E-Books

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 9:11 pm

I've had a Kindle for a while now and suddenly realized I haven't read a 'real' book for quite some time. Have to say I absolutely adore and love my ebook. It is a new invention that I just love. I can hardly see me going to back to reading books and while I know this sounds really lazy - I prefer clicking to turn the page rather than actually turning the page......height of decadence eh?

Really the Kindle is great. You can get books so easily and I find I can read a book so much more quickly and easily on a Kindle too. Guess this can be considered good and bad.

Our local library here has JUST started to lend ebooks which come in EPUB format. This is also totally SUPER! You can browse online and find a book AND you don't have to worry about returning the book either cause when the lending period expires the book will electronically go back. No more library fines at all!

Our local library has told me that by this fall I should be able to get e-library books delievered to my Kindle. This will be a real bonus as right now I can only get them delievered to my computer.

I've never really endorsed too many items but Kindles - or any electronic ebook - is just GREAT!!!

Post by **Horus** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:10 pm

I do not read very much now days as my eyes tire very easily if I do, however Mrs H is an avid reader and goes through a bag load of books every week. I have tried on several occasions to buy her a Kindle, but she is a bit of a technophobe and no amount of persuasion works. She is also a supporter of the local library, so maybe feels she would be letting them down I suppose. Maybe as our own libraries get in on the act she may be persuaded otherwise.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:41 am

Ok so NOW I think I want a "Nook" which is Barnes and Noble's version of a Kindle but so much more advanced. The Nook comes in colour and you actually have to touch the screen to turn the page of your book. Coworker bought one and brought it into the office today. Makes my Kindle look like a Studebaker car. You can also check email too! Pretty neato setup........

Post by **Bearded Brian** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 7:07 am

Must say that I'm very happy using my netbook as my e-book - ok it might not be as easy to hold or to navigate around but it's only one bit of 'kit' to carry around.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:32 pm

@BB - I actually am now able to download e-books from the local library onto my laptop. It is GREAT! You can order the books electronically and they also automatically return when your time allocation is over. 'tis fantastic!

I love going TO the library and selecting books but sometimes I've been lax in getting them back hence this new technology is just wonderful for me!

Post by **Horus** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 11:13 pm

I just wish that the UK libraries would adopt this, it sounds like a great idea.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:10 am

I'm truly hoping e-books are a way of the future. I can't see how they'd ever wear out are "eco-green friendly" in that you can get them from the comfort of your own home.

I've been kinda wondering though if libraries go to 'ebooks' how all the other ebook sellers (Barnes & Noble, Amazon etc.) will fare and have been wondering if they're at all boycotting selling to libraries. I'm quite sure that all the kiddies coming up now will never want to read paperbooks as they'll be too used to ebooks.

I used to have a backpack and literally laboured under the weight of carrying home textbooks in both the pack and my arms. NOW 'bout all one needs is the equivalent of carry around one small laptop and you can have all your books right on it!

Post by **Morgita** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:00 am

I think putting academic texs on e-book would be amazing. Both of my kids were laden like pack mules in the last couple of years of school. I used to genuinely worry that they might suffer some permanent damage to their spines. I love my kindle to bits. I recently went on holiday and it was great to bring a selection of books with minimum weight. I have mentioned before about an injury which left me with nerve damage and a dodgy left arm. Holding a paperback, especially a big one, was so uncomfortable. The advent of the kindle was a real gift. I still buy the occasional paperback out of guilt and the fear that I may be contributing to the demise of the bookshop. My only criticism of the kindle is the inability to share books with family and friends.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:00 am

@ Morgita - I have the same complaint that I can't share my kindle books with anyone. I've complained directly to them and they've said "sorry" but that is the way it is.

A feature of the Nook ebook is that you CAN share books you've bought. There are rules about this sharing in that I think you can only share a book with a friend for a maximum of 2 times for 14 days each time. Still a great feature that I wish the Kindle had. The Nook also allows you to download books ebooks from the library while the Kindle doesn't allow this.

Post by **Horus** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:27 am

No doubt that as things progress and more people come into the e-book market that things will change. Modern technology is always driven by rivalry and once someone else offers a better service or option then the rest usually have to follow.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:23 am

As of two days ago most of the libraries here are now 'loaning' books to Kindle. Went online to see if the library had anything new to offer and they had just added an icon to all the 'e' books that they can now send electronic library books to Kindle! It is the wave of the future

Post by **Jayway** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:21 am

I am happy for you LLL, till the electric goes - - -

Post by **BillH** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 6:26 pm

As many of you here are older than me,

then I would like to know if these Kindle devices are easier on the eye.

As I rapidly approach my 50th year as an observer here on earth, my eyesight is dimming somewhat, and occasionally ( especially inside ) I have difficulty reading printed text.

I have a pair of reading specs that do help on these occasions, but I do not need to carry them around with me all the time just yet, only after being awake for a long time do I find that I rely on them more.

Would the kindle Help ?

Your experiences would be of great assistance, thank you

Post by **Kiya** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:54 pm

I recieved a Kindle recently & would'nt be without it now

I have to wear reading glasses all the time for reading & using the computer & as I do most of my reading in bed (helps sleep) the Kindle is very easy to handle & use

The screen size is 6 approx, easy to read in any kind of light even out doors in sun light, you can increase the text size to suit your own eyesight which I did slightly, I think the only thing if you increased the text a great deal you would be pressing the button to turn the pages more often but, as you do the page turns quicker than if you were to do manually with a normal paperback.

Hope this helps a bit

Post by **Morgita** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:24 am

I am a few years older than you and use reading glasses for most things these days, including even tapping in my PIN for a purchase.

I am much attached to my kindle and find it really easy on the eye. I use a fairly capacious handbag and take my kindle everywhere with me. If I have to pick up the son and heir I just get out the kindle and chill. Saves me wringing his neck when I have to wait around. Going on hols i can bring a selection of books with no worries about weight and space. I had begun to find reading in bed really awkward but the kindle has solved that problem for me as you turn a page with a flick of a button and no issue about transferring the weight from one hand to the other. In short I simply wouldn't be without it now. It does tie you into Amazon for purchases but they produce a huge range for kindle including lots of free/very cheap books.

Post by **Winged Isis** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:21 am

They usually have a range of font sizes, use Grey-scale "ink" and are not back-lit like a computer (so can easily be read in full sunlight), so that all makes them easy to read, no matter the state of your eyes. The only downside is you need a light at night, but just buy an el- cheapo booklight to clip on. I love my Kobo! I haven't bought one extra "book" yet, as I am working my way through those that came with it for free.... imagine, I can travel all around the world with 100 books in my handbag and "they" weigh only 250g and are the size of one small paperback! The power charge lasts 2 weeks, too. Amazing! if you are a keen reader and traveller, you are nuts if you don't get one. Stores here have them connected, so you can try before you buy (I'm sure they do there, too). Mine is always in my handbag, both home and travelling, and people are always asking me about it.

Post by **Horus** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:18 am

You can also dowload the Kindle software (for free) to your PC or laptop and get the same service as you would with a Kindle, obviously this is not the same as reading on the actual device.

My main criticism is that Amazon have restricted the use here in the UK to their own store and it is not possible to access my local libraries ebook loan section because of this restriction. there is actually a note on their library website that says "Due to Amazons restrictions we cannot download to Kindle devices" which I find to be a bit out of order, after all you do not buy a CD player to be told you may only play films made by MGM on the device.

Much as I like Amazon as a market place, I do hate these attempts to tie people in to them by using restrictive software, the sooner someone produces a device that is soley a reader capable of displaying any ebook from any supplier the better these devices will become.