The one thing I don't like about my new Kindle...

[*NikkiBell*]

When my mother asked me which I preferred, a Kindle or Nook, as a gift, I immediately said a Kindle. I love how it looks and it came highly recommended. I also like how it isn't a computer screen with back lighting that will make my eye strain worse. However, today I realized there's something I don't like about the device and it has nothing to do with product itself. As a teacher, I get countless Barnes & Noble giftcards. I currently have
$100 in them in my wallet. You can't use them to buy books for the Kindle. I also thought I might be able to just buy something, return it, and use the cash for Kindle books. That won't work either as you'd get another gift card back. When I moved last month, I quicky realized I need to transfer to ebooks as I had nine boxes of books to take with me. I don't want that getting bigger. Anyone have any ideas as to what I could do? I'm not returning my Kindle, but want a way to use the money on those cards for books.

 

[chirurgeon]

There are always books that just don't work on a Kindle. Books that have lots of color photos, craft type books (I knit so I like the "real" book better for that). And some authors just WILL NOT permit e-books. J.K. Rowling for one. They also sell video and audio media. So, even though you can't buy e-books specifically for the Kindle there is always something to buy at B&N. I do have one idea, have you tried the FREE program, Calibre? It is a great converter program for pdf's and other non Kindle sources. I haven't tried it for for e-books from B&N, but you could try one of free books and see if Calibre could convert it to Kindle format.

Kim

 

[PixieTl]

I've come across that problem too, it's going to be a bit of a pain to get books in the format you want them... And well i've not tried yet!!
but here is a place to start!
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116720&highlight=converting+nook+kindle
dig around someone might be able to help you here!
Good luck!

 

[MommyJack]

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you. I too liked the look of the Kindle over the Nook. I was sold on a Nook though by a BN employee who told me I could borrow ebooks from my local library on Nook.

I bet if you google it there's someone out there who's figured a way to open non-kindle books.

 

[k5jm]

There are now Gift Card swap sites set-up on the WWW to handle swapping of Gift Cards for one that you would want

http://www.plasticjungle.com/

 

[bicker]

Just find a friend with a Nook, and trade B&N certificates for Amazon.com credit.

 

[WaltD4Me]

There are now Gift Card swap sites set-up on the WWW to handle swapping of Gift Cards for one that you would want

http://www.plasticjungle.com/

I was just going to suggest this. I have a friend who is a teacher and she gets more bookstore cards than she can use, she uses plastic jungle to swap them for restaurant and Target gift cards.

On a side note...my mom is looking to get a reader for my aunt for her birthday, she was pretty much decided on a Kindle, but we just heard about how you borrow library books on a Nook, now she doesn't know what to do. She likes the Kindle features best, but being able to borrow library books is tempting because my aunt is very budget minded.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I was just going to suggest this. I have a friend who is a teacher and she gets more bookstore cards than she can use, she uses plastic jungle to swap them for restaurant and Target gift cards.

On a side note...my mom is looking to get a reader for my aunt for her birthday, she was pretty much decided on a Kindle, but we just heard about how you borrow library books on a Nook, now she doesn't know what to do. She likes the Kindle features best, but being able to borrow library books is tempting because my aunt is very budget minded.

Before you make a decision based on this criteria.....please make sure you check you local library and the availability of books of interest.

It's my understanding that there can be vast differences in what's offered...if anything.

Also keep in mind that there are waitlists for popular titles just as there are with "regular" books. Libraries offering ebooks must purchase a license for each "copy" of the books they offer, so this is not an unlimited option.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

[catycatcat4]

Ebay the gift cards you will get sligly less than they are worth but better than nothing.

 

[MommyJack]

Before you make a decision based on this criteria.....please make sure you check you local library and the availability of books of interest.

It's my understanding that there can be vast differences in what's offered...if anything.

Also keep in mind that there are waitlists for popular titles just as there are with "regular" books. Libraries offering ebooks must purchase a license for each "copy" of the books they offer, so this is not an unlimited option.

Just something to keep in mind.

True, it is very limited and I waited 2 months for the new John Grisham book. If you don't mind waiting it's fine. The other thing with the waitlist is that you have to download your book within 3 days of availability and then you have 3 weeks to read it (2 weeks and then another 1 on renew). So once your book becomes available you have to put aside whatever you're reading. I still like it though. They have hundreds of titles available and get new ones all the time. If your library doesn't offer ebooks, you can buy a library membership to one that does.

 

[MommyJack]

Just find a friend with a Nook, and trade B&N certificates for Amazon.com credit.

Great idea. I'd be willing to do it. Sent OP a PM.

 

[mommyceratops]

I was just going to suggest this. I have a friend who is a teacher and she gets more bookstore cards than she can use, she uses plastic jungle to swap them for restaurant and Target gift cards.



Some efiles I have gotten offline I can convert to .mobi (don't know my tech DH does it for me)

When my mother asked me which I preferred, a Kindle or Nook, as a gift, I immediately said a Kindle. I love how it looks and it came highly recommended. I also like how it isn't a computer screen with back lighting that will make my eye strain worse. However, today I realized there's something I don't like about the device and it has nothing to do with product itself. As a teacher, I get countless Barnes & Noble giftcards. I currently have
$100 in them in my wallet. You can't use them to buy books for the Kindle. I also thought I might be able to just buy something, return it, and use the cash for Kindle books. That won't work either as you'd get another gift card back. When I moved last month, I quicky realized I need to transfer to ebooks as I had nine boxes of books to take with me. I don't want that getting bigger. Anyone have any ideas as to what I could do? I'm not returning my Kindle, but want a way to use the money on those cards for books.

B&N sells more than books, movies and toys etc. Use them to buy Christmas or Birthday gifts. Books for your classroom then you can get reimbursed for them.

I had a friend who got a Target gift card for her bday asked me to buy it from her because she shops at Wal Mart and I shop at Target. So I did no worries. Maybe you know people that are willing to do that?