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Kindle vs Book

Most books are now available to download … do you have a Kindle or similar or do you tend to read an actual book? Do you have a preference?


Created By on 28/10/2014

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imf58
16th Jun 2016 17:33:36
2
Thanks for voting!
I do like my Kindle but the experience of reading a book cannot be surpassed by a digital device. Holding a real book, turning the pages, the smell of the ink on paper, the cover design, storing your old books on display in a bookcase, all add to the reading experience. But,...... digital is very convenient especially on holidays!!
Response from georgesmum made on 16th Jun 2016 22:16:50
I have to agree that nothing beats a proper book.....the Kindle has its place ...in my case usually in the bedside drawer! I have always enjoyed the whole experience of visiting the library to choose my books and have been a regular library user since childhood. I have had a Kindle for several years now but rarely use it so of course when I do think about dragging it out of the drawer....the battery is flat!
KateinATL
3rd Nov 2020 16:21:43
1
Thanks for voting!
The only paper books in my library are collectables. I was totally sold on the Kindle, and am on my 4th version. It was better for my arthritic thumbs and easy to pull out on the bus.

With that being said I'm now a believer in audiobooks. There is some first rate talent out there.

I recently finished the re-edited version of Stephen King's "The Stand". A glorious 45hrs.

Audible even has books designed to put you to sleep. My personal favorite. Tony Shaloub reading a brief history of mathematics. I haven't made it through yet
[deleted]
22nd Oct 2020 15:26:00
0
Thanks for voting!
duke
26th Aug 2019 20:25:16
0
Thanks for voting!
I have recently started using audiobooks that I borrow through my local library. (I use the overdrive app) .I highly recommend it. Most of the narrators have great voices which add to the listening pleasure.
I know some of you probably think 'listening' is not reading,but I disagree.
Check with your local library to see what they recommend. I think you will enjoy it! Happy listening.
page
21st Mar 2019 17:02:30 (Last activity: 21st Mar 2019 21:40:41)
1
Thanks for voting!
Hi I have just joined silver surfers...yesterday in fact. My name is Celia and I love reading. I have worn glasses since the age of 11years old, I am slightly short-sighted and as I have got older I found reading some books the print was so small it created eye strain. even with glasses..Then to my delight, the Kindle appeared on the market..I ordered one from Amazon, it was one of there first with a quite poor quality background a dull white but I could make the text to exactly the size that suited me. It was wonderful and so easy to pack when traveling. Instead of a couple of bulky books in my bag, I had access to as many books as I wanted..As the years have passed by and I have got older and the Kindle has improved to perfection, with colour, sound, and Amazon Kindle store etc.it is a wonderful invention. However, I do belong to a shared reading group and a book group at my local library, I manage to read the books usually and can use a magnifying sheet if necessary, as it is short term I cope this way..I do have friends who have a Kindle just for traveling and reading but also read books in a normal way when at home. Its a win win for Books and Kindles.
Response from LeonardM8 made on 21st Mar 2019 21:40:41
Hi Page, as you will see in some of my other chats here, I think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I agree with all you've said here, also I can read in bed without disturbing my wife.. . happy reading, Len
Happychops
11th Mar 2019 19:22:56
0
Thanks for voting!
I love my kindle.
I was adamant that I would never like one as it would restrict my choice ,I would miss the feel and smell of the pages and any other excuse I could think of.
I am a convert after receiving one for Xmas a few years ago.
I got the kindle white and it now goes all over with me.
I have read books by authors that I don’t think I would have tried by going into a book shop,
I use it every day and my battery lasts for 2 months.
I try the free books and buy books and the best of it is,if I finish a book late at night I can buy another without waiting for the shops to open.
I still do buy books from the shop as I cannot resist the allure of a lovely book shop. But I would definately reccomend trying one.
Bryony291
9th Mar 2019 21:41:03
1
Thanks for voting!
I tried reading in a tablet but it is not the same and not as satisfying as the pleasure of a book.
Opening a brand new book, smelling the pages, what delight that gives me. Oh the joy of reading a real book.
Chamberlains3
15th Aug 2015 08:30:13 (Last activity: 27th Jan 2019 11:31:53)
3
Thanks for voting!
I love my Kindle. It goes everywhere with me in my bag and is so convenient. I have, at the moment 600 books on it so no shortage of material to read. I download from Amazon but try not to pay more than £2.00 for a book but very often try the free ones as well. I have, until I purchased my Kindle, always been a library user. I order new books from our local library because they are usually quite expensive from Amazon. I must say that with the threat of local libraries closing I sometimes feel guilty about not using them as much as I used to but modern technology moves on.
Response from Marley444 made on 15th Aug 2015 08:42:59
I haven't got a Kindle yet but thinking about it ... is there a maximum number of books it holds .. I'm amazed you have 600!! Do you ever have to delete any?
Response from Chamberlains3 made on 15th Aug 2015 09:53:40
Yes, I have the Paperwhite and it holds approximately 1,100 books. When I have read one I can delete it from the device by using my computer or if it was so good I may want to read it again I save it on the Cloud where it doesn't take up any room. It can then be transferred back to the device at any time to be read again.

If you get one and need any help I would be only too willing to try and help.

Regards.
Response from Marley444 made on 15th Aug 2015 10:22:21
Thank you for your helpful comments ... I will do a bit more research before I buy! Would love to have more time to read actually 😉
Response from caremama made on 31st May 2016 12:47:10
I have 2 kindle, the original keyboard type and a kindle fire, wouldn't be without them as I can't hold a conventional book for long due to arthritis in my hands. Kindle fire is great for reading, emails, games etc. I currently have about 450 books in my library on all sorts of themes and by syncing together I can read on either - useful when the battery on one needs charging - have also got kindle app on my phone which is also synched to my kindle so I'm never without reading material wherever I am. Kindle unlimited is great 10 books at a time held so happy reading.
Am I a kindle addict ? Yes
Response from LeonardM8 made on 27th Jan 2019 11:31:53
I agree with all you say Chamberlains3, and also with most of the other replies on here, I have the app on all my devices. but the kindle paper white's are definitely the best to read from, no eye strain, or bad heads with those,
And as one person said about the library usage , don't forget you can download electronic books and audiobooks to your devices, ( NOT onto Kindle though as far as I know ),
Here in Hampshire Libraries, I use Borrowbook, which is there app. it used to be Libby..
LeonardM8
26th Jan 2019 22:32:42
1
Thanks for voting!
I am on my third Kindle reader, simply because I have liked the updated models as they have improved,
it is my favourite way of reading, I sometimes am reading 3 or4 books at a time, depending on my mood, and you never lose you place, I've gone back to books which I haven't read for a year, and it's still at the right page, and of course I can read in bed without disturbing my wife, not having to have the light on,
the other thing is you can read a sample before buying.
none of these things you can do with a book.
I do agree with a couple of the post's on this page though, the kindle App that you put onto iPad's and laptops, are nowhere as good as the actual kindle readers, which are built with long term reading in mind,
I have two of the Kindle paper white models, which have improved reading from the earlier versions.
Everyone to their own though......
georgesmum
26th May 2018 15:46:13
2
Thanks for voting!
I use the local library religiously every three weeks.......I have to say I’m an old fashioned “page turner”. My Kindle sits in the bedside drawer gathering cobwebs I’m afraid!
monzaV
23rd Mar 2018 18:35:15
2
Thanks for voting!
I have an ipad which I get Kindle on for holidays but otherwise its real books for me, some from the library if we stop using them we will lose them. If I buy a book I always pass it on to a charity shop that way I benefit both bookshop and charity.
Marie63
2nd Jul 2017 18:37:40
0
Thanks for voting!
I love real books and always read them at home, but I also have a kindle which I use on holiday, it's so much easier to carry than lots of books, only downside is I used to leave my books in hotels for others to enjoy but obviously can't do that with ebooks.
carolr59
12th Apr 2017 18:49:04 (Last activity: 13th Apr 2017 14:49:27)
1
Thanks for voting!
I always said I would never use an eReader until I got one. Now I have >2000 books on my Kindle.

The best thing about it is that when I'm done with a book I don't have to get rid of it. We can't even give away paperbacks here (US) unless they are top sellers. I burned 8 large trash bags full of books last year. It felt HORRIBLE.
Response from Treehugger1 made on 12th Apr 2017 21:29:03
I am off to the local library tomorrow to register my kindle details with them so that I can borrow books electronically instead of boosting Amazon's profits. Like you Carol, my amount of books is running into the thousands and it's so much better than having to dispose of 'real' books. Does anyone know whether Kindles have a limit to the amount they can store?
Response from jeanmark made on 13th Apr 2017 14:49:27
I'm afraid I am still a book lover and don't enjoy reading eBooks. I rarely read a book more than once and thus do not need to keep all books I read. Those I no longer need I pass onto friends or to Charity Shops. My Doctors Surgery also has a book exchange and a small donation can be given which in turn is given to various charities.

My friends village has an old style red phone box that has been converted to house unwanted books that can be exchanged. This works very well as the mobile library no longer runs and gives an opportunity for people to share their love of reading. There is a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction and it is respected by the young in the village, ebooks are obviously not suitable but hearing books are also exchanged.
Peter44
4th Mar 2017 17:31:47
1
Thanks for voting!
I have a Kindle and an iPad and have several hundred eBooks I guess. They are a great way of storing multiple books, and it is much easier to get a book published electronically rather than in print. My debut novel is to be published as an eBook but I doubt I would have got it accepted by a traditional publisher in paperback format.
C Birc
9th Dec 2016 22:43:40
4
Thanks for voting!
I love to read on a Kindle. It is so light weight and convenient. Especially handy if you have arthritic hands!
StewartM48
14th Nov 2016 18:29:14
0
Thanks for voting!
I love the feel and smell of books which I read at home. But as I travel quite frequently I use a kindle fire. This lets me download a couple of films to watch on flights and plenty of books to read so less weight on flights.
major red
2nd Sep 2016 15:59:36 (Last activity: 2nd Sep 2016 16:01:12)
1
Thanks for voting!
I use a e book as I can zoom in as my eyes tell me I getting older lol one thing I hate in getting old
Response from major red made on 2nd Sep 2016 16:01:12
but yes I would prefer a book as like the people say the pages and feel is far better
Greendorrie
22nd Jun 2015 18:29:18 (Last activity: 27th Aug 2016 06:07:51)
0
Thanks for voting!
I prefer to read a book. I like the feel of a book and I like turning pages.
Response from MazzieP made on 27th Aug 2016 06:07:51
Totally agree Greendorrie.
MazzieP
27th Aug 2016 06:05:14
0
Thanks for voting!
I can't see myself ever swapping from a book to an e-reader. I just love holding a book, turning the pages, dozing off with the book on my chest.

I read a lot - 3-4 books a week. My local library at Rosebud (Victoria Australia) is fantastic. I purchase the odd book too and as I don't have much storage space, I share them with my exercise class friends when I've read them. It's a win/win solution.
jeanmark
22nd Aug 2016 13:56:20
2
Thanks for voting!
We actually agree Celtwitch, part of the enjoyment of reading for me is holding the book, turning the pages etc. a Kindle just doesn't 'do it' for me.
celtwitch
22nd Aug 2016 12:37:27
1
Thanks for voting!
Nothing can supplant the feel, the texture and the smell of a new book. A book is a treasure to be held and loved for ever.
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