Kindle vs paper

[HappilyEvrAfter]

Does anyone have a Kindle (or another electronic reading device)?

I very particularly attached to my paperbooks. I own a small fortunes worth of hard back with some very good reading memories attached, but I'm still interested in new technology.

If anyone had a Kindle would be willing to tell me how you like it? How/if it's impacted your reading?
Do you miss having and getting to keep an actual book?!
Is it very fragile? Can you just stuff it in a bag like a book?? I'd be worried about spilling hot tea on it. Lol.

ETAsk: What happens if you reach your book limit on the memory? I know it's like 1500 on the regular Kindle, but can they be downloaded and kept on the computer or do you have to delete and lose them?!?

Just curious.

[hjshan]

Hello,
I received a Kindle as a gift for my Birthday. I do like it, however I am still adjusting. It seems pretty strong, I bought a cover and throw it in my bag. My kids even occasionally get ahold of it - no problems yet. I love that you can read the first chapter of books for free and then purchase if you want to continue. It's nice to adjust the font size so it's easy to see in the middle of the night when my eyes are tired. It also is great for instantly buying a new book - sometimes it's hard for me to get to a book store, library or online to shop. What I don't like is that after I've finished a great book I can't pass it on. I enjoy sharing my books and trading with friends. All I can do now is recommend a book. Also, I miss holding and smelling a book (strange?). You can mark/save quotes and passages on the Kindle, but it is just different than marking a page. Sine May, I've probably read 12 books on the Kindle - more than I would have in 'real' form. In the long run, I think it could save money if you purchase most of your books new. Overall, I do like it though and am glad I have it.

[jempd]

There's an article in the New Yorker about Kindle I was just reading this morning. Answers your questions in it (I think it said No, no downloading, and definitely no transferring of files to other electronic devices.)

[Mrsboyko]

I don't have one but I have been researching them. The 'books' are like itunes music. Theu are kept in a living amazon file so if you were to loose your kindle, the books are always there for you. You'd just sync up your new one and be good to go. I think the same would apply if you had too many books.

IMO, the ebook thing is new, just like when mp3's came out. in 5 years there will be a bunch more formats and they will be less proiprietary, but kindle will still be the one most people have, like an ipod is now. I am dropping hints for christmas right now....

[syn_ack89]

Originally Posted by jempd

There's an article in the New Yorker about Kindle I was just reading this morning. Answers your questions in it (I think it said No, no downloading, and definitely no transferring of files to other electronic devices.)

However to clarify you don't lose the books/have to delete them. You can store approximately 200 books on the Kindle. Anything you have above and beyond that is "archived" at amazon. If you want to read one of your archived books, you just re-download it to the Kindle (after archiving something else to make room).

You can "email" the books somehow (something I've not done) so I think you can "store" them there, but I am not sure about that.

I have a Kindle that I got in March. I have probably 50 books so far (MANY are free - especially classics). I like the reduction of "book clutter".

I do worry about getting it wet (though I have read it while sitting in the tub). My 2yr old got hold of it and I have tiny, hairline cracks where the Kindle attaches to the case, but the screen is still perfect.

Here is a discussion of Kindle in decluttering forum:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1115181

It offers more information and perspectives.

[carriebft]

Books you download onto your computer and then into your Kindle will obviously be able to be kept on your computer and used in other devices. But if you DL from Amazon, then they can store them for you.

Kindle 2 holds about 1500 books; I don't know about K1.

[HappilyEvrAfter]

Hmmm, very interesting...very interesting. ::

Will def check out the article and the linky...

Thanks for your replies.

I'm a little skitterish about the whole "storing" them on an Amazon server.
Understand that you can always reload them for free, but....I dunno.

I'm not completely sold of not having paper and being able to turn the pages and smell the ink and dog ear the corner pages (nasty habit, I know) and stow on a shelf...ah.

Off to read some more about it...Thanks!

[broodymama]

I have a Kindle 2, got it in April. I love reading and have several hundred paperbacks. I love browsing my books and deciding which one to read, I love the weight of the book in my hand, the smell of the book; I was fully prepared to not be too fond of the Kindle. Instead, I love it. I love being able to take that many books with me wherever I go, I love being able to sit in the waiting room at the dentist office (yesterday morning) and finish my book and immediately buy two more. (Did I mention my bank account doesn't necessarily love my Kindle? )

My biggest complaint about the Kindle is that I can't organize my books. I would like some kind of folder system, where I could organize them by genre.

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by HappilyEvrAfter

Hmmm, very interesting...very interesting. ::

Will def check out the article and the linky...

Thanks for your replies.

I'm a little skitterish about the whole "storing" them on an Amazon server.
Understand that you can always reload them for free, but....I dunno.

I'm not completely sold of not having paper and being able to turn the pages and smell the ink and dog ear the corner pages (nasty habit, I know) and stow on a shelf...ah.

Off to read some more about it...Thanks!

I wouldn't worry about Amazon's storage - I really think your purchased books will always be there, and if for some reason you couldn't access one, you would have a receipt in your email somewhere and a copy in your order history with amazon to contact them and get help. I shop very frequently w/Amazon and have a lot of confidence in them.

I don't have an actual Kindle (yet, I am holding out for Apple's e-reader) but I do use the Kindle App on my iPhone and have purchased 2 dozen or so books this way. I love it.

I know it's different than an actual book, and as much as I don't want the clutter of a ton of new books (I prefer to buy copies instead of borrow) I do think at times the physical book may seem more appealing. Especially if you want to loan it out or pass it on. I was debating last night whether to download Real Food: for mother and baby or buy the print edition, and in the end I ordered the print. I guess b/c they happened to be the same exact price on Amazon, and I have her other book, Real Food, in print - so I wanted to have them both to keep in my physical library (and stare at on the shelf ) and to share with others. If it had been cheaper to get the kindle version, I would have gone that route.

Oh, and while I know it's not the same, you can dog-ear the corner of the electronic page. (at least with my App I can, and do even though it automatically saves your spot).

[Drummer's Wife]

I think the very best thing is the instant gratification. Instead of having to drive to the library, or the book store, or wait for an online delivery, you get your book in a couple seconds. Amazon actually makes that part a little too easy.

[TEAK's Mom]

I absolutely love my K2. There will always be some books that I keep on paper, but the Kindle lets me carry enough reading material everywhere I go. It saves yards of bookshelf space. It is also very satisfying to read the Kindle. The screen is very easy on the eyes (even easier than most paper when I have a headache). The biggest drawback is that I actually read faster on the Kindle. The last thing I need is to read faster.

[bayberry*moon]

I will always love the experience of reading a paper book but I have been contemplating getting a Kindle for travel and my morning commute. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it would replace traditional books for me though.