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Recommendations please
Phyllis Stein
31-05-2013
A loft full of books means I've no choice but to succumb to the dubious charms of an e-reader

I've really got no idea about the things so need some advice.

Thanks in advance
Philip Wales
31-05-2013
I own a Kindle so I will say Kindle, its just so easy to buy your books from Amazon. I was at an airport last year, saw a book in the shop, went into the lounge and downloaded it for my reader.

But others will give you their experiences of other e-readers,
Phyllis Stein
31-05-2013
Thanks Philip, must admit that the ease of Amazon is definitely an appealing feature of the Kindles.

I notice there are a few different types, and prices! Which do you have?
Philip Wales
31-05-2013
I have the old style "keyboard" with just Wifi, didn't see the point of a 3G model. But I will be upgrading to the new Paperwhite model later this year.
Philip Wales
31-05-2013
The main downside with a E-reader is that you don't get the 2 for 3 deals like you do on paper books in Tescos and E-books are subject to VAT. Saying that by avoiding the "latest releases" and thus paying full price I have discovered a whole new world of Authors with books from as little as 69p and there's been some very good ones there.

I also like that when you finish a book, at the end it recommends other books by the same author or books with similar subjects, another way to discover new authors.

Once every few months I spend a hour or so browsing Amazons Kindle book section and find half a dozen books I like the sound of and buy them. Switch the Wifi on the Kindle and wham within 30 secs 6 books delivered.
TheBigM
31-05-2013
You can re-sell a paper book. You generally can't resell an ebook.

There are different brands but the products are generally much of a muchness in that you look at an eInk screen and you turn the page. There will be some differences in what books their respective online stores have but major titles should be in all of them.

There might be a difference in what third-party formats the different ereaders have but I have a feeling you won't be using this feature much.

I bought a Kindle Keyboard with 3G - I used to use the 3G for autodownloading newspapers each day on my way to the train station for the morning commute. I generally use WiFi now.

The main reason I recommend Amazon is because they are a large company and I think they will be around for a long time which matters when they control your ebooks with DRM. Additionally, they have apps on most computing platforms (and are good at promptly creating apps when new platforms come about) so I can read my books on Kindle, on PC, on my phone, on my iPad etc.

The last book I read was part read on iPad and part read on Kindle. The devices sync your last page read to the cloud so you can pick up where you left off on whatever device.
grumpyoldbat
31-05-2013
The other great thing about Amazon's Kindle store is that their buying power means they can negotiate some great deals on books. If you're not someone who has to read the newest thing as soon as it comes out, there are often really good deals on Kindle books. I think I bought the Girl With The... series for little more than £2.50 each, and they'd likely have been a fiver a piece in the shops.

Amazon also do seasonal sales - their Summer holiday reading one must be coming up in the next month or so.
Philip Wales
31-05-2013
Amazon also have a lending library for Prime members. It's not very well implemented at the moment, but I'm sure it will improve
Anika Hanson
31-05-2013
I'd recommend a kindle for pretty much all the reasons others have already mentioned. At the moment I've got a kindle paperwhite, but I had a kindle keyboard and kindle touch in the past and I was very satisfied with each device, hence me continuing to upgrade. I also own a Nook simple touch and I've owned a kobo glo and a Sony reader in the past, but I've preferred my kindles to any of these.
IvanIV
31-05-2013
Another +1 for the Kindle. Even the cheapest Kindle will do, the others are about additional comfort. The basic model is Wi-Fi only, has no touchscreen, only 5 way controller. Typing is a bit awkward, but you'll get where you want to be eventually. You need external light to read in the dark. Paperwhites have a built-in light and touchscreen display. In addition to Wi-Fi, 3G model has also a 3G modem that allows to download books using mobile networks, abroad, too. Some think it a waste of money, but I have Kindle Keyboard 3G and being able to download the books abroad without any hassle was worth the price difference for me.
Phyllis Stein
31-05-2013
So much good stuff here, thanks folks you've been a massive help!

At the moment I'm leaning towards a Paperwhite but still got a tiny bit of a niggle about an ipad...but I'm sure I'll slap myself out of it

From someone who was so staunchly pro paper, I'm ashamed to admit to being really, really excited
TheBigM
31-05-2013
Originally Posted by Phyllis Stein:
“So much good stuff here, thanks folks you've been a massive help!

At the moment I'm leaning towards a Paperwhite but still got a tiny bit of a niggle about an ipad...but I'm sure I'll slap myself out of it

From someone who was so staunchly pro paper, I'm ashamed to admit to being really, really excited ”

No reason (other than money) not to own both. I use them for different things.

When I get absorbed in a book and just want to sit and read for a longish period of time I prefer the kindle, the weight and size and side button fit nicely with my hand.

If you're only going to be able to afford one of them over next few years and have no tablet computer right now then I'd recommend going iPad instead since you can do so much more with one.
Phyllis Stein
31-05-2013
Originally Posted by TheBigM:
“No reason (other than money) not to own both. I use them for different things.

When I get absorbed in a book and just want to sit and read for a longish period of time I prefer the kindle, the weight and size and side button fit nicely with my hand.

If you're only going to be able to afford one of them over next few years and have no tablet computer right now then I'd recommend going iPad instead since you can do so much more with one.”

Brilliant, that's just made up my mind.

Money isn't really the issue, as an avid reader, something comfortable and practical is far more important.

Decision made, thanks again
PPhilster
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by Phyllis Stein:
“A loft full of books means I've no choice but to succumb to the dubious charms of an e-reader

I've really got no idea about the things so need some advice.

Thanks in advance ”

The biggest disadvantage over a dedicated ereader is that you are looked to just one commercial bookstore.

With a small tablet you have access through apps to all bookstores.
alan1302
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by PPhilster:
“The biggest disadvantage over a dedicated ereader is that you are looked to just one commercial bookstore.

With a small tablet you have access through apps to all bookstores.”

Except that's not true. Many eReaders allow access to books from more than one store and even the Kindle can be used with books from other sources as long as you use Calibre to convert them to something it can use.
Admiral Star
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by alan1302:
“Except that's not true. Many eReaders allow access to books from more than one store and even the Kindle can be used with books from other sources as long as you use Calibre to convert them to something it can use.”

Exactly. You're not really limiting yourself. I buy books from sites like oreilly and when I had my kindle I could pick a format it supports because there are a number of different formats it will read like mobi and pdf. Of course for technical books it is better to have a larger screen. That's why I prefer my ipad but I did like the e ink display of the kindle.
PPhilster
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by alan1302:
“Except that's not true. Many eReaders allow access to books from more than one store and even the Kindle can be used with books from other sources as long as you use Calibre to convert them to something it can use.”

Most users are not going to be trying to defeat drm from another store to use their book on their device. Besides, results can vary and there's no guarantee that you'll be able to do that in the future.
Stuart_h
01-06-2013
wifey has a paperwhite (having had a previous kindle) and she loves it.

A kindle, if you read a lot, is so much more convenient than a tablet. She carries hers in her handbag as its light and she knows that the battery should be good for weeks of use. She takes it places that you just wouldnt take a tablet - beach, poolside etc as its much less likely to shatter if dropped and, worst case, isnt as expensive.

I have a couple of tablets. They are great for occasional reading. But if i were an avid reader I would definitely get a separate, dedicated e-ink reader of some sorts .....
Admiral Star
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by PPhilster:
“Most users are not going to be trying to defeat drm from another store to use their book on their device. Besides, results can vary and there's no guarantee that you'll be able to do that in the future.”

You're not very technical are you? There will always be a way around these things.
PPhilster
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by Admiral Star:
“You're not very technical are you? There will always be a way around these things.”

I am, most users are not. I simply wouldn't do it because I don't believe in it.
Admiral Star
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by PPhilster:
“I am, most users are not. I simply wouldn't do it because I don't believe in it.”

A simple google search will take even the most basic user through the steps needed to convert kindle files.

I would imagine there are a number of people moving from kindles to nooks or other ereaders and want to read their kindle books. I think though with some kindle books they are drm free and can be downloaded in alternative formats.
alan1302
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by PPhilster:
“ I simply wouldn't do it because I don't believe in it.”

What do you mean you don't believe in it?
Kaz159
01-06-2013
Originally Posted by Admiral Star:
“A simple google search will take even the most basic user through the steps needed to convert kindle files.

I would imagine there are a number of people moving from kindles to nooks or other ereaders and want to read their kindle books. I think though with some kindle books they are drm free and can be downloaded in alternative formats.”

I've just got my first kindle and have spent the afternoon converting my epub books to the mobi format.

As I have paid for them once in the epub format I was not inclined to pay again to get them on my kindle.
PPhilster
02-06-2013
Originally Posted by Admiral Star:
“A simple google search will take even the most basic user through the steps needed to convert kindle files.”

A "simple Google search" will also show people how to do a lot of things with their computers but we both know most people don't want to be bothered. Heck, you can't even get most people to back up their computers.

Originally Posted by Admiral Star:
“I would imagine there are a number of people moving from kindles to nooks or other ereaders and want to read their kindle books. I think though with some kindle books they are drm free and can be downloaded in alternative formats.”

Yes, it is an issue that most users need to consider before buying dedicated readers.
PPhilster
02-06-2013
Originally Posted by alan1302:
“What do you mean you don't believe in it?”

I don't believe in having to go through the process.
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