I'm thinking about getting an ereader. I know there is the Sony Ereader, Kindle and Nook. Can anyone recommend one? Someone told me that Kindle just came out with a new updated reader.
Printable View
I'm thinking about getting an ereader. I know there is the Sony Ereader, Kindle and Nook. Can anyone recommend one? Someone told me that Kindle just came out with a new updated reader.
I don't have one of these and don't really know about them.
But I find this columnist in the Washington Post to be very helpful in learning about electronics and deciding which to buy:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/e-books/
I just got the nook. I looked at both the nook and Kindle, and I liked that I could expand the memory with the nook and also change the battery myself. That was the deciding factor for me. Not as important, I also like having a brick and mortar store in case I have problems (even though I have to travel a bit). Took me about a day to get used to it, but now I love it. You can go to Barnes and Noble and try it out, or you can go to Best Buy and try the nook or the Sony ereader. Fastdogs has the Kindle and she really likes it.
I take mine with me everywhere I go. I read reviews on all of the ereaders on Amazon and cnet. Cnet is a great resource. Honestly, I think you will be happy either way. Another thing, if I had it to do over again, I would also consider the Sony ereader more seriously. I find that there really isn't a limit on the ebooks out there. I found sourcebooks which has tons of content. This site works for nook, sony and others as well. Not sure about Kindle though.
Oh, and before anyone goes on and on about using the library, please consider that some of us live in rural areas. I exhausted my local library with it's four shelves years ago. I am currently working my way through the Jefferson City library, but traveling 45 miles to return books gets annoying.
I have the Sony Touch - got it as a gift. I like it well enough, but apparently it's the only one with no wireless access. That's not a huge deal to me, just something to be aware of. I'd almost say that it's better off without, since you don't have the distraction you do on a fully functional computer, of always wanting to check email, TE, Facebook, the weather, etc., etc.... :rolleyes:
It's not backlit, which supposedly enhances readability in potentially glare-y environments, but it means you have to have external lighting whenever you'd have to have it to read paper. I will say that when there's adequate light, it's very readable - much more so than a computer screen.
It's really nice being able to scrawl notes in the margins, highlight pull quotes, and get back to them whenever you want.
Formatting can be an issue with books you don't buy through the Sony store, but I'm reading that the manufacturers and publishers are working on an industry standard format. If and when that happens, it should just be a flash update for all of the readers. It really doesn't make them less readable, just chapter headings, etc., can look weird.
Public domain Google books work fine on the Sony, according to my dad who reads a LOT of them that way. I haven't tried that yet. But there are a lot of books in that archive, and they're adding more all the time.
Hey, I forgot about the backlit part. The nook and Kindle aren't backlit either. Reading a backlit screen is hard on the eyes, but these ereaders have to be used in light. Very easy on the eyes. The screens are antiglare too.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
I also think the wireless part isn't really a necessity. You can always get books on your computer and transfer them to your ereader. As for surfing, well, it isn't really great . You CAN check your email and stuff, but it isn't a great experience and I only do it when I'm out and about. You couldn't really surf the web on it. I don't think the wireless part should influence anyone unless they plan on being stranded at an airport and need an emergency book! If you are like me, though, you will have 5 or 6 backed up to read anyway.
Never....
I have a Kindle and love it. It is not backlit thus very easy on the eyes. I got it as a Christmas present and have read 30 novels since. My husband and I both plow through books and have 6 very large bookshelves crammed with books. The Kindle is saving space, It has already paid for itself with the amount of books I typically purchase in a year.
I like that you can download the first 5% of the book as a sample to decide if you want to purchase the book. And I love that I can purchase a book anytime day or night and I have it within 60 seconds.
As uforgot mentioned , the library is not always an option for those of us in more rural areas.
The newest Sony e-reader (the Daily edition - they have two models) does have wireless capabilities for downloading books/newspapers. The only caveat on downloading via wireless is that it is limited to the Sony E-store and Google Books - all other content must be downloaded via your computer. It does not have other wireless capabilities such as email/so forth, but that is not why one purchases an e-reader. I do like the ability to take notes/so forth with the Sony.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
I LIKE Sony. I sold my last one, they had a model that got discontinued pretty quickly - it was the very first touch-screen version of their Digital Books. I am considering purchasing a new one to take on vacation with me - but am choking a little on the price. Especially with probably changes to my LHT in the very near future.
As far as the B&N Nook is concerned, I have yet to see one in person but I have a couple of questions. I like that it "does" color, it is the only reader out there that does. Do you find that strip at the bottom of the screen irritating/distracting? I understand that gives immediate access to your library/keyboard for searching? That is the one thing in the photos of it that I have seen which has me wondering.
Also - how is the screen of the Nook - is it reflective at all? That does decrease contrast - and what do you think of the contrast? I do like that it is less expensive than the Sony Digital Edition but right now with Sony's sale it is only $50 more expensive, and it does come with a cover and protective pouch...
I think that on my errands today I am going to have to stop by a B&N and look at one, but am leaning to staying with Sony.
Kindle. LOVE it.
Catrin - I read somewhere that the nook screen and the Kindle screen are manufactured by the same company. It is not reflective at all and compared to one of my student's Kindle, it looks the same. As for the color strip, I thought it would be annoying, but it goes off after about a minute, so it is just black. I don't even notice it. If you can get to a Barnes & Noble or Best Buy, it would really help you to actually see it or the Sony in action. The nook doesn't come with a cover. I think it should.
Also, you have 14 days to return your nook, and 30 to return your Kindle. They advertise this so you can try one and see if you like it. I didn't really think I would like reading a lot on these but I wanted to try one since I don't know anyone who DOESN'T like theirs. I was hooked within hours. I've seen all three:I have a student with a Kindle, I have a nook and I saw the Sony at best buy. I think I would have liked any of the three.
i guess when my generation dies out, the libraries will too. The bookstores are already dying. When I can't get a book at the library, I like to buy used books from Amazon (see, it's partially my fault) Next, when I'm finished with the book, if i can't resell it, I share it with friends and family. If no one wants it, I donate it to the library..
Libraries are dying because their funding is drying up, not because the media are changing. Libraries evolved pretty quickly to rent/lend VCR tapes, then CDs and DVDs. If they're not already renting or lending books on copy-protected chip, they will be soon - the libraries that survive the next round of funding cuts, that is.
DH talked me into the nook, now HE uses it all the time and i just read the same book on my ipod touch (once its downloaded to our b&n acct he can have it on his nook and i can have it thru the ereader app on my ipod). the ipod touch is backlit.
i thought most of the books would be $9.99, but so far everything i've wanted has been more than that. so i'm still using the library. i got john wilcockson's "lance" book at the library--b&n wanted $20!!
but it is very convenient, anywhere you have wifi access. when you finish one book you just get another, or when you hear of a new book you can get it right away (i got the two "deadliest catch" skippers' books).
and you can lend the downloaded "book" out to a friend for 14 days! maybe we could start a share club right here!
I checked out the Nook at a local store this afternoon. Nice, the screen is smaller than the newest Sony Daily Digital Reader though... that may not be an issue. I like the contrast on the Nook a little better.
I bought neither, decided this probably isn't the best of times since I have a fitting for my LHT later this week and there will probably be other expense to at least move the shifters - if not the bars and switch to a new shifting system totally. I will continue to consider it though - I DID enjoy having one around, they are useful and you don't have to worry about the size of book that you might be carrying.
I've got the Kindle. I love it. My apartment is full to the brim with real books, and I can't bear to get rid of too many, so I thought I'd get the Kindle. Check out the online store(s) associated with each and the selection so that you can make sure the authors and books you like are available. I like 18th/19th century classics, and there are lots of free ones around. I'm also in Canada, and the publishers haven't quite got around to releasing some stuff I like here, like some of the Canadian Giller prize books and so forth.
The other good thing is you can download a sample chapter of a book free.
What she said. I love my Kindle. To support my local library, we donated a lot of our books and joined as members. I understand not everyone can afford it--but my kindle has paid for itself.Quote:
Originally Posted by ridenread
Another Kindle owner and I'm very happy with it.
Although it has 3G connectivity, I usually keep it off and the battery life is amazing.
I will be spending a lot of time on airplanes this summer, and it will be great for having something to read - without carting around books.
FWIW, most of my paper books have come from yard sales. Can't say I'm a regular at libraries.....I am a very slow reader and often sit on a book for months before I finish it. And sometimes, I'll have 2 or 3 books that I'm reading at the same time.
I have some friends who used to rent art work at their local library. They found it great, as they could change pictures in their apartment on a whim.
Thanks everyone. I'm kind of leaning towards the Nook, I work with a gal with has a Nook and she ordered a cover/case for it that has a light. I haven't seen a Kindle yet.
I've got both the kindle and Barnes & Noble e-readers on my iphone.
I don't use them much yet -- I'm finishing up a stack of hard copy books. Daughter had a huge point when she said she's all in favor of doing eco-friendly stuff if it doesn't cost more than being "eco-unfriendly," and the e-readers, besides being so handy for getting the next book, are just that -- usually it doesn't cost as much to read an e-version as it does to read a hard copy version of a book.
So now when I see a book in a store that I'll want to read at some point, I take a picture of it, keep it hanging out on my iphone to remind me that it's on my "to-do" list! When I next buy some reading material, it'll be an e-book!
Nice about the e-reader is that you can travel with a pile of books, and they don't take up any more space than one book. e-reader in my phone means I don't have even that much extra stuff with me when I'm traveling! (knitting patterns, all kinds of stuff hang out in that phone! but wait! That's the other thread...)
Karen in Boise
Avid reader here, and former bookstore manager.
Not interested in electronic readers in the least bit. I like the feel of a book, turning the pages, looking at the cover, and lining them up on my bookshelf. After working on a computer screen all day, the last thing I want to do is look at a Kindle. No thanks!
Bambu, you just said exactly what I said to my DH on this topic!
I know it's weird, but to me, turning the pages of a book is a feeling, like pouring my coffee, picking up the cup, and taking a big drink. I love picking the book off a shelf at the library, browsing through the pages, reading the book jacket. I know you can do this on an e reader and get the same content, but it is not the same feeling or experience. I go to the library every week, just for the experience of it.
I think part of the reason I feel this way is that my work does not require me to be in contact all of the time. I generally do not use any electronic devices, unless there is no other way I can do the task. Learning to use a computer was very difficult for me, and other than the Internet (which to me is like a library), I really have to ask for help with most computer tasks. Then, I learn it, the next version comes out, and bam, I don't know what to do. None of this is intuitive to me and I don't remember how to do most of it. I can fake my way through a lot of it, but it really stresses me out; just one more thing to learn.
I think certain people are this way and it's not particularly age related. One son has a Kindle and the other trolls used bookstores and buys antique books. They are both voracious readers, so it really doesn't matter in the end.
I'm torn between yes get an e-reader and no.
I love opening the book to random page, read snipet here and there, to search for a book whose exact title I can't remember on my BIG book shelf. searching on my bookshelf is faster than searching electronically.
Sadly though, my bookshelf even 30 years ago was bigger than the wall in my living room floor to ceiling and wall to wall. I've ruthlessly trimmed down the volumes of books and still have half a wall. For some books, I think electronic version would be nice. Others, I would much prefer hard copy.
I use is a hypertext search often and something hard copy can never do... That's one advantage of e-book. What I would really like is to have the e-reader software on my netbook. Technologically, that is the direction we will see where netbooks, e-reader, smartphone will merge into one appliance.
Oh, if all other things were equal, I'd choose paper books and magazines too.
But on a plane or train, if I can carry a small tablet instead of a great big book, I'm all for that; and for magazines that I know I'm going to read once and recycle, I'm much happier if I'm not using all that paper.
I am getting more and more tempted by the latest Sony readers. Not for recreational reading where I much prefer leafing through a paper book. But for science reading, I hate having to print out stacks and stacks of paper to read journal articles and I hate reading them on the computer. From what I understand, the latest Sony lets you highlight or add comments to pdf files? That is the kind of function I really would find useful. A device that is light and easier on the eyes than a computer, but lets you carry around loads of pdfs without breaking your back, and lets you annotate pdfs as you are reading. Now if it also had a replaceable battery, that would be even better. Then I just have to wait for it to come down in price a little, and for more of the inevitable "new technology bugs" to be worked out.
to those who have ereaders: do you find that you read more now with the ereader than reading a book old-fashioned way? Or would you still be reading just as much if not for the ereader?
I definitely read more with my ereader. It is more comfortable for me to hold than a book and is less strenuous on my eyes. It's also easier to carry with me in my purse.
I do still read books. I have a great love for books, I even work at a publishing house. I never thought I would like an ereader. I was surprised at how much I fell in love with my kindle.
Much more. Not sure why, probably because it is always with me now. I would also like to comment on those that like the look and feel of books in the library. Is it just me? I've always found there to be an ick factor with used books. No, I'm not a neat nut, far from it. This all started when I turned a page once and there was a smashed fly!lol It's just that I always seem to have my hands on a book and I always wonder who has sneezed in it, read it in the bathroom, etc. I know money is dirty too, but I don't thumb through money while having lunch or laying in bed right before I go to sleep. I never keep used books, I always donate them or get rid of them. I like not being surprised on a page turn now. I don't believe I have ever heard this being addressed anywhere. Just my own little quirk, I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by badger
I was surprised too. Fastdogs kept telling me how much she loved it, and I just couldn't see it. Everyone said that as much as I read, I should get one, so I just thought I'd give it the 14 day trial. What could that hurt? No way is it going back. I can't believe how much I love it either.Quote:
Originally Posted by limewave
The last couple of versions of the Sony reader has allowed note-taking, etc. You can do this with any text, not just PDF files. Please note that the quality of the PDF on the Sony Reader has much to do with how it was originally generated. Not all PDF files on the Sony Reader are comfortable/easy to read because of formatting issues. It is this way with all three of the main e-books (Sony, Kindle, Nook) due to there not being an industry standard on how PDF files are generated. I have heard this will change, time will tell.Quote:
Originally Posted by uk elephant
There's no law that says if you have an e-reader, you can't read a paper book.Quote:
Originally Posted by bambu101
I have a Kindle. And since I've purchased the Kindle, I have still purchased paper books and borrowed paper books and sat for hours with my nose in a paper book and still have several paper books on my bookshelves that I intend to read....one of these days.
And I still subscribe to paper magazines. And I still read the newspaper on the subway in the morning.
The Kindle is an alternative. It's useful for what it does and I don't regret getting it or choosing the books for it that I have.
But just as my bike will not - and cannot - completely replace my truck, my Kindle will not completely replace a paper book for me.
I used to be a voracious reader, but now I'm lucky if I finish a book at all. And it takes me a LONG time to finish. Mostly because I'm too busy with life, or this silly thing called internet has changed how I use my spare time since I was in school.
I used to read when I was procrastinating with school work and would often have more than one novel going at the same time, too. Traveling used to be a time when I read a lot but lately I find I take my sudoku with me and end up doing that more than reading.
I was asking if you found you read more with ereader because my brain's craving to read, yet I just don't seem to find the opportunity to. I guess I just need to re-prioritize my life! :D
No e-reader yet.
At this time in life, I would consider an e-reader for myself, a luxury, not necessary. I have my computer, Internet connection etc. which is more important. I have to have this attitude 'cause am living on a tight budget.
He has just bought a Mac laptop more for his own use/biz (which replaced a old dysfunctional laptop), but I could have access if critical. (But not no need right now.)
I am noticing for myself when doing stuff in front of computer for many hrs., i'm getting a bit dry-eyed. So I can't see how an e-reader would help here.
Being a librarian, demands (in last 20 years) competency on multiple software platforms for managing information with relational database and other content mangement software, plus keeping on top of different licensed research database platforms (and software feature changes) for research and for teaching adults. Most of my jobs required teaching adults on how to use certain software that involve problem-solving and critical analysis skills. It has been really interesting to see how adults think online and express their information problem-solving skills. I like using information technology to dig through a pile of data, reduce personal paper storage, to communicate with people one could never dream of 30 yrs. ago and share info. seamlessly.
So my reasons for not buying an e-reader is not, because I dislike technology. But now reading a real book for me is even more enjoyable...for ergonomic reasons and also flexibility to take a book anywhere, browse quickly in a non-linear, yet exploratory way and scribble in it in a free-flowing, contemplative manner.
As for my reading habits, pretty slack and spotty these days. I haven't read a novel in several..years. Instead I read more non-fiction.
I love my kindle. Before, I found time to maybe read two or three books a YEAR. Now, I read two or three a month, if not more. I got a purse that it fits nicely in, and a protective cover (I think all ereaders are fragile), and it goes everywhere with me. If I have to wait a few minutes somewhere, I read my kindle.
I have used it to check email; it's not a great thing for that, but it's nice if you'd like to check it and are in a wireless area. With the new update, the battery lasts forever. I have the free kindle for PC and kindle for mac programs downloaded, but really do not like reading on the computer screen, it's hard on my eyes. The kindle screen is very easy on the eyes, and I can actually read it in the car, something I've never been able to do without getting carsick.
vickie
For those of you that currently have an e-reader - do you take it with you on the bike? I have an idea that it is light enough to take out on a ramble - but obviously it would have to go in a bag of some kind or a pannier.
It's plenty light enough to go in a backpack or messenger bag, as long as it has some kind of protective sleeve to keep the screen from getting scratched.
I haven't actually taken mine on the bike, but there's no reason you couldn't. You'd want to insulate it a little from the worst of the road vibration - make sure it's not contacting stays, etc. - but I really wouldn't worry about it. Time was, my laptops had thousands of miles on the motos with no problem, and with no moving parts, an ereader will be even less prone to vibration damage. The Sony comes with a neoprene sleeve which is plenty to insulate from scratches and vibration IMO. If you wanted a little more protection you could just wrap it in a towel or stick it in a bubble-wrap envelope.
One thing nobody's mentioned is the ability to re-size text. It's nice not to wear my reading glasses sometimes ... although after a certain font size, you start having to turn pages so often that that gets annoying, too. :o
I have a kindle and I would use it more if I saved more on new releases. If I buy a book and it is good I can send it to my sister to read and then she can take it to her used book store and exchange for more books. I cant share with the kindle!
LOLOL! You are not alone! But there aren't many of us. One time I mentioned at work that I didn't like used books 'cause you don't know where they've been, and to this day I continue to get teased about it. (Remember that Seinfeld episode where George tried to return a book and they wouldn't take it back because they could tell he had taken it into the bathroom? :D )Quote:
Originally Posted by uforgot
Don't have an e-reader yet, but it's on my wish list. :cool:
Sony allows you to authorize up to six devices on your account. I'd expect the other brands are the same or similar. So, if it's someone you trust, you can share books with someone who has the same brand of device, by temporarily authorizing them into your account.Quote:
Originally Posted by arielmoon
I think someone mentioned the Nook has an actual lending function, that wouldn't require you to let the recipient have unrestricted access to your account.
I'd like to be able to trade or borrow books from others with ereaders as well, even if I could only trade or borrow with other kindles. They keep coming out with these free updates, maybe one of them will eventually have a trade function. I just got an update at the beginning of the year that allows it to do landscape and gave me more battery life (and the text to speech can go louder), now there is a new update we'll get that has more larger fonts, social networking options, and it looks like some sort of organizing capability. I like that I don't have to update by buying a new kindle, I just automatically get an update when one comes out!
vickie
Kindle does let you share with another kindle. My sister does not have one. I think it is 10 days and while you are lending it, it is removed from your library.
Mine was bought for me as a gift and I would not have bought one for myself. I think if I had paid for it I would be trying to get my money's worth and using it like crazy.
I like the recycling part of used books. I only keep a select few books and pass the others on because I dont like clutter. That's why it works for me :) .