A Beginner’s Guide to Kindle EBooks
Amazon first released the Kindle e-reader back in 2007. Since then, the Kindle line has continued to expand and become almost ubiquitous. But if you’ve never picked up an e-reader before, you probably have some really important questions, like how does a Kindle even work? Are they worth the money? Which Kindle should I buy? Here’s everything you need to know about Kindles.
What is Kindle and how does it work?
Essentially, the Kindle is an e-reader. This means that it is a smart device designed for reading e-books. E-books are essentially just digital versions of physical books—think of them as the equivalent of MP3s and CDs. They make books easy to access instantly and can often be purchased for much less than a full-length paper book.
Besides giving you unlimited access to Amazon’s e-book catalog, choosing an e-reader like Kindle over physical books is arguably more convenient. Because all your books are stored on the Kindle, which is smaller than most paperback novels, you can take multiple books with you without adding extra weight. You can also read in the dark with a Kindle, as they all have backlit displays. Sure, you can buy lamps and even small portable book lights, but at the end of the day, reading in the dark is much easier with a Kindle than with a regular book.
Kindles also easily track your reading progress, making it easy to jump in and out of a book as needed. You can even see how many minutes are left in the chapter, as well as how many minutes or hours are left in the book itself. It can also track your reading speed to give you an idea of how quickly you can read a book. Kindles also gives you the ability to search for words and even highlight and add notes to your books without messing up the pages. This is really handy for those books you need to read for book reports or book clubs, or if you just really like a line of text the author included and want to be able to remember it later.
These e-book readers work by downloading e-books through Amazon’s e-book catalog. You can access the catalog on the Kindle itself or through a web browser. For more details on how to buy Kindle books, be sure to check out our detailed guide .
Once you purchase a book on Kindle, you can download it instantly. For this to happen, you will need a network connection such as Wi-Fi or even a mobile hotspot. Once the book is downloaded, you can easily read it anywhere, even if you don’t have an internet connection. This makes it very convenient while on vacation, especially if you won’t have public Wi-Fi access while you’re there.
Which Kindle should I buy?
Considering there are five different Kindles you can buy, choosing between one can be a little difficult. Luckily, each Kindle offers several different features to help you determine if it’s right for you.
The basic Kindle is the cheapest and easiest to pick up and start using. It’s also the cheapest option at $99.99. It has an adjustable front-lit backlight, a 6-inch display, 16GB of internal storage, and will last up to six weeks on a single charge, according to Amazon. There is also a children’s Kindle , which is essentially similar but has a more child-friendly back design. Kindle Kids usually costs $119.99.
The next option is the Kindle Paperwhite . With 16GB of storage, a larger 6.8-inch display, and faster page turns, the Kindle Paperwhite is a great choice for reading enthusiasts. It also has an adjustable warm light and usually costs $149.99. There is also the Kindle Paperwhite Kids , which retails for $129.99. Like the basic Kindle, the children’s version features a more child-friendly design for the device.
If you need more storage space, you can always opt for the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition . It has the same large display as the Kindle Paperwhite, but has 32GB of internal storage, as well as wireless charging. The Signature Edition also features automatically adjustable backlighting that adapts to the brightness of your surroundings. It typically costs $189.99, making it one of the more expensive options.
If you need physical interaction keys, the Kindle Oasis gets the job done, but it’s one of the higher-end options. It features a 7-inch display, up to 32GB of storage, and an additional LED indicator under the display. It has all the features of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, except wireless charging. It also has automatic page orientation, physical page turn buttons, and free cellular connectivity. It’s currently out of stock on Amazon, but it typically costs $189.99, making it one of the pricier options on the market.
The most expensive Kindle on the market, the Kindle Scribe , is more like a tablet than an e-reader. Its huge 10.2-inch display is a pleasure to read, and it comes with up to 64GB of built-in storage. It also has writing capability, allowing you to write in electronic ink on the display, making it a great option for note-takers. It typically retails for $339.99 and comes with all the features of the Kindle Oasis except the waterproof design, cellular connectivity, and page turn buttons.