Kindle coming to the UK!

Oh I have no problems with the e-readers myself. I have a few very select books that I will never get rid of but they can and do take up alot of space. I'm very picky.  Past my own novels I have a few that were my fathers and those of my favorite author(s)

http://blogkindle.com/2009/10/international-release-of-kindle-2/

The above shows the new coverage and availability. The International version will be available for $279 on Oct. 19th. There is a $2-per-book surcharge to download outside either the US or the home country I am not sure. Not alot of details on that unfortunately.  

The price has gone down to $259.  The $2 per book surcharge is included in the price of a downloaded book for UK residents (not for US residents travelling abroad).
I bought a Kindle last week and love it.  I love print books too; this is just another way to read, and it helps with my storage problem with books (too many books, not enough room).
The real disadvantage so far is that you have to buy your ebooks from the Amazon.com store, not Amazon.co.uk, and there are many titles that are not available yet to UK readers due to copyright issues.  But there are still 280,000 titles ...
We immediately downloaded the complete works of some 19th-century writers that you can get for very cheap prices -- $2.50 or sometimes a bit more.  Complete Jane Austen, Dickens, Conan Doyle, etc. -- it's great.  The e-ink makes the screen very easy to read, too.

I got the Sony Pocket Reader for Christmas. I freaking love it.

Jon is happy because now I won't fill up the bedroom with my crappy books.

Jon is happy because now I won't fill up the bedroom with my crappy books.

My books aren't crappy. 

It's funny - we are just this minute debating the pros and cons of the eReader/Kindle over on a book and reading forum I belong to. The consensus seems to be that they have their uses, but are definitely not the preferred way of reading.

Yes, I agree with that general sentiment.  I use my iPhone for reading when I'm sitting around and need something to do for a bit (for instance, on a plane or train), but as far as a real sit-down-and-read, I need a proper book.  I've never tried the Kindle or equivalents, though.

I wish more books would come out on the DS, even if it's just the ones that are out of copyright.  I really enjoy our little book program.  Maybe, when we have more money I will spring for Kindle or Sony.

I got the Kindle for Christmas and I love it!  It will not; however, replace my books. I still like the tactical bit of reading a book.  I also love the dusty smell of old books and the sound th pages make when you turn them.  The Kindle will be fantastic for travel (since I usually take about 6 books on holiday, it will lighten the suitcase significantly) and it is great for reading in bed and not disturbing DH (with a light attachment).  DH is convinced I will stop buying books; but, that will NEVER happen.

My books aren't crappy. 

Oh but mine really are. I'm on some kind of historical romance kick at the moment. Which is why an ereader is a bonus, no one can see the embarrassing covers when I'm reading in public.

It took me about a day to get used to the ereader rather than an actual book but once I got used to it, it's no problem. I find it a lot easier because I don't have to get the spines good and cracked so that I can read one handed and I don't have to worry about holding it open and flaring up my RSI. I will still buy books for the ones I actually want to own but for my cheapy romance novels which I can read, literally, in a day, this is the best option.

Oh but mine really are. I'm on some kind of historical romance kick at the moment. Which is why an ereader is a bonus, no one can see the embarrassing covers when I'm reading in public.

I don't think the eReader marketing people thought of that angle! 

I don't think the eReader marketing people thought of that angle! 

Since I'm in the US at the moment, I've been considering ordering a Kindle 2 while I'm here because it's cheaper than having one shipped to the UK ($259 to get it here vs. GBP 219 (over $300) to have it shipped to the UK).

I have enough money for it in my US account (due to a nice tax return last year), but it's still a lot of money and I can't decide if it's worth it or not (especially as I'm spending the next 6 weeks in South America and may need some of the money during my trip) - I've been reading reviews online and it seems that there are a few flaws with the new version, but at the same time, there are lots of positives too. I'm always reading things online, so that part won't bother me and I like the idea of being able to transfer computer files and things over to it too. Also, I've only been able to bring 3 books with me for 2 months of travelling, so again it sounds like Kindle would be much easier for carrying around while abroad, but I'm wondering about the practicality of using it in the UK instead of in the US (ordering books/connectivity etc.).

I'm trying to make a decision by the weekend, so I can order it and have it shipped to a friend's house here, where I've left some things to pick up on my way home to the UK.

I know it was difficult to buy books in the UK with a US Kindle (a friend of mine brought his over and he couldn't buy anything until he went home..).  I'm eyeing up the iPad myself (even if it has a ridiculous name), as I'm not sure I like the idea of Amazon controlling my library. Plus, I like physical books, but I'm traveling a lot for work, and would like to be able to bring more than one pair of shoes (I tend to leave clothes behind in order to  bring "enough" books).

I know it was difficult to buy books in the UK with a US Kindle (a friend of mine brought his over and he couldn't buy anything until he went home..).

Do you know if he had the Kindle 1 or Kindle 2? The Kindle 2 has been made so that it can be used abroad and purchased by international customers, with global wireless coverage.

He had the Kindle 1, glad they worked that out in the newest version! Sigh. Now, I just wish they would get rid of DRM.

If it helps, the Gadget Show reviewed the Kindle with two other readers and the Kindle came out at the top with three out of five stars. However they did say that where it failed was the fact that you may not get the books you want due to the fact that you have to buy them off Amazon. You can't buy them anywhere else.

The wifi connection would be a big bonus for me, though. It'd be nice to be able to download books where ever rather than have to do it at your PC.

I'm eyeing up the iPad myself (even if it has a ridiculous name), as I'm not sure I like the idea of Amazon controlling my library.

The only thing I'd warn you against is that the ipad (to my knowledge, I may be wrong) doesn't have the e-ink technology and uses a blacklight. So you could ruin your eyes reading books on it. It's for that reason alone I was so eager to get a proper ereader. My eyes are already failing. I don't need to help them along.