2015 Reading Challenge [Closed] discussion

Hi all,
I've always said I will always prefer real books, but I'm considering getting an e-reader just for the times I need it, such as traveling etc.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a good e-reader that is also good value?
Thanks :)

I like having an Android device (I have the Google Nexus 7) because I have the Nook app, the Kindle app, and I can also download books from Google Play as well. It is nice for getting the best deal on a book. A lot of times they're around the same price but sometimes one or the other will have a sale on the book I'm looking for and I can get the best deal.

Google Play also has an app called Google Opinion Reward you can use to take these small surveys. If you answer a few questions (literally 3-4 questions) they give you money on your Google Wallet account that you can use to buy books (or anything from the Google Play store). That's also a nice way to save a few bucks here and there. :)

I have a Kindle (somewhere around here), but I mainly use my iPad. (So does Taylor!)

It's awesome because 1) It's an ipad!
2) You can download the Kindle AND Nook app
3) Many libraries give you free access to other reading apps (such as Blio or Axis Reader) and you can check out brand new books for free!


...I just really like my ipad :P I also got a used one from Ebay so it doesn't cost me an arm or leg.

My Android device does allow me to use Overdrive for library e-books but most of them, through my library, can be loaned via the Kindle app also. Not sure if that is something that is done on a library by library basis. Each library may be different?

I have an HP Slate with the kindle app and google play. I love it because I can use it for other things as well, such as a shopping list and playing games.

Keeks wrote: "I should have clarified. Kindle is not library friendly in Canada. At least it wasn't last time I checked"

Ouch. That sucks, Keeks. Hopefully that will change at some point.

I am TOTALLY a real book person. That said, I recently bought myself a Kindle Paperwhite using my Amazon points. :)

I have a tablet (iPad) so I didn't need anything more than a reader for my ereader. The Paperwhite was recommended to me by another message board that I belong to because you can read in any light conditions -- a dark room or bright sunlight. I have used it for both -- in the middle of the night when I didn't want to turn on a light and possibly disturb my husband, and in bright light while waiting to pick up my daughter from dance.

I like being able to stick it in my purse, and can have more than one book started so I can read whatever I'm in the mood for. Well, I mean I ALWAYS have more than one book started, lol. But when I'm heading out for carpool pickup or dance pickup I don't want to haul four books with me. With the Kindle I can just think "hmm....am I in the mood for a mystery, some historical fiction, or fluff?"

I can also use Overdrive from my library. I like that because I never have to worry about books being overdue. When it's due it just disappears from the Kindle. :)

I still like to hold real books though. I'm too old to be totally converted. lol :)

Thanks everyone for your input! I have a tablet so will test the kindle app on that for a bit and then if I don't like it I'll look into the kindles. My tablet doesn't have great battery life so that's my biggest worry right now!

@Nikki: Do you have and Android tablet? There are many applications for your library in the Google Play Story. My favourite by far is Moon+ Reader, but there are many others you can check out. Normally, your tablet shouldn't consume a lot of battery if you're just reading, especially if you set the brightness to a minimum.

I have an old Nook, a Kindle, and books on my Iphone. With that being said, my Nook has already reached it's memory capacity and my Kindle is getting slow (I wonder if maybe I have too many books on each? hmm) Anyway, since you can't get the Nook app on the Kindle I thought in a couple of months getting an Ipad, putting all the apps on there and having all my e books in one place. Hopefully I don't kill it right away. haha I would say I love my Kindle very much.

Nikki wrote: "Thanks everyone for your input! I have a tablet so will test the kindle app on that for a bit and then if I don't like it I'll look into the kindles. My tablet doesn't have great battery life so th..."

I forgot to mention that the Kindle Paperwhite's battery life seems to last forever. lol

You should also consider what you will be using the reader for. I have a Nook Touch with Glowlight. It's awesome. I can turn on the backlight if the room is dark, but it still uses e-ink, so there is no computer screen glare. It is, however, ONLY for books. It's got a black and white screen and there is no internet connection. This is what I wanted. I wanted it to read books on.

If you're looking for something that you can read on, but also get internet access, or you want something that can also read magazines, cookbooks, comics, picture books (i.e. things that require color), I would say look into either the Nook Color, Kindle Fire, or an iPad. But if you're looking for something that you can just download and read books on, I love my Nook Touch. There is plenty of space on the new ones, the battery lasts a long time, even using the Glowlight, and the touch makes it so much easier to use than the old Nook uses to be. (I had one of those as well).

Thanks for all the feedback. But thanks to Lorraine's great review I decided to go with the Kindle Paperwhite! It sounds perfect for what I want to use it for. Plus I have my tablet on the side if I ever want to use that for different apps. But I think I'll be pretty happy with my Kindle.

I never thought I would buy one so now I'm excited to see how much I'll use it!

Nikki wrote: "Thanks for all the feedback. But thanks to Lorraine's great review I decided to go with the Kindle Paperwhite! It sounds perfect for what I want to use it for. Plus I have my tablet on the side if ..."
:) I hope you like it! I also never thought I'd have and use an ereader but I love the convenience.

Also, I just learned how to use the highlight feature, and then how to find a list of things I've highlighted. You can pull that up, choose the quote you want and it will take you back to that page. Very handy. In some ways it's easier to do it that way than to say "now which page was that quote about [whatever]....?" and then flip through pages of a book.

NEVER thought I'd say something was easier on an ereader. rofl. I still love my paper books though. I haven't totally gone over to the dark side. lolol :p

Lorraine wrote: "Nikki wrote: "Thanks for all the feedback. But thanks to Lorraine's great review I decided to go with the Kindle Paperwhite! It sounds perfect for what I want to use it for. Plus I have my tablet o..."

I ordered mine online so now I just want it to get here!!

I agree, Lorraine - I'll never give up completely on paper books, but I love the convenience of the e-reader.

Nikki - I hope you enjoy your new e-reader! :)

Congrats on your e-reader purchase, Nikki. I hope you enjoy it. I think all book lovers go through that hesitation when they buy their first e-reader. It kind of feels like you're cheating on books a bit, haha. At least it did for me. I found this quote on GoodReads by Stephen Fry after I bought my first Kindle (the old Kindle keyboard model) and really liked it.

“Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators.” - Stephen Fry

Michelle wrote: "“Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators.” - Stephen Fry"

Love it! Thanks Michelle :)

I was rather nervous to get an e-reader (I now have 2--first was gifted a Nook then purchased a Kindle Fire on Ebay) but I was always frustrated that authors would put out books (novellas mostly) that were only available as e-book. And my iPod has just such a small screen that I would freeze it up a little cuz I was "flipping pages" too quickly. LOL!! Now, I'm happy!

My favourite was/is Moon+Reader, but I explored into a new ereader called PocketBook and I am enjoying...