well it's been solved:
menu(from home screen)-->settings-->menu(this time when you're on the settings sreen)-->restart(not reset as that'll reset to factory settings and wipe everything on the kindle).
got a message saying that the kindle was restarting, after a few mins got back to the home screen and I was able to download the books from archived and have samples/books to the kindle through the shop. been several hours since I did it so hope it isn't playing up again(don't want to keep doing the 'restart fix').
simply rebooting(sliding and holding the power 'button' for 15-20 seconds) didn't fix the problem.
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