E-Readers ? Kindles ?

[derekpara]

I love books; I mean real books with covers, pages, spines etc. But I am tempted to tentatively consider an electronic book. G-d forgive me.

Are there bibliophiles out there who are in the same situation and who have taken the giant step from the traditional to the ultra-modern ? If so, what did you buy, what do you recommend, and was the transition worthwhile ? I just want easy access to literature.

I feel like a virgin on the brink.

Treat me gently.

D

[hc4361]

I bought my Sony eReader long before the Kindle was a twinkle in Amazon's eye.
I love it. Easy to read in bright sunlight, great when I go on holiday and if I fall asleep when reading I don 't lose my page :)

If I were buying a new eReader I wouldn't buy a Kindle for the simple reason that it is not possible to download library books on to it. I am a member of public libraries in several counties so I can download many books at a time.

The Kobo gets good reviews and you can buy ebooks from many sources (unlike the Kindle) and download from libraries.

[yogasun]

Like you Derek I LOVE books and nothing will replace the feel of a book, etc.
However as I like reading in bed and Mr YS likes the light off he bought me a Kindle Paperwhite (from Amazon) for Christmas as it has a built in light and I can read under the covers - or even above them!
I now have a book and a download on Kindle to read. Would never be a complete substitute for me but each to their own. Also didn't realise that ebooks were so dear, tend to be a bit tight and download cheap things!

[woofgang]

I've got kindle and ibook on my ipad mini, best of all worlds, can get freebies from project Gutenberg and also buy books as well. There is VAT on e books and not on real books which can make the e books a bit dear. I love real books too but I can't carry hundreds of then around to read whenever I want.

[fairfax]

I bought one on the recommendation of my eye specialist as i have any eye condition . i can download from kobo amazon and other on line sites my son got it for me from ebuyer the make is HISENSE very good hd screen.

[hc4361]

Woofgang, the VAT on ebooks doesn't cut it with me.
No paper, printing costs, storage, transport, remaindered books to get rid of.
As well as the costs of printing a book look at everyone who has to make a profit on a printed book - the raw material sellers, the printers, haulage companies, warehouses, shops......

With an ebook there is absolutely none of those costs and no remaindered books to burn nor print reruns.

[Canary42]

I got a Kindle and after 18 months it locked up totally. Amazon recommended I buy a later model. Needless to say, I didn't follow this advice, I got an iPad.

[Canary42]

P.S. I love REAL books too, but storage is a problem (I've amassed over 1,000 in my life so far)

[woofgang]

hc, I was just making a factual statement, not looking for an argument.

[hc4361]

Yes, woofgang, but I too am stating facts.

[SlackAlice]

I read books especially on holiday. Got a Sony ereader as a present some time ago.

Wouldn't be without it for travel purposes, easy to use and contains many books. Also able to get ebooks from our local library. Battery life is excellent.

Mines quite ancient and no longer available. Have looked at the Kobo series which appeals to me. If you've got a smartphone/tablet you could read books on it.

Still use traditional books indoors.

[hc4361]

You probably have the same one as me, SlackAlice. I recently bought two used ones for around £30 - one from eBay, one from Amazon - for relatives and they are both in excellent condition. Not as well used as mine, in fact.

[=rizla=]

I 'resisted' ebooks for a year or two, but i'm glad i make the switch, i have a standard kindle. I travel a lot with work so instead of taking 3-4 books with me with the possibility of having to buy a book whilst away (normally at full cover price) i take one small device, its easy on the eyes and the battery lasts a long time (and as its a usb charger can be charged from my laptop or plugged into the wall).

Downsides i dont think the menu is the best, it seems harder to jump back a few hundred pages to check something, as i have the standare kindle you obviously need a light to read still.

There tends to be a fair few new authors with low priced/free books on amazon.

[StripeTheGremlin]

Nope, my love of the tangible page is strong and firm and shall not be surrendered except by possible future force.
There was once a time I had felt the exact same about the Mp3 player. Quite satisfied was I with my CD player until the one Christmas evening I unwrapped the little gadget from my mother and very quickly fell in love with it. It's now been years since I have listened to a CD and I have limited means even if I wanted to. My CD player is long gone.
I sincerely hope to not have to surrender my books to technology. Some things should remain as they are.

[Oneeyedvic]

I am fairly unusual as I have a room in my house which is converted into a 'library' of sorts - around 2000 books.

I finally purchased a Kindle about 2 years ago and have never regretted it - so much so that I treated myself to a paperwhite version (so that I can read in the middle of the night without any extra lights being on as I am an insomniac). I gave my old kindle to my wife who again loves it.

Books are now awkward to read.

Personally I would advise against an ipad or tablet for reading - they are the same as reading off a screen and you need to take a break from that as it can damage your eyes. Kindles and other ebooks use a different technology so you can read for hours without any danger of eye strain.

Go for it, you won't look back.

[derekpara]

Thank you all so much for your informed advice.

My decision is to 'go for it' as you put it, Vic. Or, rather, put it on my Christmas list for some kind relative to treat me.

Cheers.

PS. The Paperwhite it will be.