E-Reader

[Reepicheep]

I have a lot of books.

I don't have much bookshelf.

I want more books.

I'm considering countering this problem by getting myself an E-reader for all my novels and being able to clear aside the bookshelf space for textbooks and uni work. I'm quite a fan of tangible, pagey, floppy books and am a luddite in the world of E-readers. I was wondering if people had any thoughts on making what is, for me, a drastic transition. How have people with E-Readers found it? Would I be better off getting more bookshelf for more floppy, floppy books?

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

I used to read the old style dead tree books.  I could not see how I could stand to read a electronic thingy for long periods of time.  Then I saw a Kindle at a really good price refurbished and bought it.

Now I have trouble even bringing myself to read a real book.  It seems inconvenient and awkward by camparison.  It's a pretty big leap to make, but once you do, I think you'll find a pleasant and even revolutionary experience.  Just make sure you avoid stuff like the Kindle Fire and get a real E reader with an E Ink or similar screen (like Amazon's Paperwhite)

[BentonGrey]

I will always  prefer the printed page, but I was given a Kindle Fire for Christmas last year.  I didn't touch it for some months, but eventually figured out how to put my digital comic collection on it.  It's been very useful for that, as I can now read my comics without having to sit at my computer.  It is a really nice tool, and I've gotten a few books on it because they were cheap and I couldn't afford printed copies yet, but i still intend to replace them with hardcopies one day. 

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

With respect, Benton, a Kindle Fire isn't a real E-Reader.  It's a nifty multimedia tablet that can be used to read books, but it is not nearly as good as a real E-Reader.  I think you'd change you mind if you had the chance to use one for a while.

[Reepicheep]

I have the Kindle app on my iPhone, and its nice to read things off it when I'm on a train without entertainment. I've gotten through Treasure Island (came with it) and the first two Hitchhiker's Guide books. But its still nothing compared to a book, and I doubt I'll be buying many more books for it. Maybe its the knowledge that a tree has died for my entertainment that thrills me. But that is why I am a little apprehensive about making the E-Reader leap.

I'm glad you said that, Cat. A Kindle Fire would have been my first look and I would have fell for that insidious trap. Anyone else had a positive experience with Paperwhite or E Ink?

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Keep in mind there is both the Kindle ap and the Kindle device.  The actual Kindle devices (sans the Fire, which are great for what they do, but are not really E Readers as I've said before) are fantastic, plus the books that you already have for your Kindle ap will transfer to the actual device.  I would never try readying off a smart phone.  That would kill my eyes.

[BentonGrey]

I've used a regular e-reader, and I'm darn impressed with the technology.  Still, I will always prefer a physical book.

[thalaw2]

I throw full support behind the plain ol' Kindle.  I bought one almost 2 years ago and didn't use it for months and now I use it everyday...everyday! My problem was also limited book shelf space but an appetite for books.  Also, I move around a lot and I found that the books I would take with me would wear and tear.  I don't have that problem with the Kindle.  I have hundreds of books on my Kindle and even language lessons.  The dictionary is awesome when you're reading something and run into 'new' words.  You can even highlight text and place bookmarks.

However, if you have to do heavy research then stick to paper books.  The Kindle is really more for reading for pleasure than doing any intensive research as you can't flip back and forth as easily.

[BentonGrey]

I throw full support behind the plain ol' Kindle.  I bought one almost 2 years ago and didn't use it for months and now I use it everyday...everyday! My problem was also limited book shelf space but an appetite for books.  Also, I move around a lot and I found that the books I would take with me would wear and tear.  I don't have that problem with the Kindle.  I have hundreds of books on my Kindle and even language lessons.  The dictionary is awesome when you're reading something and run into 'new' words.  You can even highlight text and place bookmarks.

However, if you have to do heavy research then stick to paper books.  The Kindle is really more for reading for pleasure than doing any intensive research as you can't flip back and forth as easily.

Yeah, that is a really nice feature.

[Tawodi Osdi]

I have a Nook.  I looked at the Kindle, but I like that fact that the Nook uses two different open source formats while the Kindle uses its own proprietary format.  Also, e-reader programs can downloaded on most devices these days.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

I should point out that the Kindle uses both it's own proprietary format an an open source format based on that proprietary format released by Amazon to make it easier for people to make books for the Kindle.  The .mobi format can thus be found about anywhere.  It also works with pdfs to some limited extent.  Other E Readers do have access to several additional open formats, however.

Basically it comes down to how found you are of Amazon.  If you want to download books from Amazon.com, then the Kindle is the one for you.  If you don't want to do so, then the other E Ink readers are probably better.

[thalaw2]

You can download books in any format for Amazon...including Epub...you just need to convert between formats with program like Calibre (freeware).

[BlueBard]

I'll echo this... I have a Kindle 3, the one with the keyboard and the 3G whispernet.  I love mine.  As long as the lighting is good, E-ink displays are easy on the eyes and use very little power.  With the wireless turned off, the battery life is amazingly long... you can't get that with a tablet. 

If you're a heavy Amazon user, the convenience is great.  If you're not, there are still all kinds of ways you can download content to your Kindle -- some of it free.  I really enjoy Baen books' free sci-fi/fantasy library.  I even use it for the tech books I buy from O'Reilly, and you can always switch to a Kindle app (PC or mobile) if the Kindle itself isn't well-suited for specific media.

You can also load audiobooks onto your Kindle (not that I've done that), play active content games, use the text-to-speech feature, resize fonts and orientation on the fly, upload non-Amazon mobi-formatted e-books using either email or the Send-To-Kindle PC app.  As long as you use a wi-fi or USB connection for the download, it's free.

If you enjoy reading traditional paperback novels and books, you will enjoy reading them on a Kindle even more.

There are some Cons, though.

You can't read it in the dark.  Nook came out with a glow-in-the-dark E-ink reader, but no idea how well that works.

Obviously, current E-ink technology is monochromatic -- no color on the Kindle (Though Kindle Fire and Kindle apps don't have this limitation)

You can browse the web with it, but the browsing experience is horrible and not recommended.

Large diagrams, tables, or drawings don't always render well and can be cut off.  (Though again, you can use a PC Kindle app or convert to PDF)

It's difficult to use for study, as it's not really good for "flipping pages" more than one at a time.  Not all e-books bother to use a Table of Content, and that can make it even harder.  Your ability to search your e-book depends entirely on how well the Kindle is able to index it (which it does automatically).

I have yet to find an e-Bible for the Kindle that I really like, as the ones I've tried so far can't easily "go-to" a Scripture reference, or use non-intuitive search codes.  So it's not that great for reading along if the preacher is skipping around a lot.

You can take notes on your Kindle, but you can't organize them.  Notes appear in chronological order, and they're mixed in with bookmarks.

Text-to-speech, like most text-to-speech software, can be hit-or-miss in identifying and pronouncing words, sometimes with amusing results.  But it's not too bad, and impressive for a device that's smaller than a tablet.

And, naturally, you can't run applications on it.  Oh sure, you can get active content "apps" that pretend to be word processors, spreadsheets, diaries, and personal information managers but none of the ones I've tried so far work all that well, even with the keyboard.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

You can't read it in the dark.  Nook came out with a glow-in-the-dark E-ink reader, but no idea how well that works.

You're a bit out of date, my friend.  The brand new Kindle Paperwhite is indeed backlit.

I also have a cheap, Target made attachable light for my Kindle (not a paperwhite) which solves that problem quite nicely as well.

[thalaw2]

I forgot to mention that an e-ink reader is great for taking to the gym.  I take my Kindle with me when I go to the gym so I can do some reading while doing light workout on the exercise bike or walking on the treadmill. 

Warning:  It's difficult to ready while doing intense cardio training...trust me, I know. 

[thalaw2]

Now there is scientific proof that using an e-reader is better than reading from a book.

[BWPS]

Now there is scientific proof that using an e-reader is better than reading from a book.

Well of course Science is going to be biased and say that, they invented the e-Reader and their rival Religion invented books.