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I still read old fashioned paperbacks and hardcover books. I see all these offers for free books out there and wondered if it was worth it to invest in a Kindle or some other reader. If you do buy books this way, how long does it take to download one?

Also, I looked at BookBub and it seems you have to provide either Paypal or a credit card even for the free books - am I interpreting this correctly?

How expensive is a Kindle and how difficult is it to download to the apparatus? I would assume the Kindle would have to have internet access to get the download??

As you can see, I am pretty ignorant on the whole process.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

I have an iPad. There is an iBooks app for the IPad that you can buy books through. You can also download book the Nook and the Kindle IPad for your iPad. I have an iPad mini, since it's more the size of a book.

At first I didn't think I would like reading on it, but I really do. You can store a ton of books, so when you go some where you just bring your device. You can highlight favorite passages, look up words, you can change the font size and brightness. It's EXTREMELY easy to download books. I have a credit card linked to my iTunes account. The book downloads in seconds. The only thing that I find that I do is buy MORE books then I normally would buy.

I hope this helps.

ETA: Yes, your device needs Internet access

[This message edited by pizzalover at 6:57 PM, February 28th (Saturday)]

I have the Barnes & Noble nook, and I have to add the disclaimer that I did not buy it; I inherited it from DS when he upgraded to a tablet. I love it but knowing what I know now, I would opt for some kind of tablet. That way you could get books from numerous sources and have the other benefits of the tablet.

You have to have internet access to download, but that can be done by wifi anywhere it is available. I order books directly from my Nook. The benefits are:

ebooks are cheaper than hard copy books, but still can be somewhat pricey, especially if you're used to getting from the library.

You don't have to wait for a book to become available from the library and you don't have to leave home to get it or wait for the mail.

You don't have to have storage space for books that you buy.

You can lend and borrow certain books

Negatives are

You have to remember to charge the device

Some screens can be difficult to read in bright light

You don't have the tactile satisfaction of holding a book

Thanks - I guess I have to consider whether it would be worth the expense.

Has anyone had luck buying these types of things as used?

[This message edited by k9lover1 at 10:33 PM, February 28th (Saturday)]

I have a kindle DX and like it, hate reading on a tablet. Reading on a kindle is basically the same as reading a book, its non reflective; even the paperwhite is pretty awesome that way. My wife loves her paperwhite, the backlit screen is like reading a self-illuminated paperback.

They download quickly. The free books on amazon are free. We have a family library so my wife and I can share each others books between kindles. You can supposedly borrow ebooks from your library too but I've never tried that.

The kindle is like 60 bucks on amazon right now, never tried to buy used.

I have a tablet and buy books from Kobo as well as borrow books from my public library. There is an app called Overdrive that I used for that and I think most public libraries use it. I do most of my reading on my tablet and about 90 percent of that from the library. I browse books at the library, place holds, and can access audio books as well.

I read A LOT so being able to use the library like this saves me so much money. I take out four or five books from my library a week.

Downloading a book takes less than a minute.

I'm a geek. I have two tablets and a phone with the kindle app, but much prefer reading on my kindle paperwhite. It has a backlight for reading in the dark and you can read easily in bright sunlight. It "stores" hundreds of books, but that isn't necessary, as purchased books are archived on the Amazon website. It's nice to download a sample of a book for free to see if it is to your taste.

I bought a refurbished one for less than new. It has the same warranty as new. Download is almost instantaneous.

And I second the Overdrive recommendation. I rarely buy books, just borrow them from the library, load my kindle up before I go away, or to the doctor's, lol, and I'm good for two weeks. They magically disappear from the device when the time is up. No fines!

[This message edited by scaredyKat at 8:52 PM, March 2nd (Monday)]

Whats the difference between a kindle paperwhite and a kindle fire hd

I have an iPad mini & use the Kindle app to buy/read books from Amazon. I also subscribe to Book Bubs daily email that alerts me to sale prices (free to $2.99) and buy most of my casual reading this way. Occasionally I'll pay the full retail price if it's something im really wanting to read or its a pre-order. Right now I've got about 30 new books on my iPad to read.

Downloading takes less than a minute, & since I buy on Amazon using 1-click, the next time I open the kindle app I generally have a few books syncing up.

As for readability, you can change font size, have a white, beige brown or black back screen (fab for at night). I haven't had any issues choosing a color, lighting or font size to meet every lighting situation.

I do however still buy cookbooks in hardback.

A fire hd is a tablet. Like a smartphone only bigger. The fire is neither Android nor Apple OS, more like a country all it's own. It will surf the web, play (some) videos, etc. All assuming it's connected to your network. A full charge will last 12-18 hours depending on what you are doing. You have a really hard time seeing the screen on the beach, though.

The paperwhite is very small and light. It slips easily into a purse or large pocket. The charge lasts for DAYS.

Run the videos on the Amazon sight and you'll get a clearer picture of the two devices.

Frankly, if you think you like the fire, you may consider an Android tablet instead. I have both, only because I use Amazon prime (membership fee of $99 yearly) to watch videos. Some apps and videos don't like the Fire OS. Android tablets are reasonably priced.

OTOH Amazon's customer service can't be beat.

I just looked at the Amazon site. They are also selling the old kindle, without the back light for $59. I read in bed, the light is useful.

Here's the link to the refurbished paperwhite. You have to specifically search those terms.

http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Kindle-Paperwhite-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00CTTJRTU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1425402500&sr=1-1&keywords=kindle+paperwhite+refurbished

I get ebooks from my state library online, I check them out same as if you went to the library. Either on a pc or iPad, iPhone etc. the app I use is called "overdrive". You can check out either ebooks or audio books.

Ps

It only takes a few minutes to down load depending on your internet speed

[This message edited by 1492 at 3:16 PM, March 3rd, 2015 (Tuesday)]