CatieB Posted November 6, 2010 Share Posted November 6, 2010 I have read lots of the old threads on here as I think I want to buy an ebook reader. You have almost persuaded me that a kindle is the way to go however I'd like to know more about using them. Please bare in mind that I am a complete novice and until very recently I didn't even know they existed. I still don't know about all the different ones but am pretty sure I don't want an ipad due to size price and the fact its too big for what I have in mind. With the kindle in mind - How easy is it to find books that you want, are most things available and at what price. How do they compare to current shop releases. For example I took the only book on my bedside table (which was released much earlier this year) and searched for that. I was really shocked to see it was £8.99 on amazon. I don't think I'd pay that for a paperback usually. I noticed other books by the same author varied widely in price. Is it just fiction that is easily available. Does anyone know about academic books. Can you get them? Any comments greatly received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 I don't know about book availability but I bought one for my OH 2 weeks ago and it is almost never out of his hand (slightly annoying when I'm trying to do housework and he is sitting reading ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 If you have a look on the Amazon site there is a section for Kindle which you can have a browse around to see what the prices are like and what is on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Kindle maniac here Ok,this is what I have found. When a book is newly released,and is in large paperback or hardback in the shops,it is more expensive on Kindle. Wouldn't expect anything else really....they still need to make a profit. But the price soon drops. Just add it to your wish list and check back regularly. I have found a FAB source of free books in The Stacks,but you can only take 5 a day and you must convert them via Calibre. I got all the True Bloods, Harry Potters, Phillips Gregorys and Twilights from this sure,plus new ones like Book Wook 2 and The Fry Chronicals. Most paperback type books are about £3 ish. Don't know about academic books,but you can read files on Kindle too. Kindle is so simple to use.There is no set up to do and a download takes seconds. The page still looks book like,its light and it looks the part too. Plus you can then add Kindle app to your smartphone and computer,free of charge,and have all your books everywhere. Get one. Really. I mean it. They are brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted November 7, 2010 Author Share Posted November 7, 2010 Now sorry these are probably very basic questions but do you download straight to the Kindle? And what about when you talk about converting the files - is that to a computer that you then link up? I've seen the 3G symbol which I think means I wont need to use my broadband link -is that right? The thing is we live very rurally and are not able to download hardly anything as our broadband is so slow as to be usable, even watching some youtube clips is painful. I was wondering if this factor would make the kindle unusable or if the 3G is the answer but I wouldn't be able to convert the source of books you mention? Thanks for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Yes,the 3G is what you use and its free too - no monthly bill or anything. We are rural here too with a patchy BB signal,so its perfect for us. Converting files if you ever download something to use on Kindle is dead simple using the Calibre program......there were some basic step by step instructions on another thread (search Calibre) Calibre is a short download & really worth it,IMHO When you buy a Kindle book via the Amazon Kindle site,it automatically send it to your Kindle. Nothing to do,nothing to plug in,no connections to make,no buttons to press.......its really that easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aimee Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 I bought mine in September after reading the thread on here . It's the best purchase I've made this year (except for my obviously!). I've had mixed success buying books that I've wanted but conversely have also found lots during searches that I'd never heard about. I find it much easier to browse for books using my netbook then sync but sometimes buy things directly over the 3G connection if I know what I'm wanting. I really like the sample feature where you can try out the first part of the book before buying. I've found prices vary but not thought that anything I've wanted has been unreasonably priced as yet. When flying out to Germany to visit the in-laws a couple of weeks ago the Kindle transformed my packing. Usually, myself and my son would have a stack of books taking up our weight allowance (we had 25 between us when in the States this summer... ) but this time we only took one paperback each and the Kindle. The ease of use has really impressed me and I'm buying one each for my mum and dad this christmas - neither of them are 'gifted' when it comes to using the latest technology but I know they will find it really simple. The difficulty has been for me to not even mention Kindles to them - my love of impulse purchasing has definitely been inherited and I know if I even talk about it in passing they will go and buy one, scuppering my present idea. My next step is to investigate the Calibre idea.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted November 7, 2010 Author Share Posted November 7, 2010 I AM SO DISAPPOINTED I rang our local john lewis to check they had the kindle in stock and they did. So I travelled the 23 miles into Cambridge and they had sold all of the 7 that they had in stock. They couldn't even be sure when they would get more and said they had unprecedented demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Really? I thought you could only get the Kindle from Amazon??? Blimey - wish I had known that.As a partner,I could have got a decent discount. Anyhow,just order one...it should only take a few days from Amazon Get a cover for it too while you are there - it really does need one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted November 7, 2010 Author Share Posted November 7, 2010 Thank you and I have ordered but I now have to wait. I'm not known for my patience!!! Yes John Lewis do stock them but are not allowed to sell online as I suppose that would be direct competition. Apparently JL had 1000 on tuesday and they have flown out. Interestingly the guy said they hadn't expected them to sell and that most ereaders don't sell. I have ordered the cover with the light too. I'm just hoping that it will get me back into reading. I used to read at least a book a week but gave up a few years ago (due to an eye problem) and have really struggled to get back into it (stress) so I'm hoping this is the answer. Even DH thinks its a great idea if it works. Fingers crossed - I'm feeling excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MammaT Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Well, I now consider myself enlightened - thank you all. I was browsing the Nesting Box and saw this thread and thought it was about using old books for kindling!!! You learn something new every day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 My DH will confirm it's rather fab - when I've finished reading my books on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Thanks for this thread...I have read your comments before and had almost decided to buy one of these for DS and DD for christmas.....but I have to say the discussion boards on Amazon about the cost of downloads sort of put me off, so thank you Cinnamon for pointing out to me that downloads are available elsewhere...and the price does come down once the paperback is out..... Off to place an order...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 thought it was about using old books for kindling!!! I've had my Kindle for a couple of months and it is fab. Soooo easy to use and I dont have to wear my glasses as I can change the font size When I first ordered it I put a lot of books into my wish list at Amazon and they have already gone down in price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I have a Sony e-reader as the kindle was not available when I got my e-reader, and I haven't bought a book for two years, as I have been working my way through all the free ones. Looking at the e-books available for loan* on The Burgomeister and The Stacks, I don't think I'll need to buy any for a while yet!! (Mind you I'm not sure I can wait for the latest Iain M Banks novel to be available there so I might just have to get that from Amazon). Cinnamon, have you looked a the Burogmeister's forum as well as The Stacks? They have a book exchange section where people post books they are offering to e-mail to people. I posted all my No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series books on there and have had loads of people wanting them, one wonderful person sent me two that I was missing from my collection in return! I also obtained some Terry Pratchett novels I was missing. It is a really brilliant site. * The books are, of course, only available for loan as to distribute books that are in copyright would be illegal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I have used the forum, & very good it is too,although I am still holding out for 'Driving over lemons' I would love the No Ladies books,if you were able to help out? Have pm'd you my email address Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 Cinnamon you will share my dismay and frustration. My kindle has arrived from amazon and I can't use it. For some reason it is not registered and will not allow me to register it. My amazon account shows it as registered but the device itself will not connect over either the wifi or 3G. Can I scream I have spoken to support who tell me that some of them went out having not been set up properly and they have passed my details to the tech team for updating They sad it would happen asap but still not working Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted November 11, 2010 Author Share Posted November 11, 2010 My kindle is now working. YEY. However this machine could be dangerous. I have just tried the sample of Michael McIntyre's book. Firstly I must now look like the local nutter as I could not stop laughing on the bus. So much so that my shoulders were heaving. Not a good look. Secondly I am trying very hard to resist purchasing the whole book... its still 12.99 but I don't know if I can wait. I haven't laughed so much in ages. I must go out to resist temptation. Damn its 3G and coming with me... could purchase whilst out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 11, 2010 Share Posted November 11, 2010 Glad you like it I must try a sample of that book....I got the new Stephen Fry one & Russell Brands new one for free on The Stacks last week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted November 11, 2010 Share Posted November 11, 2010 Glad you like it I must try a sample of that book....I got the new Stephen Fry one & Russell Brands new one for free on The Stacks last week Where did you find the Stephen Fry one in The Stacks? I can't find it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 11, 2010 Share Posted November 11, 2010 Go right to the end of the list. Under the fiction section there is a biog section....I missed it first time over too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted November 11, 2010 Share Posted November 11, 2010 Durr! I was looking in the Fiction section Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Soooooooooooooooooooooo just a quickie...... you can convert books for e readers to work on the Kindle with the Calibre is that right???? Sorry if it's obvious, i've just caught up with this thread, but have bee hovering on amazon for a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 I havent got a kindle (would love one though ) I have a Sony PRS505 had it about 2 years and just love it. Got quick a few books on there now. I saw this post and noticed the mention of the Stacks... being nosey googled it and found it ok. After a quick look found books by my fav author Stephen Donaldson and his books are on there. Downloaded one to try it and its loaded fine onto my reader. I am so chuffed... and even more that it was FREE!! I never ever get anything for free so thank you for the info. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 Now I obviously don't know what I'm doing. I googled the stack and have come up with a really odd site (not books) or a childs book discussion site Not sure either of them are what you are all talking about. How is it that these books are free, what about the legalities, I don't understand, is it like downloading shared music files? And what about the places where books are loaned, how does that work - you have to send them back??? If I get Calibre do I download them to my computer then transfer them to the kindle via the USB cable - sounds something I could easily mess up and end up with gobbledy gook unless its really simple I could end up wiping everything I gave in to temptation and ordered Michael McIntyre - you lot have cost me a fortune this week I accept no responsibility (at least that is what I shall tell DH) The good news is that I'm back reading, I've already read 35% of the book I LOVE IT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
