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I bought Mick a Kindle Fire HD for Christmas. I'd been toying with the idea of buying him an eReader for some time, though he'd never expressed a desire to own one and I didn't actually know if he'd use one. After doing a bit of research, I decided to go with a tablet version rather than a basic eReader as I thought he might get more use out of that. I have to say that it's been a big hit. I'm really pleased that I went for the tablet version as I was right, he's used it more for checking emails or searching for things on the internet than he has for reading so far, so it's good that I went with the model I did.
I've now been converted myself, I'd love an eReader. I'm often awake during the night but I never turn the light on to read in case I wake Mick up. An eReader with a built in light would solve this problem and I'd be able to read instead of just lying there awake. I'm not sure whether I'd want a tablet version though, a basic eReader would probably be ok for me.
Flighty has just done a post about his new eReader titled E-what! He didn't go for a Kindle though.
I don't think I'll ever lose my love of having a book in my hand, but I now think there's a place for both books and eReaders. Perhaps Santa will leave one in my stocking next Christmas.
I'm reading your post right now on my hubby tablet reader - the same sort you bought for your hubby!! I wonder if cupid will bring me one of my own sometime! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely converted, I just need to decide which brand to go for and pop it on my wishlist.
DeleteIf reading at night is what you're after then I'd definitely go for an e-reader. I often read after Joe has gone to sleep. At first used my ipad to do this but found over the last couple of years that the glare of reading on a tablet was doing my eyes no good at all. I now have the kobo glo and that does the job much better - much more gentle (though the minimum brightness on the glo is quite high, I'd look at other brands too). I still use my ipad for emails and the internet, but for book reading I'm definitely an e-reader convert.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts on this, I'll definitely bear it in mind when deciding which I fancy.
DeleteMy SIL has a kindle which keeps her occupied on her train journey to work. My MIL has just got a tablet for Christmas so I am keen to see how it all pans out.
ReplyDeleteThey're great for carrying around with you. I wish I'd had one when I worked, it would have been great for my bus and train journeys.
DeleteI knew I would convert you:-) So glad it's been such a big hit. Like you I still enjoy have a proper book but there are times when the Kindle comes into it's own especially if you have the tablet type. My only problem now is that the amount of to be read books on my Kindle is growing as quick as my to be read book shelf did and one of my challenges is to read at least 13 out of the 26 that were still on the shelf by Christmas before July and that's without those kind souls who bought me books for Christmas. Still it will keep me out of mischief.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely converted. Mick's really pleased with his Christmas present this year and I feel quite chuffed with myself for thinking of it, especially as he had no idea he was getting it. There seems to be plenty of free of very cheap books you can download so I'm sure I'd find plenty to read if I had one, and then I'd be in the same situation as you, too many things in my to read pile.
DeleteThanks for the mention and link. I've started to get used to mine, and I'm just about to start reading a full length novel. I often wake up during the night, and now with this I can chose which book or short story to read from the handful that I've so far downloaded. I see that even magazines can are available.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at the Kobo Glo which has a built in light, and has had plenty of good reviews.
Like you I prefer books but I agree that nowadays there's a place for both.
Flighty xx
You're welcome. I'm sure yours will get plenty of use. There's quite a few different makes to choose from now, so I shall do a bit of research before next Christmas. I think I'll have to wait until then until I get one. I don't think I could ever do away with actual books, but there's definitely a place for eReaders.
DeleteI love my kindle, i bought my hubby one and he persuaded my to have a go, I wasnt really interested in having one until I tried his, and I found I couldn't put it down. A couple of months later he bought me one and I have used it constantly ever since, its great for us as we have a caravan and it means we can load up with books for no extra weight! Brilliant for popping into your bag for long journeys too. X
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly the situation I find myself in now, having bought one for Mick and now lusting after one myself. I think having one will be really handy when I'm out and about, they look great for on the go.
DeleteI'm still a bit of a luddite and I'm hanging on to books. Having said that, I take your point about reading in bed. Jx
ReplyDeleteI felt exactly the same until I had a go of Mick's, it didn't take long to change my mind. I do love books but I definitely think that eReaders have their place.
DeleteI've had my Kindle Tablet for 2 years now and I love it. I read all my really big books on it, it's easier than holding a 700-900 page book. I still read tons of regular books too.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that people get on with their Kindles long term. I think they must be great for when you're out and about, on journeys or away from home. As you say, if you're reading a big book, it must definitely be more convenient to hold a Kindle than it is a heavy book.
DeleteMy husband bought a Nook e-reader a few months ago and he loves it but I've actually not yet tried it. Literally, I haven't even touched it. I'm apprehensive about it. I'm glad to hear you like it, though. I do think I'll warm to ours eventually.
ReplyDeleteI had no interest in even having a go on one until I bought Mick his, I didn't think I'd warm to them at all. I'd definitely like one of my own now, especially as I've seen how cheap books can be bought for.
DeleteAfter trimming down my book collection at the beginning of 2013, I told myself that I wasn't going to buy any more books. My hubby kindly bought me a Kindle for Valentines Day and I love it. It's light enough to read in bed, much easier on my wrists, compared to some of the tomes I've read, which give you wrist ache after only a few minutes. x
ReplyDeleteI suppose if you're one of those people who've got a huge collection of books and still buy more, a Kindle would be great as the books don't take up any space. I think I'd get the most out of it in bed, I don't like to turn the light on to read so it would solve that problem.
DeleteI don't think you can ever replace that satisfaction of having a book but I reckon they probably have their use. A friend of mine said she would never use one, got one for Christmas the year before last and loves it! So handy for holiday she said when she went to India. Books to read and travel info books too all in one place.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I feel the same. I love having a book in my hands and didn't think I'd ever use an eReader, but now I've seen Mick's, I'd really like one. I think there's room for both books and eReaders.
DeleteI must admit that eReaders can be handy, particularly if you don't have the shelf space or want a physical copy of a book and they're definitely a miracle if you want to take a few books with you on holiday. However, there are some definite downsides which are worth considering if you are looking to buy an e-Reader:
ReplyDeleteThe first is content which, when in the digital form, is never actually yours. Ownership rights, unlike when you buy a physical copy, are not granted to you, instead you 'rent' the title. There have been cases of people losing all of the titles held on their account and Amazon/other retailers denying all knowledge. You as a consumer have very few rights over the content, whereas you do - enshrined in British law - for any physical book purchase you make. Should Amazon desire to do so, they'd be able to rescind their rental of a book and you would not be able to do anything about it, and not be able to get your money back. I'm not saying it happens regularly at all, but it does occasionally happen and is worth considering. The second thing is the cost - whilst most older literature (the classics) etc are free, many of the other titles cost more than their paperback counterparts.
Finally, you have to make a decision about what format of books you want your reader to be able to use. Amazon readers are locked into Amazon's own books, so you can't go to the Waterstone's store and buy their EPUBs (the industry-standard format for ebooks) but Nook readers, Kobo readers, Sony readers etc can use EPUB files but not any bought from the Amazon store. Though Amazon have a great selection, you are a captive audience when it comes to buying ebooks from them, whereas when you buy one of the other EPUB-compatible readers, you can shop around and buy them pretty much wherever sells ebooks.
When it comes to lighting yours up, I considered getting one of the glowing ones (like the Paperwhite) but decided that I'd rather have a little detachable light, which works wonders and is completely controllable :)
Hope this helps! Best wishes,
Tash from vintagepretty.org
I've got very few fiction books on my bookshelf, I usually read them and then pass them on, but I do keep reference books. I don't think reference books are something I'd read on an eReader though. You've definitely brought up some things to think about there, especially being locked in to Amazon with a Kindle.
DeleteI know I don't want one as I still love the feel of a book, but I bought hubby a tablet for his last birthday and he has used to it to read, but still prefers books too. He mainly uses it to look things up and has joined facebook to keep in touch with family in the UK. I take a while to cotton on to new technology, so I'm happy enough for now without one. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI never thought I'd want one either as I still love the feel of books, but I can't read a book in the dark. I think I'd definitely read more if I had one.
DeleteI remember thinking when Kindles first came out that I wouldn't want one but I've now had mine for a couple of years and I love it. I also still read "real" books. I really think there's a time and a place for both. :o)
ReplyDeleteI think you've hit the nail on the head. I love my craft books and wouldn't want to read those on an eReader, I think it would only be fiction which I'd read on it, yet I think I'd end up reading more because I'd be able to read when I usually don't. I never thought I'd want an eReader but I've realised just how useful they can be.
DeleteGet the tablet! Just for the photographs you can take and upload to Blogger straight away, for Facebook and the ability to read emails in bed. Oh and the soft games . I started with a Kindle but now I have a Galaxy tab and I love it! !!!
ReplyDeleteThere's so many different opinions about which model to go for. I know some people prefer to have an eReader just for reading, but have a tablet too. I never thought about the photograph aspect of it.
DeleteI've just written a post that includes a Vimeo video about the future of print ... I think you might like it Jo :)
ReplyDeleteI shall definitely pop over and have a read.
DeleteI love physically holding a book too Jo. We have an ipad which Tony uses to download books. I am still not convinced!!
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose eReaders will be for everyone, but I'm willing to give it a go. I definitely think there's room for both books and eReaders.
DeleteDear Jo,
ReplyDeleteI have thought so much about you and have meant to email and pop over here several times, but I think "I'll just wait until I have a bit more time". I love your blog and I miss saying hello.
I am afraid that I still can't manage to read books on a tablet, I love a book or a magazine in my hand, though you're right about being able to just grab it in the middle of the night and read. Maybe i'll change my mind, my kids have all of the latest gadgets, I just haven't bought one for myself yet. I hope you get a lot of use out of yours and a lot of enjoyment.
I hope that you have an amazing 2014.
Much love to you,
Tammy
It's always nice to hear from you. I think the younger generation prefer gadgets to books or magazines, but I do still try to encourage Daniel and Eleanor to read actual books, I bought them both some for Christmas. I think an eReader will be very convenient, especially at night. Thank you for your good wishes. Wishing you all the very best for 2014 too.
DeleteI got an iPad for Christmas as Martyn uses one for reading and thought I would like it. I too have resisted but I too am converted as it is so much more comfortable to hold and it must be realistic as I keep trying to turn paper pages. I like that i can increase the size of the text if I don;t want to use my reading glasses and also that I can control the brightness so I can either sit in the dark or in bright sunshine and read comfortably. It also means I no longer have the problem of finding where to put new paperbacks as our bookshelves are full!
ReplyDeleteI've had to start wearing glasses for reading so being able to change the size of the text is a really good feature. I don't like to wear my glasses too often as I can feel that my eyes are adjusting to them and getting worse. I have to say that I'm swaying more towards a tablet than just an eReader after seeing Mick's, but I'll have to wait for my birthday or next Christmas before I get one.
DeleteI like real books too. We bought Mikayla one nearly 2 years ago as she is a big reader, but now it sits on a shelf as she likes real books. Nick wants to try one so I think he can try hers before we buy.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that Mikayla isn't using hers, but at least you have one for Nick to try before you shell out on another one for him. I suppose they're not for everyone, though they seem extremely popular.
DeleteJo, I felt the same way you do about having the book in my hands and being able to see how far along I am, however, my Kindle Fire has been a great thing when my hands are hurting so badly from RA. It's hard to hold a book open then and with the Kindle, I can read easily and holding it is much easier on my hands. I still read books (working on the Game of Thrones books now) and really am happy having both options. Reading in bed at night is great with one. I think you will be very happy with an e reader. Hugs, Sharon
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you've been able to continue reading with your Kindle Fire. An eReader is certainly something to consider if you have problems such as RA. Like you say, it's good to have both options, book and eReader, I'm definitely putting one on my wish list for my birthday or Christmas.
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