Calling Aussie Kindle Users

[Rebecca (Bec)]

I thought I would read up a bit more about Kindle because it sounded great..


then I saw this article

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digit...

which basically was saying that although Kindle is avaliable to Austrllians, the choices of books arn't necessarily avaliable as they are to the American Market.

I am hoping to find some Aussie users of Kindle before I make my decision. Do you know if I can test to see if the books I like are avalible in Aus? In particualr the PNR and UF genres. I know I find it difficult already to go to a book shop and find a decent variety of PNR/UF on the shelves. I don't want it to just as difficult with Kindle


Even if your not an Aussie user, maybe you could shed some light?

[Sally]

I do know that lots of audio books aren't available in our part of the world, Rebecca (I'm in Melbourne), which is really frustrating, so it's quite possible that eBooks aren't available either. I do know that you can only buy from Amazon to use Kindle, which I really hate. However, I see you can use mobipocket on Kindle so that increases your chance of getting books to download.
Have a look at Booksonboard.com and see if they are able to download to Kindle. I find they have a wonderful range of paranormal etc. books available.
Another thing, your Brisbane library has downloadable eBooks and audio books and you can join online. I use their counterpart here in Melbourne - Yarra Plenty Library and find them great. As you will see when you go to the website: http://brisyprl.lib.overdrive.com/D9B... their ebooks can be downloaded as mobipocket.

Hope this is of some help. Personally, I have the ambition to have an eReader some day, but till the price goes down, I'll be happy with real books, and downloadable audio books, which I love.

[Rebecca (Bec)]

Sally wrote: "I do know that lots of audio books aren't available in our part of the world, Rebecca (I'm in Melbourne), which is really frustrating, so it's quite possible that eBooks aren't available either. I..."

Thanks Sally,

I am from Melbourne too! The article i found was when i was when researching kindle to try an decide if I should make a switch. I wasn't sure how many Aussie were in the PNR groups I go to and was hoping to get someone!

I will certainaly check out the Booksonboard and see if they have PNR and UF books. As I said, I would hate to get a Kindle and find that none of the books I want are avaliable to buy in Australia.

[Sally]

In that case, Rebecca, try that website I sent you for the library, as Melburnians can use the Yarra Plenty Library and join over the internet. I live in Ferntree Gully, so as you can tell, it doesn't really matter where you live to be a member of the library.

[Rebecca (Bec)]

Can I just clarify.. What is a mobipocket?

[Jen]

I've been looking into ereaders but don't think they're worth it for australia yet(i'm in perth) I get my books from bookdepsitory.com as they're around $10 a book, post for free and have all the ones i'm after.

[Sally]

Thanks for the tip, Jen. I must admit, I try not to buy books. Ourlibrary is part of a group and we can order books from any library in the group. There are very few books I've been unable to get when I wanted them. As a matter of fact, as soon as I finish a book in a series, I order the next one from the library.

[Rebecca (Bec)]

Jen wrote: "I've been looking into ereaders but don't think they're worth it for australia yet(i'm in perth) I get my books from bookdepsitory.com as they're around $10 a book, post for free and have all the o..."

Hi Jen. I also Use bookdepository.com , it is awesome, however I know I am eventually going to have a space issue with all my books!

[Shelleyrae]

I did a bit of research too - you can get almost all of the books you are likely to be looking for from Amazon - create an account at Amazon and then browse the kindle book lists - only those available to Australia are shown (they say & international delivery via Whispernet) so you can see what the range is. You do need to make sure you are within the 3G network tho - use this link and type in Australia to see the map http://client0.cellmaps.com/tabs.html...
I like the look of the new Kindle DX - unfortunately both are out of my budget right now.
I also buy at bookdepository.com.uk (the UK is slightly cheaper than the US) and so far the books I have bought have all been cheaper than the kindle editions anyway.

The other alternative is your ipod or the new ipad since they allow you to read PDF files and you can get them from places like http://www.fictionwise.com/home.html (which also sells kindle compatible)They have a FAQ on geographic restriction and claim less than 10% are restricted - they have a great range.
HTH

[Jen]

Sally wrote: "Thanks for the tip, Jen. I must admit, I try not to buy books. Ourlibrary is part of a group and we can order books from any library in the group. There are very few books I've been unable to ge..."

I wish my library was that good, I can get some from there but not many of the ones from my TBR pile :(

Rebecca I have a problem with space as well, I have to go through my books every now and then and only keep the ones I really love (though they're stacking up too) the rest I take to second hand books shops to exchange for more ;)
I will definately be getting an ereader when they have good enough prices and selection for australia.

[Shelleyrae]

Oh - ask your library about inter-library loan which is nationwide - I live in a small northern country town in New South Wales but they have gotten me books from Sydney and further when I have been after something specific. Some libraries have a small charge for it but it may be worth it if you can't get it from your local library group.
This website http://www.nla.gov.au/libraries/ hooks up a lot of Australian libraries so you can pre search through the listings and find a library that is closest to you (click on the state tab) and ask your local library to request it.

HTH

[Shelleyrae]

I just stumbled across this site http://www.rendezvousbooks.com/ and in case you hadnt heard of it I thought I would pass it along. Its a online store specialising in romance and has a huge section for PNR - including what seems to be most of the latest releases. It has a physical store in Melbourne if you live around there.
No e-books, so I didnt mean to hijack the thread - just thought other aussies were most likely to see this thread.

[Dee]

i'm actually in the US, but i bought my mom a kindle for christmas and she loves it! but luckily for her, she doesn't have to worry about the international delivery, because she is linked ot my account.

however, you can books from many other sources you are not just limited to amazon. i'm not sure about UF or PNR, but you can check out Baen books for Sci-Fi; Project Gutenberg for lots of the free classics; fictionwise/ omnilit for lots of other stuff - as long as the books are available in unsecure mobi pocket, they will work on kindle