Would you ever get an e-book reader?
I already have TWO. I really love them, and would have stuck with one but found my husband really enjoys it too. So we got one of each variety (Kindle & Nook) and are able to enjoy the best of both worlds.
I think it’s completely changed my reading habits. It’s easier to read in bed, it’s easier to read in the bath, it’s easier to take with me, it’s quicker to get new books. I find I read more, a bigger selection, quicker, and more enjoyably.
The only downside for me: None of the libraries in my area rent eBooks so I’m unable to borrow a book and have to pay for them all. It’s not that I want everything for free, but right now I only buy an eBook if I KNOW I’m going to enjoy it so I don’t take many risks. Plus the cost of eBooks are only going up and that makes it harder on my pocketbook.
I totally agree. I read a ton more now that I have my kindle than I did before. I also love the ability to just grab a sample of a book. I find I’m reading things I might not have read otherwise because I can check out the first chapter and see what it’s about easier.
I still refuse to buy an ebook above $9.99 though. That’s just highway robbery for a normal sized ebook. If it’s a compilation or something that restiction gets relaxed, but I’m not paying $14+ for a normal 300-400 page book.
I completely agree, I skip right over the ones that are more than $9.99, mainly because I know they’ll drop in price eventually. It’s just like how I wait for books to reach paperback – cost.
This is a difficult decision for me!
On one hand, I would LOVE to have books without taking up precious space in our apartment, and it might be a little more portable. I want to have one because I AM such a big reader, and I feel like it it would be a pretty useful investment that wouldn’t go to waste. I do like the convenience of getting new reading material in a snap.
On the other hand, I love pretty much everything about books. I love paper, the feel, the smell, the act of turning the pages and taking books with me out in public, browsing bookstores. I have visions of one day owning a home with a library space, and I have a pretty good collection started already. The initial cost is a huge downer, and then you still have to purchase books! I don’t think I’d read more than I do now with a reader unless they had an option to borrow books, and I’ve really been taking advantage of the public library lately because I can’t afford to buy books right now. I don’t think libraries will be going digital anytime soon, and I think to do so would be really detrimental for them and kind of classist.
Maybe there is a borrow option? I don’t really know.
So, I guess my answer is that I would totally get an e-reader, but I don’t think it would be any better for me than regular paper books right now!
eReaders have become such a “personal” decision – but I think no one should make a decision before using one for awhile. I was completely against them until I started using my phone as an ereader, and then I realized how much better it would be with a properly sized ereader.
I don’t believe they should replace physical books, I think they are a wonderful complement TO physical books. They enhance the reading experience, when the reader is looking for that.
In regards to cost, you can get a Kindle (gen 2, not a huge difference in product) for less than $100 on Craigslist. You can also check with your local library to see if they loan ebooks – a lot do, and I know one librarian who was against ereaders but got one because her library loans ebooks.
I feel I definitely did the right thing (as you say, it’s personal) for me by getting the Nook — and a used one at that.
While I could kretch about several things about it, I’ll say the GOOD things are I’ve read what, like 5 books in 2 weeks cos I have it? It’s THERE. It’s with me. If in a long queue, I stand there reading, happily.
In bed–which I haven’t done in ages. I read. I’m reading on lunch breaks…
I was always a voracious reader and that’s coming back. Part of why I stopped was availability: when I moved back on the farm, I didn’t have access to good libraries and no, our crap library 26 miles away isn’t in a “swap” with a good library. The library I have access to ebooks with (ahem, through a friend’s card) only has 300 ebooks to download and what’s in there are not books I’d care to read.
There’s hope they will eventually have something and when I’m looking for a specific title, I check!
The nook allowing me to download samples is a great thing. Most of the time, I can read into the first chapter. Some samples SUCK and end before reaching the actual book!!! (tables of contents and author’s thanks, etc.)
The other great thing is I pass a B&N on the way home. If I’m killing time (like I have to before Al-Anon, I get 1 hour free-reading each day). Last week, I made 2 stops. The first day, I was distracted and only read 100 pages. The next day, I read the rest of that 400 page book in one hour. I was FOCUSED
That was a book I really wanted to read and did for $0. Saved me $12. Bonus? The nook saved my place
I’m still smitten!
(even though, like I say, I could complain about at least 5 things)
To be fair – I could complain about at least 5 things when it comes to physical books! They each have their caveats
Haha! Great point! Yeah, I’m just having a great time. It has “freed” me!
i wouldn’t ever get one and I couldn’t really read more than I already do. I always have a book in my bag and the libraries here you can order online from the whole catalogue in Aberdeenshire…so that’s a pretty big catalogue. If it gets people to read that never did thne that’s ok with me.