E-reader ??

[disneyred]

Hello.
The reason I am posting on the Canadian board is because I know someone in Canada that has bought an E-reader .. (sorry I don't what which one.. kindle, sony, kobo..does it make a difference??)

Anyways my question is where is the best place to buy books etc.. to populate this reader..any tips , comments ..best prices ??

I will also ask over at the more general board as well to get a wider audience.. I was just not sure if you are in Canada , would you buy from different sites if not in the U.S... as you can see I have no clue on these e-reader gadgets .. yet....
thanks for all the info and learning here ...as I said maybe I should post over at the community board for wider audience , if we all buy from the same place??

 

[Chaitali]

It really matters what type of e-reader it is. If it's a kindle, my understanding is that you can only buy ebooks from Amazon. If it's a nook, you can buy from Barnes and Noble without hooking it up to a computer. If you buy e-books from other places, you can put them on the nook by hooking it up to your computer. I'm not in Canada but I think I heard you can't but the barnes and Noble e-books outside the U.S.? You can buy Borders e-books and they should work on all e-readers other than the Kindle. I also get e-books from my library, which is great since they're free The Kindle won't take library e-books but the others should.

 

[networktek]

actually you can use any ebook reader with any ebooks
there is a software called Calibre its a free software that will convert any type of ebook into the type that your ereader uses

 

[Polydweller]

actually you can use any ebook reader with any ebooks
there is a software called Calibre its a free software that will convert any type of ebook into the type that your ereader uses

Only if it's not DRM protected. If it is, and most Amazon Kindle, Nook, Apple and Kobo are DRM protected, then conversion won't work.

 

[Chaitali]

Yep. And library books are also DRM protected so you cannot convert them to use on the kindle.

 

[Gigi22]

OP, if they have a Kobo e-reader, they can shop on the Chapters Indigo website which will automatically re-direct searches to the Kobo website if a ebook format is available (the search engine on the Chapters Indigo site is better than that on Kobo). I own a Kobo and I buy ebooks from Canadian websites only because the copyright laws and licensing arrangements for ebooks are different in Canada. I've also heard that you can also borrow ebooks from public libraries here that can be read on the Kobo, although I haven't tried this yet.

 

[cab0899]

I've been doing a lot of research on them lately and decided to go with the Sony Touch but had to preorder as there are none in Winnipeg!

The Kindle would have been my first choice but after talking with the Wpg Public Library, they told me that I could not use the Kindle for library books. I also read that the selection from Amazon for the Kindle in Canada wasn't that good. Lots of books if you are in the US.

 

[aristocat65]

There was a good thread on e-readers back in November: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2571920&highlight=kindle+or+kobo

All the helpful info helped me decide on my Kobo and I've been happy with it. I have downloaded many library books-you just need adobe digital editions on your PC and from there it is easy to transfer it to the Kobo. The Kobo also has Wifi so you can purchase ebooks directly from Kobo/Chapters to your Kobo. I haven't actually bought any ebooks and I do find them expensive at $10-$20. Kobo also comes loaded with 100 classics.

 

[christiane]

I have the Sony E-reader & like it a lot. The latest version is much improved over the previous one with respect to the screen glare. I like this reader best, because of the minimalist appearance without a lot of buttons etc.

I get almost all of my books from the library. I have downloaded many free classics as well from Google Books, the Guttenburg Project etc.

You can buy books for the E-reader from Chapters/Kobo & Sony. They sometimes also have more recent free books; I downloaded several less week. They are generally not popular authors but sometimes you find a gem.

I spend a lot of time at my childrens' events, so I love always having a book if there isn't anyone around to chat with while I'm waiting for them to get out of the change room, etc.

 

[holidaygirl]

I was looking into purchasing a e-reader as well but decided to go with the IPad, I have had no issues with reading books on it. And it does so much more than just books........ did I mention I love my IPad?

 

[drag n' fly]

Dh got me a Nook Color a month ago and I love love love it!!!

 

[ChisJo]

I was looking into purchasing a e-reader as well but decided to go with the IPad, I have had no issues with reading books on it. And it does so much more than just books........ did I mention I love my IPad?

That was my idea as well...My mom paid $225 for her sony e-reader...And all is does is be a book for her, and its large. I figure I could get an I-Pad and have way way way more options than an e-reader. I have an iphone that I have books on and have no problems with right now. When my eyes can't handle it anymore, I will switch it up for an ipad.

 

[minnie56]

Bought my DH a Kindle from Amazon for Christmas...he gets his books from Amazon.com as far as I know?

LOVES it too! Me? I like the 'smell' of a book..

 

[megsablue]

I have a Nook Color that I got for Christmas this past year and I purchase my e-reading from Barnes and Noble. However, I'm lucky because I have a mailing address in the US, so I'm able to purchase from the US Barnes and Noble site that has a better selection and is a bit cheaper than the Canadian site. I've found that the Vancouver Public Library also has quite a bit of material online, so most of my reading is from there. I know that the Nook Color can purchase from the Chapters site, but I haven't attempted that because usually I find Barnes & Noble to be cheaper.

 

[nat1234]

I have a sony ereader that I got last Christmas. I love it. I borrow books from my local library, love going to the library at night and in my pj's. I have also bought books from the sony store website (American site) and the kobo website (Canadian). The Kindle looks cool but a big drawback for me is the fact that I can only buy books from Amazon and I can't borrow library books.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Yep. And library books are also DRM protected so you cannot convert them to use on the kindle.

Well, you can actually. You have to take off the DRM, which is not hard.

 

[MikeJ]

I have a sony ereader that I got last Christmas. I love it. I borrow books from my local library, love going to the library at night and in my pj's. I have also bought books from the sony store website (American site) and the kobo website (Canadian). The Kindle looks cool but a big drawback for me is the fact that I can only buy books from Amazon and I can't borrow library books.

I also have a Sony eReader and agree completely. The ability to borrow library books is a big draw. When we go on vacation I download a number of books from our local public library to read on the plane, at the pool, wherever. And when their due date comes they just expire - no late fees ever...

 

[rjan67]

I have an IPAD which I love and use daily. I have both the Kindle and Nook apps on it and usually download my books from Amazon...bigger collection and can be done wirelessly! However, it is something that doesn't exactly "fit" in my purse and I cannot download library books, so I am considering the Sony ereader. My sister has one and loves it. It is backlit so you can read in the sun. There is a lot of glare on my IPad in the sun, but great for night reading...which I do in the car or when camping. Just a little info on that!

 

[cab0899]

Amazon announced yesterday that they are working with Overdrive and that the Kindle should be able to use public library books by the end of the year. I assume that would be for Canadian libraries as well???

 

[Cottager]

I purchased 2 Kobos. 1 was the newer WiFi and the other was the original version. Both have screen "freezing" problems and have been replaced twice each. I love the Kobo's flexibility with different file types and I'm a free "downloader" and DRM "buster" which is ideal for the Kobo. I just wish it was more durable and reliable. The screen without the backlight is ideal for reading around the pool and beach. The iPad with it's backlighting and battery use is not great for reading. If my next replacement Kobos break again, I'll be picking up a Kindle for sure.