♥ A post for my beloved friend Dan, who adores her Kindle ♥
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I am in love with my Kindle.
Madly crazy desperately in love with it.
It has made reading a pleasure again – it’s light to hold, it doesn’t cause eyestrain and it has an adjustable font that accommodates my rubbish vision. Since it arrived last week, I’ve read a book a day.
Only certain models are available for shipping to Australia (we purchased the basic black and white version) and due to some convoluted geographical copyright restrictions, there are limits on the books available to non-US readers. That’s an important consideration if you only want to read new releases or certain genres, although there are nearly a million books now available to Australian customers.
The first book I read was A Passion for Living by Alexander Stobbs. Here’s the cover photo on the Kindle…
Unlike computers and iPads, the screen isn’t backlit and as a result, it’s glare-free and gentle on the eyes. However, this means the Kindle can’t be read in the dark, as it doesn’t have an independent light source.
I’ve set the font to the fourth of eight size options, which I find comfortable for extended reading. I’ve been very shortsighted since the age of eleven, but my focal length has narrowed since turning 40, and I now find the print in most paperbacks too small for easy reading.
As you can see in the next couple of photos, the Kindle font is crisp and clear…
On both sides of the device there are two buttons – the large one to scroll forward a page, and the small one to go back. The Kindle is light enough to be held in either hand and operated with the press of a thumb…
There are only a few buttons – it’s an easy device to learn to operate…
According to Amazon, the battery will last up to a month on a single recharge, providing the Wi-Fi is turned off when not in use. That’s based on half an hour a day, so I’m assuming it equates to a rechargeable battery life of about 15 hours.
We believe our model requires a Wi-Fi connection to work (please let me know if that’s not the case). Once the books are downloaded though, they’re on the Kindle in toto, and can be read offline.
There are a variety of random static screen savers…
Our 6″ (15cm) Kindle fits perfectly in a paella rice bag, which saved us the cost of an expensive case…
Our model can hold up to 1,400 books and weighs just 170 grams. An e-book or sample takes under a minute to download and is perhaps just a little too easy to purchase with Amazon’s 1-Click system.
Do you own a Kindle? I know we’re late adopters, but we’re total converts now!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
You are not alone in your love for the electronic end to my career as a novelist…ha. Think of all the space you’ll save on the bookshelves! One wonders, picturing you in a hammock falling asleep in the mid-afternoon, if the thud the Kindle makes on your chest is the same satisfying thud as a book?
Surely it hasn’t affected you as a novelist, Em? I would have thought it opened up a whole new world of readers?
Here’s Emily’s latest book on Kindle…
http://www.amazon.com/Too-Many-Cooks-Adventures-ebook/dp/B002EBDP8M/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327879523&sr=1-3
PS. I just bought it! :)
I’m having the same love affair with kindle on my tablet. Its such a convenient way to read a book. You never lose your page when you fall asleep. And it doesn’t get heavier with more books on it. Its such a great thing when travelling as I can take a holidays worth of books and it takes no more room than one book.
Stuart, thanks for stopping by! The technology behind it all is fantastic! I’ve taken to keeping mine in my handbag – I never did that with a book before! :)
These are a wonderful invention, I love it when travelling… you can bring so many books with you! I bought the Sony E Reader and it often got hung up… I now have an ipad, but was disappointed when a search revealed so few titles available. The kindle is awesome!
ps I took two days off and clearly I’m behind in your posts:( I will try to catch up today!!
Smidge, I’m glad so many other people are besotted with their Kindles as well! I haven’t travelled anywhere with it, but I’m sure it would make a long plane journey much more bearable!
I love my kindle Touch! Just love it. And am now studying more Italian with it.
Jennifer, we saw the Touch yesterday – don’t think it’s available for shipping to us from Amazon, but friends brought it back with them from the US. It’s much heavier than our Kindle, but it was lovely to see everything in colour! :)
I borrowed my niece’s Kindle while she was traveling and read and read and read! Loved it- I found that I could read faster and more comfortably than a paperback and love that. I also read a book a day- it was hard to STOP reading. I agree- the Kindle is a great purchase ( I need to get one of my own!)
Heidi, they’re so reasonably priced now. A few years ago they were hundreds of dollars, but the one we bought cost us just $109, and that was the international price. I believe in the US it’s only $79. And in your honour, I’ve just downloaded the Kindle version of “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri and…it was FREE! :D
Ok, you pushed me over. I had been debating and you pushed be over to the yes, that is my answer, Thanks
Patricia, I hope you love it as much as I have! It’s worth checking first to see that the books you want to read are available in Kindle format…
I’m still debating the pros and cons. I’d certainly like one while travelling, as books take a considerable part of our baggage allowance on long holidays.
On the other hand, I don’t buy a lot of brand new books, prefering to buy them from charity shops and then donate them back when read. I also like borrowing from the public library. In addition, I rarely read a fiction book twice. All of these mitigate against buying a Kindle at the moment.
Suelle, I understand completely, I held off for years. There are so many cheaper and easier ways to access books, but for me, with my lousy eyesight, it’s been such a joy!
I’ve had a Kindle for about 18 months now and am every bit as passionate as you are about it. I’ve found I’m reading even more than before as it is so portable I take it everywhere. I have it with me in the US & can read whatever I like, unlike my eldest who now has 6 books weighing down her luggage (including 1 hardback). I gave my first Kindle to my 80 year old mother about 6 months ago and now she is addicted too. I download the books she wants onto it every few weeks and it keeps her very happy.
When I bought my new one I invested in the leather cover which has a light built into it – in the interests of marital harmony. The light runs off the Kindle’s own battery & is invisible when slid back into the cover. My Kindle does not require WIFI, but has a free 3G connection so I can download a book anywhere (and have done so often). When I bought my first Kindle the book selections in Australia were a little limited, but they are much less so now and many Australian publishers are now getting on board – I can now get Kindle copies from the small local Adelaide publisher Wakefield Press.
And one of the best things? Kindle books are so much cheaper that they have freed up my book buying cash so that I can justify buying even more hard-copy cookbooks!
Amanda, I remember you mentioning it a while back! I’m sure it would make a huge difference for traveling! Your Kindle is a couple of models up from mine, I think. And it’s nice to know we can now get Aussie books! :)
These things are totally amazing. I love reading and this is perfect for fiction especially. Most of the classics are free, which is a nice touch. I have the keyboarded version that came out about a year ago. It was a great spend. It was great for me since I have 3 full book shelves, my desk is stacked with books and I have a big drawer underneath my bed full of books… I’m only 21!
Nick, you’ve probably saved yourself from having to build a house with a library! :)
That’s going to be my birthday present to myself this March…I’ve looked at them and looked at them for quite some time now…great review, by the way~
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy it as much as we have!
Convincing me more and more Celia, though I do have a heap of books on my android phone and tablet. I like the idea that its not backlit.
Becca, the best thing, when your hands aren’t working as they should, is that you can prop it up on a wheat pack and turn pages with just the lightest touch of your thumb… :)
I got mine for Christmas – the same one you have. I love it. Have you tried Calibre to get your books, magazines and newsfeeds?
Lien, not yet, but thank you for the headsup! The library is already growing fast and in need of management!
Peter loves his kindle, Celia, but was annoyed that the colour version came out not too long after his bought the black and white. With the amount of air travel he does with work, the Kindle has made in flight reading very pleasurable, particularly given that it is lightweight. I am not as keen on getting one for myself at this stage, however, that might change with time.
Lizzy, I love that it’s lightweight – that’s the big thing for me. When reading paperbacks, it’s usually boredom with holding the book open that stops me.. :)
I haven’t met yet :) but seems amazing… Thank you dear Celia, with my love, nia
Thanks Nia! Hope you’ve had a great weekend! :)
Every time I decide to get one I change my mind and decide not to get it. What about the loss of the tactile? You know opening the book, turning the pages? Decisions, decisions.
Aah, you see Rose, that’s the bit about reading I don’t like. I frequently have sore hands, so often it’s the holding a book that puts me off reading. I know, it’s not a common complaint, but I far prefer reading when I don’t have to hold a book open and turn the pages. It’s the reason I’ve always preferred large hardcovers (which can sit open on a table) over paperbacks.
I have lots of friends who agree with you though – for them, an important part of the experience is the actual physical book itself..
I love your kindle case what a great idea! Mum has been quizzing me on them lately. It looks like it might be a good Birthday present for her.
Claire, it’s not for everyone, but I love it. Because I’ve got the font set larger than standard, I have to turn the page more often than I would with a real book, but it doesn’t bother me at all!
Celia – I finally caved and asked for the new Kindle Fire for my birthday – I haven’t wanted a tablet for a number of reasons, but the price point and wi-fi capability finally convinced me. I love it! Our library has a bunch of books that you can download for free and I’m currently reading “White Teeth” which is my book group selection for the month. I haven’t traveled with it yet but have a college visitation trip with my son coming up so we’ll see how it works on the plane. I also love the ability to change the font size. Winner!
Lynn, corny as this might sound, I’ve just re-read “Heidi”, which I haven’t read since I was nine. I love the font change – I read with a larger font in bed, without my glasses on, and a smaller one during the day! :)
In my family, I am one of the few who hasn’t got a kindle yet (two reasons – I’m a very tactile person and love the feel of a book, and Himself has one in case I’m going overseas. It proved very useful on the trip over to Saudi!) but M., Papa Bear and Himself all adore theirs! You don’t have to use the wi-fi option, just plug it into the USB part of your computer and, when downloading the book, chose the transfer-via-computer option and it will go through your hard drive system. At least it worked for us.
I do see the positives, and I’m halfway through a book and Himself is about to go back to work, so I might be joining the bandwagon…
– E.
E, the other advantage is that you can buy a book once and share it between all the Kindles you own – apparently you can register up to nine on the one account! :)
Love my Kindle and have infected wife and friends with that love. Also, now that it’s just $79, it’s very easy to bully people into Kindling. Also, in conjunction with my iPhone and iPad, I can read something elsewhere and my kindle suggests I jump to that spot. Is great.
Lucas, it really truly has re-Kindled my desire to read. I love that I can read anywhere, and switch between books with the press of a button!
Kindles and electronic reading devices are great, and have their place on the literary shelf of technology. But, they can never replace the smell of leather bound books, or ink…I just can’t quite warm up to a Kindle, or curl up,. as the term were..Bless You
paul
Paul, that’s exactly what my friend Michelle said! :) Hope you have a wonderful week!
I have the blackberry playbook and I am finding it so much easier to read my books on it. I am also so in love with it. I have a backlight which I find great as I can read with the lights off so Dave can sleep. You may want to get the cover with the built in light. Have fun exploring :)
Thanks Tandy! I’ll look out for the cover you and Amanda have mentioned…
how lovely to have rekindled your love of books in such a fun way ;) Happy Reading xx
Thanks Jo! I am having a lovely time reading! Can’t seem to stop! :)
Awesome things these kindles. Pete has one which he loved, then decided to get a tablet so mom inherited the kindle. Glad you enjoying it Celia!
:-) Mandy
Thanks Mandy! Glad Pete enjoyed his too!
Surely being in love with a Kindle is like being in love with a roasting pan rather than the roast?
Yep. But you’re talking to someone who does love her cookware as much as the things she cooks in them! Especially if it’s my Emile Henry Flame Top pieces…
I have the app on my iPad but after playing with a Kindle last night, much like yours, I’m still uncertain. I was amazed at how light-weight it is though.
Misk, it’s certainly not for everyone! I have a couple of friends who love the physical experience of the book so much and would never give it up…
Love it! I have a hard time reading print because of my rubbish eyesight too. So I read books on my giant computer screen. (I know, weird) or on my new iPhone that my brother got me for Xmas. :-)
There’s some thing about making the type bigger that is so nice.
Read on!
Maz
Maz, you’ve got it, it makes such a difference. Faint text in books has driven me bonkers for the last couple of years…
Oh and the first apps I downloaded was one for Jamie Oliver’s Recipes.
My mum has been hankering for one of these for ages. I’ll forward your post to her and see if it clinches the deal. I still haven’t played with one, but I am curious about them.
Brydie, for what it’s worth, mine has barely been out of arm’s reach in the last week.. :)
My daughter has one of these and she adores it. I will get one someday, if only for travel, but deep down i love to OWN books! it is a terrible affliction..c
Celi, I can certainly understand that, I’ve got the collecting bug in all sorts of areas.. :)
Great new pressie! I really should get one of these. I was amazed at how realistic the pages look (if that makes sense). I thought that it was a piece of paper!
Lorraine, thanks for noticing that, I should have mentioned it. The screen really does look like paper – they refer to it as E-Ink – I thought the screensavers were cardboard and tried to lift them off when I first saw them! :)
I’ve been tempted by the Kindle for a while now and it got my notice again the other day when I noticed it’s now readily available in Australia (even from Big W !) – http://www.bigw.com.au/electronics/computers-office/ebook-readers/bpnBIGW_0000000290518/
I’m going to look into it and hopefully by purchasing it locally, the range of available titles might be extended.
Oh that IS good to know, thank you! We ordered ours directly from Amazon and they only charged us $12.90 for DHL shipping, so it was delivered in about 5 days for A$122, so still cheaper than Big W. The other advantage was that it was already set up to my Amazon account, although I think it’s a very easy thing to do…
Might be worth going into Big W and actually handling it first though?
Hi Celia, I think a Kindle is definitely the way of the future. Especially for people who travel. A kindle is so light and portable compared with half a dozen heavy paperbacks. On many holidays I have left my read books in the hotel room because I haven’t wanted to cart them back home (too many other new purchases to cram into the suitcase!) But now with a kindle, I don’t have to do that kind of sacrificing. Glad you’re enjoying it! And so great to be able to choose your own font!
Charlie, I am completely besotted. I hope they never change it and keep the button version forever – I don’t think I could operate the touch screen version with one hand. And as you say, I LOVE being able to adjust the fonts! :)
I think it really is going to be the way of the future – yesterday I bought a book of short stories for $2.99. That’s less than a cappuccino at the local shops. It was delivered in 30 seconds using the tiniest whiff of electricity. No paper, totally green, and an hour of reading pleasure. :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE my Kindle. I love having so many options with me at all times. It is just so fantastic to have quick access to so many books.
And now that I have to wear reading glasses, there is nothing better than reading in bed WITHOUT glasses!
My kindle is the old style one with a keyboard – I now want one like yours – enjoy it Celia.
Anne, you’ll have to buy another one and keep it in your handbag – this version is small enough to do that and hold it with one hand to read. My friend Dan tells me the screen size is the same, although scrolling through the screen keyboard is much more fiddly. :)
Love the paella rice bag cover!!
I have been contemplating getting a kindle for a couple of years now. Problem is that I spend most of my waking life in front of a screen and I love the tactile feel of a book. I also borrow about 150 books a year from the library and don’t want to have to pay for them (other than fines which I do regularly pay for late returns!). But for travel it would be nice to free up half of my suitcase which is usually taken up with books. Might just have to bite the bullet and get one before the big trip we are planning mid year.