For months now, I have been debating whether or not it would be beneficial for me to purchase one of these fancy Electronic Book Reader thingies. It's not often that I ask anything of my lovelies, so offer me help. I don't think my blog friend Queen Ginger did a lipstick product review yet. These Kindles (and similar devices) sure do look neat, but it is hardly a necessity for me. As someone who reads a lot more these days than I used to, I feel like it would be great to have one. In other ways, I feel like it would just be another costly item that I can add to my collection of gadgets that I carry around with me on a daily basis! There was a woman sitting next to me in our lounge at work yesterday who was reading from hers. She does everyday. It seemed like she had to keep clicking buttons and adjusting her case/cover. Is it really that much of a hassle? They would definitely be good for traveling, I believe right? Instead of lugging around a book or two, this would be a great way to carry novels. Except, that I already travel with my suitcases and liqueur case! Do I need another thing to bring? Can any of you help? Do they run on batteries? Could you potentially be in a situation where you are somewhere and the battery runs out? Or, do you have to charge it like an ipod or cell phone? Sure hope not, because my house is running out of available outlets with my camera, cellphone,laptop, razor and vibrator. I hear that the books don't cost too much. There are also free books you can buy? I can't imagine curling up in a blanket on a rainy or snowy day with a cup of gin and Kindle.
It just doesn't have the same effect for me as curling up with a book in my hands. I think I would miss the feel of a book, cracking it open, and flipping pages. Oh well... So, I guess I am seeking for your advice! If you don't own one, do you want it? If you do not, then why? I will wait patiently for your reply.
I bought B&N's Nook last month.
ReplyDelete- you charge them like your phone. Mine has a charger that plugs into a wall socket. I haven't charged it yet other than the original. Daughter's Kindle lasts forever. I leave it on standby - like putting down the lid of your laptop. Saves starting up time.
- I turn pages with a tiny tap of the screen (tap too hard and zooom!). You can also turn pages with a button.
- I have mine in a 'book cover'. Makes it very easy to hold as I fold it back and gives me a nice edge to hold.
- I decided on basic and not color model because of the weight.
- BIGGEST selling point for me is instant books. With the reno I've been stuck at home forever. Ordering online took days to deliver, getting out to B&N on weekends meant fighting crowds and I had so many stacked up errands. So having a book as soon as I wanted it is heaven :-)
- My concern is more and more backlists of authors will be moved to electronic media. I like to find an author and read everything they wrote. Many times I have to order used books to find them all.
- I still like books best of all but progress is coming. Who knew we'd be able to take videos with our phones??
Having a book as soon as you wanted never occured to me!!! Thats is some great feedback froggy! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up! My best friend bought one, but gave it away soon after since she prefers to hold on to a real book. Don't leave it in the freezer!
ReplyDeleteI say if you have the extra cash laying around, then buy one. If not, then don't. Personally I still go to the library for most of my books, but then I'm a old drag queen!
ReplyDeleteLucky for me, I don't read. Hahaha! But i will come over and help you drink the gin!
ReplyDeleteI love to read and also i'm a geek gadget freak, so I did a lot of research and ended up buying the Barnes and Noble Nook device. I have to say I loved it! (past tense- sadly it was stolen during a walk home one night recently when my messanger bag got rip off me). I'll give you my personal take on each device:
ReplyDeleteAmazon Kindle: Amazon backing, E-ink technology (no eye strain),great book selection, keyboard can make it easy for people that are not fond of touch screens. On the other side, it doesn't support the EPUB format which means you cannot add books that are free in the public domain.
Nook: B&N backing, Great book selection,it has a color touch screen at the bottom which makes it great for browsing and buying books, e-ink technology, faster refresh rate, supports the EPUB format. you can "lend" e-books to others ,Great designer cases. It runs on Android
iPad (from what i currently know): Multimedia, it does a lot more than display books, great page turning simulation. On the other hand, it is backlit which means your eyes could strain more. Pricier than the other options.
There are other players in the industry but these are the definite top players.
I personally do not own one (too many devices here already) -but here is what I've heard... My Sis LOVES her Kindle! Especially because she can store multiple reads and toggle between them. A good friend of mine enjoys his as well for the same reason, but states that like any of these devices -charging is crucial for uninterrupted enjoyment. Both have said they prefer the tactile experience of settling in with "the real thing", but for mobility and access, these can't be beat. Might come in quite handy for you when venturing out-of-town!
ReplyDeleteI'm still debating getting one as well. As a writer I feel a bit of a traitor...but only a bit since some of my works are ebook only.
ReplyDeleteI am so torn.
ReplyDeletei love the idea of saving trees, and of having so many books in one little space.
But I love holding a book and flipping the pages.
I am so torn.
eBooks are great if you read a lot. I'm thinking of buying one but my reading offline is limited to InStyle, The Advocate and Out. An MP3 player with more storage would get far more use if it were in my hands.
ReplyDeletei have a droid2 phone and i read several books a week on it. my e-library is now quite quite huge. most of the books are free. if i like a book a whole lot, i go out and purchase a hardcopy for my bookshelves.
ReplyDeletei dont want to buy a purpose specific tech toy - i like multipurpose tech toys. i also didnt jump on the ipod wagon - why do that when my phone can do it all?
my phone surfs the web, lets me read, lets me play games and take pics, lets me text and flirt, lets me talk and plays my music for me.
an phone or an ipad can do all the same and if you skype, you can talk like its a phone too.
i am not a fanboy of droid or apple, but i am a fanboy of multitasking devices.
so my 2 cents would be that while a nook is nice (my mom has one and it really is nice), my phone does a great job without me adding another device to my life to charge, drop or break or lose or get stolen.
I decided not to get one because I have an iPhone and can read books on it. My phone is always with me, firs in my purse, and is easy to read holding in my hand. I get iBooks but downloaded the Kindle app as well as some others that have free books. Guess I'm not much help to you on this.
ReplyDeletei still prefer real books. i love the smell of a new book, almost as much as the smell of a good man.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love to read but I'm holding out for an iPad since you can get the Kindle app for it. I just refuse to buy a device that only does one thing.
ReplyDeleteHmm, oh I have just joined your gin soaked salon - loving it.
ReplyDeleteWell I think it's perfect for travelling, but I do enjoy breaking a spine but that may just be my inner dominatrix talking.
Hmm...
ReplyDeleteA rainy day cuddled up with a warm book, or a cold kindle? Answers itself to me, but then you know what a hopeless romantic I am...
I got a hand-me-down first gen Kindle that I have only used a little. The price of books is expensive unless they are old and I personally prefer real books. Here I am in Italy and I just brought some paperbacks instead of the Kindle!
ReplyDeleteprops toFoggy and Cello Josh for mentioning the Nook. I'd recommend the Nook over the Kindle or iPad for being more open-source, user-friendly, having easily replaceable parts and quite a few more features. You can get public domain books from download them as epubs and stick them right on a flash card and drop it in a Nook.
ReplyDeleteThat same free book on a Nook costs money to get onto your Kindle
We have a Kindle and we love it!! I used to use it a lot more when I was taking public transportation every day.. Made it very easy to read on the bus or train or flying. I love being able to have many many books on it, so if I finish a book I can just start a new one. Or if I don't have a new one ready, you can go to Amazon directly from the Kindle and buy another book. But we heard about you and tech stuff!
ReplyDeleteI've checked out the Nook at Barnes & Noble and I was pretty impressed. If I had to choose one, I would feel pretty comfortable with that one.However, I still like to hold my books in my hands. I spend enough time in front of a screen already!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think I might be old fashioned, but I dont think anything could replace the feel of an old book in your hand...I love books, the feel, the weight the smell...some of my favorites are well worn, bringing back wonderful memories everytime I pick them up...Im not sure you could get the same effect from a kindle
ReplyDeleteWhat's a kindle??? Am I just old? And you did not say vibrator!!!! Mistress!
ReplyDeleteBob- Sounds like you need a gin and tonic!
ReplyDeleteBourbon and Pearls- Love ya honey!dominatrix? Why do I think we have a wild one here?
Nick, I love the way you think cutie!
Kailyn and Craigery, my two multi taskers!! Im surprised you guys don't have a tech piece that does all this plus get you off!!!!
Fluffy - draling your in I taly, you shouldnt even be reading! And bring me back a hunky Italian Stallion will ya?
My girlfriend insisted on getting one. Since she bought it, it has been sitting on the dresser in our bedroom untouched. I'm surprised she even took it out of the box. I can sell it to you as I'm sure she'll never know!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJack
I plan on getting one but Im with some of the others readers here. I do like a device that does more than one thing. How many device can one possibly carry around?
ReplyDeleteI don't own any mistress...
ReplyDeleteI just love the smell of real book!
xo*
Sorry, I don't see myself ever buying one of these. Before you know it, another product will come along and outdate it anyway!
ReplyDeleteI have stacks of books throught my home. I love the look, smell & feel of books. I will never have a Kindle... but I said that about leaving Seattle, having a microwave, owning a cell phone, using a computer & living with a cat. Those resolves melted away.
ReplyDeleteWell dear you now I will not par take of a device of the kind. The only new tech I have is my laptop. And I would so miss my time I give to the Main Line Public Library. While I see Bob's point about saving trees, no Libraries? Tsk,Tsk.
ReplyDeleteMy wife has a Kindle and loves it. I am going to hold out until spring and get a Kindle Fire.
ReplyDelete