Is a Kindle the one to choose ?

I don't want to revolutionise my life for the sake of a book, I just want to lose the paper and read on the move? is Kindle the way to go ?

Anybody use one of the 6 inch screen versions or an alternative ? 

Chas, My sister bought me a Kindle back in June for my Birthday after my Daughter bought me a Binatone e-reader which turned out to be a waste of money.

I am an avid reader (1 or 2 a week) and thought I'd miss the feel and smell of a paperback but to my surprise I am converted, love it! So easy to get the book you want by clicking on the Kindle/amazon shop (wirelessly if you have it) and hey presto seconds later there it is.

I like to read in bed so I have the posh leather holder with a reading light. the holder weighs more than the kindle. The battery (charged up) last for ages. Great to read in the sun due to the screen technology.

Cost about £150 with the case and light! Well worth it.

Now what to do with the 500+ books in the attic?

Thanks Sis, best present ever

Just got myself a Kindle last week and it really is good, can't think why i waited so long.

Project Gutenburg has a vast collection of out of copywrite books already formatted for the Kindle and downloadable for free, so if you like the classics its possible to create your own extenive library for free and then carry it round in your pocket. I am sure you won't regret it if you got one.

Chas, if you're at the Regional Leaders' meet I'll bring mine along so you can have a gander.

Kevin, Andrew thanks that is a great vote of confidence in the product thank you

Stef, I will take you up on that kind offer if you don't mind mate and both myself and the Duchess are looking forward to the meeting.

Thanks guys one and all.

Chas

If you are thinking of a Kindle I would hold off for a month.

There are signs that the next generation of Kindles will come out next month and we may even see an Amazon tablet.

Emphatically yes. You might wait if a new version is coming out but the current version is cheap and wonderful.

I am quite interested in this but have some questions that I can't seem to find the answer to.

Does it store the books on the kindle so that you can read whenever you want or do you have to download it each time you want to read something?

Can you switch between books for example, hubby reading one book and me another?

Must you have it connected to wifi to work?

I just want to know how you use it really, so any advice will be most appreciated.

Hi Sam,

I have a Kindle and would never give it up now.

Answers to your questions:

Q - Does it store the books on the kindle so that you can read whenever you want or do you have to download it each time you want to read something?

A- Yes it does store them on the Kindle so they can be read whenever you want. It will have a storage limit but you can archive books (and re-download them later) to free up space.

Q - Can you switch between books for example, hubby reading one book and me another?

A - You can read as many books simultaneously as you have on the Kindle and it will 'bookmark' your place (remembering where you are when switching between books). You can also download smartphone and PC apps to read the same book on there and then sync them. They are all linked to your Amazon account.

Q - Must you have it connected to wifi to work?

A - There are two versions of the Kindle. The cheaper one requires wifi or a cable connection to an internet capable PC. The more expensive one can access downloads and the Kindle store via a 3G connection (like a mobile phone). The 3G connection is free (you don't pay for the data downloaded).

I only have one piece of advice - you'll be lost without it once you've got one!

Hope this helps.

Hi Sam, I don't have a Kindle but I have the Kindle app on my laptop (free to download from Amazon so why not give it a try if you're unsure?) and read a lot of Kindle books this way, so my answers above are based on this. I doubt it's different if using an actual Kindle, but apologies if it is.

You can store a LOT of books. Mine has 4Gb which could be anything up to 1000 books. It stores them on the device so you don't need to be on the internet/wi-fi. You can also re-download if you need to.

You and your husband can read separate books - you simply select which of your books to read so you can read one book on the train, another at work, etc. It DOES remember where in each book you are.

As far as "what it's like", it really is quite like a cross between a library and a book... select a book to read and then read it. Turn it off and on, and it remembers where you are, like leaving your book open on the table. Swapping to reada  different book takes a few seconds, that's all.

My Kindle is .....win!

Thanks so much John, Callie and Jonathan, you have answered all my questions perfectly. So, off to Amazon to buy one I think.

Do it Sam, imho it is well worth the extra dough to buy the one with WiFi AND 3G. Then you can download books anywhere (there are NO ongoing costs, they must have a deal with a 3G provider but the whole thing is bundled in the cost of the device).