you are welcome, and of course you can get a lot of free kindle books right from amazon just use the kindle to go to the kindle store and look for free ebooks they have quite a few and often they have specials with a one or two day option for free on a current book those are the ones you really want to snatch up while they are there you never know how long it will be free. In fact I am reading this book right now and you can get it free from amazon for yours too.
One Deadly Sister

you can follow the links there for more free books.

minnie you can always just download the kindle for pc to your computer or laptop and read from that it is all free!

Alisande, do you remember that you can borrow ebooks if you have a library card?

Pam, yes, I used to download a lot of audio books to my MP3 player, and when I was reading up on the Kindle at Amazon I noticed they mentioned borrowing ebooks online from local libraries. I'll have to find what ours has available.

Our librarian took a poll on Facebook recently asking about interest in downloadable magazines.

Now that DS and family are moved, I will be checking these sites out! DH bought me a Kindle Fire for Christmas, after telling me we didn't need 2 e-readers! I bought him a Kobo for father's day for his lyrics & chorditure, but it is too small for him to use for that. He can't read it that small and still play the guitar at the same time. I also plan on converting all of my knitting patterns to pdf so I can store them on it. It will be so much easier to do that than try to take all the patterns I "might" want to use in the motor home!

I was surprised at how much heavier the Kindle Fire is than his Kobo. This thing is really heavy!

Tami

currently not all libraries do the kindle format so it will depend on if yours does yet or not, most all do use epub format so any reader that uses epub can use the library also.
for any one else interested here is how to do it using overdrive, pretty much any of the tablets and newer ereaders will be able to do this.
How To Get Free eBooks From Libraries Using Overdrive

certain android tablets will need to install the Spare Parts app to be able to then use overdrive.

ereadernewsweekly.com

sign up for their weekly newsletter listing all the free books

Thanks so much for this thread & f/u posts! I too rec'd a Kindle Fire from dh. Lots to learn! So I really appreciate all the info & links. I'll be "clipping" a lot of these posts!

Luckygardnr, that URL doesn't work. Could it be called something else?

Some books you buy from Amazon you can loan for 14 days to other Kindlers.

Here's another forum for Kindlers: kindleboards.com

Also I think Amazon Prime members have some kind of a Kindle benefit, can't remember what it is.

Have fun, Susan!

I'm coming back to check these all out. Babysitting days here for DS until Thursday.
Yep, I got a Kindle for Christmas and I just KNEW there would be a post on them! LOL (well, I hoped there would be one)

Thanks so much for this information! I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas and I am totally inexperienced in using anything like it! I know that I will find so much extra info after reading your post. Thank you!

It was a Kindle Christmas for me too. I received a Kindle Touch from my daughter and a Kindle Fire from my husband. I'm hoping to be able to use both one way or another. They were both such considerate gifts and both so lovingly chosen. I am touched beyond belief.

I got one too; I was shocked! I have great kids! :)
But I still use a flip phone....that is how advanced I am in regards to technology.

My son set it all up for me before they gave it to me. He registered it with an email address he had created for me because they didn't want an acknowledgement email coming and giving away the surprise. Can anyone tell me an easy way to change it? I haven't had much time to play with it yet. But I did go to Amazon and try to get a free book and it said they don't have a Kindle registered to me! Help!

Sorry Alisande, it's http://ereadernewstoday.com/

juellie-
Since you aren't fully tech savvy, perhaps the easiest thing for you would be to contact Amazon's Kindle Support.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kindle Support

I bought my 90 year old mother the $79 kindle and registered it as my second kindle. She can read anything I have bought over the years. I set it up and put on about 20 books I thought she might like. I was prepared to keep it myself if she didn't like it (long history there!) but she does like it and she can use it. Her eyesight is great but her hands are horrible. Luckily the thumbs are ok and she is doing well with it.

didn't your son give you that new email info that he used to register your kindle? if so you have to use that info so it knows who you are. You will have to do that to be able to get into your account to change it to some other email address if you choose to. Talk to your son surely he kept the pertinent info for you to be able to use it since he has it all set up for you.

I bought a keyboard Kindle in early December and loved it.....getting books from our local library has been great.
Last night I accidentally "crunched" it with my elbow and the top part of the screen went blank. I am heartbroken!
But I got DH a Kindle for Christmas and he was kind enough to let me borrow it so I could finish my library book which was due today.
I called Amazon today and they are sending a replacement at a much discounted price and it will be here Thursday or Friday. I have the old one packaged to return.
So, everyone, be careful not to leave your Kindle in places where it can inadvertently be damaged.

Oh, Carol! That's sad, I'm glad they'll help you out. That was one of my biggest fears and the reason I made a hardback cover for my Sony reader. I am very nervous of putting too much pressure on the screen and I didn't want the cats on it, either. I found a hardback book at the thrift shop and took it apart and made it into a reader holder/cover.

Great idea. Thanks!

for you new to Kindle people- one feature I love is the free sample, as many as you like. Often when I hear or read of a book someone else is reading, I look it up on Amazon; if it sounds interesting I downlaod the free sample before I invest.

Thank you for the link kudzu9. I have it straightened out - I think. And ravencajun, you don't know my son! lol but he did help me.....I think. I'm off to bed to give it a try! :)

I spent some time today browsing e-book sites, including Amazon. Other than the old, public domain classics, most of the free books seem to consist of self-published works (often debut novels) or short stories (one story per "book," often by well-known writers). Is this what you all have found, or am I missing something?

I've found that a lot of the 'newer' free books are fairly mundane mysteries, crime novels, Christian themed stories or cheap romances. None of which interest me.

Maire, that's what I'm seeing. I love a good mystery/crime novel, but the free versions are largely self-published. I know there are some good self-published books out there, but many others are poorly written (which is why they couldn't get a publisher).

I checked Amazon for reviews on some of these. I'm willing to bet many if not most of the rave reviews were written by friends of the authors. I've seen this in my own writing community.

One thing I love about my Kindle already is that I can increase the font size and eliminate the need for reading glasses. Yay!!

I'm SO impressed with Flamingo's e-reader case!!

Flamingo, how about instructions for that cover! Geez, has anyone looked at the price of covers for ebooks? I looked at one tonight, very slim selection, very picked over, ONE that would fit the Kindle Fire was $30! It was the only one they had.

Tami

What size needle did you use in your sewing machine, Flamey?

I received a Kindle Touch for Christmas which will replace my older keyboard Kindle. So far I like it a lot. I do agree that the choice of free books is underwhelming. I do like the classics, however, and so frequently load those. Yesterday I bought a cover for it at Staples and I, too, was astonished at the price: $34.00! But it is a sturdy M-Edge, slightly padded and zipped, and it fits the Touch like a glove. It is very convenient with a small pocket on it and quite cute. So I consider it a necessary and one-time purchase (I hope).

Tami, I have a mini-tute for converting an old book into a reader cover on my blog. See the link. And you can find more tutes by googling for them. I saw a real good one on instructables.com which got me started. The hardest part is finding the right sized book to begin with. Used book stores are a great place to look. I wanted something slick as opposed to fabric, so self-help/informational books were the best for me. I have 3 or 4 more sitting here, waiting to be converted so I'll have different ones to use.

Carol, I used a regular sewing needle because I was only sewing thru fabric and elastic. The piece that holds my reader is glued into the empty book shell after I constructed it to fit the reader.

I made mine for about $5, maybe less. I refuse to pay $35 and up for some generic black cover. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Mini-tute-

So many lucky people to get Kindles for Christmas! Count me among you. If you're on Facebook search for Pixel of Ink or Ereader News Today. Both have posts sometimes several times a day with free books. They link to their site which gives a brief description of the book & a link to Amazon. Kindle Fire Department, also on Facebook usually has daily tips. Today's is Kindle Fire Covers. I purchased a cover simular to the Marware case off Ebay for $12. Hope this is helps some of you.
P.S. Although my KF was a Christmas gift, I opened it & have been using it since mid-November;)

I got the best deal ever for a Kindle cover.

A Groupon offer came in a couple weeks ago and offered a choice of some lovely covers at $15 for a $40 cover and boy is it ever beautiful!

When it arrived, I was so impressed with how it looked and was presented/packaged, that I wrapped it and wrote To: Jodi ... From: The Elves on a label. :-)

I got the Verso Artist Series called Cities. Did I mention that it was beautiful? Seriously, I have it sitting right next to me at the office and I pick it up and admire it often. Of course I'm just trying to avoid having to work but you don't need to know that. LOL

Jodi-

Here is a link that might be useful: Verso Artist - Cities

be very very sure if ordering any kindle or other ereader cover you have the right model!!! they are not a one size fits all.

I made a similar one my self for my original pandigital, I went to walmart and found a daily calendar type book that had a leather cover was under $10, I used an exacto knife to carefully cut out the pages section then cut a section out of the cover page to glue back in the center to cover the exposed spine, I did not sew anything I purchased the self stick heavy duty velcro at walmart and I stuck the fuzzy side to my reader where it was not interfereing with anything and the 2 aligning gripper pieces stuck to the cover. Works beautifully. I posted all the steps and pictures way back then on another forum. but there are some very very cheap covers and sleeves out there so just check around. I know my Tuesday Morning has a LOT of kindle leather covers for very cheap and some nice sleeves of the newoprene type which I bought for my little sylvania tablet.

here are some of my project steps
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the pink band is just a hair elastic head band that goes round it to keep it closed.

another warning many of the earlier type kindle covers that have a type of latch mechanism that clicks into the kindle itself have caused some serious breaks to occur on the kindle there are many warnings about them around so if you are looking at that type be warned! The flexing of that hinge cracks the kindle case.

If you do a search on amazon you will find a multitude of covers for decent prices but the correct model is essential, I know this from experience LOL I tried one that sounded by measurement would fit but nope it did not, my friend got a very nice pink leather cover as a gift it fit hers beautifully.

as to the quality of free books it really depends where you look and when you look. I have found many many really good books new current books by well known authors all free. You just have to keep at it and grab them the minute you see them on sale or free they may be gone tomorrow. That One deadly sister that I linked to above is a very good mystery, it is one of a 3 part series the other two are not free but are very cheaply priced.
I use feedbooks a lot for the original series, many famous authors do put some of their books there and some are by new up and coming authors.
Just keep googling for free ebooks there are new sources constantly popping up. there are also now several sharing sites for kindle users for that lend me aspect so you can look for those sites too and join in on the lend me books.

I must be the only person on this planet who had her Kindle Fire returned...my original Kindle is all I need...I have no use for wi-fi or games...my iphone covers that area and if I'm going to use a computer it's gonna be a laptop...

I do so love my kindle though!! I keep it loaded with books so I've always got something to read!

That was a great deal, Jodi!

Is this the right cover for my Kindle? I have the basic model, purchased this month. Can I assume it's the Kindle 4? I don't see any model number on it.

Thanks!

alisande you will have to look through the literature that came with it to determine which model it is, it is sometimes not easy to tell just by when it was purchased or description since they now have so many models.
I am sure somewhere in the kindle it self there is some where it tells the info about the unit itself, I know all of my android tablets has a settings icon and in there it has an about unit area where it tells everything from model number to the version of android etc.

I am new to posting but have been reading here forever. I just received a Kindle too and am enjoying reading all of the tips.

one of the lending sites/forums is
http://www.booklending.com/

Let Others Know Which Books You Can Lend

Here is a link that might be useful: booksformyereader

Good, GrammaJ--I'm glad this thread is helping others besides me.

Raven, thanks. I think the info is on the Kindle itself. I'll take a look.

Liz-ga... You posted exactly what I would have posted. I have the Kindle Keyboard I bought last year and totally in love with it. I have no need for the Kindle Fire. I have my Iphone if I need to get online outside of home/deskeop computer and I'm constantly downloading books onto my Kindle. I have a couple of dozen I've download that I haven't read yet and are free or .99 cents or even up to $2.99. I get them from the Amazon Kindle books website over on the right where it says Top 100 paid and Top 100 Free. They get new ones weekly, it seems. I also borrow from my library too.

Following these instructions on the eBook Reader site Raven posted above (thanks, Raven!), I learned that I can use my Kindle to borrow library books online--not from my local library (yet), but from a neighboring county. I have a library card from that county, so I'm good to go. This is great!

That looks like my Kindle Susan. I think DD said it was the 4? Of course I am new at this too, so take that with a grain of salt.
That's a good price for the cover also. I ordered one from Amazon and it was a little over $10.
Thanks for all the information, I have 21 books on my Kindle now! All free so far, I know I will buy some in the future, but enjoying free right now! LOL I've started a new saved folder for all the websites and once things settle down I plan on putting some up for lending.
I am in the middle of a paperback book, it's slow going and I am SO tempted to give up on the book and start one on my Kindle! I think I will have to enlarge the print on mine just a bit. I can't read it with my glasses on, but can read it fine without the glasses. Just depends on where I will be reading it I guess as to whether I enlarge it or not.

This game, Every Word, is free for all Kindles. And it has a lot of fans, apparently. But if your Kindle doesn't have a keyboard, wouldn't it be slow (and frustrating) to play?

That's a great game, I play it often. My Kindle has the keyboard so it's easy to do. I can also read my Kindle books on my smart phone - but i usually have my Kindle with me.

Alisande, I get emails from Kindle each month, it lists free and greatly reduced ebooks. You are right, some (often many) listed on the kindle boards are self published but there is a ton of classics out there as well. And I have picked up a bunch of wonderful cookbooks, business and nonfiction books as well.

Carol, glad you are getting yours replaced so quickly! I can't say enough good things about Amazon, I think they are a great customer service company, and that about kills me because I try to support my local businesses first.

Flamey, you are so creative!

This was recently posted on the eReader blog. It's about returning Kindle books to Amazon for a refund. I think you have 7 days from the purchase to do it. I haven't tried it but I think it's interesting.

Here is a link that might be useful: returning Kindle books for a refund

I got a library book on my Kindle this afternoon! The library has a large selection, but not many are available immediately. I put an eHold on another book; I'm #3 on the waiting list.

Alisande - I play Every Word and enjoy it. You don't need the keyboard, simply use the 5-way. There are quite a few free word games. Grid Detective is fun, too.

If you have not yet discovered the beautiful skins available for them then head over to this site.

http://www.decalgirl.com/
You can really dress it up and make it unique. My sister has a beautiful one on hers.