Well, I finally bought myself a Kindle

[SCWillson]

I got my GF a basic Kindle for Christmas (she loved it); then this morning I went ahead and ordered a Kindle Touch for myself. I've just spent the past hour downloading free books: Mark Twain, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Benjamin Franklin, John Locke, Friedrich Nietzsche, David Hume, Alexis de Tocqueville, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Winston Churchill, Arthur Conan Doyle, Adam Smith, Theodore Roosevelt, John Stuart Mill, Charles Darwin...

Well, I could go on. :)

Anyone here with a Kindle? I'm sure this group must have a number of ereader users...

500 posts! Woot!

[Strawberry Curls]

I have the first generation Kindle and it is still going strong and something I always take when I travel. I still buy HC and Paperbacks, but some books, or series of books, are read exclusively on the Kindle as I don't have an emotional attachment to them and having them on the Kindle saves space and often money. My bookshelves still sag from my addiction to the written word, but they aren't as stuffed as they would be without the Kindle. Also I like trying an author on the Kindle, then if they become a favorite I may buy the HC later.

Enjoy your Kindle, Steve. Most people find them very useful. I always download a number of books when I'm about to travel, but knowing I can download more, should I become hooked on a new author or read my way through everything I have on my Kindle, is comforting for this bibliophile.

[Lenore]

DH and I have promised ourselves one for a joint anniversary present. (Our 40th anniversary was a week ago.) I mostly "read" with my ears, but he is a visual reader. I think it would be really useful for travel books. But we are debating whether to go for the new touchscreen version or to get a keyboard type. Any thoughts?

[jtb1951]

I have a 3rd generation Kindle and use it in a fashion similar to Alice. I pretty much use it when away from home, and usually fill it with books that I would like to read but have no interest in purchasing. My shelf space (floor space, storage space, etc) is fairly full so my book purchases are reserved for my favorite writers. I am a traditional reader (I can't listen to books) so I have limited reading time each day (although I did manage to reach my Goodreads goal of 120 books for 2011). My Kindle has been reliable and easy to use and I am quite pleased with it.

John.

[SCWillson]

Storage space was definitely part of my thinking buying a Kindle. My apartment is tiny (about 500 sf) and with the 4000-5000 books I already have where to put new ones has become a real issue. Also, a recent look at what is being published shows far more books I'm interested in than a year ago and I may actually save a few $$$ as well even though as a rule I buy trade paperbacks rather than hardbacks.

I opted for the Touch because it has a greater capacity for storage but I honestly couldn't see any reason to get the keyboard version. If not the Touch I'd just go with the standard $99 model like I got my GF.

[SCWillson]

I have a 3rd generation Kindle and use it in a fashion similar to Alice. I pretty much use it when away from home, and usually fill it with books that I would like to read but have no interest in purchasing. My shelf space (floor space, storage space, etc) is fairly full so my book purchases are reserved for my favorite writers. I am a traditional reader (I can't listen to books) so I have limited reading time each day (although I did manage to reach my Goodreads goal of 120 books for 2011). My Kindle has been reliable and easy to use and I am quite pleased with it.

John.John, I am ridiculously jealous of your reading prowess. 120 books!?

My GF and I are planning a trip to Minnesota this summer and taking a Kindle with a few books loaded has got to beat the heck out of hauling 4 or 5 printed books along as I usually do (plus borrowing books from my dad or sister while I'm there). :)

[Jennifer]

John, I am ridiculously jealous of your reading prowess. 120 books!?

My GF and I are planning a trip to Minnesota this summer and taking a Kindle with a few books loaded has got to beat the heck out of hauling 4 or 5 printed books along as I usually do (plus borrowing books from my dad or sister while I'm there). :)
I am kindle-averse, maybe just technologically challenged, but I can see the value in them. The first time I went to India with my dh, I packed 11 paperbacks for our month-long trip. I read 6 on the plane going over....
Jennifer

[Lenore]

The first time I went to India with my dh, I packed 11 paperbacks for our month-long trip. I read 6 on the plane going over....


Jennifer, you are CLEARLY a candidate for a Kindle! (Or a Nook, or something like that.)

[Strawberry Curls]

Jennifer, that is what pushed me over to the idea of a Kindle. When we went on cruises I would pack so many books I had an extra piece of luggage. The libraries on ships are woefully inadequate and I love nothing better than reading on days at sea and can go through so many books on one 10 day cruise it is ridiculous. Loading the Kindle and having the ability to load more on the days we are at port keeps me in good reading the whole trip and no extra weight. I can't live without my Kindle now.

[Jennifer]

I wish I could get up here and say I read oodles of books this year but I know I can't! I am not certain how many I have read but I am betting it's not more than one or two a week at most! That's a snail's pace for you guys! I am sure that listening slows me down but it also means I can check in books, shelve books, look for books, well you get the idea, while I listen. Not to mention the home chores that must be done and the doggie that needs his walks. Hey, wait a minute. Maybe I read more than I realized. Hey guys, what say we all make a new year's resolution to keep a list of our reading for the year and then at the end of 2012, we can have a thread showing what we read (not just the prodigies such as Steve!)! And list re-reads too because that is a telling feature of your reading. For instance, for years I read "Pride and Prejudice" every year. Now it's "Gaudy Night" that I read at least once every year. And when I am really miserable and in need of cheering, I read an Amelia Peabody but she might get bumped in favor of Flavia de Luce which seems to be as good a reincarnation of a character as you'll ever get! What do you think? Should we take the pledge to be listies?
Jennifer

[Lenore]

Hey guys, what say we all make a new year's resolution to keep a list of our reading for the year and then at the end of 2012, we can have a thread showing what we read (not just the prodigies such as Steve!)! And list re-reads too because that is a telling feature of your reading. . . . What do you think? Should we take the pledge to be listies?


I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I already keep a list (and, as you suggest, it does include re-reads). On the other hand, while I enjoy seeing that some of our members really manage to read prodigious amounts, I worry that posting our comparative lists (or comparative numbers) would inject an unhealthy element of competitiveness into our reading -- and I feel strongly that reading with the VBC should remain pure pleasure. (In the interest of full disclosure I should reveal that, because I have very little available time and mostly listen rather than read, I average about a book a week, which is peanuts in this crowd.) What I think I might find more stimulating is if each of us kept a list, and then at the end of the year posted what we consider our "top ten." (Or maybe a lesser number. Three? Five?) We'd get an eye for trends and a series of recommendations.

[Jennifer]

Well I sure didn't suggest it to inject an unhealthy air of competitiveness to this process. I am simply interested in what you all like to read! So forget it. Seems the ones who like to do this are on "Goodreads" so the whole thing is moot anyway.
Jennifer

[Lenore]

Well I sure didn't suggest it to inject an unhealthy air of competitiveness to this process. I am simply interested in what you all like to read! So forget it. Seems the ones who like to do this are on "Goodreads" so the whole thing is moot anyway.


Well, I know you didn't intend that, of course! I just worry what evil people like me will do with good intentions! (You know about the road to hell being paved . . . :))

[Jennifer]

I guess we all talk about what we are reading anyway so again, it's moot. But I guess I have to start a list of what you all are reading that I'd like to pick up. Someone was reading "The House of Silk" and it sounded so interesting that I now have it as soon as I finish this "Red Storm Rising" albatross round my neck. I am on the last disc...
Jennifer

[Jennifer]

Oh I know I wouldn't be able to read 90% of what you all read. Steve's fascination with Nazi Germany is good to read about but I couldn't read one of those books. I did a unit on the Holocaust in my Judaism class and sat in tears for three weeks. What a wimp. And then I saw the movie "Karol" which spent an extensive amount of time on the Nazis in Poland (including the ghettos) and that was nearly as difficult to bear. So no, I won't be reading science fiction or "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" but I do like to hear about your various interests!
Jennifer

[Elizabeth Chase]

I've kept a list of my books read since 2001; just a list, no comments though now I wish I had included comments.

Eventually I'm going to buy an ereader, probably a Nook.

[Jennifer]

E,
You bring up a good point! Comments would be so helpful. I can certainly remember the top ten books I've liked but I am sure that list has changed over time. It would be great to be able to tell someone about a particular book too. I am always recommending some book or the other to people....
Jennifer

[SCWillson]

Which is why I like goodreads. I can leave myself notes. It's gotten more user friendly over the last couple of years. Had trouble with it at first. By the time I put in my books I had at home, I figured out how it worked. People I've recommended it to lately find it easy to use.I'll have to give it another look.

[annie]

I am a recent kindle convert. I find it convenient, but I don't love it the way I love books.
I'm sure I will still use our local library.
What really annoys me is that it is difficult to share / borrow books as DH & I do a lot - in fact we have to register to the same account in order to share books. I am a great loaner of books to friends etc. and feel mean now.
I'm also trying to work ouit how to organise my kindle library - I can't seem to do an alphabetical list.

[Jennifer]

Thanks for all the pros and cons of kindle/nook devices. I never thought about how sharing would become obsolete if I switched over and I never would have read many a great book if someone hadn't put an actual hard copy in my hands....
Jennifer

[pontalba]

Hello everyone. :D I haven't posted here in quite a while, only, well who knows? Life just goes so far, and then the 24 hours are up, and back on the treadmill. :)

I wanted to respond to this thread though because I was one that said, A Kindle! Bah Humbug! I'm eating my words now, both my husband and I have one, just the basic, with keyboard b&w, but it's great for various enterprises. I'm using it more than I thought I would, and love it.

Someone up thread mentioned keeping a list of books read here, and it was mentioned that it could possibly foster a sort of unhealthy competition. Er, no. It doesn't, at least on the other boards I've been on, and still am. In fact on one in particular each member is encouraged to keep a yearly list, with the list staying in the first post, and constantly editing it as the year goes by. In subsequent posts, the member is encouraged to post thoughts/reviews of said books, and I have found it to engender some lively conversation. Of course we always find books that others have enjoyed to enjoy ourselves and add to the ever growing piles of books around here. heh

That board is not a genre based board as this one is, and that certainly could have consequences. 'Nuff said, my 2 cents. ;)

[pontalba]

Oh, meant to add regarding Goodreads, there are some good groups there, Constant Reader among them. But for listing books, keeping a record of what one owns I mean, I like Library Thing. First of all, we have a "bad" habit of buying duplicates...mostly for a different version of same. GR will not allow one to have duplicates. At least not that I have been able to post.

[Jennifer]

The lively conversations about our lists and all was my thought as well. I have no energy for unhealthy competition. I really enjoy the folks here who give us a list of what they are reading. I never would have read "House of Silk" or a bunch of books if these guys hadn't talked about them and seeing them all in a list would just be a more succinct way of putting it together rather than having the books all sprinkled among many many posts. But no matter. Everyone here seems to adore Goodreads and apparently that does it for them! I honestly don't have time to get involved in several sites. 3 is about all I can manage!
Jennifer

[SCWillson]

Got the Kindle Touch today and am still playing with it.

Does anyone know how to cancel a download in progress? It seems to have locked up on one book; it installed all the others correctly.

[SCWillson]

Well, now that I've sorta figured out how to use this thing I'm pretty pleased with it.

I've started reading John Stuart Mills' On Liberty on my Kindle this morning (19% done now). I haven't yet bought any books because I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more books in 2011. I've got my eye on several ebooks already, though.

[Millie]

I splashed out and bought myself a kindle when I bought one for DH in hospital. I love it. I don't use it much at home, but I usually have it in my handbag for those odd 20 minutes here and there that I'm waiting for children/doctor/dressings to be done. It's just the keyboard one.

I like the idea of reading lists. One of my New Year resolutions is to spend more time here - I've only had time for a few minutes on fb here and there over the past 6 months.

[Jennifer]

Millie,
So nice to see you here! Your life has been quite hectic and that you have a moment to be here is a happy testament to Paul's increasing health. We are so glad to have you and glad you can enter into the discussions again! Best to all, esp. Paul!
Love,
Jennifer

[Pat Floyd]

I've just read this whole thread and realize how much I've missed you guys lately. Besides the busy-ness of the month and the end-of-semester for a graduate student I help with writing papers in standard English, I've had right shoulder and neck pain that is exacerbated by using the computer. (It's better now.)

MILLIE, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOUR POST HERE!

You all inspire me to keep a book list in 2012, and this is a good day to get that inspiration. The last such list I have is a composition book of book reports from 6th grade, second semester, 1941. I read 52 books, the most in the class. Many were short books, but some, like The Three Musketeers, were of adult length.

[Jennifer]

Pat,
You haven't been the only one away with the business of the season! I must say, I do miss this place when it gets really quiet. I find myself trying to drum up conversations! The kindle discussion was good because a lot of people joined in and a lot of good information was shared about the devices. And my book list idea got a lot of play! And Goodreads might have a few more members to boot!
Jennifer

[SCWillson]

Well, I've had the Kindle a couple of weeks now and thought I'd give a more reflective evaluation.

Simply put, I don't know how I ever got along without one. From included free and inexpensive dictionaries (It comes with both an Oxford English and an Oxford-American English dictionary - don't know a word? - touch the word for a second and it brings up your default dictionary automatically. I have mine set on the English version), a $1.99 Roget's Thesaurus, copies of our Constitution, science books, etc.

I'm debating whether to buy the full Oxford English for $48 but that is the single most expensive DL I've even looked at.

[farmwifetwo]

Well, I've had the Kindle a couple of weeks now and thought I'd give a more reflective evaluation.

Simply put, I don't know how I ever got along without one. From included free and inexpensive dictionaries (It comes with both an Oxford English and an Oxford-American English dictionary - don't know a word? - touch the word for a second and it brings up your default dictionary automatically. I have mine set on the English version), a $1.99 Roget's Thesaurus, copies of our Constitution, science books, etc.

I'm debating whether to buy the full Oxford English for $48 but that is the single most expensive DL I've even looked at.

If I was a buyer of books I'd probably use mine more. But I like the pile from the library and the one's I have bought. Getting them in "e" from the library you feel obligated to read it right... then... Also, I'm a page flipper, and a last page reader... not as easy with the e-reader. So I've been buying books I really want so I don't use it a lot.

[AmyLizzie]

I agree Steve, now I have my Kindle, I really can't imagine life without it! I still buy physical books on the odd occassion if it's something I really want to 'keep' but the majority of my books are now on my kindle and I read it in the spare few minutes I may have during the day, week, month!

[SCWillson]

I should have thought of something else regarding my Kindle:

I would be more than willing to loan any of my Kindle books to another Kindle user here at VBC. This of course includes any Kindle "users" who use Kindle software on their PC or Mac. If you're interested drop me a PM and I'll send you a current list of my Kindle books. :)

[Lenore]

Did you buy the one with the touchscreen or the one with the physical keyboard, and what do you think about the pros and cons of that? (This is actually addressed to anybody who bought a Kindle.) I'm going back and forth on the touchscreen vs. physical keyboard issue.

[SCWillson]

Did you buy the one with the touchscreen or the one with the physical keyboard, and what do you think about the pros and cons of that? (This is actually addressed to anybody who bought a Kindle.) I'm going back and forth on the touchscreen vs. physical keyboard issue.I have the Kindle Touch. I can't address the usefulness of the keyboard on other models except I really don't need one myself. A capacitive pen is a useful accessory for the Touch to hit individual words, etc, while reading.

[farmwifetwo]

Did you buy the one with the touchscreen or the one with the physical keyboard, and what do you think about the pros and cons of that? (This is actually addressed to anybody who bought a Kindle.) I'm going back and forth on the touchscreen vs. physical keyboard issue.

I think a touchscreen may simply be something that needs getting use to no matter what the electronic gizmo is. I bought the kobo touch when it came out and I cursed it the entire time I tried to use it. Deleted books I didn't want deleted. Couldn't make the pages turn. Never thought about stealing my kids' stylus' from their DSi's but probably should have. I never did find out how it was about downloading books b/c I never got there and I would have had to take it to the library to do so. So it sits in a box on a shelf and one day I'm just going to give it to my Mother.

So I'm a fan of the original with the pad. It doesn't have a keyboard since it isn't wireless.

But we don't have an iTouch, iPad, I don't play the boys' games on the DSi, I'm not use to using one and I think that makes a big difference in whether or not you'll like one.

[SCWillson]

I think a touchscreen may simply be something that needs getting use to no matter what the electronic gizmo is. I bought the kobo touch when it came out and I cursed it the entire time I tried to use it. Deleted books I didn't want deleted. Couldn't make the pages turn. Never thought about stealing my kids' stylus' from their DSi's but probably should have. Strangely the styluses from my old (and long defunct) Palm Pilot does not work with the touch screen on the Kindle. Different type of screen, I guess. The new capacitive pen I bought has a soft rubber tip; the styuses have hard plastic tips.

[Millie]

I have the keyboard kindle and it's fine. I like touch screens, and have an iphone and we have an ipad, but I don't notice the absence of a touch screen with the kindle. Sadly, the kindle is gathering dust next to my bed, along with all the other TBR books.

[KarenB]

I read both on my Kindle with the keyboard and on my iPhone (how much time do I spend waiting for a kid to finish an activity?!? ) I like reading on the kindle better and like the simplicity of the buttons to click. The touchscreen is easier for the keyboard stuff, like going to a page number or location; the keyboard is a bit awkward for that. But then I sometimes have trouble turning pages on the touchscreen. I think you would get used to whichever one you can and become comfortable with that one.

[Sabiny21]

I went with the Kindle keyboard because I didn't like the glossy screens on the touch ones, knew that smudges on the screen would drive me crazy, and most of all I liked being able to just hold it in one hand and click the side page turner button instead of having to swipe my hand across the screen. The only drawback with the Kindle keyboard is it doesn't show the book's cover art very good, but all in all the keyboard was the choice for me and I love it.

[SCWillson]

I went with the Kindle keyboard because I didn't like the glossy screens on the touch ones, knew that smudges on the screen would drive me crazy, and most of all I liked being able to just hold it in one hand and click the side page turner button instead of having to swipe my hand across the screen. The only drawback with the Kindle keyboard is it doesn't show the book's cover art very good, but all in all the keyboard was the choice for me and I love it.I don't know what Kindle model you saw, but my Kindle Touch has a matte-finished screen and I have yet to see a single fingerprint on it (something that also drives me nuts). I have more trouble keeping dust off the screen. Perhaps you were thinking of the color Kindle Fire that was released just before Christmas, which does have a glossy finish?

I don't need to "swipe" across the screen to turn to the next page either: simply touching the right hand 75% of the screen advances to the next page; touching the left 25% of the screen goes back to the previous page. Touching the top inch or so calls up the menu.

[tangential1]

knew that smudges on the screen would drive me crazy

My sister got me a Nook Tablet for Christmas and I swore I probably wouldn't read much on it for just that reason (most likely playing with the more computer-y features like Netflix and Pandora and the apps, etc). I've got a b&w e-ink Nook as well and I have been breezing through ebooks for the last year on that and didn't really want to just give it up (mostly for an not-reading related reason....I've had a few authors sign my reader cover and the new tablet doesn't fit :p).

I figured the reflections on the color screen would drive me mental by comparison, but I've actually been doing a lot more reading on the tablet than I thought I would, especially since I discovered I can change the screen coloration (dark screen with white words) for different reading light conditions and it's got better software so it's easier to flip between chapters or find pages.

The e-ink screen is still way better for reading outdoors in sunlight, though.

[Jennifer]

The e-ink screen is still way better for reading outdoors in sunlight, though.
I don't read outdoors enough to know about this problem but I do know that when I am reading outside, I must go for some shade. So a glare problem would already be solved for me. I need sunglasses even in the winter!
Jennifer

[KarenB]

I was quite comfortable reading my kindle on the beach last summer. I did have sunglasses on and was under a light canopy, but I've never been able to read comfortably there before with print pages - book, magazines, etc.

[Jennifer]

I was quite comfortable reading my kindle on the beach last summer. I did have sunglasses on and was under a light canopy, but I've never been able to read comfortably there before with print pages - book, magazines, etc.I
Karen it depends on what I am reading as to where I will read. A few years back when the last of the Harry Potters were coming out about every two years, my daughter and I would take them everywhere there's be more than 5 minutes waiting time. The doctor's office, hair appointments. While my son was in his swimming lessons we'd sit under a cabana and read! That's how I know for sure I couldn't read in direct sunlight . We have those cabanas that aren't completely solid. The sunlight is filtered and doesn't kill your eyes. I saw someone using their "Kindle Fire" yesterday and indeed, it wasn't easy to read with the sun coming in the window. I had heard that was a drawback of that kind...
Jennifer

[SCWillson]

I
Karen it depends on what I am reading as to where I will read. A few years back when the last of the Harry Potters were coming out about every two years, my daughter and I would take them everywhere there's be more than 5 minutes waiting time. The doctor's office, hair appointments. While my son was in his swimming lessons we'd sit under a cabana and read! That's how I know for sure I couldn't read in direct sunlight . We have those cabanas that aren't completely solid. The sunlight is filtered and doesn't kill your eyes. I saw someone using their "Kindle Fire" yesterday and indeed, it wasn't easy to read with the sun coming in the window. I had heard that was a drawback of that kind...
JenniferJen, that would be the case with any color screen device - even my phone's screen is impossible to read in sunlight. It all comes down to what you want to do.

The basic Kindles and Nooks are dedicated e-readers and if a reader is what you want that is the way to go.

OTOH you want a device to surf the internet and watch/listen to media and is only an indifferent book reader then the Kindle Fire or Nook Color are better choices.

[Jennifer]

Steve,
I am just hoping for an ipod so I can listen to books without toting a personal cd player around. That is so uncool but it's what I do! I can certainly see how handy an e-reader would be in so many situations but I am a technological throwback and only take the occasional baby step toward the future...
Jennifer

[SCWillson]

Steve,
I am just hoping for an ipod so I can listen to books without toting a personal cd player around. That is so uncool but it's what I do! I can certainly see how handy an e-reader would be in so many situations but I am a technological throwback and only take the occasional baby step toward the future...
JenniferDon't feel so bad. I don't have an iPod either. :)

[Elizabeth Chase]

Don't feel so bad. I don't have an iPod either. :)

Neither do I. If that's not bad enough, I just bought my first cell phone!:o

-eta-
And I still haven't bought an e-reader . . .

[SCWillson]

Neither do I. If that's not bad enough, I just bought my first cell phone!:o

-eta-
And I still haven't bought an e-reader . . .I have a cell phone only because it is required (and provided) for my work.

[SCWillson]

I have to give a warning to anyone here thinking of buying a Kindle or similar product. Not about the device; I'm thrilled to death with how easy it is to use. Too easy. Because it is so effortless to purchase another book wirelessly it is (at least for me) frighteningly easy to say "That looks good" and hit "Purchase" on the Kindle.

The upshot (for me at least): Last year I spent just under $600 for every book I bought. That was for all of 2011. This year, 2012, as of last Friday I have spent over $220 on Kindle books alone.

If you borrow your e-books from your library you're probably safe from this danger, but for me it it has forced me to rethink my future e-book purchases and put myself on a strict "No More Books!" policy until at least until summer. Books are my only vice, but as with all vices they can be overdone.

[Elizabeth Chase]

I have a cell phone only because it is required (and provided) for my work.

I resisted until I had a flat tire at the grocery store, which fortunately had one remaining pay phone. A mobile would have been a lot more convenient! It's only for such emergencies.

I've decided to buy the Kindle 3G--eventually.

[donatello77]

Has anyone tried the Kindle Fire? I've heard great things but I don't have a point of reference as to how it compares to the older version (where reading is concerned).

[Jennifer]

I have heard great things about the Fire like you can read easily outside in the sun and that it has many other capabilities. I am not a user of e-readers so I do not have personal experience to go on. I know that they would be very useful if I were going on a trip so I probably will not dabble in them until that time or when hard-copies are completely eliminated.....
Jennifer

[SCWillson]

I have heard great things about the Fire like you can read easily outside in the sun and that it has many other capabilities. I am not a user of e-readers so I do not have personal experience to go on. I know that they would be very useful if I were going on a trip so I probably will not dabble in them until that time or when hard-copies are completely eliminated.....
JenniferI have not used a Fire but I have examined them closely at retailers. The high-gloss screen will not be easily read outside due to reflection, nor will the low contrast of writing on the Fire be as easy to read outdoors as on the earlier models.

OTOH, if you do little reading outside this may not be relevant; and the fact it has an internally illuminated screen like a PC means it can be read in the dark.