Kindle Reviews II

How nice to read your article this month and find that you have enjoyed having the Kindle. You appear to be using it in much the same way that I do, except for the magazines. I bought one ( the £111 one) last January, but my husband monopolised it, so I suggested – somewhat forcefully - that he buy his own, which he did.

I have it loaded with 200+ books, mostly my favourite classics and confess to only having bought 7 books. I regularly trawl the free pages on Amazon. On holiday it is wonderful to have more space in the suitcase, something small enough to slip into a handbag and be ready to ease the boredom of waiting rooms or airport lounges.

My husband has lost count of people who have seen him reading from it, been interested and now have one of their own. I think almost all of the staff at our dentist now have one. My sister in law saw ours and campaigned for a Kindle for her 81st birthday – and she can read much smaller print than we do. Last year, we were on a cruise down the Mekong and we saw at least ten people with an e book. Yesterday, we were having a coffee before we tackled Ikea and there was a woman sitting reading from her Kindle.

However, I still enjoy the feel of a book and read a lot. I have also managed to get over the instinct to simply press the edge of the page to turn it – duh. As you have found, there is a place for paper and electronics and I now think that perhaps it is no bad thing not to be able to lend books.

MM

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I got mine about six months ago, encouraged by a close friend who is more techno-savvy that I am (we are both in our late sixties).  I have been using it ever since.  It must be one of the most useful pieces of kit I have ever bought.

A few years ago I moved abroad (since returned) and had to lose the greater part of my library, something I still regret. Many of the favourites I then "lost" I have been able to store on my Kindle, completely free of charge.

I find it very easy to use and handle, readable in almost any conditions, and very convenient.  Just slip it into my pocket for bus or train journeys, carry it in my rucksack for walking hols - I am never, ever, short of something to read.

I visited another pal recently, who hasn't been very well for the past few years.  He is 82, has problems walking anywhere and can no longer drive.  He reads a lot, and I asked him how he was getting to library.  ""Don't need to," he said.  He has a Kindle, a birthday pressie from his grandkids, pre-loaded with a supply of books which he reckons will "see him out".  And as he pointed out, if he drops off while reading (as I do with ever-increasing frequency) he doesn't lose his place.  He is delighted with his Kindle, and so am I.  For him and me, being able to change the font size is a big advantage.

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I, too, am a kindle convert. The house is full of books and I have many Folio Society volumes because I delight in the elegant presentation of many familiar texts. But if you have to carry ephemera (thrillers, sci-fi) onto a plane for a journey to the USA or the Far East, the shoulders go with time - you need at least four books for a few days trip to the USA (including reading for the time when you wake up three hours too early for breakfast). The Kindle goes in your pocket AND changing the text size is a great feature when everyone else on the plane is asleep and the "personal" light is too dim or mis-directed.

CB

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I was given one for my birthday, not previously having felt any need for one, being more than happy with printed  books for reasons you mention.

But I gave it a go, even buying myself a posh, red leather case to keep it in.

I like the fact that you can hold it landscape wise rather than portrait - in its case it sits very comfortably on my lap.

I was told that self-publishing is 'easy' and free using Kindle, which interests me.

But I tried it, and inevitably got into a terrible mess!

JG

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