Getting used to an eReader

[luvflorida]

I am an avid reader and I love books. For a long time, I said I wouldn't give up "real" books and wasn't interested in eReaders. However, for the past few weeks, I've been looking at the various eReaders on the market.

My husband knew I was interested in them, so he bought me a Kindle Fire for my birthday. I've had the eReader for a few days and I've read one book on it.

For those of you who own an eReader, did it take you awhile to really get comfortable with it? Especially those of you, like me, in the "older" crowd?

I think I'll get used to it and end up really liking it, but I do find myself missing the experience of having the actual book. Might sound silly, but I miss the turning of pages and the feel and smell of a new book. I DO like the ease of downloading a book and having it available to read within minutes, though.

So, did it take you awhile to get comfortable with your eReader?

 

[phorsenuf]

I am an avid reader and I love books. For a long time, I said I wouldn't give up "real" books and wasn't interested in eReaders. However, for the past few weeks, I've been looking at the various eReaders on the market.

My husband knew I was interested in them, so he bought me a Kindle Fire for my birthday. So far, I've read one book on it.

For those of you who own an eReader, did it take you awhile to really get comfortable with it? Especially those of you, like me, in the "older" crowd?

I think I'll get used to it and end up really liking it, but I do find myself missing the experience of having the actual book. Might sound silly, but I miss the turning of pages and the feel and smell of a new book. I DO like the ease of downloading a book and having it available to read within minutes, though.

So, did it take you awhile to get comfortable with your eReader?

I was the same way. I couldn't imagine giving up a real book but I have to say I love my Kindle. I don't think I was through the first book and I was hooked. I read some much more now too. I got my dad hooked on a Kindle too. He loves his!

 

[Buckalew11]

I wouldn't say it took me awhile to get "used" to it but I will say that I still love traditional books.
I love the ease of downloading a book, getting one from my public library on one, having many, many books in the palm of my hand, picking and choosing what I want to read with ease BUT, I still love visiting the library, holding a book, seeing its cover, etc., etc.

 

[Christine]

I got the cheaper, regular eInk Kindle so the transition was pretty easy. I think it would have taken more time had I got a backlit reader like the Kindle Fire. That said, I still enjoy reading a book too. If I can get it at the library, I still check out a book. I refuse to pay $9.99 for a book that I can run over to the library and pick up.

What I have noticed, though, is that as my vision worsens (I'm 48 and need reading glasses when I read now), the traditional books have become more difficult to read. With the Kindle, I can adjust the font to where I'm very comfortable.

 

[Poohbug]

While the Fire has some great uses, I will never buy one for reading. I love to read outside and my old Kindle keyboard is great for that. I can read inside, outside, in the car....everywhere. I love it. eInk is the way to go if you are a reader.

 

[Duckfan]

I love my kindle a lot. I too love the ease of carry around a bunch of books without the weight. I still buy books and magazines and newspapers. I got used to it fast and you will too. Bet you still read both ways!!! Oh I also like the kindle for reading in bed, so much lighter.

 

[SaraJayne]

I have a 1st edition nook, but I still love holding a traditional book.

I probably read 60% "real" books and 40% ebooks.

 

[megsters]

We have both 3rd generation kindles, and then we got a kindle fire for a birthday earlier this year.

I love the kindle fire for everything tablet related, except reading. I LOVE the e-ink technology for reading on the black/white ones.

Love books, but I think the e-ink technology is much easier on the eyes--most like actual books. The backlight and color from the fire irritate my eyes after 45-60 minutes.

 

[MIGrandma]

I used to think I wouldn't ever want a Kindle, but after my DD got one and I saw how nice it would be to read a book that way I changed my mind, and got my own this past Christmas (not the Fire, just the regular one with wifi). I absolutely love it and use it every day. I love not losing my bookmark, I love being able to change the font too. It's small enough to easily put into my purse for when I have a doctor's appointment to go to. I love being able to read it outdoors in the sunlight (took it on our cruise in January). I love the ease of downloading books. I rarely pay more than $5 for books, and most of them are less than that, some free too.

I still read a regular book occasionally, like right now I'm reading one that I found at a dollar store. But it seems cumbersome now that I'm used to my Kindle. And heavier to hold, especially at night reading in bed.

Our library recently advertised that they now have e-books, so I want to check into getting some that way soon.

 

[goofy!]

I am an avid reader and I love books. For a long time, I said I wouldn't give up "real" books and wasn't interested in eReaders. However, for the past few weeks, I've been looking at the various eReaders on the market.

My husband knew I was interested in them, so he bought me a Kindle Fire for my birthday. I've had the eReader for a few days and I've read one book on it.

For those of you who own an eReader, did it take you awhile to really get comfortable with it? Especially those of you, like me, in the "older" crowd?

I think I'll get used to it and end up really liking it, but I do find myself missing the experience of having the actual book. Might sound silly, but I miss the turning of pages and the feel and smell of a new book. I DO like the ease of downloading a book and having it available to read within minutes, though.

So, did it take you awhile to get comfortable with your eReader?

I was much like you and love the feel of a book. Putting a leather cover on my kindle made all the difference because it felt like I was holding a real book. I just never got used to holding this rectangle thing. But once it had a "spine" that I could balance in my hand, I fell in love with it.

 

[goofy!]

While the Fire has some great uses, I will never buy one for reading. I love to read outside and my old Kindle keyboard is great for that. I can read inside, outside, in the car....everywhere. I love it. eInk is the way to go if you are a reader.

I have both the traditional 3rd generation Kindle and the Fire. I must say the traditional Kindle is much more comfortable and more like a book than the Fire. The only time I read on my Fire is late at night when I don't want to deal with the reading lamp. Otherwise, it is my e-ink Kindle all the time.

 

[Coconut36]

I was the same way. I couldn't imagine giving up a real book but I have to say I love my Kindle. I don't think I was through the first book and I was hooked. I read some much more now too. I got my dad hooked on a Kindle too. He loves his!

Same here. I was a "real books only" person and then I got a Fire. I was hooked pretty quickly. I love have so many books at my fingertips most of all...I am a book monger and I LOVE that I can have all these books and they don't take up any space. That I can change what book I want to read while out and about with it (meaning I am not stuck with the one book I have with me) and so on. Since I have a ton of regular books too I don't feel a longing for them..I read them or I use the Fire for newer stuff. I am very happy with it.

 

[Robindianne]

I was much like you and love the feel of a book. Putting a leather cover on my kindle made all the difference because it felt like I was holding a real book. I just never got used to holding this rectangle thing. But once it had a "spine" that I could balance in my hand, I fell in love with it.

So, I read some of my grad school text books on my iPad and have a hard time getting used to that. I wonder if I bought a leather holder cover thing if I'd be more able to do it. hmm. Guess I'll look at prices and try.

 

[kelleigh1]

I read a lot. I wanted a Kindle for the convenience. I take the train to work every day and lugging a book around wasn't always easy. And I always hated it when I'd get half way to work and I'd finished the book and then had nothing else to read. With my Kindle, the next one is right there.

I've had my Kindle (keyboard) for a little over a year now and a few weeks ago, I bought myself the Kindle Fire. It is so easy and convenient and while I love books and bookstores, I'm so glad I have the Kindle.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I love my Kindle!! 2 things that might make it easier for *your* eyes

Have you tried changing the color on it to the cream background with the brown lettering? I have found it easier to look at and the contrast is more like a "real" book

When you are reading a book double tap in the middle to bring up the icons at the bottom. Tap the Aa button to change font and print ciontrats.

Antoher thing you can do is to tap the top, near the battery light and bring up the menu that slides down. You can adjust the level of brightness to what is comfortable for you.

I find these small touches make it easier to use my Kindle

 

[luvflorida]

... I still buy books and magazines and newspapers. I got used to it fast and you will too. Bet you still read both ways!!! Oh I also like the kindle for reading in bed, so much lighter.

I still read a regular book occasionally, like right now I'm reading one that I found at a dollar store. But it seems cumbersome now that I'm used to my Kindle. And heavier to hold, especially at night reading in bed.

I guess this is what I see for myself, too. I like the idea of the Kindle, but I also like real books. I have some hardcover books by some favorite authors, and any new books they release, I'm going to want to add the hardcover editions to my collections. Then again, I love the ease of downloading a book and being able to read it within minutes on the Kindle.

Several posters mentioned the weight of the Kindle. It seems kind of heavy to me, but maybe the more I get used to it, the less I'll notice it.

I was much like you and love the feel of a book. Putting a leather cover on my kindle made all the difference because it felt like I was holding a real book. I just never got used to holding this rectangle thing. But once it had a "spine" that I could balance in my hand, I fell in love with it.

My husband also bought me a nice cover for my Kindle. It's black and the front flap has four grooves in it so that the Kindle can stand alone. I didn't really think about it, but you're right. It is more like holding a book with a spine.

I love my Kindle!! 2 things that might make it easier for *your* eyes

Have you tried changing the color on it to the cream background with the brown lettering? I have found it easier to look at and the contrast is more like a "real" book

When you are reading a book double tap in the middle to bring up the icons at the bottom. Tap the Aa button to change font and print ciontrats.

Antoher thing you can do is to tap the top, near the battery light and bring up the menu that slides down. You can adjust the level of brightness to what is comfortable for you.

I find these small touches make it easier to use my Kindle

Thank you for the helpful suggestions! I'm not very saavy when it comes to technology and I had my husband walk me through all the features of the Kindle.

I like the cream background, too!

Thanks, everyone! I think it's just going to take me a bit to get used to the eReader and to navigate my way around.

 

[Swimnoid]

I got a Fire for Christmas and I love it. I have used it every day since I got it. I just bought my DH and DD each one for their birthdays.

I do read on it but I use it more for everything else it offers. I havent bought a book yet but I have about 250 free ones on it. If I want a specific book like a best seller or a certain author I'll put it on hold at the library.

The only drawback if you use it mainly for reading is it isnt bright enough for sunlight so it kills beach use.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I'm an avid reader, basically a bookaholic. I held off on getting a Kindle because I thought I'd never like an e-reader more than reading and holding a real book.

I ended up buying ds one of the $79 Kindles for school, and he didn't want it or use it. He said I could have it, and I gave it a whirl. By my second book, I was hooked!! The kindle is so much lighter to hold that a hardcover book, more comfortable to hold than a paperback, and easier on my (aging) eyes than most book pages. I still read paper books as I visit the library at least once/week, but when possible I prefer to get books on my Kindle and read those. I've been stocking up on free books that look interesting, and I like knowing that I have a lot of new-to-me books to read at hand when needed.

The ONLY disadvantage I see to using a Kindle is that it's not a good pool book for when we go to WDW. I usually sit in the shade and read for a while, and then when I get too hot I'll go in the pool for 10 minutes or so to get wet and cool. I'd leave my paperback and towel on my chair. No one is interested in stealing my paperback, but I wouldn't be able to take my Kindle (or any electronic) to the pool and leave it unattended if I want to take a quick dip. Otherwise, a Kindle would be fantastic for travel as it holds a whole library of books on it!

 

[spacemountainmom]

I debated over which eReader I wanted and ended up going with the Nook Color. I love it and I hate it. I love the convenience of having all my books with me at all times. I bought a leather cover for it so it feels like holding a book. I love that I can get a new book pretty much anytime I want. I love that I can change the font size.

I hate the glare and the light does start to bother my eyes after extended use. I think if I ever bought a new eReader I would go with one that does not light up.