Do you use an ebook reader?

[[deleted user]]

Kindle ... always! :-)

I LOVE KINDLE.

Since 2010 99% of the books I buy are Kindle editions.

iBooks is interesting, but my eyes get tired very soon.

[Tej]

The other advantage of an ebook reader is the fact you can resize the font. Some paperback prints (particularly very old prints) are just too fine for me to enjoy so to be able to make the font bigger on an ebook is very appreiated. Particularly on a touch screen smartphone where i just simply pinch the screen outwards and hey presto, the book reformats instantly.

I do enjoy a couple more advantage in reading ebooks on my smartphone Kindle app as opposed to dedicated readers.

1. a smartphone is more pocketable than a ereader or paperback.

2. The kindle app has several brightness/contrast/colour level adjustment for reading in different environments.

Kindle app, and other smartphone app ebook readers are FREE. So if you have a smartphone or tablet (android or Iphone, ipads, Galaxy Tab etc), do install and try them out.

[Brenda]

I am getting an Ipad 3 for my birthday, and cataract surgery in the new year, so I ahould be all set!

[Heather(Gibby)]

I heard tht they are also coming out with an ipad mini specifically to market to the ebook reader marker so it is easier to hold than the regular ipad

[Mike]

I've had an iPad for a couple years now and I love it. However, I managed to swing a free Nexus 7 and I actually like it better for books. It reads about like the Kindle Fire (each of my boys has a Fire), but I can run Kindle, Nook, and Kobo apps. This is pretty cool for me since I used to have a first generation Nook that shot craps, so I still have several Nook books.

But on the giveaway question, I would actually rather get an eBook. I've got bookshelves and boxes full of paper books...

[[deleted user]]

Kindle has a perfect screen. My eyes NEVER get tired. I use iPhone and iPad (Kindle app) only on special occasions, when I want to read and the Kindle is not with me.

[Frances]

I've got a kobo touch which is good. I haven't had any problems with it and I'm thinking of getting a kindle touch too. I prefer the touch screen rather than any button things.

[Tej]

Mike wrote: "I've had an iPad for a couple years now and I love it. However, I managed to swing a free Nexus 7 and I actually like it better for books. It reads about like the Kindle Fire (each of my boys has..."

Yeah, that's the advantage of using any smartphone, Ipad, or galaxy tabs, you can read all formats including Kindle, Nook, Kobo, pdf. All the appropriate software are free.

Frances, you might want to consider that instead of buy multiple dedicated readers as that would add up to the cost a multifunctional smartphone or Ipad. Perhaps borrow someone's smartphone, Ipad or Tab and test it out. On a smartphone, you can adjust the font sizem brightness, contrast etc too.

[Frances]

Tej wrote: "Mike wrote: "I've had an iPad for a couple years now and I love it. However, I managed to swing a free Nexus 7 and I actually like it better for books. It reads about like the Kindle Fire (each o..."

I shall look at my options Tej. Is a smartphone big enough to read a book on comfortably without eye strain and what about battery life.?

[Tej]

Frances wrote: "I shall look at my options Tej. Is a smartphone big enough to read a book on comfortably without eye strain and what about battery life.? "

Battery life depends on the phone but generally may need to charge every night. I own a Galaxy S3 which I find lasts for 2 dys with fair use but I just charge it every night. Obviously cannot compete with the dedicated book readers in this area which I believe lasts for more than a week to a month even.

The text size is fully adjustable by just pinching the screen outwards. So it can be as large as you like it to be and so will not cause any eye strain. However it cannot beat the ink-based classic Kindle reader for that paper look aesthetic. Some LCD screens vary in reflection quality on different smartphones.

The Nexus 7 tablet however, would be a great buy if you do want a more bigger size screen. In fact it does seem to be the best sub $200 LCD ereader on the market today. Also has an anti-flective LCD screen which is very welcome if you like to read books outside. Of course you would need to sell your Kobo Touch because you can install the Kobo app on the Nexus 7.

[Gayle]

I was(seldomly) getting books from the library/shops until I was given the Kindle as a birthday present. Now 99% of the books I read are ebooks.

[Brenda]

I just got an Ipad for my birthday, and am switching over to e-comics. The resolution is just superb, the cost per issue is the same, and I don't have to drive to the comic book store.

[Nels]

Tej wrote: "that's the advantage of using any smartphone, Ipad, or galaxy tabs, you can read all formats including Kindle, Nook, Kobo, pdf. All the appropriate software are free.

Frances, you might want to consider that instead of buy multiple dedicated readers as that would add up to the cost a multifunctional smartphone or Ipad. Perhaps borrow someone's smartphone, Ipad or Tab and test it out. On a smartphone, you can adjust the font size brightness, contrast etc too. "

I definitely agree with all of that, but... I have a Kindle as well, and I have to admin, I like reading on the Kindle a lot more than reading on my iPhone. The iPad is not bad, but a lot heavier than the Kindle (and much greater temptation for distraction). I'm sure Amazon knows this, but reading on the Kindle just feels more like a real reading experience...

That said, if you get ePub files, you can upload them to your Amazon account and it'll convert them to Kindle versions that can be read on any of their apps or devices.

[Tej]

Nels wrote: "Tej wrote: "that's the advantage of using any smartphone, Ipad, or galaxy tabs, you can read all formats including Kindle, Nook, Kobo, pdf. All the appropriate software are free.

Frances, you migh..."

And I in turn totally agree with that too, particularly the older ink based reader ones. The smartphones and Tablets are jack of all trades but neccessarily the best in any area...although they do come close! In the end its all about which way one wants to comprise with the gadgets carried. Go lighter with multiple functionality, or carry multiple device that give the best qaulity for each functionality. For instance, a dedicated camera, ebook reader, GPS Navigator, Nintendo DS are all superior in their dedicated functions compared to the best smartphone in the world.

Having said that though, The Nexus 7 tablet is a beauty and at under $200, fantastic value. There is also the Nexus 4 smartphone which is remarkably high specced at an incredible price. Google are making some game changers, at least in affordability.

[E.B.]

John wrote: "In preparation for our monthly book giveaways that will be starting in January, I'm wondering how many of our members use a kindle, nook or other ebook reader.

Please comment on this thread to let..."

Love my Kindle. I can read anything I want, anywhere. I also use it to download and review my own work, just to get a different perspective.
Hard copy books? I'm always gonna love those as well. Nothing is more beautiful than seeing a library shelf, floor to ceiling, stuffed with books. :)

[Jeff]

I have a Kindle DX (the old large Kindle that isn't made anymore), a Kindle Fire and a Kindle Fire HD 8.9". So I guess I'm an Amazon guy. I love my Kindles. Use the HD every day.

Something else people haven't mentioned, and this was the main reason I got the Kindle was, what to do with all the books you buy? I would donate them to either the local library or good will but what about all that paper? Somewhere a landfill is thanking me for not using all that paper.

Plus there are lot's of places to get free books so why bother?

[Heather(Gibby)]

The one thing I do not like about the ereader (I have an ipad so can use multiple format) is that when you finish a great book, you cannot easily lend to a frined to read. (or my parents, who refuse to give digital a try)

[Jeff]

Heather wrote: "The one thing I do not like about the ereader (I have an ipad so can use multiple format) is that when you finish a great book, you cannot easily lend to a frined to read. (or my parents, who refus..."

I agree. I wish there was a way to pass it along to somebody else. Amazon's lend it once for two weeks sucks.

[Tej]

I have always shared my physical books with friends but I think today its a good thing we cant do so with ebooks because to be fair, authors do need more support in income from the digital medium and so, its best to recommend to friends "hey get this book, its really I good, you'll enjoy this one" rather than lending friends our books. I told my friend for instance to buy the Timerider books and he did. Back in the day, I would have just lent him my paperbacks.

But as a consumer, any digital download product is a disadvantage for us because we have no physical belonging that we can chuck into a car boot sale or sell on ebay secondhand. However, theoretically, the digital downloads should cost less than a physical equivalent and that would be a very fair compromise. Unfortunately, many digital downloads cost too much, even more than the physical medium counterpart which ruins that idealism.

[Dee]

My daughter gave me a Kindle Fire last month, just because she felt like it. Wasn't my birthday or anything. Since then I have crammed it with time travel stories, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic fiction and mysteries. I absolutely love it.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Kindle Paperwhite here...they have perfected it. Long battery life built in glow in the dark light with no glare. Light, no keyboard its perfect not sure how they could keep improving it.

[Randy]

The complaint I often hear about the Paperwhite is no auditory functions.

[Eve]

Kindle Paperwhite here as well.

[Heather(Gibby)]

I read a lot on my ipad, but I do find it very heavy, would love to get something lighter, but can't justify spending the money on a 2nd device.