The problem I’m running into right now is I have a list of 5 or 6 books I’m somewhat interested in reading. But I don’t want to spend $100 on books that I don’t know if I’ll like or am only mildly interested in reading. I try to buy used whenever possible, but I’m thinking maybe a kindle and/or the kindle unlimited would allow me to read those books. And if I don’t like them, I can stop halfway without it feeling like a waste. And if it’s really good, then I found a get to read a book I otherwise probably wouldn’t.
I really don’t know what to think. This is all new as I’ve been 100% pro-book for years. I’ve never even considered an e-reader until today. I miss the days of being able to go to Borders, get a cup of coffee and sit down to read a part of a book. And if it was interesting, I would buy it. But if it was terrible, I could just put it back.
Fair. I do read some books on my iPad. I try to limit it to pretty light read/rom com type books since I’ve never fully absorbed myself into a e-read. Like books I want to dive in and love have to be real books
I’ve had a kindle for 3ish years and I can’t imagine my life without it. I got it when I decided to read every night before sleeping instead of scrolling social media. It’s way easier than trying to fiddle with a book light. I can rent books through my local library and send them right to the kindle.
I am on my third Kindle. I have the Paperwhite and I love it. I have an embarrassing amount of books to read on it but it’s perfect for me especially when I’m traveling (remember traveling?) and am not sure what I’ll be in the mood for. It’s way better than using the Kindle app on an iPad because of the glare factor.
I’m primarily a physical copy person, but I do have a Nook that’s really awesome for traveling/the beach/whenever I’m between trips to the bookstore but need to read absolutelyrightnow. It’s been good to me. I’d recommend checking the Nook line out as well.
I just got me and my wife kindles because reading more was a priority for both of us. Kindles are on sale right now I think and I really dont think you could go wrong with either. We got KindleUnlimited for a trial but it doesn’t appear that every single book is available through that option so it may not be worth it to you.
What we do is using the Libby app (paired with your library card) you can check out ebooks through your library and just send them to your reader.
I only buy books that I want to own and make notes in, everything else I’m fine with it being digital.
Libby is pretty awesome. This post reminded to extend the holds on my updated account and while I was playing around in the app I just found out you can borrow magazines too. That’s definitely going to save some money.
Thanks everyone! I’ve been so “anti e-reader” that I literally don’t know anything about how any of them are different. But with libraries and online resources offering free books, plus some of the extras Amazon offers, it’s just become too hard to ignore. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I want to read more, so I need to do something.
Before I dive too deep on Kindle research, is there any reason to look at anything else. @mcdonart22 threw in a vote for a Nook. Anything else worth looking at? Or should I just give Jeff Bezos more money?
I have become very pro-Kindle in the recent years. It has really allowed me to read more than before.
I have a Kindle Oasis, which I like a bit more than the Paperwhite because of the physical page turn buttons (making it easier to use it with just your left hand). The Paperwhite is quite good and it certainly fits in the back pocket of jeans better when getting on a plane or whatever. I really only got the Oasis as I was able to get the employee discount on it when I worked at Best Buy HQ.
The library book part of it is amazing. I use the Overdrive app to check out books and it is seamless/flawless. I have saved so much money on books that I have easily paid for the Kindle. I also like that the 21-day checkout period sometimes gives me a deadline that I need.
All of that said, there are two huge things I love about Kindle:
There is no email, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Netflix, etc. on Kindle. It’s a dumb device that is perfect. I pick that up and I can dive in a bit.
Synching between devices. Back in the days when I would go to the office, I would sometimes read a bit at lunch on the Kindle app. When I would go home, I would pick up my Kindle and, like magic, it would go to the last page I read on my iPad or iPhone.
Other things I like:
Backlighting is nice to have and you don’t need a light.
Ability to make the font bigger on the page (you’ll appreciate this more as you get older)
Having multiple books on one device.
Here’s a good NYT review on the Kindle Oasis that I thought was good.
Yep. It’s amazing. Go to the website of your local library system and see what their setup is. Usually it is pretty clear and pretty easy to set up an account (assuming you have a library card).
Wow, just finished INTERIOR CHINATOWN. Really looking forward to the discussion - without spoilers or whatnot, I will say that during the read I had a lot of questions about the format and setting, and somehow at the end, on reflecting on it, everything made a ton of sense and was really powerful. Can’t wait to chat about it.
On the library front, I just started using Kanopy to watch the Ken Burns Vietnam documentary. A little late for the Matterhorn discussion but it appears to be a really solid resource.
I am very anti-Amazon and thus went with a slightly lesser evil with the Kobo Libra H2O. It’s really nice, and you can sideload stuff really easily. Has overdrive integration and pocket integration. I save articles during the day to pocket and read them at night.