Will I learn to love the Kindle?

[Sarah Madara]

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere but I couldn't turn it up in search - so if you've got a link, post it pretty please :)

DH got me a Kindle for Christmas (and insisted I open it early but that's another story). Anyway, I'm really lukewarm on this thing. I keep thinking it might be good for a lot of the genre books that I buy as a gamble or market research and end up not worth space on my shelf... but those are often dirt cheap used anyway. And for a book I really want to keep forever - oh, I just love paper. I love paper so much. I love the feel of it. I love the way I'm grounded in the book, feeling the weight of it and the thickness on either side telling me how far I've gotten. I love flipping through the pages. I just don't know if I would ever actually get used to this thing.

So the question is: Has anyone converted who just LOVES paper? Is it the kind of thing that grows on you?

I also thought I'd like the newspapers, but I tried a few samples and the only one I really want is the NYT, which I'm just not paying for. It might be worth the cost, but I can't justify adding another $20 a month to my bills...

Also, do you get eye strain from the contrast? I need much brighter light to read on a Kindle than a regular book.

I have a limited window in which to return the darn thing, and I'm just so on the fence. What am I missing here? Why don't I love (or frankly, like) this thing?

*Sigh*

[brainstorm77]

Return it. I would if I wasn't enjoying it.

[Medievalist]

I do love printed books; but I love ebooks, too.

The Kindle and other eInk devices don't really appeal to me. I have some visual differences which I think are part of it, but I know quite a few who like ebooks--just not eInk.

I very much like reading on my iPad. I sometimes wish it were Kindle-sized; it can get a bit heavy.

[alleycat]

I suspect you'll get replies all over the map on a question like this. I thought long and hard about getting one about a year ago and decided against it (although I've bought a few things for Kindle for PC). I really don't like reading long blocks of text on a screen that much (I look at a computer screen all day long for my job anyway) and I didn't like Amazon's DRM policy.

Still, if you have it, it's probably worth keeping. You can still stick to real books for the things you want to read, and occasionally get something on the Kindle that is either only available digitally or that you're going to use for for research or as a reference work (that's mainly what I use Kindle for PC for). It's not so terribly expensive for the technology involved, so it's not like your DH is out thousands of dollars. Plus you could use it on a trip or vacation.

You do know there is quite a few books (old classics and that sort of thing) that are available for Kindle for free?

[Kitty Pryde]

I'm with you. I was not enthused about ebook readers. I didn't buy a kindle, but I helped a sick friend replace her busted one under warranty and then set up the new one for her, so I had it around for a couple weeks. I was really not digging it. It's not pleasing to hold, the screen isn't really pleasing to look at, it smells like plastic and not paper, it's really breakable and sensitive to water and dirt and such, and when you tip it the text changes direction. I want to read in the bathtub and on a camping trip and in bed. I can't tell you how many times I have had to wipe water or beer or snow or river sand off the covers of my paper books. Kindle doesn't seem like it would meet my needs.

If a kinda pricy gadget doesn't meet your needs, return it and get something different!

[profen4]

I'm hoping future generations of the technology are better. I haven't been impressed with any e-reader thus far. I know what I want and they just haven't made it yet.

[happywritermom]

I was just like you. My husband got me one for Christmas last year and I hardly used it for the first few months. I love physical books. But I have four kids, including 3-year-old twins, and it has allowed me to read far more than I would have been able to read otherwise. At some point, I forced myself to download a couple of books and put it in my diaper bag. Then I tried to remind myself to pull it out whenever I had a few minutes here and there. After a couple of days, it started to become a habit. Now I use it all the time when I'm out and about, but I still read from the real thing at home. There is nothing like curling up for a few stolen moments in the recliner with a good book in hand.

I have also discovered that it's great for research. Whenever I'm writing and I come to a point where I feel like I need to read something in the same genre to get moving in the right direction again, I just download a cheap ebook.

I really think it depends on how much you WANT to use it. If it's something you want, you'll have to make an effort to make the Kindle a habit. You'll also have to remind yourself that it's okay to do both-- Kindle books and the real thing. There is no way I would be able to reach as much as I do now without my Kindle, but if time and convenience is not a problem for you, then maybe it's not for you.

PS. I hated the newspaper/magazine stuff on there.
Also, I have my view set to 150 percent. Much easier to read.

[dawinsor]

I got one for Christmas last year. I prefer paper books, but the kindle is great for travel, and I wind up using it when I'm out of reading material at 9 pm and can't get to the store or library. It's also nice for reading while I eat because it lies flat. It's a good size to fit in my purse or winter coat pocket, so I carry it around a lot. I still read mostly paper books, but the kindle is a nice supplement.

[Perks]

If the tactile quality of books is a big thing for you, you probably won't be happy with an ereader. I don't have that attachment and my Nook is damned near my favorite possession, but I don't get the sensory reward from paper and binding that you do.

[Captcha]

I agree with the 'great for travel' folks. Whenever I used to go on vacation, I'd end up taking half a bag full of books, or else only taking a couple and then being stuck with things that I didn't feel like reading. Stuffing 1 000 books in your bag in less space than it would take to pack one - that's a definite advantage!

[KathleenD]

My issues with the Kindle are actually with Amazon at the moment, but I'll shut up about that before I veer off topic ;)

I loooooooooooove paper. Bear in mind that easily 50% of my collection is vintage paperbacks from the Golden Age of science fiction (those covers! Real paintings! Oy), and about 10% are my books from the late 1800s, so my whole house has this delicious old paper smell. We don't have anything hung on our walls, because eight bookcases filled with paperbacks is plenty of visual interest ;)

But I also really like my Kindle:

- I have a toddler, so most of my reading time is actually in bed. Reading a really thick book in bed is kind of a pain in the... wrist. The Kindle is nice and light. It took my brain a couple days to get used to being able to "turn pages" from the left and the right, though.

- Many of my favorite books are in the public domain - I just finished the collected works of Arthur Conan Doyle and Louisa May Alcott. I own these books, in giant wristbreaking volumes. Now I have them all in one tiny tablet.

- I just flew to visit my parents with the aforementioned toddler. I read very quickly, so normally I pack three or four books. This time my carryon was loaded with toys and raisins and diapers and all the other crap you haul with a small child on a five hour flight. No room for books. I'd have been stuck reading Skymall without the Kindle.

- The kid has made me stupid. The Kindle is preloaded with a dictionary, and if there's a word I don't remember, I move the cursor and voila, there's the definition.

- Reading vintage sci-fi paperbacks with a toddler around is practically begging to have the book damaged. My precious collection is safe on the shelf, not getting ripped or dropped or stepped on.

- My blind eyes love increasing the font to something I can actually see.

- I can't handle reading backlit screens after working all day, so I prefer the e-ink.

I do find I need more light - the case I bought for it has a brilliant LED booklight built in, powered by the Kindle itself.

Uh... sorry for the ramble. I'm a recent convert, and you know what they say about converts ;)

[DancingMaenid]

I love paper books -- the appearance of them, the smell of the paper, everything. But I love my Kindle. My only issues are with some of Amazon's policies, so I do feel a little guilty about loving it so much, but I do. I haven't had any trouble getting used to it, but it doesn't replace paper books, either. I have no problem loving both, but it's an individual thing, certainly.

[wheelwriter]

I think you can love paper books and an ereader. I'm a fan of my Kindle. I like being able to sit in bed and randomly sample different books. It helps me improve the beginnings of my own writing. And I downloaded my WIP onto my Kindle and let my Kindle read to me, which helps me find errors, issues with flow, etc. I love to travel and I like not having to take a bunch of books with me. The newer generation Kindle has a web browser, so once, when I couldn't remember the name of a song and it was really bugging me, I just Googled the lyrics on my Kindle. Plus I've picked up a bunch of free books.

But I love paper books and independent bookstores, so at times I feel torn.

[jessicaorr]

I love my Kindle but if you're not liking yours now you won't like it in a month or probably even a year. I'd return it ASAP.

[Polenth]

I find Kindles too low contrast. That causes eye strain and would mean I couldn't use one for long. There's no getting used to that, as it's just how my eyes/brain work. I don't have issues with standard computer monitors or my iPad though, so reading on those was simply a case of getting used to a different medium. If you're getting eye strain, I'd say definitely send it back.

[Jax3683]

I have the Kindle App for iPhone; so my screen is considerably smaller than the average. But I adore it.

Sure, I'd rather have paper books for most things. But I love having 150 books that fit in my pocket! It's great for on-the-go stuff. I take it to the Doctor's Office, and for reading in the car when I don't want too much light to annoy my husband as he's driving at night.

Something like an iPad or maybe the new Nook Color might be better because of the lighting factor for some people. But like most have said, if you don't like it now you might not like it ever.

[Sevvy]

I wouldn't force yourself to like it. Take it back and use that money to buy yourself some books.

The real reason I don't want one is because it makes buying books too easy. If I had instant access to $10 books all the time...yikes. At least when I go to the bookstore, I'm limited by how much I can carry. The electronic stuff just makes it too easy to spend that money without realizing just how much you've spent.

Besides, a year from now they might have a newer model you'd like better.

[brainstorm77]

I like the Kindle because I don't have immediate access to a bookstore other than online.
Right now where I live it's rural. We have the usual grocery store, pharmacy, post office, gas station and that's it.
I have bought books off Amazon.ca and the shipping time sucks. Now I can download and have it right away. :)

[Rhoda Nightingale]

I'm with alleycat on this.

I also have Kindle for PC, which I downloaded soley because it's free so many writers here are epublished, and their books just aren't available in stores. I don't have many ebooks, and it's not in my plans to pay for a separate ereader. However, if someone bought one for me, I certainly would use it.

[Soccer Mom]

I love, love, love my Kindle. Like many have said, I like making the font big; it's light and easy to hold; I'm rural and far from a book store; I'm always on the go and I always have an entire library with me.

But perhaps it isn't the ereader for you. You might like another ereader better or you just may not like them much. You can always download one of the free Kindle apps and just move your books there when you return it. Then you can buy read a Kindle if you really want to, but you don't need to hang onto a device you don't like.

Reading is supposed to be fun. If you don't like it, return it.

[amrose]

my Nook is damned near my favorite possession,

Really? That makes me excited because I'm pretty sure I'm getting a Nook for Christmas. I have the Kindle app for my iPhone and that sent me over the edge to get an e reader. Playing with it at the store though, the lower touch screen scroll method was a little hard to figure out and manipulate.

[Sarah Madara]

Thanks for all the input. Like a few of the posters who responded, I'm on the go a lot with two little kids so I can see the advantage to not having to pack a whole variety of reading material with me.

I think I'm keeping it. Partly because it wasn't *that* expensive (6", wifi-only model) and over time I imagine I'll find more situations where it's useful. The one thing that I've found really cool so far is the book samples. Several books I've sampled have given me two or three full chapters to read, which is really great since a few of those books turned out to not be worth reading further.

I looked at a Nook and thought the contrast was better, but my husband pointed out that the store was much better lit than our house. The Kindle really just needs awesome lighting and then it's fine. I liked the controls on the Kindle better.

I will always love paper. Ahhh, paper :)

[Perks]

Really? That makes me excited because I'm pretty sure I'm getting a Nook for Christmas. I have the Kindle app for my iPhone and that sent me over the edge to get an e reader. Playing with it at the store though, the lower touch screen scroll method was a little hard to figure out and manipulate.Oh it's really easy and I prefer it to the Kindle's joystick button. I set up and used both and there are little features that made me like the Nook a bit better.

But they're both good products.

[Devil Ledbetter]

The Kindle is preloaded with a dictionary, and if there's a word I don't remember, I move the cursor and voila, there's the definition.

I love that feature.

I've read here that some people make their WIP into a PDF and load it on their Kindle. How does one do that? I only know how to download books from Amazon. Halp.

[Medievalist]

I love that feature.

I've read here that some people make their WIP into a PDF and load it on their Kindle. How does one do that? I only know how to download books from Amazon. Halp.

You should have a USB cable that came with your Kindle.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5973392_transfer-files-kindle-usb.html

[Soccer Mom]

You can also email yourself your own docs in PDF and load them: http://www.amazon.com/tag/kindle/forum?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1D7SY3BVSESG&cdPage=1&cdThread=Tx5VX9FP05QJAN

[wheelwriter]

I love that feature.

I've read here that some people make their WIP into a PDF and load it on their Kindle. How does one do that? I only know how to download books from Amazon. Halp.

In case anyone doesn't want to click on the link above, here's my quickie instructions.

Change your WIP from a .doc to a .txt by going to File, then Save As and chosing the Plain Text option.

Plug your kindle into your computer's USB port. (The USB cord for the Kindle is the cord you use to plug it in - just pull off the pluggy part (pluggy = very technical term)).

Go to My Computer on your computer and find the Kindle listed under Devices with Removable Storage. Double click on it. It will show about five different folders, once of which is "Documents."

Copy the .txt WIP and paste it in the Documents folder.

You should be all set. You can also copy MP3s into the music folder and play them on your Kindle.

ETA: If you want your Kindle to read to you, hold down the shift key (the up arrow) and the Sym key at the same time. To pause hit the space bar. To turn it off hit shift and Sym again.

[Devil Ledbetter]

Thank you! Great tips!

[AlexPiper]

I picked up a Kindle a couple of years ago for travel, when they were brand new. I was spending 3 weeks trekking all over Greece and Italy, and I wanted a way to bring books with me that wouldn't take up too much space. I figured I'd use it just for travel and nothing else, because I love me my physical books.

2+ years later? Yeah, I read more on the Kindle than I do print books. This happened for several reasons.

First, my bookshelves are full. Buying more print books has become a matter of, 'I have to sort through existing books and get rid of some before I have space for more.' Sadness. But with a Kindle, I can pick up a book whenever and wherever!

Second, hardcovers. I love getting new books, but hardcovers are always a pain to deal with. I can't stuff them in my bag to take with me to read on the go. I can't read them one-handed (which makes the corgi, who likes to crawl into my lap to be scritched while I read, a very sad doggy). Hardcovers are kind of a pain to deal with.

Third, convenience. If I end up stuck waiting somewhere without my Kindle, I can pull out my iPhone and grab the book I'm currently reading, and have my current place in that book automatically synced. And then when I get home, the Kindle automatically skips me ahead to where I had gotten while reading on the iPhone. If I leave a physical book at home, I'm out of luck.

I still buy physical books, especially of things I'd like to loan out (or want to get signed). But I find I enjoy eBooks much more than I thought I would, to the point that my reading habits have shifted to be primarily eBook rather than physical.

[Gretad08]

If the tactile quality of books is a big thing for you, you probably won't be happy with an ereader. I don't have that attachment and my Nook is damned near my favorite possession, but I don't get the sensory reward from paper and binding that you do.


Same here. I Love (with a capital L) my Nook. Got it for Mother's Day earlier this year. I thought the "newness" of it would wear off, but so far I've only become more enthusiastic about it. I have a bookstore about 15 minutes away. I also have a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old. 15 minutes to the store, at least 30 there and another 15 home. I don't have an hour to spare every time I need a new book.

But to answer the OP...like Perks I don't have a huge attachment to the sensory appeal of a paper book. I like it, but it's not a deal breaker for me. If it is for you, get rid of it and replace it with a nice fat gift card to buy books :)

[Fiona]

I used to promise myself I'd never own a Kindle, and thought I'd never read an e-book, but now I do both and love both. It's either for you or not.

Although I still buy/read paperbacks, there are times when I prefer using Kindle. For instance, if I'm going on holiday, I can bring my entire library of books with me. Or sometimes a Kindle version of a book is cheaper than the paperback. Sometimes I want my book straight away instead of travelling into town or waiting for amazon to deliver - I love how instant Kindle has made book-buying.

[Dave.C.Robinson]

One thing that I see all the time is people saying they don't want an ebook reader because they love paper.

It's not an either-or situation.

I use my Sony Reader and I buy paper books just because I love them. It's not going to replace beautiful hardcovers or graphic novels. It just isn't. However, I'm more than happy to trade in those thousand-page paperback doorstops that are too thick to read properly for a file where I never have to worry about breaking the spine when I'm trying to read the beginning or end of a line.

You may or may not learn to love it: just don't expect it to be what it's not. It's best viewed as a replacement for the shelf you keep those mass-market paperbacks on, not as a replacement for your prized hardcovers.

It's a bookshelf, not a book.