eReader

[Bill Douglas]

Guys, who uses or knows about eReaders?

Other than going on the web and reading, reading, reading. I occasionally like reading a book but I'm fussy. Not fussy in a highbrow manner but rather I only like certain authors. And I only like James W Hall. What annoys me is I've read a number of his but can't get my hands on the ones I haven't read. So I thought if I got an eReader I could buy what I wanted "right now".

Two sorts that I know of, Kobo and Kindle. I believe Kindle I have to buy from the dreaded Amazon and Kobo I can hook into the local library systems around here and get books for free, plus buy them from anyone. GF bought a Friend a Sony eReader and she loves it. She's the sort of person who reads a book a day whereas I like to complete a book by the end of the summer.

Anything I should know?

[wdfifteen]

Kindle is the best reader I've come across in terms of ease of use and best interface with my iPad. iBooks is pretty lame compared to the Kindle reader. Amazon has the best selection of ebooks. I THINK the Kindle can download library books, but I've never done it.

[74-911]

I have a Kindle Fire which I use as an e-reader and also to check e-mail and access the internet when I travel. It works OK for both functions. I don't buy that many books, usually just something to read when I travel so buying from Amazon isn't that big of an aggravation. I prefer checking out actual books from a library if possible.

Relatively inexpensive and it serves it purpose for me anyway. I have the original (first) version of the Kindle Fire, I think they newest ones have higher resolution screens and are maybe faster but I'm not sure about that. I am happy with my old one.

[masraum]

Barnes and Noble makes the Nook which is probably the closest competitor to the Kindle.

You can also read on any of the tablets, iPad, Samsung, etc...

If you only want to read in black and white (more like paper) then you probably want an e-ink reader. Their battery life is very good and they work well in bright light. Now some come with a built in light so you can read in low light too.

If you want magazine subscriptions, games, surfing the internet, then get an android or iPad or something.

My wife likes her Nook.

Most of the books will read multiple formats, but they are still limited. Most will read the "epub" format, some will work with pdf files. If you get a nook, then you can't buy books from Amazon.com. If you get a Kindle, then you can't buy books from BN.com. I think many libraries these days will loan to Kindle.

[Bill Douglas]

Umm, maybe it's too complicated for little ole me

Can ebooks be read on a laptop?

[John Rogers]

I get my eBooks and convert to a PDF file (Calibre, open source) and then email them to myself and read the attachment on my iPhone. Cost is pretty reasonable.........$0.0

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Umm, maybe it's too complicated for little ole me

Can ebooks be read on a laptop?

Yep, there are a free Kindle and Nook apps for PC, Mac, iPad and Android. I suspect there are probably also other free apps that read epub format, but if you want to read books bought on Amazon.com, you may want to get the Kindle app.

[imcarthur]

Kindle Paperwhite. We got dual Kindles for Xmas & registered them both to one Amazon account (to share books free). Just like with music, I don't mind paying for a book. Light & easy to cram into a bag for travel, they work very well with super long battery life. 10 - 12 hrs of reading during travel over the last week & I am still at 3/4 battery life.

Ian

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks guys. I feel a little intimidated for some strange reason by these. Masraum I may try the app for PC so I can test the waters a little before I buy - much appreciated.

[mikester]

If you have a smartphone there is a kindle app for that. If it is one of the bigger screened smartphones it will likely be a good primer on it at least.

Otherwise and iPad or iPad mini make great e-readers as well as have other uses. The Kindle's are great too and I have them for the kids but I prefer the iPad myself.

[Bill Douglas]

Just a laptop Mike, but good idea. Kindles do seem to be what the crowd uses, and the crowd is not usually wrong. So I may have to buy from amazon, but that is not bad (I suppose) if they have tots of titles for sale.

[Tishabet]

Kindle paperwhite is the way to go for ereader. I find trying to read books on a screen (ipad, fire, your pc, your phone) to be a poor experience which is tough on the eyes. There is a reason that serious readers are fanatical about the Kindle and the Kindle Paperwhite in particular.

[David McLaughlin]

I still use my B&N nook for most of my reading and almost all of my internet use. For regular books, I prefer my wife's e-ink nook but for magazines, my nook tablet is the way to go. We both rent library book to the nook; not the easiest task but posible.

After just over two years, I'm e-reader'd out. I see myself going back to the old fashion paper books.

[JAR0023]

FWIW my wife downloads free books from the local library all the time with her Kindle. Key here is your local library needs to be set up to do this. -J

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

your local library needs to be set up to do this. -J

I'll ask them. I know so little, maybe they do now.

[petrolhead611]

I also ead books from Amazon on my first generation Kindle fire. Its a good e-reader and a good tablet for me. I also read Amazon books on my Blackberry Z30 phone, perfectly adequately; ideal for a few pages when queuing in the Post Office for example. Incidentally, I have never paid for an e-Book, i just choose the free ones.

[GH85Carrera]

My wife reads constantly. She gets the books for free from the library. Sometime the new bestsellers have a waiting list.

[SilberUrS6]

My wife really likes her Nook, FWIW.

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks Petrol and Glen.

I spoke to the library and they said I can get ebooks out from any town libray in the country. She said they don't do kindles yet though. So maybe a Sony ereader.