Best E-Reader?

[Tisha_PA]

I went to North Carolina Digital Library website and saw that our library does have overdrive??? so I guess that means it's ebook friendly. Upon searching the availability, I was shocked to find that there just doesn't seem like there is too much available to borrow, or maybe I'm missing something. Is there another website I should go to in order to scroll the availability? Also, can you only borrow from your own public library or others nearby?
Thanks for the help

I have a Nook and my local library has 23 ebooks. But since I have a library card for my local library I was able to get a free library card to the Free Library of Philadelphia which has over 3,000 ebooks. I am also able to get cards to every PA library that are part of the Access network. I would suggest calling your library to find out what kind of access you have and what other libraries you can use. Also, the Free Library of Philadelphia will allow anyone (in or out of state) to purchase a library card for $15/year.

As for which ereader to buy, I think the Nook and Kindle are pretty comparable. Other than the Nook's ability to lend books to others and borrow from the library, they pretty much have the same functions. I would suggest heading out to the stores and playing with them to see which one you prefer. I truly don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[RitaE]

Not to get off topic of the op's original question but I'm also considering buying one for DD and know nothing about them. I've read this thread and others to see other peoples opinions as to which is better. At this point I think I am/was leaning towards the nook because of the library option but that is where the problem comes in.....I DON"T understand it. I went to North Carolina Digital Library website and saw that our library does have overdrive??? so I guess that means it's ebook friendly. Upon searching the availability, I was shocked to find that there just doesn't seem like there is too much available to borrow, or maybe I'm missing something. Is there another website I should go to in order to scroll the availability? Also, can you only borrow from your own public library or others nearby?
I think, from what I've been reading, if both ereaders were the same and neither had the library component, I would choose the kindle so I just don't know
Thanks for the help

Most public libraries don't have a huge catalog of available eBooks. Ours is decent and they buy about 15 eBooks a month and the waitlists for them build quick. And that's divided across all genres ... YA, Children, Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction. You also need to understand that two major publishers (Simon and Schuster and MacMillan) withhold their books from the Overdrive Distribution so many bestsellers will never be available for library check-out.

There are libraries that allow non-residents to buy in. It doesn't have to be a library nearby, since you are checking books out over the internet. The Philadelphia Free Library allows you to buy in for $15 a year and they have international users who apply.

 

[Suz725]

Did I see correctly that you don't have WiFi at home? Whether she sideloads or Downloads from a site, she will need some sort of a wifi connection...does she have one somewhere else?

 

[RitaE]

If she isn't interested in the Library check-outs and she doesn't have WiFi, then you will most likely want to purchase the 3G version of whatever you decide.

You can side load from a computer that has a wired internet connection however.

 

[amylevan]

Did I see correctly that you don't have WiFi at home? Whether she sideloads or Downloads from a site, she will need some sort of a wifi connection...does she have one somewhere else?

Without wifi, you can still side load from a computer with internet, and if you get the 3G version, you don't need wifi at all.

 

[mfd25wife]

I have a Nook and my local library has 23 ebooks. But since I have a library card for my local library I was able to get a free library card to the Free Library of Philadelphia which has over 3,000 ebooks. I am also able to get cards to every PA library that are part of the Access network. I would suggest calling your library to find out what kind of access you have and what other libraries you can use. Also, the Free Library of Philadelphia will allow anyone (in or out of state) to purchase a library card for $15/year.

As for which ereader to buy, I think the Nook and Kindle are pretty comparable. Other than the Nook's ability to lend books to others and borrow from the library, they pretty much have the same functions. I would suggest heading out to the stores and playing with them to see which one you prefer. I truly don't think you can go wrong with either.

The ability to borrow from the library is something to consider. However, I do have a Kindle and you can share books with others. One difference is that on the Nook (if I understand correctly) is that you lend it only one time and only for a limited time. With the Kindle, you can register up to 5 Kindles on the account and can share the books among the 5 for an unlimited time. For example, I share my books with DD who has the Kindle app on her iphone and DH, who has it on his Blackberry.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I love my Nook. I got the 3g but took it back for the wifi. we have wifi at home and i normally side load so i did not need the extra.

With the nook, if you go to B&N store you can download free to read while you are there.

I'm sure both Nook and Kindle are very similiar. I liked the Nook because it just seemed to have more flexibility with file formats, but that was just me.

I would suggest goodereader.com for getting books. Also, B&N offers free book fridays on facebook for Nook. I found they offer a ton of free ebooks just like Amazon does for kindle.

 

[momof1princess]

thank you SO much everyone for all of the information! thank you, cseca, for the overdrive link-it turns out our library DOES have digital downloads! please, keep your opinions coming!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I have an iPad but I don't use it as an ereader. I have a Kindle 3 and I love it. The Nook can be laggy and I don't care about the library book option.

 

[kinntj]

I hope who ever is deciding, that they enjoy whichever they choose.

I'm asking for the Kindle 3 for Christmas. These ereaders are good for those (like me) who are sick and tired of trying to get rid of the books when you no longer need them. What a pain!

I kept going back and forth about getting one and decided it's what's best for me this year. It'll keep my shelves uncluttered.

 

[stcassidy]

Not to get off topic of the op's original question but I'm also considering buying one for DD and know nothing about them. I've read this thread and others to see other peoples opinions as to which is better. At this point I think I am/was leaning towards the nook because of the library option but that is where the problem comes in.....I DON"T understand it. I went to North Carolina Digital Library website and saw that our library does have overdrive??? so I guess that means it's ebook friendly. Upon searching the availability, I was shocked to find that there just doesn't seem like there is too much available to borrow, or maybe I'm missing something. Is there another website I should go to in order to scroll the availability? Also, can you only borrow from your own public library or others nearby?
I think, from what I've been reading, if both ereaders were the same and neither had the library component, I would choose the kindle so I just don't know
Thanks for the help

It was confusing at first to download and find the ebooks from the library. I thought there was not much of a selection, but you have to make sure you are in overdrive and in the ebook section. I could not find a book at first, but once I was looking in the correct place, I have found every book that I have been looking for.
Wish I could help more, ask and I can try

 

[stcassidy]

The ability to borrow from the library is something to consider. However, I do have a Kindle and you can share books with others. One difference is that on the Nook (if I understand correctly) is that you lend it only one time and only for a limited time. With the Kindle, you can register up to 5 Kindles on the account and can share the books among the 5 for an unlimited time. For example, I share my books with DD who has the Kindle app on her iphone and DH, who has it on his Blackberry.

With the nook, some of the books have the Lend me option. With this you can lend a book once for 14 days and then it goes back to the owner.
You can also have more than one nook on your account and share books within your account.

I love the nook, I know it is the first generation still, but the great thing I find is that when they do a major upgrade, everyone gets it. Even if you bought the nook when it first came out. There is another upgrade coming next month that is going to be great. I like this instead of the kindle because my nook is not going to be replaced, but upgraded at no cost to the nook owner.
I have used library books, borrowed and loaned books and I can't say enough about it.

 

[debbi801]

I saw this on twitter earlier tonight. If this is the topic of October 26th's press conference, that would be awesome!

 

[jacksmom]

I bought Dh the Sony Pocket Edition from Target for $75. on clearance! But am wondering about the books for it? Where do I buy them??

 

[juliemcalister]

We're a devoted Amazon.com family so the idea of buying anything besides a Kindle never even occurred to me. I have a 2nd generation Kindle and my DS(10) has the latest. We love them! I could go on for hours, and have, but I'll spare you and limit my comments to the following:

The nook is HEAVY even when compared to my 2nd generation Kindle.

Free reading while in a B&N store is of no interest to us. Remember, we love amazon.com!

Both of our Kindles are registered to the same account so we can share books freely.

Being able to buy a book and have it downloaded in moments, regardless of wifi access, is like a dream.

I my Kindle!

 

[Darcy03231]

I bought Dh the Sony Pocket Edition from Target for $75. on clearance! But am wondering about the books for it? Where do I buy them??

I get most of mine from either the Sony ebookstore (http://ebookstore.sony.com/) or Borders (www.borders.com)

 

[RitaE]

I bought Dh the Sony Pocket Edition from Target for $75. on clearance! But am wondering about the books for it? Where do I buy them??

Also check out Kobo Books - they frequently run coupon codes on the weekends which can give you a dollar or two off books. This weekend there is one you can use twice.

http://www.kobobooks.com/

And of course, the Sony Reader store - although their prices are so I hardly ever buy there.

http://ebookstore.sony.com/

Books on Board has some good specials sometimes
http://www.booksonboard.com/index.html?ebooks=ebooks

 

[crusoe2]

Can anyone tell me about the web-browsing capability of the Kindle (either the wifi or the 3G)? Amazon said something about this being experimental.

 

[Ephany]

Can anyone tell me about the web-browsing capability of the Kindle (either the wifi or the 3G)? Amazon said something about this being experimental.

It (IMHO) in no way, shape or form replaces a 'real' web browser. It's awkward and slow. That being said, it's been great when I was stuck somewhere and I needed to google an address or to send an occasional email when our wireless network at home was down. I have a K2 3G, and I'll use that feature in a pinch but I think I'd drive myself crazy if I tried to use it as my main internet tool.

 

[crusoe2]

It (IMHO) in no way, shape or form replaces a 'real' web browser. It's awkward and slow. That being said, it's been great when I was stuck somewhere and I needed to google an address or to send an occasional email when our wireless network at home was down. I have a K2 3G, and I'll use that feature in a pinch but I think I'd drive myself crazy if I tried to use it as my main internet tool.

Thanks. Sounds kind of like the experience I've had so far trying to use the web browser on my Blackberry. It isn't sooo slow but due to my eyesight I have to enlarge everything to the max and then scroll back and forth a lot. But I only use it for the sort of things you mentioned so maybe with its bigger screen the Kindle would be a bit of an improvement.