Does anyone have a kindle?

[Avid Reader]

Kindle for the commute, paperback for beach, bath or bed. They are fab.

[Fran]

Kindle for the commute, paperback for beach, bath or bed. They are fab.

Way to go there ... all bases covered

[ferretbait]

I don't care how I read the book, just that I get to read the book I want to read. I like the fact that the kindle is so small, is just like reading off of a page and it's battery lasts FOREVER it seems like, and it charges for just 3 hours! I also like my space because there is very little of it and if I have a lot of books then I have no more space and everything gets cluttered. The kindle holds so many books, its like having a whole library made for you, in the palm of your hands.

[Bighuey]

My reader is not a Kindle but the one I have has about 7 or 8 thousand on it. If I had that many paper books in this small house I wouldnt have room to move.

[Jimrada]

Hi, I've had my Kindle since last Christmas and love it. I can hold it in one hand and turn pages while I'm on the bike at the gym. Plus, it's easy to pack when I go away. I'm disappointed that bestsellers are no longer offered at $9.99, but I love being able to order right away. I even bought a book while I was riding the bike at the gym. I'm curious to try out the new touch screen version and see how good it is.

James Rada, Jr.
Author of Battlefield Angels, Canawlers and More!

[blackdog21]

I don't care how I read the book, just that I get to read the book I want to read. I like the fact that the kindle is so small, is just like reading off of a page and it's battery lasts FOREVER it seems like, and it charges for just 3 hours! I also like my space because there is very little of it and if I have a lot of books then I have no more space and everything gets cluttered. The kindle holds so many books, its like having a whole library made for you, in the palm of your hands.

I couldn't agree more. I have a Kindle and love it and never thought I would. The first time I used it I was so engrossed in the book I was reading I kept putting my hand up to turn to the next page. I have read more books since getting the Kindle than I did before and can't stop collecting more e-books to read.

[Jimrada]

Kindle also has great customer service. I broke mine on a Wednesday evening. I called Amazon around 9 p.m. EST. The customer service rep said he'd get a new one in the mail. I got it Friday before 5 p.m. Once it was activated, it downloaded all my Amazon content the next time I connected. I did have to rebuild my folders, though.

While I was impressed with this, it did show me the need for a cover that can act as a shock absorber if I drop the Kindle. I also have a screen shield now to protect the screen from scratches. It makes it a little bulkier, but also a bit more sturdy.

Jim Rada

[Bergamot]

The Kindle is amazing, but IMO it can't totally replace a 'real' book; but its certainly worth having and I wouldn't be without mine. I like to read fiction and non-fiction and can't resist the good old fashioned library. You'll find me reading anything and everything, so why limit yourself to the Kindle.

On saying that, there are also lots of Kindle 'freebies' to download, which is a great way to get introduced to new authors. Initially, as expected, I was a reluctant 'Kindler' until I found out I could highlight articles and bookmark. That to me was quite a comfort, (as I missed flicking through pages - and this was the next best thing). Now, I quite happily make notes to myself on the Kindle and (like some of you have already mentioned), you can set up Book Collections, like having your own library! So, my advice if you get the chance to get one - just do it!

[NancyJillThames]

I have one but I didn't purchase it; it was a gift, one of the first prototypes. It took me two years to realize I didn't need to pay a fee to use it! It also took me about three days to figure out how the roll bar worked. However, I never give up, and now I love the accessibility to Amazon where I can quickly read the first few chapters of any book they sell! I think e readers are the future. They are already in our kindergartens in many schools. I'm looking at getting a Kindle Fire and buying one for my 87 year old mother!

[falcondance]

I have a kindle and I like it for when I go on trips, because it saves room in my backpack. I also still buy normal books, because I love the creative colors and creasing the corners of the parts I love and read over and over.

[Mel Carriere]

I'm not particularly a book purist, and I believe in the power of the words rather than the medium that carries them. However, although I fervently support the concept of the Kindle and similar devices, I thought there were several drawbacks to the Kindle.

First of all, I thought it was too fragile. Mine broke in a matter of weeks, which was probably a good thing, and this leads me to point two.

Secondly, I found myself spending more time playing Solitaire and Majong on the damn thing rather than reading. Games can be purchased for the device very easily, and these are too distracting.

Finally, I thought it was hard to navigate, and I didn't like the fact that I couldn't change the font. Excuse me, but I don't want to read "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" in Comic Sans, or something quite like it. I'm exaggerating, of course. But it would be nice to be able to vary the font based on the seriousness of what you are reading.

[Teesie]

I got the Kindle for PC app, but I don't use it that much. I thought I would like it, but it was just irritating. Typos like crazy everywhere. The darn page turn button didn't work right, when I tried to go to the next page it would either skip 3 or 4 pages ahead or go to the previous page. Plus it wasn't as comfortable as a book. So now I just stick to paper.

[Fran]

I got the Kindle for PC app, but I don't use it that much. I thought I would like it, but it was just irritating. Typos like crazy everywhere. The darn page turn button didn't work right, when I tried to go to the next page it would either skip 3 or 4 pages ahead or go to the previous page. Plus it wasn't as comfortable as a book. So now I just stick to paper.

I actually love the PC app & I don't have any of the issues you have Teesie ... wonder if perhaps you ought to try reinstalling the app. I love the way it syncs with your Kindle and vice versa.

[Maud Fitch]

I just love threads which promote products in a user-friendly, non-marketing kind of way.....

[NancyJillThames]

I have one of the first prototypes and it's so handy. If one will take the time to understand how the device works, it's well worth the effort. I use mine to peruse first chapters of best sellers. It helps me in my writing to see what sells. The Kindle Fire is supposed to be the next wave of great devices--like an I Pad only much less expensive. Nancy Jill