Is it worth getting a ebook reader?

Misaela · Post by **Misaela** » 27 Jul 2013, 07:00

Jo Ledamun wrote:
Misaela wrote:I am planning to get one, just because of storage issues. My current living arrangements don't allow me to buy books, as I can't store them safely.
You won't regret it, they are just so convenient with regards storage & easy access to all your books. Have you considered spending a bit more & getting a tablet (iPad, mini or kindle fire) instead of a e book reader - then you can use it for so many more things? I love my IPad, it is one of the best investments I have ever made

I want to get just an ebook reader, because I always end up surfing the internet or distracted with something else. Maybe it'll help me, if it's just for books!

truliefree · Post by **truliefree** » 29 Jul 2013, 16:40

I have 2 ebook readers and several apps on my ipod for ebooks. Its sounds like alot but each device is different and offers different free books through the stores. I read alot and have been able to save alot of money by having an ebook reader. I couldnt live without one

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 29 Jul 2013, 20:15

I agree with some of the other posters but it boils down to your reading habits. If you travel a lot and read a lot it can be the difference of carrying ten or twenty pounds of reading material. I've done it and have the shoulders to prove it. Or I suppose if you live in an out of the way place and don't fancy ordering crates of books online it's easier to get ebooks or whatever they're called. Personally I prefer actual real live books but that's just me.

Dphaber · Post by **Dphaber** » 30 Jul 2013, 01:04

I, personally, love the feel of a physical book. Turning the pages, the smell of the paper, thing like this simply can't be replicated by an e-reader. (and taking a Kindle into a bathtub isn't a terribly wise decision- much harder to dry out than a slightly soggy paperback)

That said, I use the iBooks app on my smartphone for an average of six hours a day. It's more convenient, cheaper for new books (though more expensive than purchasing older, used copies), and extremely portable. Despite my preference for "real" books, I have to go with the ebook for practicality.

Jo Ledamun · Post by **Jo Ledamun** » 30 Jul 2013, 15:42

Misaela wrote:
Jo Ledamun wrote:
Misaela wrote:I am planning to get one, just because of storage issues. My current living arrangements don't allow me to buy books, as I can't store them safely.
You won't regret it, they are just so convenient with regards storage & easy access to all your books. Have you considered spending a bit more & getting a tablet (iPad, mini or kindle fire) instead of a e book reader - then you can use it for so many more things? I love my IPad, it is one of the best investments I have ever made

I want to get just an ebook reader, because I always end up surfing the internet or distracted with something else. Maybe it'll help me, if it's just for books!

Fair point.

Tonight in addition to my IPad, I brought myself a mini Kobo ebook reader. I got it for practical reasons when going out as it is much smaller (5in) & lighter and can fit easily into a small bag or my pocket. I chose the Kobo for it's size (smaller than a kindle), price & I can read a Kobo ebook on either of my devices & pages can be bookmarked on both copies simultaneously.

Have you brought your ebook reader yet? If yes, what product did you opt for in the end?

Jo

Misaela · Post by **Misaela** » 02 Aug 2013, 23:11

Jo Ledamun wrote:Fair point.

Tonight in addition to my IPad, I brought myself a mini Kobo ebook reader. I got it for practical reasons when going out as it is much smaller (5in) & lighter and can fit easily into a small bag or my pocket. I chose the Kobo for it's size (smaller than a kindle), price & I can read a Kobo ebook on either of my devices & pages can be bookmarked on both copies simultaneously.

Have you brought your ebook reader yet? If yes, what product did you opt for in the end?

Jo

Not yet, but I was thinking of the Kindle Paperwhite. I've read it's good on your eyes.

Oh, and as many of the other posters, I do love me my hard books. Even the smell of the paper helps me get more into the story. Sadly, convenience won the battle... Hopefully, not the war!

BaileyMooreTX · Post by **BaileyMooreTX** » 03 Aug 2013, 18:16

Absolutely! As a former used bookseller, I long thought eReaders were "the debil". Well, for the book resale business--they are. But WOW. All of my books fit in that tiny machine. I can search my entire library for a certain term. If i come actoss a word I don't know while reading, the built-in dictionary can help me out.

There's no question in my mind that eReaders are worth every penny. The day I got my Kindle, I started packing up paperbacks for donation.

MiniDF · Post by **MiniDF** » 13 Aug 2013, 07:16

I find that dedicated e-readers tend to be a bit of a waste of money unless you have storage issues. I just use the kindle app on my ipad so depending on what mood I'm in I can either study, work or read on the go.

babbsym · Post by **babbsym** » 14 Aug 2013, 07:51

I am a student at university, and therefore I have limited space in my room and can't easily buy lots of hard copies of books due to space, and getting them to and from university at the end of the year.
When I was still living at home I swore by hard copies of books and said I would never go near an e-reader. However, I found myself able to read less and less when at university since I couldn't own too many books and there was not a good library nearby. I decided that if I wanted to carry on reading as much as I used to, the only practical approach would be to buy an e reader. I am now the proud owner of a kindle, I am back to reading lots and I find my kindle ideal for when travelling home for holidays, or going to visit friends at other places. It is small, convenient, that battery lasts a long time, and if I am reading several books at a time I can have them all with me! I can also put notes for university onto it, or articles that I need to read for my course, which makes learning whilst on the move convenient too!
Obviously, I still love hard copies of books, and when I finish university and move into my own home on a more permanent basis, I am sure my books will rapidly multiply, but for the time being a kindle or other e reader is well worth the money!

Misaela · Post by **Misaela** » 31 Aug 2013, 10:07

MiniDF wrote:I find that dedicated e-readers tend to be a bit of a waste of money unless you have storage issues. I just use the kindle app on my ipad so depending on what mood I'm in I can either study, work or read on the go.

Very nice point. A friend gave me recently an HTC tablet that she was no longer using, and I got the Kindle app on it. Even though I get sidetracked from my reading, actually having something more portable than my laptop for reading is a great help. With just my 16" laptop to do my e-reading, it got so hard I almost gave up.

-- August 31st, 2013, 11:09 am --

babbsym wrote:I am a student at university, and therefore I have limited space in my room and can't easily buy lots of hard copies of books due to space, and getting them to and from university at the end of the year.
When I was still living at home I swore by hard copies of books and said I would never go near an e-reader. However, I found myself able to read less and less when at university since I couldn't own too many books and there was not a good library nearby. I decided that if I wanted to carry on reading as much as I used to, the only practical approach would be to buy an e reader. I am now the proud owner of a kindle, I am back to reading lots and I find my kindle ideal for when travelling home for holidays, or going to visit friends at other places. It is small, convenient, that battery lasts a long time, and if I am reading several books at a time I can have them all with me! I can also put notes for university onto it, or articles that I need to read for my course, which makes learning whilst on the move convenient too!
Obviously, I still love hard copies of books, and when I finish university and move into my own home on a more permanent basis, I am sure my books will rapidly multiply, but for the time being a kindle or other e reader is well worth the money!

I have the same problem. I'm glad it's not just me! I felt like I was downgrading, for not buying any more hard copies for a while.

tdkcarpenoctem · Post by **tdkcarpenoctem** » 02 Sep 2013, 06:51

I just got the smaller kindle Fire HD, and I love it! It has become one of my new best friends. Just make sure to get 32gigs so you have a good amount of space. I've got the 16, and I'm regretting it now.

Megan Young · Post by **Megan Young** » 04 Sep 2013, 17:37

I wouldnt buy one.

Cody Mathews · Post by **Cody Mathews** » 04 Sep 2013, 19:55

If you like the portability and lightweight feeling of not carrying a huge book than do it. Plus if you commute to work on public transportation, it is much easier to handle sitting or standing up. You can also highlight and bookmark certain pages and then view them all together in a separate window. It helps if you get school textbooks/reading assignments on your ebook reader because you can quickly reference your highlights instead of fumbling between pages.

tdkcarpenoctem · Post by **tdkcarpenoctem** » 04 Sep 2013, 20:53

I can look at magazines, books, or movies when I'm not online! I think the kindle is AWESOME! Great versatility! I would recommend this to anyone on a budget, but I'm working on getting an iPad.

Anandi Iyer Ghosh · Post by **Anandi Iyer Ghosh** » 04 Sep 2013, 21:19

Definitely! No doubt about it!! Up until a few months ago, I used to carry books with me when I had to travel. There were a couple of books in my bag, even when the travelling was just to my workplace and back. But, a few months ago, my husband bought a Kindle and since then, even though I miss the smell of books, there's been no looking back. I carry all my books in my Kindle. The advantage? I can read whatever I want, whenever I want and wherever I am. My bag is lighter too