New Kindle or equivalent

My 2009 Kindle 2 is now unupdateable (at least not without jumping through a bunch of hoops), so I am looking at a replacement. During covid I was always at home and I switched to using my iPad. Now that I am travelling again, I would prefer just a reader and not take my iPad everywhere.

Any thoughts or recommendations on models? I don’t do audio books. I really liked the simplicity of the Kindle 2. I prefer page turn buttons to screen swiping (just easier on an airplane).

I had a crazy thought to keep using the iPad at home and buying actual books for travelling. Or even going to the library - although with municipal budget cuts our city is down to one branch with flaky hours. I did have a waitress one time who made fun of my “old timey” Kindle. Lord knows how she would react to a book.

Anyway - all thoughts and experience will be appreciated.

I had the original kindle and it became obsolete several years ago. I have had the paperwhite since 2014. I like it and have gotten used to the swiping of pages.

I also have a paperwhite, but mine might be a second version. I like the way it is lit and you can tap vs swipe on mine. It's still nice and small, smaller than my orginal with keyboard. Not sure mine allows you to listen so since you don't want that it's not a big deal. I did put a case on mine to protect the screen. Just checked my back orders, it is a 2017, 7th gen 6" built in light and wi-fi w/ads. They ads have never been an issue, because so far they have only been for books.

Third vote for the Kindle Paperwhite. My husband is going through the same thing you are and has been very stubborn about trying to find exactly what he had with no luck so far.

If only there was a way for you to look at one in real life...

Hmm. A smart aleck.

Best Buy used to carry them in-store. You could check. I bought my first one through them and did look at my paperwhite there as well.

I ordered a Paperwhite today. It was randomly $45 off list price. Probably means a new model comes out next week. I got a cloth cover because it was cheap.

I really hope you enjoy it!