Pick your e-reader

[Brock]

I've debated this with myself for a while now. Should I get one? Or not? I'd find it really useful for pdf files (of which I have hundreds) and to be honest my materialistic urge is almost overwhelming anyway. Has anyone got one?

[togre]

Don't buy a kindle!

My father is a logger and if paper and pulp wood prices fall he'll have nothing to live off!

[Brock]

Don't buy a kindle!

My father is a logger and if paper and pulp wood prices fall he'll have nothing to live off!

Ha ha, ok. That's a good reason. In fact, that does bring up an important point: using a kindle would save trees right? Sounds like a pro to me. I like trees.

[Seasider]

First I'd like to say that it needn't be either/or. I have a Kindle and I love it...I also have a library of more than 3000 books.

I like having a Kindle for holidays, Hospital appointments,waiting for friends in restaurants, rail/ air/ bus/ coach journeys...reading in bed, especially big books!!
I also like it for giving in to the temptation of buying a book any time day or night and having it delivered to my Kindle reader.

I like the possibility of a large font if I need it. I like the possibility of storing 1500 books on my reader so if I want to reread a book I have in print format away from my library, I can.
I also like the possibility of getting a book in the public domain for free.
I am and have always been a bibliophile but I still love my Kindle. Any young student of Literature...and not just Literature...can download essential texts for free. That would have helped me in the fifties!!!
I'm sure there will be purists who will disagree but I cede my love of books to no one and I treasure my Kindle.

[Alexander III]

I agree, You should buy a kindle, marvelous device. At first you miss the physical aesthetic of a book, but after a while if you start reading a book you will realize that you miss the physical aesthetic of a kindle. So yes yes yes and again yes!

[Brock]

I like the possibility of a large font if I need it. I like the possibility of storing 1500 books on my reader so if I want to reread a book I have in print format away from my library, I can.
I also like the possibility of getting a book in the public domain for free.


This sells it for me. It just so happens that I get paid tomorrow :smile5:. I think I may actually hit that 'add to basket' option and treat myself!

[jlb4tlb]

This sells it for me. It just so happens that I get paid tomorrow :smile5:. I think I may actually hit that 'add to basket' option and treat myself!

Do not over look the "Nook" from B&N. I have had mine now for over 2 years and love it. :smilewinkgrin:

[lobanw]

Kindles are great! Sure they may put other avenues out of business but the truth is they are a Godsend for book readers. You can have thousands of thousands of books in a tiny little pad you carry around. Whenever I am stuck in a line or waiting for an appointment I pull out my Kindle to get a few pages or even chapters in while I wait. Great for true book readers!

[jmnixon95]

I'm really wanting to purchase one.

[Buh4Bee]

Just buy the darn thing. If you can afford to buy books than you can afford the cost of the Kindle.

I lost mine the other day and was literally devastated until we reconnected. You won't understand this connection until you have been without it. It might be an electronic device, but I love it so. If you love to read, you will love your Kindle.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Wait, wait, WAIT! Before you buy one, and if your main issue with having a Kindle is to use PDFs, maybe you should look into it a bit more, because it isn't great for PDF viewing.

The MobileRead Forums (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/) are a great website that can answer any question. Maybe a Nook, or some other device, would be a better choice.

And, Seasider is correct, a Kindle does not mean you just stop reading books. I still do. Actually, after a year-and-a-half of heavy e-reader use, I'm back to heavily preferring actual books. I still use my Kindle, though.

[Blasarius '33]

What I love most about my Kindle is that I'm able to check out so many classics for free or near free. When I find something I like I go back to Amazon and order the physical book. Probably not what Kindle had in mind, but it works for me.

[Brock]

Wait, wait, WAIT! Before you buy one, and if your main issue with having a Kindle is to use PDFs, maybe you should look into it a bit more, because it isn't great for PDF viewing.

The MobileRead Forums (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/) are a great website that can answer any question. Maybe a Nook, or some other device, would be a better choice.

Hmm, Kindle or Nook... Kindle or Nook. I'm doing the research.

By hook or by crook, I might get a Nook...

[misterreplicant]

Don't turn to the dark-side! Paper books are timeless!

[Patrick_Bateman]

Don't turn to the dark-side! Paper books are timeless!
I think the Kindle is a useful tool for when you are on the move and can't take all your books with you.

For example when I'm at University.

[misterreplicant]

Ah, never went through that experience, yet.

[Scheherazade]

I think Sony e-reader is much better than Kindle.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I think Sony e-reader is much better than Kindle.
Why? Just curious, because I've had both, and Kindle seems superior in pretty much every way, especially selection.

[MystyrMystyry]

Because that's the one she has

Apple iPad beats the lot of 'em because you can do more with it - other cheaper versions are arriving daily, and the latest Sony looks to be in direct competition (though it'll take a while for the apps to catch up - but theres still millions of them either way)

[Three Sparrows]

I have a Nook, and I like it. I still read physical books too, but the Nook is nice because I can get public domain books for free, and I can fit tons of books on just one little device. I can buy books which I would normally not find in the bookstore, and it's so convenient. My suggestion is, look for a device which fits the way you read, if you even want a device anyway.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

I have a NOOK as well and as much as I hate to admit it, I do enjoy it. For example, it comes in handy on windy days when reading outside. However, the NOOK does not produce the texture and aroma of paper that I desire, especially like that produced from old books.

[Scheherazade]

Why? Just curious, because I've had both, and Kindle seems superior in pretty much every way, especially selection.I down a lot of books from the libraries and I found out that Kindle does not agree with some of the systems available, forcing readers to buy books mostly.

Also, I find the keyboard on Kindle rather annoying. Sony is touch-screen.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Because that's the one she has

Apple iPad beats the lot of 'em because you can do more with it - other cheaper versions are arriving daily, and the latest Sony looks to be in direct competition (though it'll take a while for the apps to catch up - but theres still millions of them either way)
True, if you want to pay roughly four times the amount of money for something significantly heavier and with much poorer battery life. Plus, I don't like reading on an LCD or backlit screen, which is why I'm not interested in the new Nook.

I down a lot of books from the libraries and I found out that Kindle does not agree with some of the systems available, forcing readers to buy books mostly.

Also, I find the keyboard on Kindle rather annoying. Sony is touch-screen.
Yeah, but the touch-screen as a much poorer resolution. The Kindle is crisp and the contrast so high, it just blows Sony's touch-screens out of the water. Plus, you end up paying significantly more for a touchscreen model. Though, I can see how using the library would be beneficial, but I don't think most use it for that. Each one is better for different things; I don't want Brock getting something that wouldn't work for him.

[Brock]

The Kindle is crisp and the contrast so high, it just blows Sony's touch-screens out of the water. Plus, you end up paying significantly more for a touchscreen model.

Well that settles it for me. I'm much more convinced by the ink technology. Staring at LED all the time doesn't sound attractive. Also, spending less is a bonus.

Thanks for all the suggestions/information.

[Scheherazade]

Using the library is my pain priority as I try to avoid buying books - digital or hardcopy.
Yeah, but the touch-screen as a much poorer resolution. The Kindle is crisp and the contrast so high, it just blows Sony's touch-screens out of the water. I really have to ask: have you ever hold both models and compared them actually?

There is no LED light on Sony and the resolution quality is superior to that of Kindle's. Sony's recent 650 looks and feels very much like a book, both screen and printwise.

However, price is an issue as Sony costs almost twice as much as a Kindle.

[Page Turner]

I've had an iPad for about 6 months now and love it. The first book I read on it was War and Peace and there was no eye strain, and I'm 59 years old. I always check my library for books first because free is better, then I see if Amazon has it for free. If neither of those options are available I check with my friends. (That's how I got "Born to Run" recently). I'm actually starting to prefer ebooks because, among other things you can poke a word and see it's definition. Plus if you need a few minutes break from reading you can hop over and play a game and then get right back into your book. It's just a great gadget all around.

[Brock]

you can poke a word and see it's definition

This is the coolest thing I've heard yet!

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Using the library is my pain priority as I try to avoid buying books - digital or hardcopy.I really have to ask: have you ever hold both models and compared them actually?

There is no LED light on Sony and the resolution quality is superior to that of Kindle's. Sony's recent 650 looks and feels very much like a book, both screen and printwise.

However, price is an issue as Sony costs almost twice as much as a Kindle.
No, I haven't seen Sony's latest version, so maybe the resolution is better, but Kindle's is still pretty good. Still, online store wise, Kindle is the best (even superior than Nook, if I'm not mistaken).

And most models now can let you look up definitions on the device. It's just that touch-screens let you tap the word on the screen (which is cool) and on the Kindle you use directional arrow buttons to select the word.

[Brock]

Alrighty! I've decided on the Kindle anyway. I can't wait for it. oooooooOOO!!!!

[Richard_]

Cool, the Kindle is great! I got mine about a month ago and it's getting used almost as much as the computer... It might actually surpass my computer usage soon. :)

[Seasider]

@Brock. Go for the more expensive one. It's worth it. Enjoy. I wonder what's the first book you'll download???

[Brock]

@Brock. Go for the more expensive one. It's worth it. Enjoy. I wonder what's the first book you'll download???

I don't know! OOoHH! I'm super excited. I've been so skint recently, I've just igonored all this electronic reading device stuff but now I can get one I'm just embracing the newness of the whole thing. Reminds me of when I got an N64 for Christmas. I'm just going to have to download some classics first. Maybe it's time to re-read an Austen, maybe a Tolstoy... #stops typing post to make a cup of tea due to restless excitement!#

[Calidore]

On the one hand, a Kindle would be great as a space and weight saver. On the other hand, nobody's going to mug me on the train for a paperback. On the other hand, I haven't heard yet about anyone getting a Kindlecut on their finger. On the other hand, if you get too many author signatures on your Kindle screen....

So I haven't decided yet.

[papayahed]

I have a Kindle and an Ipad. I had the kindle for about two years (maybe) but ever since the ipad showed up I haven't used my Kindle at all.

I realize the blacklit screen can be a bother to some but I don't read for that long a period of time that it bothers me.

[Brock]

I've just spent a considerable amount of time choosing books for my Kindle on Amazon and my Kindle hasn't even arrived yet. Thank goodness my favourite novels are Victorian; they're all free! This is going to save me money in the long run. I can feel it.

[jlb4tlb]

You will be amazed at how much you save. I read alot of old American Civil War books that the print copies run into hundreds of dollars, free on my Nook.

Enjoy your Kindel.




I've just spent a considerable amount of time choosing books for my Kindle on Amazon and my Kindle hasn't even arrived yet. Thank goodness my favourite novels are Victorian; they're all free! This is going to save me money in the long run. I can feel it.

[Syd A]

Isn't eye strain an issue with these things? Don't you find it more difficult to read (physically) than a paper book, especially for long periods of time?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Isn't eye strain an issue with these things? Don't you find it more difficult to read (physically) than a paper book, especially for long periods of time?
The more the e-ink technology progresses, the less this becomes a problem. I find my Kindle still needs a bit more light to read than an actual book, but that's really the only thing. LCD or backlit screens, on the other hand, can cause eye-strain.

[Pierre Menard]

Isn't eye strain an issue with these things? Don't you find it more difficult to read (physically) than a paper book, especially for long periods of time?


It's not like reading off a computer screen. It's different and it's actually quite easy on the eye.

[Syd A]

Good to know. I'm thinking of buying one too. As much as I'd hate to become a gadget junkie, those books are taking too much space, and since I almost never read new books, I'll get all the books I can read for free.

[Argyroneta]

I've debated this with myself for a while now. Should I get one? Or not? I'd find it really useful for pdf files (of which I have hundreds) and to be honest my materialistic urge is almost overwhelming anyway. Has anyone got one?

If you have a materialistic tendency, then surely you ought not buy a kindle. Buying as much paper as possible will be far more satisfying:biggrinjester:

[Brock]

If you have a materialistic tendency, then surely you ought not buy a kindle. Buying as much paper as possible will be far more satisfying:biggrinjester:

Too late! I placed my order already. I decided to go for the expensive one too. Might as well go all the way with these things!

[Blasarius '33]

By "expensive one" do you mean the large version, or do you mean the regular-sized one but with both 3g and wifi?

I used to wonder if the large one's size wouldn't kind of defeat the purpose of the Kindle's compactness, but after reading on mine for a while I think that I'd probably try the large one next; I think the larger screen would be worth it.

[Brock]

By "expensive one" do you mean the large version, or do you mean the regular-sized one but with both 3g and wifi?

I used to wonder if the large one's size wouldn't kind of defeat the purpose of the Kindle's compactness, but after reading on mine for a while I think that I'd probably try the large one next; I think the larger screen would be worth it.

I mean this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002LVUWFE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304436866&sr=8-1

I didn't realize there was a larger sized one!

[Seasider]

@ Brock
Have you got it and are therefore too busy to post? All these Bank Holidays and no post...I hope it comes soon and you enjoy it as much as you hoped.
I got mine in February 2010 and have downloaded more than 300 books. I have a trip on EuroStar next week so am looking forward to a comfortable way to pass the time.

[Brock]

@ Brock
Have you got it and are therefore too busy to post? All these Bank Holidays and no post...I hope it comes soon and you enjoy it as much as you hoped.
I got mine in February 2010 and have downloaded more than 300 books. I have a trip on EuroStar next week so am looking forward to a comfortable way to pass the time.

Still not got it! Bank holidays are just a bane. It better come tomorrow. Or else! :flare: It's my day off too; it'll be like christmas! :santasmil

Glad you enjoy yours. I don't know what Eurostar is, but I'm sure it's Kindle-compatible.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

There are few things that suck more than eagerly waiting for something in the mail. Those things always take longer than usual to arrive.

[Brock]

There are few things that suck more than eagerly waiting for something in the mail. Those things always take longer than usual to arrive.

Spot on. I'm restless/impatient/becoming addicted to this forum... :)

[Seasider]

Eurostar is the train that goes through the Channel Tunnel...gives a direct rail link to Paris and Brussels and other European cities. I'm off to Lille for a few days in May.

[Brock]

Eurostar is the train that goes through the Channel Tunnel...gives a direct rail link to Paris and Brussels and other European cities. I'm off to Lille for a few days in May.

Sounds wonderful!

I got my Kindle! So so good. So good.

Did I mention it was good?

[Scheherazade]

The other day I saw couple of different makes at Sainsbury's and they were around £80... Capable of handling all the different formats.

If I hadn't got one already, would have given them a try, no doubt.

Enjoy, Brock! :)

[Brock]

Thanks, I will/am. :)

[Vonny]

I mean this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-3G-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002LVUWFE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304436866&sr=8-1

I didn't realize there was a larger sized one!

How odd. I just followed this link and discovered that the Kindle DX 9.7" is not available in the UK. If you want that model you have to buy it from amazon.com in the U.S.

In the U.S. you can also get a 6" model that is discounted if you are willing to put up with a screen saver advertisement. No thanks.

I'm going to buy a Kindle this month, but I don't know if I want the larger or smaller one.

[iverson]

technology is developing everyday, long time ago, we can not image computer can not so many thing. Kindle may make us lose the original feeling fo reading. but it is really useful and convenient. so my opinion, just buy.
now, i even make the use of the technology, running my online website
www.chinasunstore.com (http://www.chinasunstore.com) a few years ago, i also think that online store can not be success, but now, i change. so, i suggest, just try something you never try.

[tonywalt]

I bought a Kindle about 2 years ago. I wish I could buy all my books via Kindle, but many books are not available except for the recently published and older classics(many out of copyright). It will only be a short time until you all books will be ebook available.

[LadyLuck]

I'm thinking of getting a reader as a family gift for Christmas, but I can't decide which to get. I love the Kindle, but the new fire no longer has the e-ink technology. I like the old ones, but given that my kids are young and I like magazines too, I would love color. Size is important, so ideally an upgradable capacity would be nice. So that leaves the Nook color, which while more expensive, has most of what I would like. Or, as another option do I just break down and buy an iPad... So what do you think. Which is the best product on the market?

[Charles Darnay]

Kindle is still the best option. Even without eink it is readable in sunlight for the most part. Kindle also has the best selection of any single ereader. But of course the iPad is a kindle and so much more, but more expensive

[Brett Cottrell]

I thought I would hate e-readers, but I like my Kindle. Like you, though, I'm not sure about the Fire.

[LadyLuck]

I just keep thinking that the Fire is losing a lot. The one thing that the Nook is winning me over on is that I can add to the memory, which is lost with the Fire. Given that there will be three of us using this, it seems important, but I don't know how quickly I would really fill it up.

[Big Dante]

My family is planning on buying me one for Christmas. Coincidence?

[TheChilly]

Haven't touched a Kindle yet, so I'm a-stuck with my Android phone (an HTC EVO 4G, though the battery life kinda sucks).

[prendrelemick]

Does anyone know of a good unbiased comparison site for ireaders. I am in such confusion I cannot make a choice. (I am getting one for christmas too.)

[Abookinthebath]

I was reading T3 magazine (November edition) and the Kindle came out on top against Sony, Elonex and Archos products. Don't think any Nook products are coming to the UK, hence them not comparing to them.
This is not a comparison review, but .... http://www.t3.com/reviews/amazon-kindle-4-review

But lets face it, we all want an Ipad, don't we?? (yes, even despite the screen glare!). Although paying more than 4 times the price of a Kindle might stick in the throat a bit.....

[YesNo]

I was thinking about getting the Kindle Fire. The main reason is that I heard Amazon keeps track of any purchases you made and so you do not have to backup downloaded files so you don't lose them. Of course, I might have misunderstood this. I don't have a Kindle at the moment.

However, that is one thing that has kept me from purchasing music from Apple. If I have to back it up, I might as well buy a physical CD which would serve as the backup.

[DocHeart]

Or, as another option do I just break down and buy an iPad...

Do! It's the best break-down you'll ever have.

I could never see myself reading literature on a gadget with batteries, but I'm a convert. The Kindle and other such devices are nice, but as someone else said the iPad is so much more. Hard to describe, really, how essential it becomes once you've used it a few times. To illustrate how great it is (and perhaps how sad I am), sometimes I just zoom into the page to admire the crispness of the font.

Regards,
DH

[LadyLuck]

Do! It's the best break-down you'll ever have.

I could never see myself reading literature on a gadget with batteries, but I'm a convert. The Kindle and other such devices are nice, but as someone else said the iPad is so much more. Hard to describe, really, how essential it becomes once you've used it a few times. To illustrate how great it is (and perhaps how sad I am), sometimes I just zoom into the page to admire the crispness of the font.

Regards,
DH

I keep saying the same thing :lol: I like the Kindle, but I want color. I'll use it for Magazines more since I hate having a ton of them laying around the house. Most are cooking related though, and can you imagine looking at those in black and white :sick:. How would I know if the food looks good?

The kids are young too, so I need color illustrations for them. The only stopping block is the the Fire doesn't have e-ink tech and it isn't scalable on the memory side. 8GB is what you get and that is that. The Nook can be scaled up to 32GB which when it will be shared by three people is a huge plus. Then I come back to the iPad, but the one I would get is in the $800 range, and that's a bit more than I'm able/willing to spend.

Decisions, decisions *sigh*.

[Charles Darnay]

If you are using it for books/magazines - 8gb is plenty. You could probably fit about 2,500 books on a Kindle Fire. And it has the ability to back up (on your computer, on cloud storage) so it's like having a house filled to the brim with books and needed to put some away in storage. You don't lose them, they're just in storage.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Well I love my new kindle which is the latest one sold by Amazon UK at £89 and I would certainly recommend that for general reading. The ereader Vs paper book thread has more thoughts on the subject.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Just for your info, the Fire is not the only new Kindle coming out. There is the new basic Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eReader-eBook-Reader-e-Reader-Special-Offers/dp/B0051QVESA/ref=amb_link_357575542_5?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=1FPS4YW5C47Z9516YPCY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1328879142&pf_rd_i=507846) and the Kindle Touch (http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Touch-e-Reader-Touch-Screen-Wi-Fi-Special-Offers/dp/B005890G8Y/ref=amb_link_357575542_6?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=1FPS4YW5C47Z9516YPCY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1328879142&pf_rd_i=507846) (which I have pre-ordered). The prices are insanely reasonable. I've owned Sony e-readers and Kindles, and Kindle is by far my choice. I've never had a Nook, but after having the Kindle, I have no plans of switching any time soon.

Also, I've used these forums (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/) before, which are very, very useful in helping decide what to get, and then everything you can do with your e-reader once you have it.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Just for your info, the Fire is not the only new Kindle coming out. There is the new basic Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eReader-eBook-Reader-e-Reader-Special-Offers/dp/B0051QVESA/ref=amb_link_357575542_5?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=1FPS4YW5C47Z9516YPCY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1328879142&pf_rd_i=507846) and the Kindle Touch (http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Touch-e-Reader-Touch-Screen-Wi-Fi-Special-Offers/dp/B005890G8Y/ref=amb_link_357575542_6?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=1FPS4YW5C47Z9516YPCY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1328879142&pf_rd_i=507846) (which I have pre-ordered). The prices are insanely reasonable. I've owned Sony e-readers and Kindles, and Kindle is by far my choice. I've never had a Nook, but after having the Kindle, I have no plans of switching any time soon.

Also, I've used these forums (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/) before, which are very, very useful in helping decide what to get, and then everything you can do with your e-reader once you have it.

Yes I've got the basic kindle which is £89 in the UK without adverts (obviously) the US has two versions with and without adverts as shown. I am curious though why you have had so many of them. You have Sony e-readers and kindles (plurals) and you have ordered the touch version, why do you need so many? I can't imagine that I'll need to get another one unless this broke.

[prendrelemick]

Has anyone read a full book on a non e-ink device? I mean reading for a couple of hours at a time. I have tried it on my laptop and it was v bad for the eyes. Wouldn't an ipad be the same ?

I would like a kindle but I would also like to read in bed without turning the light on and waking Mrs P.

[Abookinthebath]

I have tried it on my phone (htc desire). Apart from the small screen, it is not too bad. There are plenty of font size, screen brightness and text/background options to optimize your view. I read 'The Road' over a few days and didn't feel my eyes were strained.

I would give it a try before committing though, I guess it is not for everyone. And one of the light accessories for Kindle would probably give as much light out as the backlight on an iPad....

[Charles Darnay]

Has anyone read a full book on a non e-ink device? I mean reading for a couple of hours at a time. I have tried it on my laptop and it was v bad for the eyes. Wouldn't an ipad be the same ?

I would like a kindle but I would also like to read in bed without turning the light on and waking Mrs P.

I use an iPad and it is nothing like reading off a laptop. While I still prefer the paper book, the iPad has that advantage of using it in any light

[LadyLuck]

I use an iPad and it is nothing like reading off a laptop. While I still prefer the paper book, the iPad has that advantage of using it in any light
I'll keep that in mind. It's one of the reasons that the e-ink tech was so important to me. I spend all day starting at screen for work, and I certainly don't want to feel like that's what I'm doing when I am home and trying to unwind.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Yes I've got the basic kindle which is £89 in the UK without adverts (obviously) the US has two versions with and without adverts as shown. I am curious though why you have had so many of them. You have Sony e-readers and kindles (plurals) and you have ordered the touch version, why do you need so many? I can't imagine that I'll need to get another one unless this broke.
I don't need them, I just want them. Just a matter of wanting "the new one" with its cooler features. The Kindle I have now doesn't have a touch screen, but the one I'm getting does. And, come on, it's a touch screen, so I must have it.

[LadyLuck]

OK, so I just read that Barnes and Nobel are making a big announcement on Monday, and the hope is that it will be a new Nook!! I think I'm going to wait and see what they're coming out with. After thorough research, the Kindle Fire is designed to compete more with iPads than be a reader, so I figure why not see what the new Nook is like. I'm hoping that it will hold a little more true to its use as an e-reader rather than trying to be more of a hand held streaming device. I guess we'll wait an see :)

[LadyLuck]

So it's settled a purchased :banana: I just ordered a Nook tablet, and I'll be sure to write a review of it here when I have it in hand and have had a chance to play with it. As long as it gets here before Christmas so I can get it set up for the kids... and myself of course :D

[prendrelemick]

Well, I have settled for a basic Kindle at £89. I decided I would use my phone to ring up, my laptop to surf and my kindle to read books. I think I can just about cope with that.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Well, I have settled for a basic Kindle at £89. I decided I would use my phone to ring up, my laptop to surf and my kindle to read books. I think I can just about cope with that.

Good call, that's what I've done as well.

[Scheherazade]

Well, I have settled for a basic Kindle at £89. I decided I would use my phone to ring up, my laptop to surf and my kindle to read books. I think I can just about cope with that.
Good call, that's what I've done as well.Same here.

When I was getting my ereader last year, I wondered whether I should get an Ipad but at the end decided against because I knew if I had internet access to surf (read the Forum!), I would end up doing just that instead of reading my books.

The new Kindle does look good.

[LadyLuck]

Same here.

When I was getting my ereader last year, I wondered whether I should get an Ipad but at the end decided against because I knew if I had internet access to surf (read the Forum!), I would end up doing just that instead of reading my books.

The new Kindle does look good.

I like the new Kindles too. I settled on the Nook tablet because it has both color and expandable memory. The bare basic Kindle would be perfect for me, but it isn't ideal for the kids. They would very much miss the color in their kids books. I've all the benefits of the iPad without the huge price tag. I seriously looked at the iPad, but they're just too expensive. I'm sure I'll be pretty happy with it, but I'm going to need to keep the games off it and internet usage to a minimum. I really don't need Netflix and such on it, but I'm sure I'll end up using it, just as long a books come first.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I read something about a Lending program on thousands of books that allow "Amazon Prime" (which entails a monthly fee and other benefits--something I'm not a member of) members to borrow books from Amazon for free.

Here's a quote from the site:

"With Prime, Kindle owners can now choose from thousands of books to borrow for free including over 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers – as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates."

It sounds like an attempt to compete with the Nook's ability to use libraries. I'd love to know how many books can be borrowed, as "thousands" is quite vague. If it's only a few thousand, that's not very many. And I'm not interested in New York Times Bestsellers, either.

[LadyLuck]

I read something about a Lending program on thousands of books that allow "Amazon Prime" (which entails a monthly fee and other benefits--something I'm not a member of) members to borrow books from Amazon for free.

Here's a quote from the site:

"With Prime, Kindle owners can now choose from thousands of books to borrow for free including over 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers – as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates."

It sounds like an attempt to compete with the Nook's ability to use libraries. I'd love to know how many books can be borrowed, as "thousands" is quite vague. If it's only a few thousand, that's not very many. And I'm not interested in New York Times Bestsellers, either.

Me too. I know the prime fee here is around $80 USD. I don't know anywhere else. On the flip side, the only one a month is what turned me off. One a week, maybe, but one a month isn't enough.

[BlackCat]

This is a bit off topic here but what is your opinion regarding the kindle? Like it?Hate it? Apathetic? Do you prefer a book over a kindle?

[YesNo]

I hear I'm going to get one as a present for the holidays. I wonder if I'll use it more than the iPod I got some years ago in the same way. However, I like the cloud storage for purchased items.

[LitNetIsGreat]

This is a bit off topic here but what is your opinion regarding the kindle? Like it?Hate it? Apathetic? Do you prefer a book over a kindle?

Love it. My some of my thoughts on it are covered in the similar thread below:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32562

(Tip: if you are getting a kindle then you need a case as well but don't buy the rip off Amazon ones at £30-50. Instead you can pick up some equally good ones on ebay for under a tenner.)

[Ragnar Freund]

Gone.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Hey, something we can find common ground on, Ragnar!

I love mine. I've had several. Highly recommended.

[Lokasenna]

I had a play with a friend's kindle a little while ago. I wasn't exactly... overawed.

I don't know, I guess I just have a passion for the book as a physical object. I love to leaf through it, to feel its weight, take in its smell. E-books just seem somehow ephemeral and unreal to me.

Plus, so many of the books I read aren't available on kindle...

[BlackCat]

I love paper books and all, but the fact that you can buy so many philosophical and classics for free on kindle is a great appeal.

[Vonny]

I like my kindle, especially that I can get a new book instantly, since I don't have a bookstore nearby. But I still value real books more. I also love how books smell, even some old ones. And nothing is better than to go into one of the bookstores that smells of books and coffee. Being surrounded by books makes me feel peaceful. I feel such a loss for our Borders Bookstore that went out of business, probably due in part to the kindle. I heard that Barnes and Nobles is surviving but they got into the e-book niche early with the Nook, but we don't have B & N here.

I also think that as in everything instant, quality will suffer. I was reading about The Sagas of the Icelanders, and the review said that in the kindle version the graphs and charts in the back are left out. If something doesn't fit on that 6" screen, it's just thrown away. The review said it's a shame after the care and attention the publishers lavished on the book version to have it carelessly transfered to kindle that way.

[Emil Miller]

I like my kindle, especially that I can get a new book instantly, since I don't have a bookstore nearby. But I still value real books more. I also love how books smell, even some old ones. And nothing is better than to go into one of the bookstores that smells of books and coffee. Being surrounded by books makes me feel peaceful. I feel such a loss for our Borders Bookstore that went out of business, probably due in part to the kindle. I heard that Barnes and Nobles is surviving but they got into the e-book niche early with the Nook, but we don't have B & N here.

I also think that as in everything instant, quality will suffer. I was reading about The Sagas of the Icelanders, and the review said that in the kindle version the graphs and charts in the back are left out. If something doesn't fit on that 6" screen, it's just thrown away. The review said it's a shame after the care and attention the publishers lavished on the book version to have it carelessly transfered to kindle that way.

Can you get Pro Bono Publico on it?

[LitNetIsGreat]

Can you get Pro Bono Publico on it?

Yes it can be. You just need to submit it to Amazon as an ebook. I'm not sure of the full process but it should be fairly straight forward.

Edit: After reading paper books for years and years and the kindle for a few weeks, I prefer the kindle. I still read in the outdated format of course - but the kindle is much nicer!

[Vonny]

No Emil you cannot. Many books will never be made available on kindle. Many of the best books are not profitable, and older books will only be transferred if there is sufficient profit in transferring them.

And many people will become so devoted to their kindle that they will only want a kindle book and won't even buy a real book that is deemed to heavy or awkward, so all those great old books will end up discarded. And if you carry around a paperback book instead of a Kindle Fire, people will think you're inadequate, like if you don't have a smartphone.

The other thing is that even those free classics will be free only for a limited time. The corporations will learn how to make us pay for downloads - they will find an excuse for charging. And this "Cloud" storage will only be free for a while also. Once the physical bookstores are out of business and people have discarded their books, such as in moving, because they have all their books so conveniently on kindle, then the kindle will not be a great deal anymore. It will be as expensive or more so than real books. But we will have lost touch with something else that is real, and people will no longer remember or care about books once they are gone. And like fast food people, and all the other "virtual" crap, they will Love this inferior product.

The digital format will also make it easier for deficient authors to get published, since no valuable paper is used in it, absolutely flooding the world with garbage and chick lit, so that if there is a decent book published it will get buried in all of that.

Edit: if the author is still alive he can get his book put on Kindle, even if it's a good book!

I also don't want to completely knock Kindle; as I said, I like mine, and if there are no real books - it's like crappy food - I'll take what I can get and be thankful for it.

Hey, wait a minute... :lol: That's kind of funny that Emil's book isn't on kindle. Wonder why that would be?

[Mr.lucifer]

There is serious fiction available for the ebooks like the works of Thomas Mann, Phillip roth, etc.

[KCurtis]

The digital format will also make it easier for deficient authors to get published, since no valuable paper is used in it, absolutely flooding the world with garbage and chick lit, so that if there is a decent book published it will get buried in all of that.


This is another reason I haven't bought a kindle yet, good point. Chick lit- my co-workers read chick-lit. I feel so alone.
I also wondered about being able to get any book on kindle. Many I want to read are not bestsellers and are not popular reads. I also like to have the physical book in my hands. But I also want a kindle.

[Drkshadow03]

I have a Kindle. I like the notes feature. I like the idea of being able to download free books too as everyone already said. So far I've only read The Prelude by William Wordsworth on my kindle.

However, one problem I have is that I already own almost all the major classics. So I'm not really sure what to download since I own a lot of what I could download for free. So I guess I'm still trying to figure out what I really want to do with my Kindle; for now, it's more of a supplement to my already decent print book collection. For free books you're reliant on the available editions, which can be of varying quality, and probably is best for English language works since translation won't be an issue, just formatting and fonts.

I suspect in most cases I'm going to use it to pick up the odd work here and there. \

[Emil Miller]

No Emil you cannot. Many books will never be made available on kindle. Many of the best books are not profitable, and older books will only be transferred if there is sufficient profit in transferring them.

And many people will become so devoted to their kindle that they will only want a kindle book and won't even buy a real book that is deemed to heavy or awkward, so all those great old books will end up discarded. And if you carry around a paperback book instead of a Kindle Fire, people will think you're inadequate, like if you don't have a smartphone.

The other thing is that even those free classics will be free only for a limited time. The corporations will learn how to make us pay for downloads - they will find an excuse for charging. And this "Cloud" storage will only be free for a while also. Once the physical bookstores are out of business and people have discarded their books, such as in moving, because they have all their books so conveniently on kindle, then the kindle will not be a great deal anymore. It will be as expensive or more so than real books. But we will have lost touch with something else that is real, and people will no longer remember or care about books once they are gone. And like fast food people, and all the other "virtual" crap, they will Love this inferior product.

The digital format will also make it easier for deficient authors to get published, since no valuable paper is used in it, absolutely flooding the world with garbage and chick lit, so that if there is a decent book published it will get buried in all of that.

Edit: if the author is still alive he can get his book put on Kindle, even if it's a good book!

I also don't want to completely knock Kindle; as I said, I like mine, and if there are no real books - it's like crappy food - I'll take what I can get and be thankful for it.

Hey, wait a minute... :lol: That's kind of funny that Emil's book isn't on kindle. Wonder why that would be?

I think the answer as to why it isn't on Kindle is because it was published in 2007 before the Kindle had come into general usage.

[Helga]

I have been watching this discussion since it started and I am still wondering, I have been thinking about Kindle for a long time. not that I can afford to buy one at the moment I just can't make a decision about it. I love my books and I love holding books and flipping though the pages. I do like the fact that you can write down notes in the Kindle cause I NEVER write in my books (except maybe my name on the first page but I don't like that).

I think it is a good options for schoolbooks and I know my brother has talked about that a lot. I am still wondering about this though...

If I did get one I would get a star trek computer screensaver and probably look at that more than the books inside.

[Vonny]

I think the answer as to why it isn't on Kindle is because it was published in 2007 before the Kindle had come into general usage.

Oh, I see. I thought you might have been afraid they'd leave out a couple of chapters, or something.

Another potential problem with Kindle is that they could decide to edit the books at any time, unless you keep them backed up on your hard drive. If you have a physical book, no one can decide after 5 years that they don't like part of the political message or something in there and make slight alterations to it, but with Kindle, they can. Over the years small edits can happen to books until they gradually change and people wouldn't even notice that their book had been altered.

That said, I'm sure I will always have a kindle, though I do spend a lot of time just looking at the screen saver. But I'll not be parting with my real books that I have unless my house burns.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I think the answer as to why it isn't on Kindle is because it was published in 2007 before the Kindle had come into general usage.

You could easily summit it as an ebook if you wanted though.

[Emil Miller]

You could easily summit it as an ebook if you wanted though.

I don't know about that, it was the publisher and Amazon who had an arrangement to make it available there, I had no hand in it.

[jyossarian]

I guess it's handy if you're going on holidays and don't want to pack a ton of books in your suitcases, but it'll NEVER beat holding an actual book in my opinion :)

[BlackCat]

I guess it's handy if you're going on holidays and don't want to pack a ton of books in your suitcases, but it'll NEVER beat holding an actual book in my opinion :)

better than reading on ur smartphone ain;t it?

[jyossarian]

better than reading on ur smartphone ain;t it?

Lol yeah definitely! My friend read the entire Lord of the Rings saga on his iPhone and it said it was the most awkward thing he's ever done in his life :/ And he's done some pretty awkward things !

[BlackCat]

Lol yeah definitely! My friend read the entire Lord of the Rings saga on his iPhone and it said it was the most awkward thing he's ever done in his life :/ And he's done some pretty awkward things !

I love the fact that you can put so much materials on one single machine. It is slick, stylish, portable, and very convenient. The other the thing is the price tag. Books on Kindle are much cheaper, many of the classics include valuable philosophical and theological treatises are either free or dead cheap. Another factor that make the Kindle a better e-reader than iphone or ipad is the screen, help me read without those annoying reflections. Also who could forget the wonderful note taking ability? :banana::banana::banana:

[jyossarian]

Some valid points there, but it's all down to personal opinion at the end of the day I guess.
Like I'm the kind of person who does take notes in regular books if required :)
And some of the books are very ****ily laid out on the Kindle I think. And sorry for the lack of a better adjective there :L

Oh and loving the dancing bananas :)

[BlackCat]

Some valid points there, but it's all down to personal opinion at the end of the day I guess.
Like I'm the kind of person who does take notes in regular books if required :)
And some of the books are very ****ily laid out on the Kindle I think. And sorry for the lack of a better adjective there :L

Oh and loving the dancing bananas :)

sometimes it's just too hard for me to take notes, especially with those library books :P. Oh, thanks, I love it too :D

[B. Laumness]

I like my kindle, especially that I can get a new book instantly, since I don't have a bookstore nearby. But I still value real books more. I also love how books smell, even some old ones. And nothing is better than to go into one of the bookstores that smells of books and coffee. Being surrounded by books makes me feel peaceful. I feel such a loss for our Borders Bookstore that went out of business, probably due in part to the kindle. I heard that Barnes and Nobles is surviving but they got into the e-book niche early with the Nook, but we don't have B & N here.

I also think that as in everything instant, quality will suffer. I was reading about The Sagas of the Icelanders, and the review said that in the kindle version the graphs and charts in the back are left out. If something doesn't fit on that 6" screen, it's just thrown away. The review said it's a shame after the care and attention the publishers lavished on the book version to have it carelessly transfered to kindle that way.


Many books will never be made available on kindle. Many of the best books are not profitable, and older books will only be transferred if there is sufficient profit in transferring them.

And many people will become so devoted to their kindle that they will only want a kindle book and won't even buy a real book that is deemed to heavy or awkward, so all those great old books will end up discarded. And if you carry around a paperback book instead of a Kindle Fire, people will think you're inadequate, like if you don't have a smartphone.

The other thing is that even those free classics will be free only for a limited time. The corporations will learn how to make us pay for downloads - they will find an excuse for charging. And this "Cloud" storage will only be free for a while also. Once the physical bookstores are out of business and people have discarded their books, such as in moving, because they have all their books so conveniently on kindle, then the kindle will not be a great deal anymore. It will be as expensive or more so than real books. But we will have lost touch with something else that is real, and people will no longer remember or care about books once they are gone. And like fast food people, and all the other "virtual" crap, they will Love this inferior product.

The digital format will also make it easier for deficient authors to get published, since no valuable paper is used in it, absolutely flooding the world with garbage and chick lit, so that if there is a decent book published it will get buried in all of that.

I also don't want to completely knock Kindle; as I said, I like mine, and if there are no real books - it's like crappy food - I'll take what I can get and be thankful for it.




Another potential problem with Kindle is that they could decide to edit the books at any time, unless you keep them backed up on your hard drive. If you have a physical book, no one can decide after 5 years that they don't like part of the political message or something in there and make slight alterations to it, but with Kindle, they can. Over the years small edits can happen to books until they gradually change and people wouldn't even notice that their book had been altered.

That said, I'm sure I will always have a kindle, though I do spend a lot of time just looking at the screen saver. But I'll not be parting with my real books that I have unless my house burns.

You raised valid points.

[Emil Miller]

Oh, I see. I thought you might have been afraid they'd leave out a couple of chapters, or something.

Another potential problem with Kindle is that they could decide to edit the books at any time, unless you keep them backed up on your hard drive. If you have a physical book, no one can decide after 5 years that they don't like part of the political message or something in there and make slight alterations to it, but with Kindle, they can. Over the years small edits can happen to books until they gradually change and people wouldn't even notice that their book had been altered.

That said, I'm sure I will always have a kindle, though I do spend a lot of time just looking at the screen saver. But I'll not be parting with my real books that I have unless my house burns.

No, Kindle/Amazon are subject to copyright laws that would require them to obtain the author's approval for any alterations to the original manuscript.
They may quote certain sections of a book without permission but they are extremely limited and subject to legal proceedings if deemed necessary.

[kasie]

I believe there may be ways to get your book on Kindle, if you wish, Emil - an author friend of mine has just worked this way. You can firstly request your publishers to re-publish your work on Kindle. If they refuse, you could try to regain the publishing rights to the book and then publish it yourself on Kindle. You would lose their marketing facilities but any money raised by Kindle sales would be all yours (less Kindle's commission which I believe is moderate). How quickly you could do this would depend on your original agreement with the publishers. It will mean a lot of work for you as you will have to reformat the text yourself. My friend has regained rights to nearly all her backlist and is seeing a resurgence of interest in some of her old titles.

As for your fears about 'deficient' authors being published, Vonny, I think the same market forces will operate on Kindle as in the printed book world - bad work won't sell. You can read the first ten pages before buying on Kindle - bad writing is evident in those first ten pages and I for one wouldn't buy an electronic book with a poor opening in the hope that it may improve as it progresses just as I wouldn't buy a printed book with an unpromising start. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to buy it -at least paper won't have been wasted.

As for the Fast Food analogy, I think that is stretching the point - lots of people don't eat hamburgers etc, lots of people take an active interest in food and its preparation. Similarly with books, not everyone reads the equivalent of Fast Food, whether you call it Chick Lit (of which there are some good examples, by the way, don't judge the book, etc) or Best Selling Trash (ditto). Just because it's there, you don't have to buy it - you have a mind of your own, you can hunt out what you want, it's your money. I can't help feeling the ease of access offered by Kindle could lead to an increase in the interest in reading - surely that's a good thing?

I love my books, I don't intend to replace them with an electronic version but - what's going to happen to them after my days? I can see my heirs retaining possibly a tenth of them (and that's being hopeful!) but the rest will go to Charity shops/secondhand book shops. I've been doing a lot of culling lately in my attempts at decluttering and I've seen some very sad sights in the back rooms of Charity shops, piles of unwanted books gathering dust, turning into dust even. It has given me pause for thought - I tend to splurge on books when I am in book shop, doesn't happen often as we don't have a 'proper' bookshop in my local town, but I tend to buy 'ephemera', the latest title by an author I've enjoyed, something I've seen well-reviewed, a storyline that catches my eye - that's the sort of thing that could well go on an electronic device. I could save the purchase of the paper version for texts that I will refer to constantly.

As for the 'Cloud' (and being a Sony e-Reader owner, I am guessing this is the equivalent of the i-Tunes Bookshelf) once you have bought the electronic rights to a text, it is yours and the vendor has entered into an agreement to allow you access to it at any time for the forseeable future. If they wish to change that part of the contract, they will have to give you a great deal of notice in order to obtain your consent.

[Emil Miller]

I believe there may be ways to get your book on Kindle, if you wish, Emil - an author friend of mine has just worked this way. You can firstly request your publishers to re-publish your work on Kindle. If they refuse, you could try to regain the publishing rights to the book and then publish it yourself on Kindle.

The problem is that I am currently engaged in discussions with the publisher about terms for a second book which is ready for publication and they might use a request to digitalize the first book as a pretext for more favourable terms for themselves. Do you know how would I go about getting a deal with Kindle, who I believe are part of Amazon, in getting my second book published as an E-format book rather than through my original publisher?

[itstito]

A kindle is really very useful once you get used to it. It can never beat a book, but its brilliant in its own way. Also you have a wide collection of books to choose from.

[Emil Miller]

Further to my previous post, I have received an Email from the publisher to say that they are going to create an E-book of Pro Bon Publico free of charge, which is good news but it would still be interesting to find out whether Amazon/Kindle will do it for my 2nd novel on my own submission rather than through the publisher.

[Vonny]

Further to my previous post, I have received an Email from the publisher to say that they are going to create an E-book of Pro Bon Publico free of charge, which is good news but it would still be interesting to find out whether Amazon/Kindle will do it for my 2nd novel on my own submission rather than through the publisher.

I've read about your next novel and that one sounds really good. When is it being published? I think I'll get real book versions though, in case someone's grandchildren wants to read the original version some day, when no one can afford a Kindle Fire or electricity anymore in this country, and the children are sitting around the campfire listening to the stories of old and blinking with wonderment in the fire light.

You know, someday in the story, the horse will no longer go off to the glue factory, he'll leave for a luxury retirement, and people will insist that that's what's going to happen to them, despite all the evidence they see around them.

[Buh4Bee]

Reading can be a shared experience. I have a friend that I email me reading quotes too when we are reading the same book. It is a very exciting thing to bond over when your friend is far away. You can also tweet- something I recently started with a fun pal. FUNMAN!

[Vonny]

Reading can be a shared experience. I have a friend that I email me reading quotes too when we are reading the same book. It is a very exciting thing to bond over when your friend is far away. You can also tweet- something I recently started with a fun pal. FUNMAN!

Oh yes, very insightful Bee.

Yes, and books you can loan as much as you want, even with people who can't afford a Kindle. When I bought my Icelandic books, I got physical copies, because currently you can get used ones from Amazon cheaper than you can buy the e-book and I figured I can send them to my brother after I get them read. He can afford a Kindle to buy his own version, but he's set against it for now.

I think currently you can loan a kindle book out for 2 weeks or something, where it disappears from your Kindle and appears on someone else's. But eventually when you can't pick up those real books anymore, you will no longer be able to loan books at all because Kindle will discontinue that feature, I believe.

[Emil Miller]

I've read about your next novel and that one sounds really good. When is it being published? I think I'll get real book versions though, in case someone's grandchildren wants to read the original version some day, when no one can afford a Kindle Fire or electricity anymore in this country, and the children are sitting around the campfire listening to the stories of old and blinking with wonderment in the fire light.

You know, someday in the story, the horse will no longer go off to the glue factory, he'll leave for a luxury retirement, and people will insist that that's what's going to happen to them, despite all the evidence they see around them.

Well I had the book printed privately for a few people and then decided to publish it but there has been some argument over the terms. Anyhow, I have discovered that Kindle would do it at low cost but it would only be available as an E-book, whereas if I manage to get it published via my old publisher, it would be available in hard copy as well. I will let you know when or if I manage to arrange for its publication.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Well, after being addicted to books for about 16 years and the kindle for about 5 weeks, I would actually put the kindle on top!!! (Of course this could be because it is newer but I don't think it is just that).

No seriously. Of course if the book is particularly attractive, if it is a special edition or if it contains great artwork then it wins, but if it is a standard copy like a Penguin, then I would prefer the kindle version I think - no, I'm sure I do.

This is becuase I am not particularly attached to the paper the words are printed on, but the words themselves. This is what matters even if I do hold attachmentes to certain books. So the the bottom line for me is the world created by the language not the paper, so I think, and I am surprised by it, but I think the kindle is top for me.

I absolutely love the fact that I can walk out of the house with potentially hundreds of books in my coat pocket. The power of this is incredible.

[Vonny]

What you say is true Neely, and I will admit that I like to travel light. So I'm really torn. I really like to fit all of my belongings into the trunk of a car if I decide I want to just pick up and go. My books are the only weighty, bulky thing I own. For some reason, I don't like the feeling of anything holding me down. And then, I live in a forested area, and at some point a wildfire will probably call for evacuation and take out my house. Throughout the West, forest fires (often from arson) burn homes every summer. So with this in mind, it would be good to have my books on a cloud.

And you're right that for most penguin type books, it doesn't matter. And the Kindle can save trees, only all the trees will end up becoming boxes for sugary cereal and paper bags anyway.

[LitNetIsGreat]

It is good to travel light yes. I once insisted that we take The Complete Letters of Oscar Wilde on a day trip (three times heavier than his complete works) and it didn't go down too well, but the potential of the kindle can help solve things like that and more.

I rejected the idea of an ereader for a year or two, but really it was silly. It is just dated nostalgia, most of it I think.




(Damn, no wonder I am a little tired I have just realised it is 2.08am! - all the best, good night.):eek6:

[Vonny]

Well, anything corporations give us is for their benefit, for their profit maximization, and so I can't fully open my heart to the Kindle.

I feel some grief at the death of real books, and not only of the books themselves, but of the way that people used to look upon them as things of great worth - the most cherished, precious objects that people owned.

I think that eventually people will become so distanced from the spirit of books that they won't even wish for a special edition or one with great artwork. A person who cares for books will just be seen as stodgy, the same as people who value other real things over the virtual.

[irishpixieb]

I don't like Kindles at all. Sure, the technology is good, but little digital copies of a book is nothing compared the the texture, smell, feeling of reading a physical book. Also, many authors are not allowing their books to be made into Kindle form because it is super easy to pirate the book, so in the interest of business, it ain't the best thing.

[B. Laumness]

I am not particularly attached to the paper the words are printed on, but the words themselves. This is what matters even if I do hold attachmentes to certain books. So the the bottom line for me is the world created by the language not the paper, so I think, and I am surprised by it, but I think the kindle is top for me.

I often had a discussion with friends about this subject: is the reading the same on paper and on screen, and is the writing the same with a pen and with the keyboard? They told me language does not change. Agreed. But do the mental operations not change? I think so. The book The Shallows by Nicholas Carr, which I’m currently reading, gives interesting insights about that. I was raised without computer, nor cell phone, nor smart phone. I learnt to write with a pen, to express my thoughts with a pen, to give shape to my imagination with a pen. I learnt to read with paper books. I never read a novel or a long essay on a screen. I felt that, since I have the Internet and spend time for instance on this forum, I’m less patient in my reading. I was used to read hundreds of pages in one sitting, especially when I was student, and now I tend to be distracted by my use of the Internet. I need to remain in the silence, well concentrated, well immerged in my reading; and that’s why I prefer to spend days and sometimes weeks without surfing on the web. I’m curious to know if you, Neely and others, have the same concentration while reading on your Kindle as you had or have with paper books.

[Emil Miller]

I often had a discussion with friends about this subject: is the reading the same on paper and on screen, and is the writing the same with a pen and with the keyboard? They told me language does not change. Agreed. But do the mental operations not change? I think so. The book The Shallows by Nicholas Carr, which I’m currently reading, gives interesting insights about that. I was raised without computer, nor cell phone, nor smart phone. I learnt to write with a pen, to express my thoughts with a pen, to give shape to my imagination with a pen. I learnt to read with paper books. I never read a novel or a long essay on a screen. I felt that, since I have the Internet and spend time for instance on this forum, I’m less patient in my reading. I was used to read hundreds of pages in one sitting, especially when I was student, and now I tend to be distracted by my use of the Internet. I need to remain in the silence, well concentrated, well immerged in my reading; and that’s why I prefer to spend days and sometimes weeks without surfing on the web. I’m curious to know if you, Neely and others, have the same concentration while reading on your Kindle as you had or have with paper books.

I am not going to buy a Kindle for the same reason that I won't buy a mobile phone and that is because I don't want one.
However, I have found that the Internet does interfere not only with reading but other things as well and were it not for the convenience of Emails and the fact that I am able to access all kinds of things on YouTube that I could not easily get elsewhere, I would get rid of my computer. Addiction to the Internet is very real and it is only by completely ignoring it that a person will be free from it.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I often had a discussion with friends about this subject: is the reading the same on paper and on screen, and is the writing the same with a pen and with the keyboard? They told me language does not change. Agreed. But do the mental operations not change? I think so. The book The Shallows by Nicholas Carr, which I’m currently reading, gives interesting insights about that. I was raised without computer, nor cell phone, nor smart phone. I learnt to write with a pen, to express my thoughts with a pen, to give shape to my imagination with a pen. I learnt to read with paper books. I never read a novel or a long essay on a screen. I felt that, since I have the Internet and spend time for instance on this forum, I’m less patient in my reading. I was used to read hundreds of pages in one sitting, especially when I was student, and now I tend to be distracted by my use of the Internet. I need to remain in the silence, well concentrated, well immerged in my reading; and that’s why I prefer to spend days and sometimes weeks without surfing on the web. I’m curious to know if you, Neely and others, have the same concentration while reading on your Kindle as you had or have with paper books.

Yes some interesting points. In terms of levels of concentration it is too early to tell if the kindle is any different from reading paper books, I suspect not, in fact I have been reading much more since I got my kindle than before (though still not pre-internet levels). Some of this is novelty perhaps, but I don't think that reading from a kindle generally will have any impact on concentration at all, this is because the kindle uses e-ink which is entirely different from reading on screen. I would never read a full novel or any lengthy work over the computer.

However I definitely think that my use of the internet and computers generally has impacted upon my levels of concentration in the last few years. Not only that, but because of my computer use and with the vast majority of work being done on Word that my ability to express myself with a pen over a keyboard has deteriorated quite sharply (though I was never very good with this). I suspect this is a fairly common thing, I don't know? Having also schooled without computers, as computers were only just beginning to emerge then, I now find that I can write and think at least four/five times faster on a computer than I can with a pen. (Learning to touch type has been a massive benefit here of course.) When I give students feedback I even type it up in Word and print it off! I don't think that I go more than four/five hours without going on the internet, checking this or that, I certainly couldn't go two weeks, this has to affect levels of focus and concentration and impact in other areas too.

I do try to grab long periods without distraction and noise though, as I think this is important. I have managed to find myself several days over the last week where I have had complete quiet with no one in the house and no noise for hours on end. I always fit time in each day when longer periods of quiet and calm are not possible too. This is very important to me.

I think that technology is great, especially the internet and the kindle - I am not a fan of phones personally, though I think that the negative affects of technology are clearly evident. Again it is a question of balance and moderation. The overuse of which I suspect greatly aggravates things like ADHD and contributes to general restlessness and hyperactivity along with computer game use and TV. I think that there are certain groups of younger people that don't get 5 minutes peace and calm in an entire day which I think is disastrous. I always limit the use of internet/TV with my own children and the positive impact on behaviour, concentration and creativity is as immediate as it is obvious.

[kelby_lake]

Who really needs to carry more than one book around anyway?

[Drkshadow03]

Addiction to the Internet is very real and it is only by completely ignoring it that a person will be free from it.

Heh. Why do you think some of us hang around this site?

[B. Laumness]

Interesting, Neely. I work the whole day on Word, and I use a pen for my personal writings. Schizophrenic?

[!MeMa!]

i love the actual book!

[Mr.lucifer]

I am not going to buy a Kindle for the same reason that I won't buy a mobile phone and that is because I don't want one.
However, I have found that the Internet does interfere not only with reading but other things as well and were it not for the convenience of Emails and the fact that I am able to access all kinds of things on YouTube that I could not easily get elsewhere, I would get rid of my computer. Addiction to the Internet is very real and it is only by completely ignoring it that a person will be free from it.

All, a smart phone I can understand, but a cell phone you won't bother with? These days, that's basically a necessity.

[Emil Miller]

All, a smart phone I can understand, but a cell phone you won't bother with? These days, that's basically a necessity.

No, millions of people have been have been conned into believing that it's a necessity. If that were the case, the world would have come to a standstill before they came into general use. I admit that there have been a couple of occasions when one would have been useful but certainly not a necessity. I would be prepared to bet that 99% of mobile phone calls that I see taking place on the street are unnecessary. I have two landline phones in my home, why would I want a mobile ?

[Mr.lucifer]

No, millions of people have been have been conned into believing that it's a necessity. If that were the case, the world would have come to a standstill before they came into general use. I admit that there have been a couple of occasions when one would have been useful but certainly not a necessity. I would be prepared to bet that 99% of mobile phone calls that I see taking place on the street are unnecessary. I have two landline phones in my home, why would I want a mobile ?

What is up with and modern technology?

[Emil Miller]

What is up with and modern technology?

Nothing as long as it remains our slave and we don't become a slave to it.

[Der Wegwerfer]

Who really needs to carry more than one book around anyway?

I don't really get it either.

people say they are good for traveling , but when I'm on vacation I'm usually doing things unique to the location that I can't do at home, the typical sitting on the beach all day thing isn't for me.

people also say they travel for business , I've been on a few business trips and I'm usually working and entertaining people, out to lunch and dinner and when I get back to the hotel room it's late and I'm tired with an early start again tomorrow. How much reading can I really do?

I know some literature buffs do indeed read more than one book at a time, maybe one fiction, one non-fiction or biography, but do you really need both at the doctors office?

people say it's great to have 100 books with you at all times but how many do you need , I think the power of having that many is great but I just don't know if it's really needed that often.

people say it great that they can download a book in a minute but I think that just makes it easier to impulse buy and buy a book you might not actually like. I don't mind waiting for a book I've ordered, I've got plenty on my TBR list. Of course a company will make it as easy as possible to buy their product.

some of the Russian classics are free but the translations of them aren't the greatest so in the end I'd have to buy an updated version anyway.

Some books aren't available in e-form. Some are cheaper, some are more expensive. The meme that they are always cheaper isn't true. Some, like the Library of America edtions don't seem to be available at all.

I'm glad some people like them and if it makes people read more it's only a good thing.

One thing I noticed was that they are all mostly 6'' screens and with the font just below half of the available options it seemed like I was constantly flipping thru the pages b/c less words fit on the screen as compared with a typical paperback. To me this was distracting, and I don' t consider myself a quick reader. I know the font is adjustable but it was just below half and it didn't seem any bigger than more books I own. I went home and looked at fonts of books I had to confirm.

has anyone else noticed this about e-readers? that you are flipping the pages more and more b/c less text fits on the screen (even without it blown up real big)???

[kasie]

..... I have two landline phones in my home, why would I want a mobile ?

Because you are not always in your home? And because there are such things as emergencies when you are out of your home?

[Aylinn]

Who really needs to carry more than one book around anyway?
I do. I have a habit of reading more than one book at once. And when I travel, I may be in no mood to read the book I have taken. It's one of those situations when Kindle might come in handy. Besides, Kindle is fairly small and more convenient than some books, especially the long books that have hundreds of pages.

[TheFifthElement]

No, Kindle/Amazon are subject to copyright laws that would require them to obtain the author's approval for any alterations to the original manuscript.
They may quote certain sections of a book without permission but they are extremely limited and subject to legal proceedings if deemed necessary.
You'd think so, wouldn't you?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/16/amazon-kindle-lending-library-contract-authors?INTCMP=SRCH

[Emil Miller]

You'd think so, wouldn't you?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/16/amazon-kindle-lending-library-contract-authors?INTCMP=SRCH

Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time. Generally, it is "the right to copy", but also gives the copyright holder the right to be credited for the work, to determine who may adapt the work to other forms, who may perform the work, who may financially benefit from it, and other, related rights. It is an intellectual property form (like the patent, the trademark, and the trade secret) applicable to any expressible form of an idea or information that is substantive and discrete.[

I don't see how they are able to claim that they are not in breach of copyright if they are doing it without agreement of the authors.

[Der Wegwerfer]

does it seem like your constantly flipping the pages b/c the screen is smaller than most books and there are less words on the page.

to me that's very distracting.

[Emil Miller]

Because you are not always in your home? And because there are such things as emergencies when you are out of your home?

True, but they can always leave a message or send an Email. As for emergencies, it depends on one's view; one person's emergency is another's storm in a teacup. In a real emergency, however, the mobile phone can be very useful but thankfully they are usually few and far between.

[TurquoiseSunset]

Who really needs to carry more than one book around anyway?

I don't need to, but I like to.


I do. I have a habit of reading more than one book at once. And when I travel, I may be in no mood to read the book I have taken. It's one of those situations when Kindle might come in handy. Besides, Kindle is fairly small and more convenient than some books, especially the long books that have hundreds of pages.

^ This. I read a few books at a time, because what I read depends on my mood or the time I have available (if it's only half an hour or less I don't like to read fiction). I have been on vacations where my book bag weighed much more than all my other things combined, because I like to have a few books to choose from. I don't really need any of it, but I like it. And the Kindle makes this possible without all the extra hassle and shoulder pain. I can put it in my handbag and hardly know it's there. I used to hate it when people are late, but now that I have my Kindle I sometimes wish they would take longer. :D

[tonywalt]

No, millions of people have been have been conned into believing that it's a necessity. If that were the case, the world would have come to a standstill before they came into general use. I admit that there have been a couple of occasions when one would have been useful but certainly not a necessity. I would be prepared to bet that 99% of mobile phone calls that I see taking place on the street are unnecessary. I have two landline phones in my home, why would I want a mobile ?

Agreed. I love people, but some people just cannot stop blah blah blahing.

My favourite is people getting off of planes and they CANNOT WAIT to turn on their electronic phones, then immediately start calling everyone to tell them they have arrived (not just the person possibly picking them up) - it's almost like an annoying facebook status profile. Also, on the plane, some people cannot hold it in and start calling upon landing, again all I hear is 'charlie brown's teacher' rambling on about nothing.

I communicate only my email at work and estimate I save 2 hours a day form rambling business conversations, whereas an email is economic. Of course there are reasons to speak on the phone.

[cyberbob]

does it seem like your constantly flipping the pages b/c the screen is smaller than most books and there are less words on the page.

to me that's very distracting.

I don't have a Kindle, but I think they put less words so that it's easier on your eyes to read. You could just keep your finger on the button as you read.

I don't have a cell phone either, but I'm still in college and don't have a job so I can get by without one. I used to until I quit my job!

[mal4mac]

...why would I want a mobile ?

To get gmail... it's worth it for Google's great spam filter! (You can borrow someone else phone for the minute it takes to sign up...)

[Emil Miller]

Sorry Neely, but I was looking at some writers' quotes and I came across this one.

'It seems to me that anyone whose library consists of a Kindle lying on a table is some sort of bloodless nerd.'

Penelope Lively

[LitNetIsGreat]

:devil: That's OK, let you off. How about 500 odd books and a Kindle?

Since buying my Kindle I have spent about £60 on chess books if not more, that's in the last month. This is because I still highly regard the Kindle when it comes to standard reading: novels, short stories, non-fiction etc (possibly not poetry with the formatting issues) but when it comes to textbooks/study books the Kindle is not so good - besides some of the chess books are not available on the Kindle (though some are). This is because you don't simply read study books in a linear fashion and the Kindle is not as effective going back and forwards and when dealing charts and diagrams necessarily. That's OK, my Kindle is fine for what it is being used for. At the moment though I'm spending about 8 hours a day with chess books and 20 minutes with the kindle (Hardy or Chekhov) so I've spending far more time with the normal books at the moment, this has nothing to do with Kindle though, just my addiction to chess.

[Patrick_Bateman]

I would adore ownership of a Kindle. To be able to have your complete library at your fingertips on an object the size of an envelope and depth of a steak fillet is just gorgeousity. HOWEVER the only way I could stay sane is - by the same way I stay sane with my iPod - by owning the physical copy of each work that is on the Kindle. Since not all downloads for your Kindle are 69p or less I wonder if it would be a wise investment. However I have 6 more years at University left and being able to take several thousands titles and collected works with me in a single item would be most handy.

[Paulclem]

I got one for my birthday. I'm most impressed. The download is efficient. The screen is easy to read. The controls are simple. I'm studying maths at the moment, and I'll still be getting, or using my maths textbooks, but it means the fiction piles will diminish. I knew it would be good and it is.

Fantastic.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I would adore ownership of a Kindle. To be able to have your complete library at your fingertips on an object the size of an envelope and depth of a steak fillet is just gorgeousity. HOWEVER the only way I could stay sane is - by the same way I stay sane with my iPod - by owning the physical copy of each work that is on the Kindle. Since not all downloads for your Kindle are 69p or less I wonder if it would be a wise investment. However I have 6 more years at University left and being able to take several thousands titles and collected works with me in a single item would be most handy.

However, if you had to buy the physical book for each book you downloaded, would that not defeat the object? It is certainly an investment considering that all classic texts are free. As I say, I've spend nearly as much on books in a month as would almost cover the cost of the Kindle itself.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I got one for my birthday. I'm most impressed. The download is efficient. The screen is easy to read. The controls are simple. I'm studying maths at the moment, and I'll still be getting, or using my maths textbooks, but it means the fiction piles will diminish. I knew it would be good and it is.

Fantastic.

Oh great stuff.

[Patrick_Bateman]

However, if you had to buy the physical book for each book you downloaded, would that not defeat the object? It is certainly an investment considering that all classic texts are free. As I say, I've spend nearly as much on books in a month as would almost cover the cost of the Kindle itself.

Not at all, it would just serve as my portable library. Some titles I may be able to do without the physical copy but it would bother me not having the paper and ink. It is the same with my music I need to own the CD and then upload to the computer rather than just downloading it.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I just got an iPad for Christmas and the Kindle is a way better reading device (though, the iPad wasn't bought for me intended to be mainly and eReader). It's just too big and heavy.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Not at all, it would just serve as my portable library. Some titles I may be able to do without the physical copy but it would bother me not having the paper and ink. It is the same with my music I need to own the CD and then upload to the computer rather than just downloading it.

But then you've got two identical libraries on two formats. That's up to you of course, but personally I think it is better to bite the bullet and just treat the books on the ereader as the same. This way you can twice the number of books for the same cost. It makes sense I have found to use the kindle for the free/cheap books and to buy paper books when they are the same price (that's a con) or not available or useful, like the study books, on the kindle. You can always have both for those extra special books.

[Paulclem]

There's the space issue as well. I don't live in a big house, and I've long since given up trying to have a library. There are plenty of books I could re-read - though I tend not to. Rather than have them hanging around in the house, I'll have them hanging on my Kindle. Would I re-read all the books I liked and kept. Unlikely. I might as well jut pass them on for someone else.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

The missus has a Kindle and I have the Barnes & Noble Nook, both were acquired Chrsitmas 2009. They are pretty nifty devices and make outdoor reading, on a breezy day, much easier. I'm currently reading Hemingway; A Farewell to Arms and Goldsmith; She Stoops to Conquer on my Nook.
.

[Jack of Hearts]

Kindle is hell. It's not ok. It's not ok to be reading nine books at once. It's like carrying a library with you. For a person who loves books and has intellectual ADD this is the worst thing ever.








J

[thelastmelon]

I have a question for those of you using the Amazon Kindle. I've been wanting to get one for a while, and I waited for the release of Kindle Touch, but when that was released it was only shipped within the US - and I live in Sweden, so as of right now I can't get a hold of that, and I don't know when they'll release it in Europe. Here comes my question: Is it worth waiting for the Touch or is the standard Kindle equally good?

[kensington]

I have a question for those of you using the Amazon Kindle. I've been wanting to get one for a while, and I waited for the release of Kindle Touch, but when that was released it was only shipped within the US - and I live in Sweden, so as of right now I can't get a hold of that, and I don't know when they'll release it in Europe. Here comes my question: Is it worth waiting for the Touch or is the standard Kindle equally good?

I'm probably weird, but I hate touch screens. I like the little buttons on my Kindle. My friend has the Nook which is a touch screen, and I don't like it.

[prendrelemick]

I'm three days in to my ownership of a kindle. First impressions are mixed. It does everything it should and is easy to understand, it works smoothly, it is easy to read, everything the makers claim for it is true.

But the experience isn't at all book like. It has me thinking about what a book is. It is an experience - or two experiences. The first is a vicarious one from the story as you follow the plot and invest time and emotion in it. Then you have the endorphin fuelled pleasure of settling down to read, of handleing and smelling The Book. At the moment the Kindle isn't delivering this.

[Seasider]

I received Peter Ackroyds London. The Biography as a Christmas present.
It had good reviews and as a Londoner I was really pleased to have it. But when I started to read it and noted it has 775 pages of text and 20 more as index and sources,my arms were soon aching. It would be so much easier on my Kindle. I hope I will have the strength to get through it, but it will be difficult and slow.

Another plug for my Kindle but it is the best bit of electronic equipment I have ever bought.

[mortalterror]

I got a Nook Simple Touch for Christmas. So far, the experience has been enjoyable. It works well with novels, but not so well with poetry formats.

[Paulclem]

Kindle is hell. It's not ok. It's not ok to be reading nine books at once. It's like carrying a library with you. For a person who loves books and has intellectual ADD this is the worst thing ever.

J

I usually have a number of books on the go at once. It'll be much easier now I've got the reading machine. I often flit hrough genres depending upon how I'm feeling.

I think my wife got me the reading machine becuse of the piles I'm constantly leaving around the house. Her piles are stuffed down the side of the bed whilst mine are manifest in a number of rooms. It just means that when we have visitors I have to stuff my piles into other rooms. Most inconveniant. :ciappa:

[LitNetIsGreat]

I usually have a number of books on the go at once. It'll be much easier now I've got the reading machine. I often flit hrough genres depending upon how I'm feeling.

I think my wife got me the reading machine becuse of the piles I'm constantly leaving around the house. Her piles are stuffed down the side of the bed whilst mine are manifest in a number of rooms. It just means that when we have visitors I have to stuff my piles into other rooms. Most inconveniant. :ciappa:

I know what you mean with the piles' I've got the piles too. This was another reason I needed to get the kindle. Sure, I've still got the piles, but at least they shouldn't get much bigger, in theory. Right now I've got two chess boards, ten chess books (I've just counted) and my kindle on a pile by the sofa. It looks a mess, I might take one of the boards up in a bit as you've got to keep the missus happy from time to time I've found.

[KCurtis]

I think my wife got me the reading machine because of the piles I'm constantly leaving around the house. Her piles are stuffed down the side of the bed whilst mine are manifest in a number of rooms. It just means that when we have visitors I have to stuff my piles into other rooms. Most inconveniant. :ciappa:

Ha! I just got my husband a Kindle for Christmas, and my reason, in part, is what you think your wife's reason is!! He loves it, and this summer I can take it to the beach and read!!! That's another reason I got it- we can share. He got me a GPS because I have a great fear of getting lost, but we share that too! It's in our car. My rationale.

[Jack of Hearts]

I'm three days in to my ownership of a kindle. First impressions are mixed. It does everything it should and is easy to understand, it works smoothly, it is easy to read, everything the makers claim for it is true.

But the experience isn't at all book like. It has me thinking about what a book is. It is an experience - or two experiences. The first is a vicarious one from the story as you follow the plot and invest time and emotion in it. Then you have the endorphin fuelled pleasure of settling down to read, of handleing and smelling The Book. At the moment the Kindle isn't delivering this.

This might be true... although this reader doesn't believe there's anything special about holding the mass-market two-cent paper of an actual book (sold for twenty dollars o'course). Unfortunately a flimsy piece of hardware doesn't seem like a step in a good direction.

Whatever. Just pipe the content into the ol'brain.






J

[cyberbob]

I got a Kindle for Christmas and I'm still reading my paper books. :frown5:

It just feels so awkward holding on to that little thing and not being able to flip through the pages at your leisure. Maybe I'll get used to it in time...

[Paulclem]

I got a Kindle for Christmas and I'm still reading my paper books. :frown5:

It just feels so awkward holding on to that little thing and not being able to flip through the pages at your leisure. Maybe I'll get used to it in time...

With a name like yours you should...Bob. :D

[bazarov]

Hello!

Do you perhaps know is it possible to buy Kindle in some store in city of New York, without buying it or ordering it online before?

I am looking for Kindle Keyboard 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi) - Graphite.

Thank you.

[tonywalt]

You will get used to it. But after over a year now, I have to admit I still like hard copies, and have fallen a little out of love with the Kindle(tired of the same old...reading:biggrin5:). I have a massive E book library of several thousand, but it felt anti climatic.

I recently bought all of Salinger's books in physical form - felt good!

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I did the same thing when I first got an eReader, Tony. I burnt myself on it, basically. Now I read pretty evenly between hard copy books and ebooks.

[tinybore]

Finally got one and I'm very satisfied with it. Ordered on monday last week, got it two days later!
It's especially very good for work as it's so small and no one seems to pay attention to it...compared to a book, boss doesn't like it if you read a book. And also easy whenever traveling, whether it's the bus to work or train to another city :)

I like the dictionary, all you have to do is go to the word and it'll automatically explain what the word means. English isn't my first language, so that's why it's useful!
I also like to do notes and quotes, and it's so easy to do it with kindle.

[breathtest]

Yes I can see it getting a little tedious after a while. I've not been using it very much since I got it though. I read proper books and then occasionally read one on the Kindle, so I still love the Kindle.

[McGrain]

I love mine, I haven't struggled with the font at all. I've spent pennies on dozens of books and nothing on some, but maybe the coolest feature for me was downloading 1Q84 one and two on midnight of the day of release and being able to read it during a long plane and rail journey the following day.

I tend to read two books at a time, and I always have something on the go on the Kindle.

[Voivod30]

I hadn't used mine for several months and had forgotten what I'd downloaded to it. A couple of weeks ago I finally charged it back up and figured I'd at least refresh my memory as to what I had for literature on it. Any way, to my pleasant surprise there was a bunch of stuff I'd totally forgotten about. I'm just finishing up The Marble Faun and my copy of that is a physical paperback but in between I've been reading some of the philosophy and non-fiction I downloaded to my Kindle and have been having a blast. Once I finish the Hawthorne book I'm reading (I have about twenty pages left that I'll probably finish off this morning) I intend to read some of the rather large amount of short fiction and novellas I have on my Kindle. I also have quite a few compilations of various authors that are supposedly their entire collections. If I remember correctly I was able to pick up (among various other collections) the complete works by Charles Dickens, Nicolai Gogol, Anton Checkov, Walt Whitman, Edmund Burke, Leo Tolstoy etc. for a few dollars a piece. This saved me a great deal of money and even more so it saves me from having to carry around a lot of heavy books. These aspects seem almost as if they were descended from Providence.

[Zee.]

Hi guys,

I am looking in to getting a Kindle from Amazon but i'm not quite sure what one to get.
I don't really care to use it for anything other than reading and purchasing books off of it.

If you have a Kindle, what kind is it, what are it's features, an dare you happy with it?

Thanks!

[RicMisc]

I don't have a Kindle, but I have a Sony ereader PRS-T1 and I like it a lot. An ereader is definitely worth buying. Although it's an investment upfront, after that you don't have to buy books anymore, which makes reading a book per week a lot easier economically speaking. Besides that it's easier to read large books on an ereader than to read the actual book. At first I was sceptical about ereaders but since owning one I have completely turned around!

As to features; I can buy books off of it, I can browse the web (though not the best experience, but it's not what ereaders are for), I can of course read books and I can make notes and drawings and stuff like that.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I've had Sony readers and several Kindles, and I prefer Kindle by far. They're cheaper and have a much better selection.

I have the Kindle Touch and like it very much, only 99 bucks.

[Seasider]

I have had a standard Kindle for 2 years and I love it. If I were buying now I would order the de luxe Kindle Touch which can be pre-ordered now and will be available from April 27th. Good luck with whatever you get.

[mona amon]

I love my Kindle Fire, but it's my first and only e-book reader, so I can't compare it to anything.

[LadyLuck]

I actually have the Nook Tablet. I love it for both myself and my children. I think a lot depends on what it is you wish to read on it. If you are looking for magazines, illustrated books, etc. A color device is key. I also can't say enough about the B&N content. There are a lot of crummy reviews out there for it, but I've actually had good luck. There is a ton of free content, and it is decently formatted. You get what you pay for on that, and often for $0.99 you can get a more enhanced copy. They're worth a look if you are shopping around. If you're dead set on a Kindle, I've heard good things about those too, but I just wanted to toss this option out there.

[Scheherazade]

What format books can you read on Kindle? EPUB etc?

[JBI]

What format books can you read on Kindle? EPUB etc?

Epub and Mobi are the most compatible, but any format really, just use Calibre to load the thing up. Pdfs work as well, which is what I mostly put on my thing. Will try using Chinese on it and see how it goes tonight (just got it).

As for me, I got the one with the keyboard because I like the way the page flip works better. Then again, it still is an annoyance to navigate through to the pages I want, so I plan on just using it when I travel or when I am abroad (which will be for a while, so I cannot drag my library with me.

[Eleanor62]

http://www.infoocean.info/avatar2.jpgI've had Sony readers and several Kindles

[Kafka's Crow]

I have an IRex ILiad which was good but I don't use it any more. I do most of my reading on my iPad now. I am reading Guermantes Way these days and am really enjoying it on my old trusty iPad1. Stanza is by far the best application for reading on idevices. Amazon recently bought it from the developers and started killing it to promote kindle by stopping the upgrade process with the release of new versions of iOS. It was killed when iOS 5.0 came out as Amazon did not make Stanza compatible. We made a lot of hue and cry and after hundreds of complaints and requests Amazon finally gave in but they are killing it limb by limb by removing different functions. Now the dictionary is gone and people who upgraded to recent versions are having connectivity difficulties. For this reason alone, I will never buy a Kindle. I am leaning towards Nook Touch for my boys. I never upgraded my iOS when Amazon bought Stanza so I still use the old and almost fully functional version which connects seamlessly and wireless with Calibre and is, by far, the best reading experience:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/Raz1/6aa40471.jpg

[Scheherazade]

Epub and Mobi are the most compatible, but any format really, just use Calibre to load the thing up. Pdfs work as well, which is what I mostly put on my thing. Will try using Chinese on it and see how it goes tonight (just got it). That is a relief. I had been told that Kindle only supported Kindle books for commercial purposes and it has been a worry for me since then because I get most of my ebooks from the library, which mostly come in EPUB or PDF.

I still have my SONY, which I love. I have not used Kindle but recently got a KOBO for a friend and she seems very pleased with it as well.

I don't like reading on the Ipad because of the backlight. It does not feel as good as an ereader.

[Kafka's Crow]

That is a relief. I had been told that Kindle only supported Kindle books for commercial purposes and it has been a worry for me since then because I get most of my ebooks from the library, which mostly come in EPUB or PDF.

I still have my SONY, which I love. I have not used Kindle but recently got a KOBO for a friend and she seems very pleased with it as well.

I don't like reading on the Ipad because of the backlight. It does not feel as good as an ereader.

The process of using non-Amazon books/ documents on Kindle is called 'side-loading'. It can be done on the Kindle ereader itself but Amazon recently disabled it on their Kindle app for iOS devices. I wouldn't be surprised if they disabled side- loading on the Kindle ereader as well. Would you trust your library with such an unpredictable company? For Sony you have to convert books into format (is it .lrf?) in order to read them on their readers.

[Charles Darnay]

I use paper. The only comparability issues I have is how to fit them on my shelves :)

Well, this is half-true. I do have an iPad 2 (and do have the iBooks and Kindle apps). I use the kindle app mostly for its sample feature - you could download the first chapter (or so) for free. So I do this, and if I like the book I will trot out to the store and pick it up. There are certain texts that are free that I want to read but do not have as must investment in buying them, so I will download them in e-format.

[JBI]

The process of using non-Amazon books/ documents on Kindle is called 'side-loading'. It can be done on the Kindle ereader itself but Amazon recently disabled it on their Kindle app for iOS devices. I wouldn't be surprised if they disabled side- loading on the Kindle ereader as well. Would you trust your library with such an unpredictable company? For Sony you have to convert books into format (is it .lrf?) in order to read them on their readers.

You and I both know someone will just find a way to crack the device, besides, I cannot see them doing that any time soon, because that would cut out all public domain books, something which encourages readers to get the device in the first place.

[Zee.]

I am in Australia, and I decided that i would like to get one as I am going on holiday in july to Vietnam. I was thinking to myself, "what books should I take?" etc, and then i thought it was time to get an e-reader.

I love books, hard copy books. But for traveling, the e-reader makes sense.

The only downside i have found is the unavailability of some books.. I wanted to get Game of Thones but I couldn't

[kev67]

What do you think of Kindles and other e-book readers? I have been slightly put off getting one because:


I was worried Kindles would do for books what CDs and music downloading did to records.

Electronic media keeps changing format every five minutes.

I didn't want to be locked into any proprietary format like with ****** Apple.

No tangible, nicely packaged object that stays put on your shelf and doesn't disappear when your electronic gizmo or software crashes.

Something else to buy batteries for.


However, on the other hand:


I wonder if a Kindle may be more environmentally friendly than buying lots of books. A Kindle has a lot of embedded energy, but so too, probably, have books.

It would definitely be a lot easier to carry than a lot of books.

I don't think they would kill off proper books. I enjoy walking through my local branch of Waterstones and browsing through the books. I quite like looking through Oxfam for 2nd hand books. You can't do that with e-readers.

[Calidore]

Another disadvantage I see constantly with e-books is poor quality control. Amazon's book reviews are loaded with complaints about typos/poor OCR in e-book versions of titles.

[Anton Hermes]

I'm a book lover and, like you, would rather look through a second hand bookshop than do virtually anything else. But my wife swears by her Kindle, because it's portable and can store a lot of material.

[paradoxical]

At first, I had no interest in an e-reader but after the Kindle Fire came out I decided to go for it, mainly for the wi fi access. I do have some complaints, however. First, the battery life isn't all that great. Not so bad if you're just using it to read but watching Netflix or Youtube really drains the battery fast and you have to recharge.

As far as reading goes, I didn't realize that ebooks would not be formatted the same way as regular books. There are no page numbers and no easy way to jump to a certain chapter. You can use the bookmark feature but there is no way to reference a page number. I thought it would be the same as the edition it was based on. I find that it's much easier to use real bookmarks with real books and you can also make notes in the margins or highlight text. I believe there is a way to do this with the Kindle, but I don't imagine it would be as simple or effective.

My main complaint is the price of ebooks. I had no idea that they were almost as expensive as buying a regular book. I believe the DOJ is investigating Amazon and some of the major publishers for price fixing. They really should be much cheaper as there is very little cost to the publisher and it is almost pure profit for them. The good news is that if you enjoy classics, there are many available for free from Amazon and it only takes seconds to download. You can even do it from a PC and it will send it to your Kindle.

I enjoy second hand bookstores and the feel of a real book. I like the smell of the pages and the feeling of holding a book and turning the pages. I also collect books, and enjoy seeing them on the shelf. However, a Kindle will hold many hundreds of books, all there at your fingertips. The backlit screen is nice for reading at night without a lamp; you can read in almost any position and sometimes it seems that it's actually easier and faster to read on the device rather than a book. I also enjoy the fact that no one can see the cover of the book you're reading. Want to read 50 Shades of Grey on the train but don't want to feel embarrassed? Just download it on your Kindle!

There are also a ton of apps available and some good games. I was addicted to Words With Friends for awhile and it has Angry Birds and a lot more. The screen is bigger than an Iphone but it's smaller then an Ipad. Almost the perfect size. However, as time goes on I find myself using it less and less and when I do, it's only to read. There is also a compatibility problem with ebooks designed for the Nook by Barnes & Noble and the Kindle, which works with Amazon. So you need to decide first which one you want to go with. Personally, I would recommend the Kindle but that's just my opinion.

[Scheherazade]

The process of using non-Amazon books/ documents on Kindle is called 'side-loading'. It can be done on the Kindle ereader itself but Amazon recently disabled it on their Kindle app for iOS devices. I wouldn't be surprised if they disabled side- loading on the Kindle ereader as well. Would you trust your library with such an unpredictable company? For Sony you have to convert books into format (is it .lrf?) in order to read them on their readers.I use a Sony and don't have to convert them at all. I keep both my fiction books and work-related documents on it and have no problem.

[Paulclem]

I've got Vanity Fair on my phone and it is surprisingly easy to read and use. It's formatted for something like a paragraph a page and is easily visible.