Kindle owners thread -- chime in if you have one and use it

[Darrell KSR]

Bought one for my wife, and one for my son, but I have never actually owned one. Just ordered one for me, but will probably have it be a Christmas gift, so I won't get it for a few more weeks.

Who owns them here? How many books have you bought for your Kindle? Do you read books from the library for Kindle?

Any tricks or tips?

Chime in!

[PedroDaGr8]

Of course me, as I have mentioned. I use Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/) to manage my "after market" books. I have downloaded quite a few from OverDrive as well (OverDrive is the service that libraries use). I use my kindle HEAVILY with a combination of purchased books, found books and books from the library. It is VERY damn convenient. My favorite thing is that I can take it with me anywhere and have more than one book going at once. I have found myself reading in a lot of situations that I normally would not have.

[KSRBEvans]

I own a Kindle Touch I bought in 2012. I don't have a tablet and wanted something on which I could read ebooks. I really like it.

Ambient light is an issue for my model. My model doesn't do well in the dark. I bought a cover with built-in LED light (http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SD2562?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage) and that works great for reading in the dark. It's my understanding that some of the new models do better in low light. But my model is great for reading in sunlight--other devices (like my wife's iPad) don't do well in that environment.

Personally, I don't care for reading cookbooks on my Kindle, but I like just about every other kind of book I've tried. Another vote for OverDrive--our local library system has a large collection of ebooks you can check out for free to whatever device you're using (Kindle, tablet or even phone). Also, Project Gutenberg has a large number of public-domain ebooks available for free.

[Doc]

I've had 5 kindles, only because I kept breaking them or the screens kept fragmenting (the screen didn't break but the image did). Fortunately the were under warranty. However the last time it wasn't so I just got a table and downloaded a Kindle reader which I prefer. It does everything a kindle but its larger and easier to read plus its a tablet so it has all the apps.

I have probably a hundred books on mine but my wife also shares my account on her table and we have similar tastes so she reads what I read. I've also downloaded many free books off amazon. Many are quite good. Some are junk but you can tell by chapter one.

[KSRBEvans]

^Doc's comment on free Amazon books reminded me: Prime members have access to a user's lending library (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?docId=1000739811) where you can download one of their books each month for free. Not everything is available, but they have a lot of good stuff.

They also have the Kindle Unlimited (https://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/ku/sign-up/ref=sv_kstore_1) program where for $9.99/month you can read as many books as you want from a larger library of Kindle books. I've not tried it yet but I'm intrigued.

[PedroDaGr8]

I own a Kindle Touch I bought in 2012. I don't have a tablet and wanted something on which I could read ebooks. I really like it.

Ambient light is an issue for my model. My model doesn't do well in the dark. I bought a cover with built-in LED light (http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SD2562?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage) and that works great for reading in the dark. It's my understanding that some of the new models do better in low light. But my model is great for reading in sunlight--other devices (like my wife's iPad) don't do well in that environment.

Personally, I don't care for reading cookbooks on my Kindle, but I like just about every other kind of book I've tried. Another vote for OverDrive--our local library system has a large collection of ebooks you can check out for free to whatever device you're using (Kindle, tablet or even phone). Also, Project Gutenberg has a large number of public-domain ebooks available for free.

The old Kindles did not have a backlight at all, so you needed an external source of light. The Paperwhite and Voyage both have an integrated frontlight and as such are perfect for reading in the dark. For those that don't know, backlight is the source of eye strain on LCD displays like tablets. This is why reading on eink displays on ereaders are much better/easier on your eyes than an LCD tablet. This is also why at this time real ereaders don't come in color. Backlights shine lights through a filter, front lights like on the new paper white use an illuminated layer which uniformly illuminates the eink display from the front (which doesn't cause eyestrain). If you ever use your ereader in bed next to your wife KSRBEvans then she will thank you. Unlike the lighted covers which can cause a lot of glare, the frontlighting is MUCH lighter and less harsh, making it very unlikely to wake someone up next to you.

[KSRBEvans]

^Thanks for the great explanation, Pedro. Now I really want to upgrade to a frontlit model. Have to put it on the Christmas list.

[Darrell KSR]

Pedro, that's one of the big things that convinced my wife I needed my own, rather than borrow hers. I read that the lighting on those are phenomenal.

The last article I read before buying the Paperwhite 3 pointed out that the lighting on the Paperwhite 3 may be better for night reading than the Voyage, which may be a tad too bright. I think they were picking nits, and I really wanted the Voyage, but just couldn't justify the price difference. I'm happy with what I have (although I won't get it for 3 more weeks, or for almost two months, depending on whether it's an anniversary present or a Christmas gift).

My wife did ask me yesterday if I wanted it early, and I was good and said no, that it was a gift so I could wait.

[Darrell KSR]

Question --

If I buy a Kindle book now and have it go to my wife's Kindle--will I be able to get it on "my" Kindle when I get it? I want to buy the book, "Burning Your Goals," and probably start reading it now, but ultimately I want the book for my Kindle. It's only $1.99, so I guess it's not a big deal to buy it twice if I need to, but every $2 I can save is another PB & banana sandwich for me!

[PedroDaGr8]

Do you guys use the same account/login? If so I think it "should" show up on your kindle when you register it. Otherwise, she should be able to loan it to you for 14 days.

[Darrell KSR]

Yes, we use the same account/log-in. In fact, when I clicked on the Kindle thing, it showed like 5 Kindles and android things and whatever. No idea where all those things came from. Guess my son's kindle is on it, too, along with my phone (I have it for my phone, don't really use it), the PC, etc.

I'll probably go ahead and order it for her Kindle. Thanks.

[Doc]

Yes, we use the same account/log-in. In fact, when I clicked on the Kindle thing, it showed like 5 Kindles and android things and whatever. No idea where all those things came from. Guess my son's kindle is on it, too, along with my phone (I have it for my phone, don't really use it), the PC, etc.

I'll probably go ahead and order it for her Kindle. Thanks.


Yes, it will be on ALL kindle or kindle readers on that account. I constantly battle with my wife and can't get her to understand why we have one kindle account. Its so that when I purchase a book she can download it too and vice versa. We share similar reading interests so it makes sense.

As for all the old devices, they remain fore ever or until you remove them. Mine has Ron kindle, ron kindle 2, ron kindle 3, ron kindle 4, ron kindle replacement, ron tablet, Shawn's tablet. Is a way to clean it up and delete the old ones but you would have to ask somebody else how to do it

[Darrell KSR]

Yes, it will be on ALL kindle or kindle readers on that account. I constantly battle with my wife and can't get her to understand why we have one kindle account. Its so that when I purchase a book she can download it too and vice versa. We share similar reading interests so it makes sense.

As for all the old devices, they remain fore ever or until you remove them. Mine has Ron kindle, ron kindle 2, ron kindle 3, ron kindle 4, ron kindle replacement, ron tablet, Shawn's tablet. Is a way to clean it up and delete the old ones but you would have to ask somebody else how to do it

Thanks--that helps a lot. Except for the "old kindle" issues, but that's not a big deal.

[CitizenBBN]

"Ron Kindle", sounds like either a secret agent or a porn star. :)

[dan_bgblue]

Arsonist

[suncat05]

I have a first generation Kindle Fire, and I use it and read it at work mostly. Small, lightweight, and I have unlimited internet access, with which I am able to post here most times.
I LOVE it! It has helped me pass many a boring day at the Courthouse with books, videos, and news.

[Doc]

Arsonist

Porn star and arsonist........don't ask how I start the fires.