Have an ebook? What's the best part??

[PinkRhombus]

She already has a laptop have her install Kindle on it and use it as an ebook reader.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.ht..._t=301&pf_rd_p=99231022&pf_rd_i=kindle for pc

I didn't know they had this! I would be more apt to download a book to my computer because, frankly, I just like a bigger screen.

Thanks for the link!

 

[umaangel00]

I didn't know they had this! I would be more apt to download a book to my computer because, frankly, I just like a bigger screen.

Thanks for the link!

I would still looking into an ereader. It is WAY easier on the eyes. It's just like reading a book because of the e-ink technology. Computer screens are very harsh on the eyes.

 

[deerhart]

I have both a sony ereader and an amazon kindle (ereader dh got for xmas 1 year ago, kindle I got for xmas so dh could have his reader back).

We LOVE them. I can carry around multiple books at once and they are great for traveling. Also, you can buy books from multiple places (there are more nad more kindle stores opening).

I do find the sony ereader to have more functionality that I like, it accepts a ton of different formats (word docs, excel sheets, pdfs, etc), unlike the kindle, I can check out books for the son ereader from our library, and I don't mind downloading to my computer to transfer. I haven't figured out how to archive for the kindle and to remove from it (or sort etc). The ereader has a great sorting/search function and is easy to add/remove items from it. We back up all our books on a separate harddrive.

Now I do have well over 300 ebooks, many were free (lots of the classics are available for free on both the ereader or kindle).

A couple more things. SO much better to get the books I want and usually the price is cheaper then purchasing the paper copy (sometimes significant sometimes only a $1 or $2). Some books the ereader version can be downloaded the night before the book is released (I will admit that I had 4 chapters of the last Temperence Brennen "Bones" book read before midnight the night before it released), but also some books are released several days or months later then the paper version.

I can gladly point you to some of the websites I use if you do get one.

 

[umaangel00]

I have both a sony ereader and an amazon kindle (ereader dh got for xmas 1 year ago, kindle I got for xmas so dh could have his reader back).

We LOVE them. I can carry around multiple books at once and they are great for traveling. Also, you can buy books from multiple places (there are more nad more kindle stores opening).

I do find the sony ereader to have more functionality that I like, it accepts a ton of different formats (word docs, excel sheets, pdfs, etc), unlike the kindle, I can check out books for the son ereader from our library, and I don't mind downloading to my computer to transfer. I haven't figured out how to archive for the kindle and to remove from it (or sort etc). The ereader has a great sorting/search function and is easy to add/remove items from it. We back up all our books on a separate harddrive.

Now I do have well over 300 ebooks, many were free (lots of the classics are available for free on both the ereader or kindle).

A couple more things. SO much better to get the books I want and usually the price is cheaper then purchasing the paper copy (sometimes significant sometimes only a $1 or $2). Some books the ereader version can be downloaded the night before the book is released (I will admit that I had 4 chapters of the last Temperence Brennen "Bones" book read before midnight the night before it released), but also some books are released several days or months later then the paper version.

I can gladly point you to some of the websites I use if you do get one.

Can you point me to some good sites for the sony ereader? I use the sony store but I haven't found any other good sites. Thanks!

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

As a person who has used a desktop computer and a laptop to read e-books I can absolutely say that for a reading experience, the e-reader is far and away much much much better than a computer screen or laptop. Yes, it is single function, and for a single function electronics device it is expensive, but I feel like I'm actually reading a book and - this is a biggie, it's very very very easy to turn pages. I cannot tell you how many times when using the laptop I accidentally scrolled forward to the end of the book because I clicked in the wrong place. Also, unlike a netbook or laptop I can throw it in my purse and it's about the same size as a paperback for weight and space consumption.

You can also download the ereader software to your iphone(some other smart phones too), ipod touch and soon the ipad and several other handhelds that do more than just read boooks. While they are smaller since they are all touch screen devices you turn the page just like any other e reader. And some laptops and netbooks are also touch screen. Sorry this is something I just will not "get" for the price. If they were under $100 then maybe it is something I would consider, but at $200 plus I feel a device needs to do multiple tasks.

I didn't know they had this! I would be more apt to download a book to my computer because, frankly, I just like a bigger screen.

Thanks for the link!

np glad to share and you're welcome.

 

[jrmasm]

I have a Kindle, the Kindle App on my phone and the download on my computer. I do not regret my Kindle purchase as I cannot read on either my phone or my computer for more than 30 minutes. I can read on my Kindle for hours without eye strain.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have used the Kindle DX since it came out last year. And I LOVE it

A few benefits, no more piles of books all over the place, looking for a new home after I read them...... I can look and see what books I read before quickly, before I actually bought a few novels TWICE, forgetting I already read them! I can read books that are in a series much easier, at the library and bookstore they are often missing one or another. A HUGE benefit is that I can make the print font big enough to read without my progressive eyeglasses. this means I can lay on my side and read in bed. (with progressives, it is hard to read in bed, you need to look thru the bottom of the lens).

I got the DX, the screen is bigger than the others, less page turning. No eyestrain, I take it everywhere. For people who love to read, it is just the best thing...... I now get some new books that are only in hard cover, because I can afford them on Kindle ($9.99 usually)

 

[debbi801]

I am leaning more towards a Nook, because I like some of the functionality that it has over the Kindle. Plus, if there is a larger B&N near by, you can go play with the test model. For me, it is important that I get to have hands on testing before buying something this expensive.

Another one that I am really liking is the eDGe. It is a double screen, one side is an e-ink e-reader and the other side is a tablet computer running ANDROID. It was originally designed for college use, has many text books available, and has a recorder built in for recording classes.

 

[solfan68]

DW would like one for her birthday next month. I've done *some* research at this point, and I'm leaning toward Kindle. We don't have a B&N too terribly close. Reading is a passion for my better half, and it just seems like the Kindle is the iPod of the reader world. Elegant presentation and superior ease of use. I've owned multiple mp3 players and nothing tops the experience I have had with my Nano or my Touch.

Plus, I am intrigued by the subscriptions. We haven't gotten a paper in years. The fact that I can subscribe to the Philadelphia Inquirer for about 20 cents a day is really enticing. Thanks to the OP for getting this thread rolling. Some really interesting points to ponder.

 

[3boymthr]

You can also download the ereader software to your iphone(some other smart phones too), ipod touch and soon the ipad and several other handhelds that do more than just read boooks. While they are smaller since they are all touch screen devices you turn the page just like any other e reader. And some laptops and netbooks are also touch screen. Sorry this is something I just will not "get" for the price. If they were under $100 then maybe it is something I would consider, but at $200 plus I feel a device needs to do multiple tasks.



np glad to share and you're welcome.

I have the B&N app on my ipod touch and on my computer. Really nice program, but reading anything on the touch is just ridiculous as is buying and downloading stuff. Takes way way too long buttons are too small, and the touch just doesn't have enough memory/bandwidth capability to handle large documents - I've gotten several failures on that part. On the Nook on the other hand I don't have to do anything other than buy it. I can even shop with my regular computer, download the documents to that and when I turn on my Nook the books automatically download. Plus the touch is just too small to spend more than a very short period time reading on it. Too many page turns, too small text if I don't want to be constantly turning the page.

DW would like one for her birthday next month. I've done *some* research at this point, and I'm leaning toward Kindle. We don't have a B&N too terribly close. Reading is a passion for my better half, and it just seems like the Kindle is the iPod of the reader world. Elegant presentation and superior ease of use. I've owned multiple mp3 players and nothing tops the experience I have had with my Nano or my Touch.

Plus, I am intrigued by the subscriptions. We haven't gotten a paper in years. The fact that I can subscribe to the Philadelphia Inquirer for about 20 cents a day is really enticing. Thanks to the OP for getting this thread rolling. Some really interesting points to ponder.

I agree about the industry leader part, but be prepared Amazon may not be the industry leader for long. They just lost the ability to sell books and e-books from several major publishers including McMillan due to contracting controversies. This will be resolved I'm sure but how long before that happens I'm not sure. Also be prepared their e-book prices will be going up due to these contracting controversies.

You can get newspapers and magazines on the Nook too.

Other things to think about on the Nook vs. Kindle debate. The Nook allows you to replace the battery your self - on the Kindle you have to send it away to have this done.

Also, I can store the books in multiple places, not just on the Amazon server. I have copies of all my purchases stored on my computer, my laptop and my nook.

Plus, this is a biggie, the Nook and Sony handle PDF documents natively, as well as using epub and several other formats - the Kindle doesn't do this you have to send your books away to be converted.

Price-wise you can get the Nook for less than the Kindle. B&N participates in rebate programs like e-bates, etc. and the purchase of a Nook is eligible for these discounts (I bought mine this way and saved $25). In Amazon's favor tho, if you don't live in one of their distribution states they don't charge you taxes on your Kindle. B&N has not charged me taxes on my e-book purchases.

 

[3boymthr]

Can you point me to some good sites for the sony ereader? I use the sony store but I haven't found any other good sites. Thanks!

You can use Google books for all the classics.

For newer books, check the publisher's website.

 

[Ephany]

They just lost the ability to sell books and e-books from several major publishers including McMillan due to contracting controversies. This will be resolved I'm sure but how long before that happens I'm not sure. Also be prepared their e-book prices will be going up due to these contracting controversies.

You can get newspapers and magazines on the Nook too.

Other things to think about on the Nook vs. Kindle debate. The Nook allows you to replace the battery your self - on the Kindle you have to send it away to have this done.

Also, I can store the books in multiple places, not just on the Amazon server. I have copies of all my purchases stored on my computer, my laptop and my nook.

Plus, this is a biggie, the Nook and Sony handle PDF documents natively, as well as using epub and several other formats - the Kindle doesn't do this you have to send your books away to be converted.

Price-wise you can get the Nook for less than the Kindle. B&N participates in rebate programs like e-bates, etc. and the purchase of a Nook is eligible for these discounts (I bought mine this way and saved $25). In Amazon's favor tho, if you don't live in one of their distribution states they don't charge you taxes on your Kindle. B&N has not charged me taxes on my e-book purchases.

Amazon is stilling selling McMillian books, I bought three WOT books the other day on my kindle, and they're published by TOR, a McMillian subsidiary. However McMillian now want to price books to what they want, rather than consumer demand sets as a market value. They got pissy b/c Amazon was taking a loss on those $9.99 NY Times new releases, even though McMillian still made the same amount from each book purchase no matter what form the book was sold in. Silly, b/c many hardbacks are so cheap the first week or two they're released, I know I never paid more that $18 not the $30 McMillian keeps quoting. I think this will start sometime in March, and they're supposed to be in talks with B&N as well as Apple so this will probably be an across the board increase, no matter what device you choose. There's another publisher jumping in on this, (Harper Collins?) but Random House isn't so I imagine my Random House purchases will go up after this, while my McMillian purchases will wait until the price drops on an ebook to what I consider fair. An ebook should not (IMO) cost more than the mass market paperback version, especially if the book has in in circulation for a couple of years. YMMV as always of course.

Oh, and I have lots of books from Baen, fictionwise, smashwords etc.. on my Kindle and have no problem saving any of those, as well as my Amazon purchases on my computer, although only my Amazon purchases are saved on Amazon. I think that's an across the board feature.

 

[3boymthr]

Amazon is stilling selling McMillian books, I bought three WOT books the other day on my kindle, and they're published by TOR, a McMillian subsidiary. However McMillian now want to price books to what they want, rather than consumer demand sets as a market value. They got pissy b/c Amazon was taking a loss on those $9.99 NY Times new releases, even though McMillian still made the same amount from each book purchase no matter what form the book was sold in. Silly, b/c many hardbacks are so cheap the first week or two they're released, I know I never paid more that $18 not the $30 McMillian keeps quoting. I think this will start sometime in March, and they're supposed to be in talks with B&N as well as Apple so this will probably be an across the board increase, no matter what device you choose. There's another publisher jumping in on this, (Harper Collins?) but Random House isn't so I imagine my Random House purchases will go up after this, while my McMillian purchases will wait until the price drops on an ebook to what I consider fair. An ebook should not (IMO) cost more than the mass market paperback version, especially if the book has in in circulation for a couple of years. YMMV as always of course.

Oh, and I have lots of books from Baen, fictionwise, smashwords etc.. on my Kindle and have no problem saving any of those, as well as my Amazon purchases on my computer, although only my Amazon purchases are saved on Amazon. I think that's an across the board feature.

Not a problem for me either way as I don't buy hard back books, just paperbacks and mostly from small independent publishers.

This is where I got my information on MacMillan:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-...-begins-amazon-deletes-macmillan-books-2010-1

 

[magik]

You can use Google books for all the classics.

For newer books, check the publisher's website.

The Project Gutenberg site is a great place to find free e-book versions of tons of out-of-copyright works/classics:

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

It contains several different formats of most (maybe even all?) of the works on there, so you should be able to find a format that works on whatever e-reader brand you have.

 

[magik]

Amazon is stilling selling McMillian books, I bought three WOT books the other day on my kindle, and they're published by TOR, a McMillian subsidiary. However McMillian now want to price books to what they want, rather than consumer demand sets as a market value. They got pissy b/c Amazon was taking a loss on those $9.99 NY Times new releases, even though McMillian still made the same amount from each book purchase no matter what form the book was sold in. Silly, b/c many hardbacks are so cheap the first week or two they're released, I know I never paid more that $18 not the $30 McMillian keeps quoting. I think this will start sometime in March, and they're supposed to be in talks with B&N as well as Apple so this will probably be an across the board increase, no matter what device you choose. There's another publisher jumping in on this, (Harper Collins?) but Random House isn't so I imagine my Random House purchases will go up after this, while my McMillian purchases will wait until the price drops on an ebook to what I consider fair. An ebook should not (IMO) cost more than the mass market paperback version, especially if the book has in in circulation for a couple of years. YMMV as always of course.

Oh, and I have lots of books from Baen, fictionwise, smashwords etc.. on my Kindle and have no problem saving any of those, as well as my Amazon purchases on my computer, although only my Amazon purchases are saved on Amazon. I think that's an across the board feature.

Yes, Amazon has put the MacMillan books back on its site, but I had some pre-orders canceled when they took the MacMillan books off originally. It was very annoying.

I believe the controversy wasn't so much that MacMillan wanted e-book prices to go up across the board, but they wanted to be able to charge a premium price for "new releases." My understanding is that the price of any particular e-book might come down after a certain period of time, just like if you wanted to read the newest Harry Potter right when it came out in hardback, you would pay more than if you waited until it came out in paperback. So, an e-book that comes out originally, would cost equivalent of a hardcover book, but if you wait a year or so, it would come down in price to roughly the equivalent of a paperback. The way Amazon wants it to work, they wouldn't be able to do that.

All that being said, I think the current normal price of $9.99 for an Amazon Kindle e-book is too expensive already (for me anyway), and there's no book I'd want to read so badly on an e-reader that I'd even pay the current Amazon/B&N prices unless the book had no DRM and allowed me to download the book in multiple file formats so that if I change what brand of e-reader I use, I can still use my already purchased e-books.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

I have the B&N app on my ipod touch and on my computer. Really nice program, but reading anything on the touch is just ridiculous as is buying and downloading stuff. Takes way way too long buttons are too small, and the touch just doesn't have enough memory/bandwidth capability to handle large documents - I've gotten several failures on that part. On the Nook on the other hand I don't have to do anything other than buy it. I can even shop with my regular computer, download the documents to that and when I turn on my Nook the books automatically download. Plus the touch is just too small to spend more than a very short period time reading on it. Too many page turns, too small text if I don't want to be constantly turning the page.

Sorry you have issues downloading but maybe it is your touch because I also have it on my iphone and DS touch and never had a problem with long downloads or failures

I have downloaded some pretty long books to. Or maybe it is because I am using the Kindle app not the Nook app.

You can actually download to your computer and transfer to your phone or touch if having a problem with downloads.

 

[Ephany]

Not a problem for me either way as I don't buy hard back books, just paperbacks and mostly from small independent publishers.

This is where I got my information on MacMillan:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-...-begins-amazon-deletes-macmillan-books-2010-1

No problem. I'd imagine the whole publishing industry is in for a major shift, similar to what the music industry experienced. I do agree that new release e-books should be priced higher than ones that have been on the market for years, but prices should be dictated by market demand. The 3 books I bought earlier were $9.99 at one point, too expensive I thought for books that have been available in print for almost 2 decades. However, when the price dropped to a price I felt comfortable with, then I purchased them.

That's all I want, choice; whether to download a book for a premium price the day it's released or to wait 6 months until the price comes down. There's some really innovative authors and publishers out there, it'll be interesting to see how everything falls out.

 

[solfan68]

Well this could be a game changer. Thank you Tech Crunch...

"A reliable source tells us Amazon wants to give a free Kindle to every Amazon Prime subscriber. These are Amazon’s very best customers – the ones who tend to make multiple purchases per month. And they are also likely to buy multiple books per month on their Kindle devices. If those users buy enough books, and Amazon gets the production costs of the Kindle down enough, Amazon can get Kindles into “millions” of people’s hands without losing their shirt. At least when the goal is to break even or better over the course of a couple of years, the expected lifetime of a Kindle."

But back to the newspaper issue... At the moment, yes - Newspapers are available on the Nook. It just seems that the roster is not as deep as the lineup at Amazon. When I checked earlier today, Amazon had two Philadelphia publications, B&N had none. This may not be a deal breaker for many, who may prefer the New York or LA Times. But it certainly is an incentive to me, who lives in Pennsylvania and might prefer a more local paper. Its also cheaper - six dollars a month(Inquirer), versus closer to fourteen(NYT).

 

[jrmasm]

"A reliable source tells us Amazon wants to give a free Kindle to every Amazon Prime subscriber. These are Amazon’s very best customers – the ones who tend to make multiple purchases per month. And they are also likely to buy multiple books per month on their Kindle devices. If those users buy enough books, and Amazon gets the production costs of the Kindle down enough, Amazon can get Kindles into “millions” of people’s hands without losing their shirt. At least when the goal is to break even or better over the course of a couple of years, the expected lifetime of a Kindle."

That would be awesome!!

 

[Megkel]

I kinda skimmed over the other replies but I just had to tell you my experience. For my birthday last year my husband suggested getting an e-book since I had been looking at them since they came out. I am a HUGE reader usually going through a few books a week (I don't watch much tv). I looked at the prices on the Kindle and the thought of spending $10 per book, killed me inside. I love the library and a frequent shopper of second hand book stores. While looking them up online I came across the ipod touch kindle app. The Ipod was just as much money as the e-reader and offered me so many more options.

I bought the Ipod and have been THRILLED with it. I actually just upgraded to an Iphone because I was so pleased (my husband is taking the touch when he deploys which was the perfect excuse to upgrade!). Kindle usually offers a wide selection of books for free which change pretty regularly. They are not always the best reads but I got the book for free. I also on rare occasions will purchase a book when the library doesn't have what I'm looking for. It's nice when it's a rainy day or when it's too late to go pick up a book.

Not only do I get to read books with my Ipod I get to carry all my music with me for when I work out. I have games and apps on the Ipod that I love. I write my shopping lists on it, surf the web like a laptop, check my email, etc... I can write notes to myself, set an alarm, and now since I have the Iphone take pictures.

I have yet to find anything I really hate about wither the Iphone or Itouch. They are both super easy to use, my four year old knows how to get to her games. I highly recommend the Ipod Touch! Good Luck