Do you have an ereader?

[TrekTheKaty]

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.

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.

[shootingstar]

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.

[fastdogs]

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

[Catrin]

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.

[OakLeaf]

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.