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Does anyone have a Kindle?

Do you like it better than physical books?

I have resisted because I love books so much and I worry about the eye strain. But my book collection is rather large and books are getting expensive. Wondering if it's worth it to go digital.

ScreamingFox

41-45, F

39 replies 110 views 2 days ago2 d

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Bleed · 41-45, F

I’ve had a kindle for years but only just got into using it because I like physical copies BUT having loved so many times I’ve had to purge most of them. Here’s my advantages to the kindle:
I don’t need a light on to read at night.
It’s easier and lighter to hold.
I can take my whole library when I go away for the day or week.
Carrying it isn’t heavy and doesn’t damage the book.
I don’t have to find a place to put them and I don’t have to get rid of them either.
Most books are cheaper and you can download them instantly. You can get a lot for 99p if you browse their deals.
I like that I can highlight quotes and bookmark pages.
You don’t lose your page if you fall asleep or your bookmark falls out.

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dpoet · 36-40, M

@Bleed You don’t “own” Kindle books; you license them. Amazon’s Terms say Kindle content is licensed, not sold—which gives Amazon and the publisher more control over access.

Remote deletion has happened. In 2009 Amazon remotely deleted Orwell’s 1984/Animal Farm from users’ Kindles.

Books can be updated/replaced after you “buy” them. Amazon/publishers can push updated versions; with “Automatic Book Update” on, your local copy can change (and in some cases, replacing a file may affect notes/locations). Y

Harder to keep personal backups now. As of 2025 Amazon is removing “Download & Transfer via USB” for purchased books, making local archiving trickier and increasing reliance on Amazon’s cloud (and its policies).

Account actions can nuke access. If an account is closed/flagged, cloud access to your library can disappear

On a Kindle device (or the Kindle app on Android), Amazon and publishers can pull titles in narrow circumstances and can alter/replace files via updates.

Closed ecosystem (no apps): Kindle can’t install Android apps (no Google Play). On Android e-ink you can run Libby, Kobo, Kindle, Pocket, ReadEra, Moon+ Reader, Notion, Drive/Dropbox, TTS apps, etc.

Formats & DRM lock-in: Kindle is optimized for Amazon formats (AZW/KFX). It can ingest EPUB only via Send-to-Kindle (conversion); Android readers handle EPUB (native), PDF, CBZ/CBR, DJVU and more via apps.

Library borrowing (esp. outside the US): Kindle delivery from OverDrive/Libby is US-only. In Portugal/EU you typically read library loans as EPUB in Libby/Adept apps—works great on Android e-ink, not on Kindle.

PDF handling & pro tools: Kindles (even Scribe) have simpler PDF features (fewer layout/zoom/reflow options, cropping, split-view, handwriting layers, etc.) versus Android devices’ advanced PDF apps (NeoReader, Xodo, Foxit).

Handwriting/annotation limits: Scribe writes beautifully but notes on Kindle books are still more restricted (e.g., “sticky note” model for many reflowable titles, limited export/search). Android e-ink offers full-app note systems, layers, OCR, and cross-app inking.

Cloud & file workflow: Kindle mainly uses Send-to-Kindle, USB, and limited cloud hooks. Android e-ink lets you sync via Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive, WebDAV, FTP, etc., and automate with file managers.

Customization & performance modes: Android e-ink usually offers multiple refresh/anti-ghosting modes, gesture/nav tweaks, screen split, third-party launchers. Kindle is comparatively locked down.

Text-to-speech & audio flexibility: Kindles support Audible (BT) and VoiceView, but Android e-ink can run any TTS engine/app (read any EPUB/PDF aloud, multilingual voices, speed, shortcuts).

I/O & expansion: Many Android models add microSD, multiple sizes/ratios, and broader Bluetooth/keyboard/mouse support. Kindles have fixed storage (no microSD) and fewer “productivity” accessories.

Lock-screen ads (“Special Offers”): Some Kindles show ads unless you pay to remove. Android e-ink devices don’t ship with ads.

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Bleed · 41-45, F

@dpoet Sorry I don’t fully understand what all of that means. But you mean they can delete even the books that I have downloaded?? 🥺

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dpoet · 36-40, M

@Bleed yup. they have done it in the past. you don't have he books. they aren't yours. you just license them.

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Ducky · 31-35, F

I do. It’s handy if you want access to your book/story collection at any time and a lot of books you can purchase on the kindle are usually cheaper than buying physical copies. But the eye strain is something to take into consideration and hearing from others who really love books too, like my mom, the experience isn’t quite the same.

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faery · F

I have one.

No, I don't like it more but...

it's been much easier to covert since I made mine a cozy

It's easy to hold in bed no matter what position I sleep in, shuts itself off when I fall asleep and doesn't make a loud bang when it falls to the floor while I'm sleeping. I put it on the dimmest backlighting so it doesn't keep me awake and it's less light in the room than a lamp, which doesn't shut itself off. Reading is my favorite way to fall asleep, so it works for me.

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faery · F

@NudasPriest Thanks but I'm already considering removing it for charging now 🤭

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NudasPriest

@faery Oops. Sorry! If it's easy to do, it might be worth it. Or slip your hand behind it while charging next time to see if there's heat.

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faery · F

@NudasPriest Oh, I will be doing both things 😌 Never say I didn't listen while standing over my ashen remains ⚱

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Starchild1983 · 41-45, F

I love love love my kindle. It makes it so much easier for me to carry it around so I can read anywhere. It is super lightweight. I find handling it easier than physical books when it comes to reading too. Eye strain hasn’t been an issue for me. Plus you can subscribe to kindle unlimited and has access to thousands of books.

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BillyMack · 46-50, M

Got one for the wife last Christmas, and it’s probably the gift she’s used most often.

The ones now supposedly have a different setup so the possibility of eye strain is less.

You may want to try the Kindle Unlimited package for a month too if you do, to see if it’s worth it. Or just rent them from your library and have the ebooks sent to the Kindle.

Take it with a grain of salt though because I personally don’t use one.

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SlippingAway · 46-50, F

I had one a while back but stopped using it, I just love physically holding my books. I get it though, it's getting expensive and they take up space. I am lucky I have several pretty large used bookstores here where I can almost always find a good book for cheap in there.

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Pinkstarburst · F

I love my Kindle. I splurge on myself and have Kindle Unlimited too. I also love a physical book too. When I read a KU book that I really like, I will buy the book for my library. My Kindle goes with me everywhere. It’s a scribe so I use it for journaling too.

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Rambler · 61-69, M

I have the Kindle app on an iPad and I keep a few titles on it that I might want to occasionally consult when I am not at home with the actual book. It works,but it's not the same. For any real reading, I only read physical books. I love books, my house is full of books and I like it that way. I like being able to see them .

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OlderSometimesWiser · F

I read books on my iPad using the Libby app. No real need to buy any. It’s a library app with a huge selection of books to choose from. Though I do still love the feel of real books, getting used to reading ebooks was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

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Livingwell · 61-69, M

I have a kindle but sadly have yet to use it. I like physical books better. I read a lot about aircraft and war history and a physical book is much better for my research. And a few are collector items which are not in digital print. So I still have to make the leap to digital. Everything else I do is digital including photography.

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dpoet · 36-40, M

@Livingwell I read that a lot too

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exexec · 70-79, C

I like my kindle for casual reading, primarily fiction. I prefer books for nonfiction since I need to refer to them often. Another benefit of the kindle is ease of reading. My vision is not good, and large print books are hard to find.

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Bexsy

Have one, but i prefer physical books. I have a huge amount of books in storage. I just didn't have room.

Found the books i wanted on kindle, weren't that much cheaper

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mindstruggle

I'm still contemplating. I feel like it's ideal for me cause I don't have to worry about the books when I go home.

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LadyBronte · 61-69, F

I do. I do enjoy the ease of taking one small, light-weight, device when traveling or to work to read on breaks. But at home, when I read, I prefer the feel of a real book.

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ToLivePeacefully · 31-35, M

I decided not to buy one, bought a tablet and installed the kindle app.
It is way cheaper and you get to watch movies too.

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dpoet · 36-40, M

@ToLivePeacefully completely different.

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MethDozer · M

Its got its up amd downs. Eye strain has been no issue with the e-ink screen. The only thing there is it is kinda uncomfortable and awkward to hold while reading. You never notice how much holding a book is part of your sitting postion while reading. The other thing is it gets kind of annoyjng and exhausting reading one page at a time instead of two and comstently scrolling. I do find myself reading for shorter periods and getting tire if it faster than physical books or papers.

I think if it like this. The e-reader is like a walkman, the physical book is lik a hifi home stereo.
It's great though because I can read it anywhere and also get free or cheap editions for magazines, articles, and books that catch my interest butbI wouldn't buy. I prefer books and still choose books more often than not but my e-reader is nice addition to have on hand. Plus you usually get a free e reader version with a book purchase. Thats always cool because yoilu can catch a few pages even if you leave the book at home. Easier to bring an e reader than a full book to work or wherever, but when you are home you can read the physical book.