topic Tablet or book? in Book Club

Tablet or book?

songbird — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:07:17 GMT

a couple of months ago, I broke down and got a table. A Amazon Fire 10" plus tablet. I thought I would like to watch movies in addtion to reading books. Now 3 months later, I don't know if it was a good choice. You can curl up with a book just about anywhere, but not with a tablet. I can only read it in a certain chair. On my lap as all the tables I have are too high. I did get that tablet reader. Which helps keep it steady. I still haven't been able to get the app (Libby OverDrive, etc) to get library books. I have purchased quite a few online books through Amazon instead. I am a big reader. Another annoyance is that it eats up a lot of battery power. At one point I read two books in a row in one sitting. And in the middle of the second book, it went blank. I used up all my battery power. Also to charge it up, takes much longer then my phone. I'm debating getting the new summer books from two of my favorite authors (I always buy their books) or buying the kindle version. I've also read in the news that tablets are declining in sales. So are you glad you got a tablet?

Re: Tablet or book?

kaydee50 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:12:41 GMT

DH has a tablet. I never have used it. I like going to the library and getting my books. But then I don't have a smartphone either so I'm not in the 21st century--LOL!!

Re: Tablet or book?

docsgirl — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:14:20 GMT

I've had my Kindle for many years and would never want to be without it. While I always loved turning the pages of a book, now I only download books to my Kindle. I can have a 400 page book on my slim Kindle that I can just put in my purse and not have the bulk of a book. Also, since Covid I'm leery of touching the pages of a book. Since I borrow all my books from my library for free, it's more than paid for itself over the years. Love my Kindle. Happy Reading.

Re: Tablet or book?

chrystaltree — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:22:17 GMT

I have an Amazon Fire, I have had a few. I never had any problems reading on them but yeah, you do have to recharge them but all my Kindles charge fully in about 2 hours. I don't use my tablet for reading now because I bought a Kindle Reader. I love it. Light as a feather and the charge lasts for weeks. I charge it on Sunday morning if I remember. I bought the reader because it adjusts for outside reading in sunlight and it slips easily into my small crossbodies. I'm happy with my Kindle Fire and I'm happy with my Kindle Reader.

Re: Tablet or book?

QVCkitty1 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:22:30 GMT

@songbird wrote:
a couple of months ago, I broke down and got a table. A Amazon Fire 10" plus tablet. I thought I would like to watch movies in addtion to reading books. Now 3 months later, I don't know if it was a good choice. You can curl up with a book just about anywhere, but not with a tablet. I can only read it in a certain chair. On my lap as all the tables I have are too high. I did get that tablet reader. Which helps keep it steady. I still haven't been able to get the app (Libby OverDrive, etc) to get library books. I have purchased quite a few online books through Amazon instead. I am a big reader. Another annoyance is that it eats up a lot of battery power. At one point I read two books in a row in one sitting. And in the middle of the second book, it went blank. I used up all my battery power. Also to charge it up, takes much longer then my phone. I'm debating getting the new summer books from two of my favorite authors (I always buy their books) or buying the kindle version. I've also read in the news that tablets are declining in sales. So are you glad you got a tablet?

@songbird , I've been readin on a Kindle since I retired, and it is one of my best purchases. I actually have two, because Amazon was having a great sale and I figured my kindle couldn't last much longer. Well , it is still going strong, so I have a back up. I donated most of my books to the library fundraiser, and I have more room as they were taking over. I can read in bed at night without having a light, I can change the size and style of the font for my aging eyes and I can order a book at any time of day and have it in minutes. I can hold hundreds of books in the palm of my hand and with the cover, it is like holding a book, only lighter.

Re: Tablet or book?

Kachina624 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 22:26:23 GMT

@songbird I have that same Amazon Fire tablet which I despise for a number of reasons, none of which you mention. I have a holder that attaches to the back, my hand goes thru a Velcro strap on the back so I literally hold it in the palm of my hand.

My battery lasts longer than on any table I've owned, all day long from morning until bedtime. You can plug in your table as you use it so you never run out of battery.

Re: Tablet or book?

Sooner — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 23:06:35 GMT

I have an IPad mini that I love, and a Kindle and enjoy reading books on both. I use a large size IPad to read decorating books or magazines. I even read paper books sometimes.

I am really happy with all of these devices for what I do.

If you have trouble with apps, call Amazon or your local library and they will help you!

Re: Tablet or book?

BlueFinch — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 23:20:14 GMT

I still love to hold a physical book in my hands. But, with age, I usually opt for my Kindle for long reading sessions. I like that I can have some control of the font size. I also like the convenience of turning pages, without struggling with the book, particularly if it's heavy.

I also like to carry my Kindle with me for trips, or appointments, since I have so much to choose from on my reading list. If I become bored with one selection, I can move to another. It's light weight and fits easily in my purse, or tote.

There's lots to like about my Kindle. But, I can still get lost in a bookstore, caressing the books like rare treasures. I seldom leave empty handed.

Re: Tablet or book?

spumoni99 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 23:31:26 GMT

On a recent trip I didn't take a tablet, I have had two kindles but the last one quite working it was quite old. On the airplane with all of the lights out I wanted to read but didnt' want to disturb those around me with the light, another passenger nearby had her kindle and I was jealous!

My daughter just had one sent to me today for my birthday, we went on the trip together and she saw I needed a new kindle. I like being able to make the font larger also.

I dont even think I downloaded the app I went to the library and chose the book in overdrive mode and when I went to get the book I just said to send it to my kindle, I never even downloaded it. I do have libby and hoopla downloaded on my phone for when I want to listen to an audiobook while I do housework.

I just ordered a case for the paperwhite kindle and it has a place to hold it in your hand like kachina said.

Re: Tablet or book?

Sweetbay magnolia — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:18:54 GMT

I have the Kobo Libre and it's perfect.

It's just for reading and automatically adjusts to daylight/nighttime and you can read anywhere. I did much research and decided this was the best thing for me.

I don't need to surf the web on it, though you can. It doesn't even show the time unless you prompt that. When reading, aren't we supposed to leave all that behind?

Re: Tablet or book?

Meowingkitty — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:25:56 GMT

I'm not a reader but my husband is and I am grateful for Kindle. I can't imaging where we would store all of those books. Gradually we've donated all but one bookshelf of his books as the rest are on his kindle. We would need another house to store over 400 books.

Re: Tablet or book?

roeroe1005 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:29:05 GMT

I prefer books. But tablets are easier to carry when travelling!

I'm one of those readers who cheats by reading the last page first. It's a easier to do holding a book.

Re: Tablet or book?

ritasNo1Fan — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:34:39 GMT

love that mini ipad! Also the 8 inch Fire Tablets are excellent. I, too, adjust the size and brightness and I don't usually need my reading glasses. I also change the page background to black, the letters white. And it's so easy on the eyes. The 10 inch Fire is ok, but it is not as easy to hold on to. I love my books, but my apartment has only so much space and once I get a paper book in my hot little paws, I do not want to part with it. There is a web site called BOOK BUB that shows all the sale ebooks and FREE ebooks from different vendors.

Re: Tablet or book?

Qgirl26 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 01:35:32 GMT

@songbird, many years ago I had a 7" Fire that I read on and when it died, I bought a 10" Amazon Fire tablet to replace it. I love it for some things but find it too big to hold comfortably for reading, even with one of those tablet holders. I ended up buying an 8" Fire and I love it so much more to read! I use it only to read on, nothing else, so I don't use up the battery on other things. It's about the same size as a lot of books and so it's comfortable to hold. Battery life isn't too bad for me. Truth be told, I always loved the feel of a real book and I love going to the library, so I'm really a geek. But (and don't laugh) I didn't want to keep my dog awake at night and I'm a night owl, up late reading. I wanted the tablet so I could read with the lights off and I wouldn't disturb him. It ruined me though, because I still WANT to read a real book but at the same time, it's SO convenient to read on a Kindle. I get my ebooks from the library itself most of the time, delivered onto my device and if I finish one book at 1 am. I can go find another one right away to start on. No waiting to go to the library for the next one for me. I went last summer and got a bunch of books and you know what I ended up doing? I looked for the titles in the ebook section and I read them that way instead. And I lost my dog in May so I no longer have him to consider. It has just become so much more convenient. So it ruined me bad. There's a part of me that wishes I'd never started reading on a tablet but I did it for my sweet boy. I can't regret that but I do miss holding a real book. I am of no help at all here!

Re: Tablet or book?

layla2450 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 01:45:48 GMT

DEFINITELY a book.

Re: Tablet or book?

AuntG — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 02:33:13 GMT

Plain old books for me. I have a few classics on my Kindle that I intend to read. Mine doesn't adjust properly, so I can't read the screen when I'm in the sunroom on a bright day.

Re: Tablet or book?

FranandZoe — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 11:31:17 GMT

I've had a Kindle for over 10 years. I prefer reading with the kindle app on my laptop or iPad though - it's the only way I've read books the last half dozen years. I use my laptop on my dining room table - have an angled padded holder for the iPad - I sit on my couch and use it. I have very long battery life on the iPad. I keep my laptop plugged in all the time. I read on my phone too like when I'm waiting in a dr's office.

I buy my Kindle books from Amazon. They have a rewards program now which is nice. And Amazon offers other discounts on digital purchases. What I really love is that I can have a book immediately.

Re: Tablet or book?

sugar plum — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:54:17 GMT

I find that reading books on my old Kindle is easier on the eyes and as others have mentioned its great to carry in your purse. Plus you don't need WiFi to read.

At home, I use an 8" Fire tablet for surfing the web, email, and playing games, etc. I just make sure I've downloaded the Google Play app (there are work arounds for this).

When I travel, I bring my Fire 10 HD tablet to watch movies as well as my Kindle for reading.

Basically it's based on your preference. Hope his helps. Good luck!

Re: Tablet or book?

Tribesters — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 10:05:27 GMT

@songbird There is a huge difference between reading on a tablet & reading on a Kindle eReader. Amazon has tablets- such as the Kindle Fire. They're more versatile but for reading books the eReaders are FAR superior. Download your books & turn wifi off- your battery will last for days. There is no glare- you can read in direct sunlight. So much easier on the eyes. Most, except the earliest versions, have a backlit screen so you can read in bed without a light. Some also have the inverted text/background option where the screen is black & the text is white. Sometimes that's easier to read at night. You can adjust the brightness, fonts, text, etc...

I've had a Kindle since the very first version came out. I cannot even imagine reading a real book anymore. I love to relax & read in my jacuzzi tub. It's nice knowing my kindle is also waterproof. I've never tested it out but that's a good feature, just in case... 🤪

Right now the 2022 Kindle eReader is $79.99 on Amazon. Sometimes they have sales and even refurbished ones. If you normally buy books the Kindle would pay for itself in no time. I seldom pay for any books. I borrow Kindle versions from my local library. There are thousands to choose from- new releases generally have a "wait list." There's always something to read while you wait.

Amazon has a great return policy. I would encourage you to try one out. I think you'd love it.

Re: Tablet or book?

Toot1920 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:19:02 GMT

There's such a big difference between reading on an Amazon Fire tablet and Amazon Kindle (or any tablet/iPad). I have an 8" Fire just for reading library books that don't come in the Kindle Format. Here is the link for getting Libby on your Fire.

https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/kindlefire

Right now, Amazon has their regular Kindle, their Paperwhite Kindle, and Paperwhite Signature on sale. They are much lighter, so much easier to read, and battery lasts so much longer. I only turn on my wifi when downloading a book. My Paperwhite Signature lasts for a good couple of weeks before charging. I have what's called a Love Handle on the back of my devices for easier holding. I have purchased through QVC and Amazon.