A New e-Reader
Last summer, I finally broke down and got an e-reader, my Kindle.
I’m the type that loves books and the feel of them, but getting an e-reader seemed the perfect choice for someone who loves to read, who doesn’t have easy access to a good library and who has limited space.
I surprised myself and found I love my Kindle.
I chose the Kindle 3G because it was relatively inexpensive. I didn’t think I needed color as I really wasn’t thinking of getting my magazine subscriptions on it and I really didn’t need anything with email.
How a year has changed my mind.
Remember that I began tackling the new Stephen King novel, “11-22-63” in early February, it took me about 6 weeks to read. It was a great book, but it was just over 800 pages and I have to work reading in between all of the chores and work.
I bought this book in traditional form as I have a Stephen King collection and knew it would be a nice addition.
It is, but lugging that huge book around to read was so cumbersome after I grew to love my Kindle.
This year, I will be traveling a little more for work and would like to have a tablet where I can get my magazine subscriptions in color, store my books to take along and also do email.
I’m thinking Kindle Fire.
I still have more investigating to do, what say you, Living Large community?
I bought one last month, for $150 off Craiglist basically new, and between that and my iPhone, I barely even touch my laptop anymore. I absolutely love my Kindle Fire! I was one of those people that were like “so what, it’s a tablet that you read books on, what’s the big deal”, however, I’m reading more and watching tv less. My daughter likes to play games and watch netflix on it as well! Good luck!
Thanks for the input, Holly. I think it will be a Kindle Fire! Do you find typing on it cumbersome?
It’s very easy to “root” the Nook Color or Nook Tablet, and unlock the underlying Android operating system. Once you do that, you can install the “Kindle for Android” application that allows you to read Kindle books on the Nook.
The other thing I love about the Nook is that you can use it to read library books. Unlike the Kindle, the Nook also has a memory card slot so you can add up to 32 gigs of storage (ebooks are small, but video files are often a gig or more so that’s handy).
Unlike B&N, Amazon assumes that you will access videos and other large files online instead of storing them on your Kindle.
The other selling point for the Nook Color/Tablet is that it has a built-in mic. This is a nice feature for parents and grandparents since they can record themselves reading children’s books that the kids can then listen to. Also, if you root the Nook, you can use a VoIP application like Skype to make phone calls.
Another nice thing about the Nook is that you can pop into any B&N store and get hands-on help if you have any questions. As far as I’m concerned, that beats asking questions over the phone!
(And, no — I don’t work for B&N! I’m just a really big fan of their ereaders. I have a Nook Color that I adore, but I’m going to get the new Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight because I love reading in bed.)
With those rave reviews, maybe you should work for them, Claudia! 🙂 Thanks for this. You can also get library books on the Kindle now. But I’m not techy enough (I know you said it is easy) to do all of that adjusting to make it work with Amazon books. We also do not have a B&N within 2 hours of here. The Nook is pretty much eliminated for me, but I’m sure someone else might find this review great! Thanks for posting.
LOL, I’m a huge gadget freak and tend to be very enthusiastic about the ones I love!
I’m also a big reader and embraced ebooks from the start; I move and travel a lot, plus I like living in small spaces, so having shelves and shelves of books isn’t practical for me.
Because I’ve been buying ebooks for so long, I’ve got files in a variety of formats. So I definitely needed an ereader that could cope with that, plus I needed one with memory card support since I don’t always have access to WiFi, like when I’m camping or on a plane. That made choosing between the Nook and the Kindle a no-brainer for me, but everyone’s needs are different 🙂
Exactly, I guess that’s why they make so many different models! Thanks again for your post.
I’m going to throw a wrench into this for you, Kerri…you’re welcome. 😀
Samsung recently came out with a smaller, cheaper version of it’s excellent Galaxy tablet and priced it very competitively with the Fire. Here’s a comparison/review:
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/04/12/kindle-fire-vs-galaxy-tab-2-7/
Of note, the Galaxy Tab 2 can support a connected keyboard while the fire cannot. I’m not saying that’s a make-or-break for most of us, but as a journalist, the ability to utilize a portable keyboard might make your job a lot easier.
You’re right, Mat, and it is a concern of mine, especially if I’m going to take it on work related trips where I have to answer emails (I hate doing it on the phone). Thanks for this. No, really….:)
I just bought a kindle fire and LOVE it. I watch movies and TV shows on it, as well as read books. All-around great device.
Thanks for weighing in, Jane.
I really don’t like the back lit screens. I bought an iPad first and still use it for the internet and such, but eventually brought the cheapest kindle for reading. I can read for a long time on the kindle–plus it fits in my purse. And no one else in my family ever steals it from me. I LOVE that it only has one use: reading. I don’t think I would want color, again because the back lighting bothers my eyes. That’s what I found with the iPad–I couldn’t read books for very long on it.
Thanks for that review, Alisa. I was wondering about that issue. What I will most likely do is what you do, use my Kindle for reading books and buy a pad for Internet and to take on trips in leiu of the bigger laptop.
I’m a late adopter (or is it adapter?) on the tech front — and still love the feel of a book — but I’ll likely break down and buy an e-reader at some stage too, so this discussion is useful
Glad it’s been helpful to you, Sarah.
I don’t have a Fire, but do think about cross-compatibility. If you get a Fire, you’ll be able to read all of your Kindle books on it and any new books you get for the Fire, you’ll be able to read on the Kindle in the sunlight. If you get a Nook, you’ll only be able to read on the Nook.
Yes, that’s very much a concern with the Nook, Melanie. Thanks for the reminder.
I don’t have an eReader, I’ve heard great things about the Kindle, but I think when we do buy one it will be the iPad (more expensive, but it can do more too)
Very true, they can do anything a laptop can.
I’m an iPad fan and am still using the original version. When iPad 3 is released, I’m moving up.
Isn’t it out now, or have they just lowered the price on the iPad 2 in anticipation?
What a pelsarue to meet someone who thinks so clearly
interesting to read this discussion, Kerri. my budget is earmarked for several other things, so I doubt an e reader is in my future any time soon — but from writer’s and photographer’s standpoint, it’s useful to see what people like and don’t about their choices. looking forward to your evaluations and choices, too.
Because I travel for business with whatever I buy and 99% of what I do online is business related, part of it is a business expense for me.
It’s hard to keep up with all these things, which seem to change overnight. I bought a Kindle a while back – just a basic one. Then , I bought an IPad 2. I still use my Kindle, since it’s tough to read outside with the iPad – too much glare. And now this NEW Kindle, which everyone is raving about, comes along. Oh, so confusing!
It is confusing, Sheryl. And if I decide on the iPad, I’m wondering if I should the second or is the third generation worth the upped price!
I have an original iPad. My husband has the kindle 3G and I bought him a new kindle Fire last Christmas- so he’d have more internet access. I’ve read books on my iPad and use it daily with various apps, answer email, play games, take notes, read the news and other websites (like LL). It pretty much goes with me everywhere (and yes- I have a laptop too). I just asked him why he prefers the Fire over the 3G kindle. His answer was “the apps”. He’s an avid reader and generally uses the fire for book reading.
Whatever you get- you’ll wonder how you survived so long without it!
Thanks, Sheryl, for asking your husband about his preferance. I find myself leaning one way one day and another way the next. Right now, it’s between the big one, the iPad and a Kindle Fire.
I’m also in the market for an e-reader and am at a loss. Someone who was sitting next to me on the plane recently had the Kindle. And, though he loved it, when he let me try it, I didn’t like the type face. It just didn’t feel right. So, who knows?
One thing I do know about it is that the type can be changed. It gives you a full range of typefaces from which to choose. I just read reviews on all online and I’m more confused than ever. I will need to definitely go to the store and play with all of them.
My kids got me a Nook and I really like it. I could see the benefit, however, to a device that allows more than book reading – an iPad or Kindle Fire, that type of thing.
Here is my question about the Nook, can I download books from Amazon to it?
I want to say you can only read books from Barnes and Noble on a Nook. I could be wrong.
It’s a Nook-only thing; B&N products only.
I love, love, love my Kindle Fire. Thumbs, paws, noses, bookworm bottoms up from us.
Oh, I forgot that you had gotten one, Roxanne. That sounds like howling approval!
I have an iPad and do like it. Not sure it’s worth the premium over the Kindle, though.
Thanks, Ruth. I’m not sure it would be either.
I was thinking of purchasing an e-reader myself as my bookcase and currently budget, are becoming too small to keep buying books (they’re cheaper on an e-reader!). My mom absolutely loves hers as she can take all her books with her when she goes on trips and not worry about space! They definitely seem like great gadgets, and the Kindle Fire would be what I’d look into. 🙂
Anything in particular that points you to the Kindle Fire, Ember?
I was just like you and thought I would never want to read books on an ereader. But when I had foot surgery I gifted myself with a Kindle Fire and it kept me sane when I had to stay in my recliner for most of the day. I love reading books on it because I can adjust the size of the font and how much appears on the page. With less than perfect eyesight that’s a godsend. I looked into magazines, but thought getting the on the Kindle was a little expensive.
I also love the email feature on the Kindle Fire and most hotels nowadays have wifi so it works when you travel. I have gotten so much more than my $200 worth out of the Kindle Fire, it’s unbelievable.
Wow, a great review of the Kindle Fire. The only thing I’m a little apprehensive about is doing emails from it. I’ve heard from more than one person it’s cumbersome and sometimes when I’m traveling, I have long emails to write…..
My daughter and son-in-law gave me a Kindle Fire last month, after I was telling them how neat they are when I saw a man with one. Love it. …you can read in bed with the lights off with the Kindle Fire. I also have the Kindle 3G
Again I love my Kindle Fire.
Another vote for the Kindle Fire, thanks Susan!
Kerri I hope you are checking out the free books that are available for Kindles on Amazon….I know you enjoy cookbooks and they have free ones…I just got the one for Mexican Cuisine for American Cooks. Can’t go wrong on free. 🙂
I am, Susan, thank you! I downloaded several this past weekend.
I have the iPad 2. I bought it primarily for travelling so I wouldn’t have to lug my laptop with me, not to mention having to unpack it while going through airport security. My favourite thing about the iPad is “FaceTime” which is like Skype and a telephone combined . . . by which I mean it just rings when someone wants to FaceTime me, rather than having to go online to see if anyone else is available. I love being able to talk with my daughter and see my baby grandson every day – they live 2000 km. away (although’ I am up here now, visiting.) My brother lives in the US but travels to Europe, Asia and Africa half the year and this allows us to keep in regular touch as well. I don’t think there is much the iPad can’t do. They are pricey but I asked for gift certificates to Future Shop for 2 years of birthdays, Christmas and Mother’s Day to save up for it.
As for reading books online . . . I haven’t done that yet. Not being a reader of fiction, other than my bookclub and they hand the books out to us, I read mainly theology and other such books for the endless courses I am always taking. I have tried reading books online but I don’t honestly enjoy it since I like to highlight and write notes in margins, etc. I guess I am just a dyed-in-the-wool bibliophile.
The iPad would be excellent for traveling and for keeping up with the kids/grandkids. Hmmm. Decisions. I just wonder how it would be reading an ebook. I really like the size of the small Kindle I have now.
My post would read just like many of these above… I didn’t want one, resisted getting one, and my husband (gadget geek) finally insisted on it at Valentine’s Day this year, and I LOVE IT. The ability to get email is nice, but I still sit down at a keyboard if I need to write a lengthy response. Currently I’m planning my garden on it, knitting from it (using online patterns), and playing Words With Friends. My husband and I share an Amazon account (his) so that we can share the books we buy. It’s supremely easy to use, and between the apps and the internet access, you can find a way to get it to do EVERYTHING. It’s fabulous.
Is it the Kindle Fire, Kim?
Yes, it’s a Fire… my mom has an Ipad, and while it’s great, it’s not 2-3 times as great as the Fire (in my opinion), and that is how much more it costs.
Very good point.
I thoroughly enjoy my K-Fire. My wife gave it to me for Christmas and I have already doubled my reading this year from last year. I enjoy being able to bookmark things, look up words, etc. Not to mention you can go B/W with the screen should the color fatigue your eyes in certain situations.
I don’t get on the ‘net too much with it nor much else. I do enjoy being able to sample books though and then one-click purchase them.
Downside? The photo viewer is awful! (IMHO)
Hmm, something to consider on the photo viewer. The iPad also has an external keyboard option.
This is a discussion of great interest to me. I realize I need one of these gadgets, too. My daughter loves her Kindle. My son swears by his iPad. Thank you for posting.
I’ve thought of the iPad, although it is a bit pricey. I’ve also looked at the SonyPad.
I got the NOOK color and love it. Do some serious comparisons between the two.
I will take another look at the Nook, Susan. I think last year, it was the size that turned me off, I think it was bigger than the Kindle. Can you do email on it?
I haven’t made the Kindle jump yet, but I have an inexpensive MP3 player that I download books onto. I love to be able to listen to the books during my commute to work and even listen while I do chores or knit or crochet. It’s great for yard work too. It’s great for traveling too. But I may have to go to Kindle when we move to our cabin because there isn’t much room for all my books and I do love to read.
Carol, I never got into aduio books, even when I had a long commute, but that was a long time ago. I can see where they would be beneficial while doing all of that other stuff. If you end up getting an ereader, do go with the color one, although you may not think you will need it.
I say go for it – it’s a very versatile gadget. My brother has one, and at first he wasn’t very enthusiastic about it as an old-school book person. But now he loves it. I myself have a regular “old” Kindle and an iPad (with Kindle app) and I love those suckers (especially for reading in bed!). A Kindle Fire seems to me to be a good value for the money, considering all it can do; I would get it if I didn’t already have the other two.
Thanks for the input, Tessie!