without the thing anymore.
I'll also add that Amazon offers books for the Kindle anywhere from free up to $5, if you are interested in classic books.
Although I've brought it up before, to the point that some are probably tired of hearing it, I think it is worth repeating. There are collections like Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and many, many more. There are also collections such as 100 Eternal Masterpieces of Literature, which is an amazing book.
Although I've brought it up before, to the point that some are probably tired of hearing it, I think it is worth repeating. There are collections like Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and many, many more. There are also collections such as 100 Eternal Masterpieces of Literature, which is an amazing book.
lurker76 said:
I'll throw in my two cents worth. I've had a Kindle going back to the first generation with the full keyboard buttons and navigation button. I currently have a fourth gen Paperwhite that my wife bought me in 20118 when my previous one crapped out. I also lost one a plane trip in the mid '00s, so this is my fourth one. I read several hours every day, but honestly, I don't use it that much, because I use my iPad Pro with the big screen. The Kindle app is fantastic on the iPad, and that is my go-to. If I'm somewhere waiting for an appointment I use the app on my phone.
I have yet to meet anyone that loves to read that doesn't use the Kindle app in some form. My wife uses her Paperwhite quite a bit as well.
I've read everyday for as long as I can remember. I never use the Kindle App.
I don't like reading on a tablet because it hurts my eyes after a while. I read on my Paperwhite all the time, but most of the time I'm reading a library book that is overdue so my Kindle is on airplane mode so it doesn't get returned. That means I don't get to use the sync read feature of Kindle app. No problem though because the Paperwhite is small enough to go everywhere with me
What is this? The Cult of Kindle? Don't you people want to support bookstores, both big chain and local? Don't you appreciate the artwork on the covers of our beloved books? Do you love the smell of paper? Seeing your progress through the dog-eared pages? The rich tradition of reading a physical page of a book?
Anyways, my eyes started wigging out on me a few years ago, and the Kindle Paperwhite is so easy to read that I only read books on my kindle. But I don't want anyone else to discover how much better Kindles are because of all that stuff in the first paragraph above. I love bookstores, but I feel horribly guilty not supporting them like I did pre-kindle.
Anyways, my eyes started wigging out on me a few years ago, and the Kindle Paperwhite is so easy to read that I only read books on my kindle. But I don't want anyone else to discover how much better Kindles are because of all that stuff in the first paragraph above. I love bookstores, but I feel horribly guilty not supporting them like I did pre-kindle.
I decided a few months ago that it was time to reread The Lord of the Rings for the umpteenth time. I have several hardback and paperback versions and by god I was going old school this time. First time I've read a physical book in years. After I finished The Fellowship of the Ring I downloaded them and read the rest on my Kindle. Real physical books are beautiful but I've turned the page on all that.Philo B 93 said:
What is this? The Cult of Kindle? Don't you people want to support bookstores, both big chain and local? Don't you appreciate the artwork on the covers of our beloved books? Do you love the smell of paper? Seeing your progress through the dog-eared pages? The rich tradition of reading a physical page of a book?
Anyways, my eyes started wigging out on me a few years ago, and the Kindle Paperwhite is so easy to read that I only read books on my kindle. But I don't want anyone else to discover how much better Kindles are because of all that stuff in the first paragraph above. I love bookstores, but I feel horribly guilty not supporting them like I did pre-kindle.
Oh of course. During Covid I moved 3 times in a year.
The only physical books I have bought are the Sanderson leatherbounds
The only physical books I have bought are the Sanderson leatherbounds
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2012
1000% this. This is what took me so long to convert. Just love the physical book as a form of media, and experience. Yet the Kindle proved to practical. Thus on book I really like I double dip and buy a physical copy too for the library. So when the Aliens come and our technology blows out, I can throw several of my favorite books in a backpack and run. Hate the thought of being solely reliant on electricity to do a simple activity like reading. That being said, the Kindle is awesome!Philo B 93 said:
What is this? The Cult of Kindle? Don't you people want to support bookstores, both big chain and local? Don't you appreciate the artwork on the covers of our beloved books? Do you love the smell of paper? Seeing your progress through the dog-eared pages? The rich tradition of reading a physical page of a book?
Anyways, my eyes started wigging out on me a few years ago, and the Kindle Paperwhite is so easy to read that I only read books on my kindle. But I don't want anyone else to discover how much better Kindles are because of all that stuff in the first paragraph above. I love bookstores, but I feel horribly guilty not supporting them like I did pre-kindle.
Reading Wind and Truth at the dealership on my kindle and glad I am not lugging that door stop around with me
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2012
I own the first 4 Stormlight books on my Kindle, but my son started reading them. He's stubborn (gets it from his mom) and will only read real books, so we got the first 4 from the library for him. I didn't want to buy the fifth twice, so I bought the physical version to give to him when I'm done. Reading a huge book like that is such a pain. Hard to hold, not portable. Embarrassingly, I've hit the page more than once to turn the page or thought about long pressing on a word to get the definition.Saxsoon said:
Reading Wind and Truth at the dealership on my kindle and glad I am not lugging that door stop around with me
I do try and read non-fiction in a physical book though. Makes referencing maps or footnotes much easier.
another great aspect of online books!Quad Dog said:Saxsoon said:
long pressing on a word to get the definition.
Quad Dog said:I own the first 4 Stormlight books on my Kindle, but my son started reading them. He's stubborn (gets it from his mom) and will only read real books, so we got the first 4 from the library for him. I didn't want to buy the fifth twice, so I bought the physical version to give to him when I'm done. Reading a huge book like that is such a pain. Hard to hold, not portable. Embarrassingly, I've hit the page more than once to turn the page or thought about long pressing on a word to get the definition.Saxsoon said:
Reading Wind and Truth at the dealership on my kindle and glad I am not lugging that door stop around with me
I do try and read non-fiction in a physical book though. Makes referencing maps or footnotes much easier.
This happened when I went back for my MBA years ago and had a physical book to study
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2012
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