Kindle Paperwhite and questions (lots of questions)

Do uou currrently have a tablet? If so you likely dont need another device.

Go to your library website and look for digital resources. Ours has access to books through Overdrive, CloudLibrary and Libby. I use my iPad and dh uses his Samsung. Neither of us have a kindle device. You can also download the kindle App

I still have an early generation Kindle that works great. I doubt you’ll have issues with the quality of the machine.

You might prefer to read on a Paperwhite, even though you can read on your phone or any other device where you can download the app, if only to reduce eye strain or improve your reading experience so it’s as book-like as possible.

If your public library has a good selection of digital books, then you should have no problem borrowing them — that part really comes down to your library, not your device.

Otherwise, you’ve already gotten some good advice on this thread!

On sale from Amazon right now for $94.
Do you have Prime? With Prime, you get some free books. Every month there is a "First Reads". You can pick one book out of several offered, for free. There are some other freebies offered and also some very inexpensive books too.
Yes. My Library uses something called Bridges. I log in using my Library card number. It is just like checking a regular book out of the Library. I can have it on my device for 2 (or maybe 3) weeks. Once the time is up, it goes away. I have found as long as I do not close out of the book, even after the time is up, I can still continue to read it, as long as I keep my Paperwhite charged. But there are also limited quantities of books to check out too. You might have to get on a wait list for some of the popular books. There are some books that took a couple months for me to move up to the top of the list to be able to check them out.
Is your Library closed completely? Mine is closed to the Public, but still staffed. I can call in if I need to. I was able to set my stuff up on my own, but I did need to know my Library card number. I'm sure each Library system differs though.



The app works great on a tablet or your phone. But once I got my Paperwhite, I loved it so much more. The screen makes it so easy to read in all light conditions. My kids had the regular Kindles (non-Paperwhite) and I was amazed at how much better I liked the Paperwhite, and it's special lit screen. It is an e-Reader only, it does not do anything else.

You might try out the Kindle app on a tablet and see if you're interested. If you are, I'd recommend the Paperwhite for long term reading. It's lighter and more comfortable to hold than a tablet, IMHO.

If you have a library card, you can probably sign up online at your local library and choose downloads there.

I have seen on Facebook that the New York City Library is opening it's collection to everyone during this isolation period. I'm not sure how that works, but I'm sure you can figure it out.

I love my Paperwhite!

Buy from Amazon. The customer support is great and you can get one with ads which cuts the price—the $94 mentioned. You only see the ad when you turn it on and then it’s gone as soon as you swipe to your book. And you can pay the extra $ and get the ads shut off if you really can’t stand them.

There is also the basic version of a Kindle available for $60. If you always have a light source, you can consider that. The Paperwhite has a back lit screen that is easy on the eyes and allows for you to read in a dim or dark room, but I did fine with a regular Kindle for years.

You can get them with or without an internet connection. I really recommend without an internet capability. I don’t use it enough to justify the extra expense and can use WiFi or my phone as a hot spot if needed. You would need WiFi to download a book, but that takes less than a minute and then you don’t need it again until you check out another book.

If you have a Kindle Fire, iPad, or other tablet, you can get a Kindle app. The app is similar to using a Kindle, but a little more clunky. And you have a blue screen vs e ink to read off of. I always have books on my phone. It has a continuous scroll feature, so you sort of read and scroll down as you read (rather than tapping the device to go to the next page). I don’t even notice it anymore.

You cannot listen to an audiobook on a Paperwhite, but it does have text to speech where a computer generated voice reads the text. Search for examples on YouTube. It’s not for me, but obviously some people like it or the option wouldn’t be there.

As others have said, check your library for available books. I find there is a wait for the bestsellers. But my library system just added 40,000+ classics that are always available.

Once you set up your Kindle/Paperwhite, it’s very simple to use. I have mine set to upload books from the library automatically when I check them out.

Are you the one who lives in Pittsburgh? If so, then yet you can borrow ebooks from the library. They use Overdrive. 

You should buy the Paperwhite from Amazon if you can because it's less expensive. Get the one "with ads" or whatever they call them "might be "promotional")... they're not really ads like for products, it's just suggested books, and that screen only appears when you first open your kindle. Also a good reason to buy it from Amazon is their customer support that can help you get it set up (if the Peas can't, of course ) 

Once you do that then we can walk you through how to borrow a book. 

If you don't need the backlit feature and think you will only use it while libraries are closed, you can get a regular kindle. They are cheaper.

That's what the Kindles are good at! Minus the Kindle Fire, which is more like an iPad.

You're all set then! Get the Paperwhite and then we'll get you set up, or Amazon will. Their online chat is quite good, although don't try to find the link on their website. Just google "Amazon online chat" to get the direct link. They hide it well on the site. I like doing the online chat because you don't have to deal with a bad connection to an overseas representative, and you don't have to try to understand an accent through that bad connection. 

Dont forget to go through ebates. It won't pop up, you have to go through the website or the app but they often give 5% on amazon devices