Shout-out to the Kindle App

Submitted by DioLeva t3_116b3oh in books

I am not getting paid for this statement!

So let's summarize why I like to read on a phone:

The Good: -buying an ebook is instant and cheaper -a lot of customisable layouts, in particular the zoom function -coupled with the ability to read by endless scrolling, I don't have to move my eyes at all. This results in much more focus

The bad:

  • I can't flex about the books I read and put into the shelf or visitors can't enjoy a book while waiting...unless I hand over my phone, but who would do that

Not Ugly: -reading ebooks with a phone isn't classy at all. The image of a person sitting under the shadow of a tree during a hot day is not the same with a phone in hand

So in general, I used the technique that makes us binge social Media and turned it into a reading feature! Losing the ability to look cool while reading is a worth trade for me

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Comments

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CactusJ t1_j968ons wrote

Just wait until you learn about Libby, and reading free books from your Library on your phone.

It will change your life.

https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/11444x7/the_libby_app_changed_my_life/

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theflyingfistofjudah t1_j9730ir wrote

As well as everything from the Public Domain. I’m essentially reading for free because the 19th century is my jam.

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EmbroideryBro t1_j97h1cn wrote

Yes!! You can also send borrowed ebooks to your kindle if I remember correctly, which is absolutely awesome!

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CactusJ t1_j989ip2 wrote

And on a Kobo you can directly check out books from the library on the ereader.

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goosey_goosen t1_j9979pi wrote

I have the Kindle Paperwhite and I didn't know this was possible! Would you share how to do it? I prefer to read on my Kindle but Libby being on my phone keeps me from my Kindle (which let's be real, has way better battery life)

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EmbroideryBro t1_j99j68t wrote

Yes!

  • click the middle button at the bottom (hamburger icon)
  • under help and support, click settings
  • find "read books with..."
  • click that, then click kindle when prompted for a preference in where to send books
  • you should be redirected to amazon at this point to link your accounts. Sign in and verify.
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goosey_goosen t1_j9ailzg wrote

Amazing I'll give it a try!

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EmbroideryBro t1_j9bmrwv wrote

I hope it works! Forgive me if I missed a step - it's been a month or two since I set it up myself 😅

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goosey_goosen t1_j9cwk32 wrote

I tried it out and it seems to have worked? It just said, 'done', didn't ask me to sign in to Kindle though, so not exactly sure how it synced 😅 maybe because I have the Kindle app on my phone already? Who knows. My next hold should be available soon so I'll see if it works!

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Princess-Reader t1_j97ij72 wrote

I’m a HUGE Libby fan, but I don’t think of it as “free”! I think of it as a service I pay for with my taxes -why would I pay for a 2nd reading service?

I love my library; I only read fiction and get all my novels via Libby.

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redjessie t1_j95y85m wrote

I will read on my phone if I’m out and about, but I prefer to read on my kindle ereader. Much better in sunshine and no distractions popping up on the screen. I love being able to borrow e-books from the library and reading them on the kindle app/device. Saved me a fortune in books.

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ActonofMAM t1_j98ft2m wrote

E-ink is fantastic. I need a bigger type size in my old age, and it really helps.

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ER_RN_ t1_j95vyin wrote

I love the Kindle app. I don’t care about looking cooI, I like having the instant access!

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fmlchris t1_j96b16a wrote

I like the availability. Downtime? Read. Stuck in a waiting room? Read.

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lucia-pacciola t1_j95xtl1 wrote

It sucks that Google forced them to remove the store integration, so you have to go to your browser, pull up your Amazon account, find the book you want, buy it there, then go back to Kindle to read it.

But I can live with that.

What's really pissing me off right now, not about the app, but about Amazon, is that their store doesn't keep track of what book samples I've downloaded.

When I just read the sample and want the book, I fully expect that book to be the top suggestion the moment I land on the Kindle store page at the Amazon website. But it isn't.

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DioLeva OP t1_j95yohk wrote

Ye I had the same issue where I can't buy inside the App. tI changed again and I really don't know why. So now you can purchase in the App again. I live in Germany, maybe that's the reason 🤔

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boxer_dogs_dance t1_j962l0w wrote

I have my kindle app synced with good reads, so I share my book shelf that way.

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4519030019054058 t1_j96cjnp wrote

Also, you get great audiobooks on Libby. Great for walks !

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MostTrifle t1_j96iu5v wrote

I've started avoiding the Kindle App, too much control of Ebook market by Amazon.

As an alternative, I use Ebooks.com and others, buy EPUBs and then remove the DRM (legally) and put the books into my Calibre Library. I have a Boox ereader and have large chunk of my library loaded. I also have the Kindle app on there for my older kindle books.

It's a little faffy but I truly own my books forever. Amazon can't decide to just delete them or if I get locked out of my Amazon account I don't lose everything; this has happened to multiple people! There are stories of people crossing borders and being locked out of their accounts due to falling foul of the DRM rules.

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DioLeva OP t1_j96msx2 wrote

You got some very good points. I am also aware of the market position of Amazon and the thought of losing all my books never occured to me...but it's frightening nevertheless. Thanks for offering an alternative!

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whatsnewpikachu t1_j96mhbl wrote

And Libby!!

Free ebooks!!

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DioLeva OP t1_j96nf50 wrote

I really have to check it out! Probably the second time that someone mentions it under my post

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nigeldcat t1_j96e7i2 wrote

I purchased the first generation of the Kindle reading device when it came out in 2008. I was traveling internationally for work a couple of times a month and was tired of lugging multiple books to read. My paper copy of Don Quixote literally went around the world with me, but it is not light to carry all day when travelling.

The Kindle was great because I could carry multiple books and purchase books on the go. I found myself reading multiple books at a time as I could easily carry them and could pick light reading or heavy reading depending on my mood. The downside was I no longer had conversations with other people about the book I was reading as no one could tell what you were reading.

Fast forward to today and I am on my third Kindle device, the Kindle Paperwhite, and have the app on my phone, computers, and a fire tablet. I pretty much always have a book to read no matter where I am at. I still prefer the Kindle Paperwhite as it is light, small but not too small, can be read in low light and bright sunlight, and battery life is phenomenal. I always take it when I travel, and usually what I read when on the treadmill or bike at the gym. My phone provides the tunes.

I miss the smell of a book and going to a bookshelf, opening a book I read, and finding little surprises like a boarding pass stub, business cards, or the occasional slip of paper money I used as a bookmark. But the fact that I have my library available without carrying the weight is worth the tradeoff.

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Grace_Alcock t1_j96or25 wrote

I once went on vacation to Australia and took four physical books and bought another handful there. My kindle was a life saver.

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DioLeva OP t1_j96n6ji wrote

Thanks for your thoughts! Everytime I go to the mall, I visit the bookstore there, knowing that I will leave without buying anything. Just seeing so many books makes me happy

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Background-Baby-8819 t1_j960gnf wrote

I read on iPad via Kindle app but thinking go buying the Kindle itself! Thoughts???

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nigeldcat t1_j96h32o wrote

I have used an Ipad Air with app, but I prefer the Kindle Paperwhite, because it is lighter, the e-ink is easier on the eyes, and the screen size is just right for me, not too small and not too big. I also never worry about the battery being dead. The weight difference is huge compared to an Ipad when you are holding it to read on a long flight.

I still use a tablet or laptop as well, but the "Kindle" still earns a place in bag most of the time and is my go too device for reading.

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Delicious-Charity-44 t1_j9841ks wrote

If you read a lot I highly recommend the kindle Paperwhite! So worth it. I love the instant access, reading at night, and being able to carry it around in my bag. I also love not having a distraction of a phone. It’s only for books so I have much less temptation to scroll and waste my time.

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heyheyheyhey627 t1_j96amx1 wrote

I bought several Paperwhites for my family for, like, $10 apiece at goodwill and they are so great! So easy on the eyes, you can adjust the font size to your liking. It's hard for me to go back to paper, to be honest?

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Background-Baby-8819 t1_j96mssa wrote

Is it easy to find Kindle at Goodwill? Like out of stock, so if I am lucky I will find one etc

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heyheyheyhey627 t1_j96oiqe wrote

I wasn't even looking for them when I found them! You can also look at shopgoodwill.com, which includes listings from a whole bunch of Goodwills. I might make sure they're tested, though? In the store I could test it on my own, but you can't really do that online.:/

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redjessie t1_j96f03b wrote

Kindle is smaller/lighter. Can hold with one hand while reading in bed

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HappyLeading8756 t1_j96uzq4 wrote

Do it.

I read for years using Kindle app, both on my phone and tablet. Few years ago got Kindle and even though I still use app occasionally, Kindle is so much better. More comfortable when it comes to the size, ergonomical, easier for the eyes (especially if you spend time on phone and computer), better battery, less distractions due to lack of other functions.

I have Kindle (80$ one)

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gangtraet t1_j96y3cr wrote

Used to read on the Kindle paperwhite. Then I started using an ipad, and have been reading quite a bit on it too. I still prefer the “real” kindle, though, it is lighter, an you can actually sit outdoor during summer and read on it without straining the eyes.

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DioLeva OP t1_j962ga0 wrote

I first got the Kindle Oasis, so probably the best experience with that device. It was a pleasure but after realising how smooth the endless scrolling feels on the phone, I never came back and sold it. I would consider the Kindle if you don't need the endless scrolling!

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Gyng1 t1_j96odqc wrote

I don't know why, but somehow I enjoy reading on my phone more than reading on my kindle.

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Bronwynbagel t1_j978mbt wrote

My kindle has been getting dusty in my closet for years since the day I discovered the kindle app lol

It’s just sooo convenient I always have my phone charged and on me everywhere I go I can read in any light or environment. It’s amazing and I’ll never go back

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Spiritual-Extent-771 t1_j97cpqu wrote

I love the app because it syncs between my kindle and phone. I read at work (lots of downtime) and pick up where I left off.

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ActonofMAM t1_j98gfxv wrote

Agreed. Reading is much more fun than displaying your reading in order to impress people.

I'm slowly divesting parts of my huge used book collection because (a) my Kindle replaces so much of it and (b) after eye surgery I can't comfortably read regular sized paperbacks. I donate to several local Little Free Libraries in town as they need refilling.

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_cuppycakes_ t1_j99a1lq wrote

get yourself a FREE library card and get kindle ebooks from Overdrive/Libby

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Artemis97000 t1_j9jnk3e wrote

I love my Kindle Oasis. At first I thought I'd hate the asymmetrical design, but the way it's weighted fits right into one hand, so I don't get strain from propping a book open with my thumb and don't have to change position every time I want to turn a page, just press a button or swipe the screen. It's backlit, so I can read in the dark. E-ink is easy on the eyes, and of course I can fit a whole library of books in it. The best part is it's water resistant (I think one of the main reasons I upgraded from my original kindle) so I can read in the bath and not worry about getting a book wet. So relaxing! I hadn't been able to do that before.

The only complaint I could have is that the battery doesn't last quite as long as my old kindle, but that one wasn't back lit. These days I go long stretches between reading too, so I notice the battery level less.

I used to read on my phone, but definitely prefer the kindle for books. It fits right in my purse so it's really convenient.

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[deleted] t1_j98ldz0 wrote

Mirc channels then convert your file into a mobile, free books.

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MrSapasui t1_j98w6u9 wrote

Kindle lovers, do you know of a way to bulk download my kindle library to my (new) phone? Or do I need to touch each book’s thumbnail one at a time?

Re the OP, yes, I agree on all points. I love being able to capture otherwise wasted moments in lines or waiting rooms or wherever because I have a whole library available to me of personally curated titles.

My only problem is that my kids probably don’t differentiate between my reading an intellectually enlarging work and mindlessly wasting time staring at a screen.

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trishyco t1_j99bl17 wrote

I have a Paperwhite with a fancy faux leather cover. It looks like I’m reading an epic tome.

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uwotm8_8 t1_j95xvvq wrote

Still cringe every time someone not so subtly shows off their big bookshelf. Maybe one day that shelf will have a couple of books on ego..

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rudee15 t1_j96eq15 wrote

You must be a great friend to cringe over somebody else's achievement.

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