Terminalcoffee discussion

Before I begin, I'd just like to say that I looked (more like skimmed) for a topic regarding my question. I didn't seem to locate one, so I've started one here. NOW, if I missed it, feel free to throw me in the dungeons, to the dragons, or to the hungry sharks or dogs. I don't mind. I am new after all. (;

Now, here is my problem.
I am by every way imaginable, a bibliophile-- a lover of books. And when I mean a lover of books, I mean, I will read anything I can get my hands on. Well, for the most part. Anyway, my book collection is extensive and to me, my novels are my children. I like to take them with me everywhere I go. You never know when you might need a good read to snuggle up to!

Sadly, I'm in college, and I am forced to leave many of my babies at home, two hours away. (THE HORROR.)
I've been toying with the idea of getting some sort of an e-reader for some time now, but I can't quite bring myself to get one.

One, they're expensive and I'm a broke college girl.
Two, if I were to get one, what would I do with all of the books I already own? I'm still faced with the issue of not having them with me.
Three, I've never used one, so I'm still skeptical.
Four, there is nothing better (to me at least) than holding a new (or old) novel in my hands.

See the problem?
So, all of you LOVELY (and I mean that) TC members, will you give me some insight into what you think I should do?

I want the positives and the negatives of having an e-reader, and your thoughts on them in general.
Secondly, if you're a fan of e-readers, what do you recommend? A Nook? Kindle? iPad? Something else?

I'm trusting your advice here. After all, my most recent paycheck rests in your hands. (:

At the risk of sounding completely clueless, what exactly is the Kindle e-ink reader?

Alright, now here comes the hard part-- making my decision. But before I do that, what are the negatives of e-readers?

I have a Sony e-reader and a Nook Simple Touch (both are e-ink technology). The Sony has buttons to push for turning pages and requires a booklight for nighttime reading. The Simple Touch is a touch screen and has a glow-light. I can also read books on my Galaxy Tab tablet, using the Nook or Kindle app from the Google Play store.

So which is the best option? Probably the Kindle Fire. I don't own one, but there's a huge selection of books available, and it's likely to be supported for a good long time. I think Susan has one. Maybe she'll chime in.

I have a nook color. I think it's crap. If I had it to do over, I would have just gotten one of the light cheap b&w nooks like my
Mom has. Battery lasts way longer. Much much lighter. And, I only ever use it for books, so I don't need the crap that's les it heavy and the battery die. Also, nook color has a glitch where it will sometimes page forward for no reason and not respond to touch screen anymore. The only remedy is a hard shutdown and restart. Not good when you are into your read! I've read it is a common issue with not fix. Since nook's software does not update.
E-readers are good for two things, taking hundreds of books on holiday without the extra luggage and keeping the bookshelf manageable. I buy fantasy/ya/science fiction Etc. on nook, leaves room for my favorites and classics on my shelves without taking over the house. Oh, one other plus, I don't have to go to the book store or wait for delivery if I want a book right now, just log on and away you go! The down side to that is you can spend more money really easily.

There is an e-reader thread somewhere on here...*sicks ficus on newbie*

Thanks, Amelia! And like I said, I am new, so feel free even send me to the dungeons. (; I think I might look into one. But I'm still not sure.

We only send folks behind the ficus around here. Larry and Phil spend enough time back there that they have it all set up with beanbag chairs and a mini fridge...

Well, Phil seems pretty cool and I do like bean bag chairs.... Maybe it won't be too bad.

Found it. Books & writing topic. Thread title "when do you choose which". I'd link for you, but I'm on my phone app. You may get more info if you check it out.

Oh he is.

I confess Phil & Larry are two of my favorites.

I'll have to go digging around for it. (I'm also on my iPhone app.)

Who is this "Larry?"

I haven't met Larry yet... I'd like to meet him.

No you wouldn't. Trust me.

Why is that?

I can't tell you.

He's lovely, but a bit enigmatic...

Downright odd, if you ask me.

No weirder than you!

I'm quite odd as well think of me as a modern day, real life, Alice In Wonderland.

True.

Hi, Sarah. I have the Kindle Fire, the first edition. I bought it as an upgrade to the B&N Nook, first edition (see a trend here). Yes, I'm a bit of a tech Geek.

Anyway, the Kindle Fire is definitely the way to go for just an E reader. No light necessary. But you could buy a refurb iPad from the Apple store, either the 2nd or 3rd edition for just a bit more money. Then download the Kindle reader to the iPad, and you would have so much more than just a reader.

I love my reader, but still buy books. Just can't help myself. Our library has a sale twice a year, and I stock up.

Hope this helps.
Susan

I have a Kindle Fire. I loves it.

::pets Fire::

You can download a plethora of free books. Many classics are free for download.

If you wish to save your battery, just shut off your wifi. You will not be able to hang with us during that time, though, so plan accordingly.

And, you can put a nook app on your Fire, that way you can do B&N if you want and share books with other nook people. The reverse is not an option.

The comment/suggestion I am making to new buyers of an e-reading device is to buy a regular tablet. Why?

Barnes and Noble announced recently that they are getting out of the device business, so Nook's are going to become a disposable item. They are, Nooks that is, becoming incredibly cheap as a result.

Kindle (Amazon) are more tied to the Amazonian universe than at first it appears. That is not all bad. For media other than books, such as movies, they have lots of added features and versions of films that just are not available elsewhere. Yet. They are however locked in to an operating system that only goes so far compared to real tablet devices. Amazon's goal is only to get you to buy more content. That is important to remember.

As a counterpoint Amazon invented this concept for the market and is going to defend that turf for a long time, or until it isn't profitable.

Having had both Nook's and Kindle's (plural as they are both only so-so engineered hardware and fail) I find that a tablet is a better investment. More money, yes. More choices, usually and certainly of more types. Greater functionality, definitely. Bang for the buck? Tablets win hands down even at a greater cost. Construction? Tablets.

Which tablet? That is going to depend on the size you want. For reading the smaller ~7 inch seems the sweet spot. They are in that size of the Kindle/Nook range and be they Android(Google) or ipad(Apple) they offer as wide a range (Apple still slightly more than Google) in media choices. Plus they are a fully functional media/web devices that with minor fiddling can also serve as a phone.

Or you can just get the media app of choice for your smart phone or iphone. They too are coming in a range of sizes. I am amazed at how easy it is to read just a plain ol' book on one of the good screen phones.

I loved the ipad when it first came out. Don't own one currently (another discussion!) but I do own two Android tablets. (A Galaxy 10" and a Nexus 7") that I beat the living daylights out in use and they are great. I read a lot on the Nexus and have nearly all my periodical subscriptions solely on that device format now. All the Kindle's and Nooks( 5 between the two formats) are now gone to electronic heaven. I still can buy from Amazon and B/N if I want or from other sources.

The newest Nexus 7 I can hardly wait for it to arrive. Full 1080HD in my hand! I can plug it in to the big HD TV, better battery life, and I can run goodreads at the same time.

Pure e-readers are a one use device and as such become extra baggage quickly. E-ink is a brilliant idea and looks cool, but in funky lighting give me a regular amoled or similar screen. I'm never taking an e-reader to 'the beach' again. Another story full of cautions and warning including what happens to that real 'purty' screen when a full can of beverage gets set down on top of it to say nothing of what sunshine does to any LCD . . .

Happy reading and don't worry, you'll still buy books in the entirely mechanical format!

I'm still on the fence about it. I'm afraid if I get one that I'll end up hating it. I leave to go to Oklahoma on the 9th to love my baby cousin into college. (He's going to Oklahoma State University.) After I get back home from that trip (all the way in Ohio) I'm going to go to Best Buy or somewhere like that and check them out.

I've found sitting on fences to be quite uncomfortable.

Hahaha. I'm not sure. I've never tried it.

Depends on the fence, really.

I'd really like to get off the one I'm on. But I'm stuck right now.

I like to sit on things so I don't mind so much.

Me too. I sat in the drive thru window at work for the longest time yesterday. I like sitting on things too.

Susan wrote: "I like to sit on things so I don't mind so much."

Resisting! Resisting!

Resistance is futile! :)

I am currently sitting on the countertop. Best seat in the house.

Dressers are fun to sit on as we'll.

Whoops. I meant well.

I'm hoping I don't hate it. Lol.

Sarah wrote: "I'm hoping I don't hate it. Lol."

There are public libraries that have a Nook or two (or Kindles) that are available for use in the library. If there is such an institution close it might be worth reading something for a while to see if you even like the e-book format.

Barnes and Nobles all have these 'areas' where every available Nook is set up to try out. Being in the store also means you can read anything available in e-book format for a 'test'.

Have you done much reading on a regular computer? If not give that a try as well;

Many of the formats let you switch back and forth between devices (e-readers, tablets, notebooks/computers, smart phones) and thus the current book you are reading is always with you. That could be a consideration as a college student who may want to buy all their textbooks in e-format.

This is true, but being an English major, many of my books required for classes are actual Norton Anthology Literature books. I prefer buying those in book for so I'll always have them. Most of my other classes that require books, I'm almost done with. But I like the idea of being able to have the current book I'm reading on my phone, tablet, laptop, etc. I might download the Kindle app here on my iPhone and try it out with a few classic free novels before I commit to anything.

I bought the cheapest Kindle for $69, which fits your budget. I looked at the Paperwhite, which has a lighted screen, but after researching, I found that it emits blue light, which can keep you awake at night, and I do much of my reading right before bedtime. The regular Kindle is easy on the eyes, much easier than a print book. You can get classics for free through Amazon. I haven't checked out the books for purchase, so can't comment on the variety there. I've been happy with my cheap Kindle - very long battery life and clear print. Hope this helps.