Who has a Kindle? (wireless reading device)

[DVCLiz]

Just bumping this up for more discussion. I am on the fence about getting one and would like to hear more input by those who have one.

I have had my Kindle since June of 2008, so about 8 months now. It fits my reading habits very well.

1. I almost always bought new hardcover books at full retail or with the small discount offered on NYT Bestsellers. I do not usually use the library or buy paperback books. So the savings to me was pretty substantial - each Kindle book I purchased for $9.99 was a savings of several dollars.

2. I like all kinds of books, but I am especially interested in biography and memoir at this stage of my reading life. I wanted to read Jane Pauley's autobiography, for example, but once I read it it sat on my shelf for about 6 years before I donated it to a book sale. For $9.99 I would rather have saved the extra money and not had the storage and disposal problem for so many years.

3. It's cool - and at my age (51) I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up with the technology!!! But I do think ebooks are going to be a standard part of the way information gets delivered in the future, and as a former librarian I want to be a part of that.

4. I LOVE getting a newspaper wirelessly every day. I never read the NYT before and I am about to drop the subscription to my daily paper because I hate walking out to get it every morning, having it stack up because I haven't had time to read yesterday's paer before today's has come, and recycling. Now, I have one quick flick of a switch and the paper is there for me any time I want to read it.

5. I have been subscribing to Time, Newsweek, and The New Yorker for years now. That's 12 issues a month. Again, I don't always get the new one read before it's time for the next new one. They stack up alarmingly!! Now, with a Kindle subscription, they are there waiting for me. The only slight downside to this is the fact that I usually read them in the tub - but many people have bought clear cases for their Kindles and happily read in the tub!! I'm not there yet, but I do take it with me anywhere else (Guilty of bathroom reading here!!) I take my Kindle with me in my purse and if I have a few minutes (carpool, etc.) I always have something interesting to read.

The only problem is that I don't think the cartoon contest is in the Kindle version of The New Yorker, although the cartoons seem to be there. I may have to see about a double subscription - both paper and Kindle - for that oner!!!

As you can tell, I LOVE the Kindle and I hope the new version brings me as much happiness as my current one does!!

 

[dumboiu]

I have had my Kindle since June of 2008, so about 8 months now. It fits my reading habits very well.

1. I almost always bought new hardcover books at full retail or with the small discount offered on NYT Bestsellers. I do not usually use the library or buy paperback books. So the savings to me was pretty substantial - each Kindle book I purchased for $9.99 was a savings of several dollars.

2. I like all kinds of books, but I am especially interested in biography and memoir at this stage of my reading life. I wanted to read Jane Pauley's autobiography, for example, but once I read it it sat on my shelf for about 6 years before I donated it to a book sale. For $9.99 I would rather have saved the extra money and not had the storage and disposal problem for so many years.

3. It's cool - and at my age (51) I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up with the technology!!! But I do think ebooks are going to be a standard part of the way information gets delivered in the future, and as a former librarian I want to be a part of that.

4. I LOVE getting a newspaper wirelessly every day. I never read the NYT before and I am about to drop the subscription to my daily paper because I hate walking out to get it every morning, having it stack up because I haven't had time to read yesterday's paer before today's has come, and recycling. Now, I have one quick flick of a switch and the paper is there for me any time I want to read it.

5. I have been subscribing to Time, Newsweek, and The New Yorker for years now. That's 12 issues a month. Again, I don't always get the new one read before it's time for the next new one. They stack up alarmingly!! Now, with a Kindle subscription, they are there waiting for me. The only slight downside to this is the fact that I usually read them in the tub - but many people have bought clear cases for their Kindles and happily read in the tub!! I'm not there yet, but I do take it with me anywhere else (Guilty of bathroom reading here!!) I take my Kindle with me in my purse and if I have a few minutes (carpool, etc.) I always have something interesting to read.

The only problem is that I don't think the cartoon contest is in the Kindle version of The New Yorker, although the cartoons seem to be there. I may have to see about a double subscription - both paper and Kindle - for that oner!!!

As you can tell, I LOVE the Kindle and I hope the new version brings me as much happiness as my current one does!!

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it.

We also get the New Yorker and I love their cartoon contests. They are a kick!

My reading tends to be less varied than most, so this might help me *branch out* so to speak. I looked on Amazon and it seems that they have enough there to keep me busy! (even of the subject-type I usually gravitate towards) While I do think I want one, I don't want to spend that much $ for something I won't ultimately use. Still, I like the idea of it (and quite frankly, I have many, many, many bookshelves that are already crammed full of books, not having to add yet more bookshelves to our house is a plus).

Where do you get the plastic cover to be able to read in the tub? That soundns like a great idea too!

 

[DVCLiz]

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it.

We also get the New Yorker and I love their cartoon contests. They are a kick!

My reading tends to be less varied than most, so this might help me *branch out* so to speak. I looked on Amazon and it seems that they have enough there to keep me busy! (even of the subject-type I usually gravitate towards) While I do think I want one, I don't want to spend that much $ for something I won't ultimately use. Still, I like the idea of it (and quite frankly, I have many, many, many bookshelves that are already crammed full of books, not having to add yet more bookshelves to our house is a plus).

Where do you get the plastic cover to be able to read in the tub? That soundns like a great idea too!

I think there are some fancy-schmancy ones you can order, but many people just use one (or two if they are paranoid) gallon size ziploc bags. Seems to work well in the tub, on the beach, and by the pool. You can enclose the unit but see through the plastic and you can push the page turn buttons easily. Some people have mentioned putting a little silicon bag inside if it is enclosed in plastic to make sure no moisture is getting to the unit.

Personally, I use beach, pool and tub reading time for paper books I still have in my stash. I read the Kindle inside most of the time. At some point, though, I'm sure I will take it out!!!

 

[Shugardrawers]

I pretty much echo Liz on all her reasons for worshipping at the Kindle altar. I got mine in July and losing it is a major crisis in this house It's compact size makes it ideal for tucking in my purse to read in the Dr's waiting room or exam room. No more rereading 3 year old issues of Better Homes & Gardens, Highlights and Finance Today In fact, my Dr caught me reading it, loved it so much he ordered one for himself and wound up having to buy both his wife and his RN one of their own for Christmas

I love that I can download a sample before I buy (but beware, samples are frequently the acknowledgments and intro and not much of the actual 1st chapter )

It's only major drawback at the moment is that not all new releases are on Kindle but it's swiftly catching on.

Oh, for waterproof reading, try a Reynolds Vacumm bag in the gallon size. It's not perfect but it's serviceable and I've dropped it in the tub and had it come out bone dry

 

[Pamlur]

Okay, I emailed M-Edge about the jacket problem, and they answered me. They have an exchange program; you download a form and print, fill out, and mail in with your original jackets. I have it ready to mail tomorrow, because I really need our fast; we are leaving for a cruise on March 10th.

 

[Pomlover2586]

Oh i'm glad now that I held out and didn't but the original version a few weeks when i wanted it sooo badly! Now i'm trying to convince myself NOT to buy the new one and save the $$........oh the guilt!!

 

[Pomlover2586]

OOOO My DH is the best ever!!! He just let me purchase the new Kindle!!! Of course this is a HUGE expenditure for us newlyweds so my xmas gift is done for next year LOL

 

[DVCLiz]

OOOO My DH is the best ever!!! He just let me purchase the new Kindle!!! Of course this is a HUGE expenditure for us newlyweds so my xmas gift is done for next year LOL

How exciting!!! You'll love it, we promise!

 

[DreaminDisney]

How exciting!!! You'll love it, we promise!

I totally agree!!

 

[kaseyC]

I have to admit that I have been coveting the Kindle 2 since they announced on the 9th. But there was no way I was going to buy one since I just got my Kindle 1 in October as an early Xmas present with the O discount.

Long story short, today is my 44th birthday. After cake this evening, my DDs hand me a gift bag and in it was the order confirmation for the Kindle 2. I screamed!! DH preordered it for me for my birthday. He's going to take my old one for travel.

Now DH ordered it on his amazon account, will it be difficult for me register it to my Amazon account? I guess I need to go research. I cannot believe I'm so excited about this, but I swear my kindle has become a part of me. I'm one of those people who never went anywhere with out a book and now I don't go anywhere without the kindle.

 

[DreaminDisney]

I have to admit that I have been coveting the Kindle 2 since they announced on the 9th. But there was no way I was going to buy one since I just got my Kindle 1 in October as an early Xmas present with the O discount.

Long story short, today is my 44th birthday. After cake this evening, my DDs hand me a gift bag and in it was the order confirmation for the Kindle 2. I screamed!! DH preordered it for me for my birthday. He's going to take my old one for travel.

Now DH ordered it on his amazon account, will it be difficult for me register it to my Amazon account? I guess I need to go research. I cannot believe I'm so excited about this, but I swear my kindle has become a part of me. I'm one of those people who never went anywhere with out a book and now I don't go anywhere without the kindle.

Awe Happy Birthday!!

I don't think it'll be hard to register to your account. A lot of people purchased them for others. Just register it to your own account when you get it.

Sounds like you have a great family!! Happy Birthday!!

 

[Pomlover2586]

Can someone remind me how to access the free books for the kindle? I'm searching in the bookstore from price low to high and I'm getting a lot of poetry books, and what appear to be periodicals....they say vol. 1 2 etc.....

any suggestions? I'm looking for actual novels......and maybe some classics....pride/prejudice, sense/sensibility etc


And I know the Kindle Cookbook has sources for freebies......but I'd rather not purchase a book just to figure this stuff out.....anyone want to share the "secrets"?? We'd love ya forever if you did!

Also as a side note......does anyone know if the Original Kindle Cookbook is still accurate for the Kindle 2?





And two more question: When buying a book do you have a CC on file with Amazon or do you get a statement at the end of the month with your purchases? Also why do some books have different prices for the same thing? For example I looked up pride and prejudice by Jane Austen and found one for 99 cents, one for 2 bucks, and one for 4.99........various cover images but all are the same book......and some of the older copyright dates had higher prices than the new ones.?? Any ideas? Thanks!!

 

[dumboiu]

Thanks for all the useful information! Does anyone know how long it would take to get one once it is ordered? The cost is still an issue, but I am beginning to warm up to it.

 

[legalsea]

What really sold me on the Kindle 2 is the 'text to speech' technology. According to Amazon, simply push the button to convert text to speech and the Kindle will read to you, in either a male or female voice, whatever you have up on the screen: book, newspaper, blog, etc.

I shall let all know how this works 'in reality' come the end of February.

 

[kaseyC]

What really sold me on the Kindle 2 is the 'text to speech' technology. According to Amazon, simply push the button to convert text to speech and the Kindle will read to you, in either a male or female voice, whatever you have up on the screen: book, newspaper, blog, etc.

I shall let all know how this works 'in reality' come the end of February.

I think the "text to speech" feature is pretty cool. I'm also looking forward to seeing if the new 5-way controller truly gives more control when highlighting text.

What convinced my DH to pre-order a Kindle 2 for me was that it was lighter and thinner, more comfortable to read with one hand.

We'll see, mine is scheduled for a March 2 delivery.

 

[NY Disney fan]

What really sold me on the Kindle 2 is the 'text to speech' technology.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/121556

 

[legalsea]

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/121556

Very interesting! However, I agree that technology that converts 'text to speech' is not the same as an audiobook (the question in the article is whether text to speech is actually an 'audiobook' that Amazon should pay a separate fee for to the publisher).

 

[DVCLiz]

And two more question: When buying a book do you have a CC on file with Amazon or do you get a statement at the end of the month with your purchases? Also why do some books have different prices for the same thing? For example I looked up pride and prejudice by Jane Austen and found one for 99 cents, one for 2 bucks, and one for 4.99........various cover images but all are the same book......and some of the older copyright dates had higher prices than the new ones.?? Any ideas? Thanks!!

You have a credit card on file with your account and all purchases are charged to that card as they are made. Some people like to have Amazon gift cards as well, and will put the gift card on their account - Amazon charges to it first so all of the small purchases can be pulled from a gift card instead of a credit card. I charge everything to the Visa card that is attached to my Amazon account. I haven't had any trouble but almost all of my purchases have been in the $9.99 category. I did buy a couple of one and two dollar items and they went through fine.

There are multiple versions of the same title when it is in the public domain and different people have offered it for sale. The best way to decide is to ask people on the forums if they have had any experience with that specific title and which edition they liked best. Also, you can download a sample and see what you think. I suspect a lot of them are done hastily and have pretty crappy formatting. If I were buying a classic I would look for something like an authorized edition from a publisher I trusted. Of course, if the formatting is really bad you can always call Amazon Customer Service and ask them to remove the book from your Kindle and refund your money.

Thanks for all the useful information! Does anyone know how long it would take to get one once it is ordered? The cost is still an issue, but I am beginning to warm up to it.

No, I don't think anyone knows how long it will take to get one. It depends on how many they actually have in stock and how many people are ahead of you - people who place orders for Kindle 1 who haven't already received them are getting Kindle 2 instead. I would GUESS - just a guess, though - that they would have enough in stock so that the orders would be filled pretty quickly. They fill the orders first come first served so if you know you want one go ahead and get in line!!

 

[LindaG4458]

DH had ordered a Kindle 1. We received an email that he would be getting the Kindle 2. It is scheduled for shipment on February 23 and delivery on February 26. They also said that his would be in the first group to be shipped.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

I ordered my Kindle shortly after Xmas, so am part of the group getting the Kindle 2. While I am very excited, silly me went and purchased an Oberon cover in January. Unfortunately, it is designed to fit the Kindle 1. Ah well . . .