Comfort Reads discussion

I've read the threads that have e-readers discussed in them, but I'm kinda looking for specific answers. If everyone wouldn't mind giving me your answers, I would appreciate it.

Which E-reader do you think is the best? I don't care about color.

I'm looking for:
ease of reading screen?
well lit screen?
amount of books available?
best prices for books available?
number of free books available?
ease of holding/most comfortable?

All suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I'm having trouble with my Kindle, but I have the first version so it probably doesn't compare.

Chandra wrote: "Oh I bet you will get a HUGE range of answers.

I own a kindle, but can I say it's the best? It really depends on the individual reader.

You mention a 'well lit' screen. That's not really th..."

That's awesome, thanks! I'm only interested in reading. I'm more interested in the fact that they offer free downloads. Even if it is classics, as they're the ones I have a hard time finding.

The no-light thing was something I didn't know, so that's awesome to know. I know the "computer-type" screen is straining for the eyes just as a computer is, so I think I'd want to stay away from that.

Thanks again!

That's a great idea putting a cloth cover on it. It would feel much more like a book!

Chandra, can you actually use your Kindle to download books from sites like Project Guttenberg? I was under the impression that if you buy a Kindle, you are limiting yourself to e-books from Amazon (I'm also wondering wether Amazon can monitor what you are downloading and/or reading, I don't like the idea of that at all). I don't particularly want to purchase e-books at the moment, but I am interested in downloading vintage books or other books that are too expensive to purchase as books (or hard to impossible to locate as books).

Gundula wrote: "Chandra, can you actually use your Kindle to download books from sites like Project Guttenberg? I was under the impression that if you buy a Kindle, you are limiting yourself to e-books from Amazo..."

Gundula I agree on the purchasing of too expensive books or extremely hard to find classics. That was a huge "really, I might have to get me one of those" moments.

Though I have heard people say there's some issues with the Kindle downloading from other sources, above Chandra says she uses Guttenberg for her kindle.

Chandra wrote: "The kindle really does read just like paper with minimal to no glare - once you get used to holding a device in your hand. Also, once you get a cover for it - which I very highly recommend it real..."

Thanks for the feedback, especially the cover. Not sure I would've thought of it.

I certainly never want to replace physical books, I love them too much. But yeah to save money in the long run? Even my husband is behind anything that will be less money on books, less books being stored in the bedroom and shelved in the bonus room. ;)

I love that justification!!

Thanks for the information, Chandra. I had a larger reply, but the website "of course" did not save my post (sometimes, I really hate computers and the web).

I'm not sure (because I don't own one), but I think the Nook lets you download a lot of free books, too. I'm not sure if the amount is comparable, though, so that would be something to look into. As far as the lighting of the screen, the original Nook does that digital ink thing, but I think the Nook Color is more like an iPad, although I'm not 100% sure on that.

Christine wrote: "I'm having trouble with my Kindle, but I have the first version so it probably doesn't compare."

What problems are you having? I have the first version and have not experienced any problems.

Jess wrote: "I'm not sure (because I don't own one), but I think the Nook lets you download a lot of free books, too. I'm not sure if the amount is comparable, though, so that would be something to look into. A..."

The Kindle also has free books all the time. I have been able to download alot of first books in a series when one of the later books in the series is just being released.

Wow, that's a really nice feature. I'd probably become so addicted to a Kindle!

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I went today and played! I also used Best Buy's Ultimate Comparison Guide, and decided that the device that will go on my Christmas list is: (drum roll please)

Kindle. It just won, or tied, on what I was looking for.

Again, I wouldn't have been anywhere near as confident in my search or my conversation with the sales staff without all of your providing your feedback. If I can ever return the favor!

I agree with Chandra! I'm not quite ready to make the leap to an e-reader quite yet, but as long as you'll spend some very happy reading time with it, I'm sure you'll love it!

Thanks Chandra!

Jess, I wasn't either until I found out how many free books you can get. Besides, I had next to nothing on my Christmas list and it was driving my husband batty, bc he had no clue what to get me. Lol!!

Kristi wrote: "Thanks Chandra!

Jess, I wasn't either until I found out how many free books you can get. Besides, I had next to nothing on my Christmas list and it was driving my husband batty, bc he had no cl..."

With some of the free books, you have to be careful, though. I remember someone saying that the Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery is available for free, but that some of the texts appear to be abridged and/or incomplete. As I do not have an e-reader, I have not checked this out, so I cannot say if this is, indeed, true, but I think it is prudent to be careful.

@Gundula: Thanks for the heads up! I wouldn't have thought of anything like that. Good to know.

@Chandra: Terrific! I've heard really good things about this gutenberg project.

A Tale of Two Cities? Idk if you'd need footnotes. I listened to an audio version and seemed to do okay.

Then again, I read Great Expectations and utilized the footnotes. So, I guess it could go either way.

I think that my husband and kids are getting me a Kindle for Christmas. I didn't think I would want an e-reader, but I'm getting excited about it. I will still buy printed books, but since every space I can put books in my house is full, it will let me limit the amount of printed books I buy and yet still have many, many books at my disposal.

I'd love to get an e-reader. I've noticed that my public library will lend out e-books but only in certain formats, and Kindle is not one of them. Most of the Sony e-readers and some I've never heard of and certain PDF files right to the computer or smart phone. That would be a factor for me. They're so expensive and then you have to pay for books too, but if I could borrow some of the books from the library, it would make it more affordable. Kindles definitely have a huge following; people seem to like them, but they're not compatible with my library.

Lisa wrote: "I'd love to get an e-reader. I've noticed that my public library will lend out e-books but only in certain formats, and Kindle is not one of them. Most of the Sony e-readers and some I've never hea..."

Lisa, I know exactly what you mean. At first the library thing had me wanting the Sony reader. But then I found out my library doesn't do eBooks yet or has so few it's not widely known that they do. So library format wasn't an issue for me.

Also the Kindle has 1.8 million free titles available to it. I figured I wouldn't need to buy or borrow for quite a while.

But that's just IMHO. There's lots of people who love their readers for other functions, such as the library thing or other things. And the Nook, and the Sony did tie or beat the Kindle in a few areas (in my research), so it definitely comes down to check them out, do the research, and go with your heart. My heart was cheap, so I went with more free books and more book capacity. Ha ha ha!

Kristi, The Kindle definitely has the most available titles. Most of the free titles are books you can get free from many sources for many e-readers, smart phones, computers. I have all of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, etc. etc. on my smart phone, but cannot imagine reading a whole book on it. An e-reader would be nice to have!

Lisa wrote: "Kristi, The Kindle definitely has the most available titles. Most of the free titles are books you can get free from many sources for many e-readers, smart phones, computers. I have all of [author:..."

Like I said, I'm completely inexperienced here. I'll know more after Christmas. Lol.

I do know Kindle is compatible with devices for sharing the file. I think all the "i" stuff. iPhone, iPad, iPod, computer etc.

Also for flexibility in downloading I've heard the Sony is best. But it only held like 1200 or 1500 titles. I got greedy. Lol.

Kristi wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Kristi, The Kindle definitely has the most available titles. Most of the free titles are books you can get free from many sources for many e-readers, smart phones, computers. I have al..."

Kristi, thanks for the information about the Sony E-reader. As I am most likely going to be using an e-reader primarily to download vintage and rare books from internet sites like Project Guttenberg, I think that I will likely end up buying a Sony (when I have enough money to do so).

I have a Kobo and I´m very happy with it. Is light, WiFi and comes with 100 preloades classic books.

Linda wrote: "I have a Kobo and I´m very happy with it. Is light, WiFi and comes with 100 preloades classic books."

Linda, is that the one from Chapters/Indigo?

I did indeed receive a Kindle for Christmas and am loving it. I don't use it as my main source for reading, still addicted to the book in hand method, but I have read a few on it already. I just got a cover for it for my birthday last week, and I am now much more comfortable carrying it around. I feel so secure and happy that I have a book wherever I am.

Kathy, I'm the exact same way. I got one Christmas. I've read a few books on it, but I still prefer the tried-and-true book in my hand.

But I have downloaded a lot of titles (free). I made that little thing pay for itself. LOL.

Just another vote for the kindle here. There are about ten new titles offered for free for a limited time today on the kindle - a Beverly Lewis book, an Elizabeth Chadwick book - I downloaded 8 new free books to my kindle FROM my iphone from work this morning, and they'll be there on my kindle ready for me when I get home.

I also love that since i have the kindle app on my iphone, if I've started a book on my kindle, and then want to open it on my iphone, it will sync to my furthest page read, and then when I get back to my kindle, it will do the same thing back from my iphone. So I *really* have the same book with me everywhere I go!

I have a Sony PRS 600 that I love and cherish as if it were my baby =oD . Of course if I were to buy an ereader now, I would go for the PRS 650 which is the newer model. The ereader is a true blessing, I love switching back and forth between a few different books, and this way I can have them all in my handbag. And the dreadful carrying of 20 odd books every time I go to France...not necessary anymore, such a blessing for my back...hehe.

Chantelle wrote: "Just another vote for the kindle here. There are about ten new titles offered for free for a limited time today on the kindle - a Beverly Lewis book, an Elizabeth Chadwick book - I downloaded 8 ne..."

I have it on my iphone, too, Chantelle, but I didn't really know you could sync them like that. So cool!

I love my Kindle. I got it shortly after Christmas. My husband got the Nook Color and he loves it too. I also just recently got an android phone with the Kindle reader app and love that I can sync my books from my kindle to it. I love reading series and let me tell you... it has been super nice to finish one in the series and immediately be able to donwload the next one.

Andrea wrote: "I love my Kindle. I got it shortly after Christmas. My husband got the Nook Color and he loves it too. I also just recently got an android phone with the Kindle reader app and love that I can sync ..."

Ah, that is a nice feature I hadn't thought about. I am such a series reader, so I will enjoy that.

Eclipse wrote: "I have a Sony PRS 600 that I love and cherish as if it were my baby =oD . Of course if I were to buy an ereader now, I would go for the PRS 650 which is the newer model. The ereader is a true bless..."

I once had to buy an extra suitcase because I bought way too many books while visiting relatives in Germany. I can certainly imagine getting an e-reader for traveling, but it would never ever become my primary reading platform.

You guys are making this so hard. I may never buy an ereader but I want one. I'd sort of settled on a Nook color. One of the perks is it's one of the formats my library has books for. They do for many ereaders, but don't for the Kindle, and doubt Amazon ever will let them. I don't want to buy books from Barnes and Noble though. Of course, I don't want to buy books from Amazon either but sometimes do.

I have a question. I want to use a big font size. I have heard that then it is important to have a big screen, otherwise you are constantly turning the pages. So how big IS the biggest ereader's size on a Nook or a Amazon or a Sony? Is it going to be so big that it is clumsy?

I have heard that the Nook Color can get you to Wikipedia if you have access to WiFi. Does the Kindle or Sony also have that function?

Is there a light so you can read in the dark with Kindle, Sony or Nook Color?

Lisa, you say the largest selection is available for the Kindle. For me this is important! The books I want to read are not usually the classics or the most popular books. Does that mean I should only consider the Kindle?

I am so scared I will not be able to figure it out.......I wish I could try these three machines. Since I live in Europe, I don't think this is possible. And I don't have WiFi, does that mean I should skip getting an ereader. I am very confused.

Gundula wrote: "Eclipse wrote: "I have a Sony PRS 600 that I love and cherish as if it were my baby =oD . Of course if I were to buy an ereader now, I would go for the PRS 650 which is the newer model. The ereader..."

LOL! Been there, done that, Gundula. When I flew more, it was always a problem packing all the books I wanted to take, usually had a carry on just for that, and then still ran into problems with buying more while I was gone.

Chrissie wrote: "I have a question. I want to use a big font size. I have heard that then it is important to have a big screen, otherwise you are constantly turning the pages. So how big IS the biggest ereader's si..."

Chrissie, about the light question. The Kindle doesn't come with a light, but I just purchased a Kindle cover that has a light built in. Not all Kindle covers do. It's a great cover, and the light slides into the top corner out of the way when you don't need it. It's a little on the expensive side, $60, just for the cover if it's lighted.

Chrissie, I don't know the answer to most of your questions. I've never used an ereader. But, I do know that you can get most classics for free no matter what ereader you purchase. I have all of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, much of Mark Twain, and many, many, many other authors for free or for $1 or $2 for many works on my iPhone. Never have read them there as the screen is so small but if standing in line, etc. sometimes read favorite passages, the beginning, etc. of those works.

Chrissie wrote: "I have a question. I want to use a big font size. I have heard that then it is important to have a big screen, otherwise you are constantly turning the pages. So how big IS the biggest ereader's si..."

If you are looking for a big screen the Kindle DX is very large... 9 inches, compared to the 6 inches for the regular Kindle and 7 for the nook color.

The Kindle also has an experimental web browser in it... it is not as advanced as the nookcolor, but might be better in the future. You can go anywhere on the web on it as long as you have a WiFi connection.

I also have the Kindle Cover with light that Kathy mentioned. I love it. The light runs off of the Kindle battery so there are no extra batteries to buy and no worries about forgetting to take a light with you. The NookColor has a backlit LED screen so you don't have to worry about a separate light.

The book selection through Amazon is great and there are always cheap deals on books.

Thank you - I really, really appreciate all you advice. For me the most important is how easy it is to read on the e-reader, the number of e-books available that I want to read, and it cannot be so big that I cannot take it with me everywhere. The books I want to read are not the ones that will be free! I am thinking that for me the large 9in Amazon DX with lighted cover might be the best. Lots of books are available. Their prices are cheaper than B&N. I won't have to pay expensive postage fees.

Is 9inches the total length of the Kindle DX e-reader. I have tested and stuffed such a large book into my bag. It worked. Can I get that lit cover for this DX model?

What I cannot see without using them is which is the easiest to read on. I know I need large font and sharp contrast. Do any offer a blue background with white text? Is it easier to read with Nook's backlit LEDscreen. I need LOTS of light. I do not know what a LED screen is.

Someone here had a message saying they had a Kindle and their husband a Nook. Could that person help me by telling me which is easier to read on. Squint or pretend you have blurry vision..... Which has bigger font and a large contrast? I am getting this only because of my terrible eyes. I prefer books.

YUP, I too have had to buy suitcases to bring home purchased books. Every time I go to Sweden or France I go loaded with ten books. On the way home I have even more.

THANK YOU FOR ALL ADVICE!

Chrissie, I also sent you a pm (in a friends invitation because that was the only way possible...sorry...). If you would use Calibre to put books on a reader, it is very easy to convert the book format so you can also buy books from somewhere other than amazon and make them suitable for the kindle ereader :) . (It's so simple with Calibre that even I can do it...which is saying something...hehe)

According to amazon, the 9.7" is the diagonal size of the actual display. Amazon gives the following sizes for the whole reader: 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38" .

I am searching to see if tehre are also covers for the Kindle DX with a built in led light (a led light makes it easier to read in the dark than a regular light imho). So far I only found separate covers / lights, but I will keep looking.

Eclipse, the Sony, this I can test here in Belgium. I don't have any idea how the size of their font is compared to the other. Do you know? Is it backlit with a LED screen? Does it come in different sizes so I will not need to turn pages constantly with a big font? Where do you buy e-books? How are their prices compared to Kindle and Nook? Is it that you cannot buy from Amazon? How do you read in the dark with your e-reader?

Sorry for all the questions......

Here's a cover with a built in light :-) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003...

Neither the kindle, nor the sony have backlit screens. They are both digital ink, which makes it seems as if you are reading a paper page of a book. But both the new kindle dx and the sony PRS 650 (unfortunately this is quite a bit smaller) have very good contrast on the screens and the font size can be changed to several different sizes (I just read that the kindle dx offers 8 different font sizes even! my prs 600 has 3 different sizes) and no (or hardly any) glare. This means they are both an improvement on the Sony PRS 600 which I have and I by no means have complains about that one even.

I have a leather case with a built in led light that I use for reading in the dark. This works perfectly for me. (If you speak Dutch by any chance: mijn ledlampje heeft 2 verschillende standen voor de lichtsterkte)

If you would happen to go to the UK in the near future, I just heard that they are selling Kindle in stores there these days.

Eclipse, thank you for yor help. Given that the Kindle DX is so big, it will not fit in my bag. So my question is - is it really a pain to turn pages all the time?

Do you mean that with Calibre I can buy a Nook or a Sony and still purchase ebooks from Amazon? They seem to have the largest number of e-books. This means I am free to purchase any e-reader.

Could one say that a backlit LED screen could be the easiest to read. Your Sony cover is a LED light, above, but not in the screen.

No, I do not know Dutch. I have a hard enough time with French. I am born in the US, but have lived most of my life in Sweden.

Everybody, is it a huge pain to pick the largest font and turn the pages all the time?

Yes, with Calibre you can convert pdf / epub files to mobi, which is the format that can be used on the Kindle.

If the Kindle DX is too large, then it might be an idea for you to check out the Sony PRS 650 in stores over there and see how that would work for you.

Sony also has this ereader (in the US) : http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/s... . It has a 7 inch screen, and the specs give the following measurements : •Dimensions (Approx.) : 7.87 x 5.04 x 0.38 inches (WxHxD) without cover .

I personally think that a backlit screen would make reading harder, but you might want to get more opnions on that :-) . I am sensitive to getting headaches, so for me backlit screens would be terrible for long time reading. It does however remind me of the fact that my colleague has an ereader with a backlit screen, I will ask if I can look at it during lunch time and get the brand /specs for it.

Chandra and Eclipse and others, that is a great tip about the trainstations and airports! Thank you for warning me about backlit screens. So they are harder on the eyes! that I wouldn't have guessed. This means I should not get the Nook!

NOW I am thinking a normal size machine is going to be easier to use. I want to have it with me everywhere. And you all seem to say that the normal cover with light for the Amazon is fabulous. The glare isn't a problem?

I must have a big font. I am having trouble reading normal books. Does sombody know the different font sizes available on the respective machines? If I buy the normal Kindle, will the largest font size be smaller than if I get the DX version? How big(mm or cm) is the biggest font size in the normal Kindle ereader? I have to try and get the heigth of Sony's font. Jeeze, then there is the question of boldness. I cannot have skinny, thin little letters. Big and bold is what I am looking for.

At the Calibre site, can I do it the other way around - convert the amazon ebooks in mobi to pdf/epub files which I can use on a Sony or Nook ereader? This would mean I could buy any ereader and still have the large selection of ebooks which are available at Amazon.

AGAIN THANK YOU!

Chandra you helped me decide that a big reader isn't necessary b/c turning the pages is a piece of cake! So now the size is back to normal - I just need a reader with the font that is big and bold!

Chrissie wrote: "I have a question. I want to use a big font size. I have heard that then it is important to have a big screen, otherwise you are constantly turning the pages. So how big IS the biggest ereader's si..."

Chrissie: It seems like everyone has answered you're questions quite thoroughly. But I'll just add what I was told or researched in my recent search for an e-reader. Most of my info will support the Kindle. Only bc that's what I went with, and that's all I can definitely remember.

I believe Andrea is right with the Kindle DX having the largest screen. The e-readers get longer/wider but not thicker. So they're still light, and very portable.

All the Kindle's have WiFi, the newer ones have 3G access.
Idk about Wikipedia.
You don't have to have WiFi to download books, it comes with a USB cable.

The Kindle (at least the one I have) doesn't have a built-in light.
But that's so you can read outdoors/in the sunlight as well.
To read in the dark you'd have to buy a light.

I went to Best Buy and took a comparison sheet they had available.
The Kindle does have more books available.
It also has a longer battery life than the others.
It isn't as compatible with libraries and such though.

I hope that helps. Good luck & let us know how the search goes.

Chrissie:

My Kindle has 8 different font sizes. I just recently had to get glasses so I know how it is to have blurry vision. Even with my blurry vision and not wearing my glasses (they are still on order) my font is set on the 4th smallest font on my Kindle. Think of it of about a 14pt font on the computer. There are 8 font sizes. Go to Amazon.com and look at the Kindle. The have a pic of the font sizes there. Keep in mind, the font size can only be changed in a book... you cannot change the font size of the home screen where your book titles are listed.

The Kindle screen is comparable to a small paperback book. Page turning is a breeze and you almost forget that you are having to do it. These are the dimensions for the kindle total 7.5" x 4.8" x 0.335" . The screen is 6" diagonally.

I am also the one that has a Kindle and my husband has the NookColor. I think you have already answered your question about the backlit screen.

I have no problems reading on either of the devices, however, I don't like to read on the Nook for a long period of time. Think of it as reading on a computer screen (NookColor screen) and reading a paper book (Kindle Screen).

Another helpful thing that is on both devices (and I find myself wishing it was there on paper books too) is that if you come across a word you are not sure of you just move your cursor to the front of the word and the definition pops up for you.