To Kindle, or not to Kindle…
January 24, 2011
Actually, that’s probably not the question!
To Kindle or to Sony e-reader (or if you’re in the US, to Nook) is more accurate.
So many of my friends had Kindles or e-readers for Christmas; there’s evidence of e-books catching up fast on print sales – particularly from the established, dedicated e-publishers.
All of my own books are now available on Kindle, Nook etc and many friends are making their backlists available electronically – so it seems crazy for me not to have an e-reader.
Today, I saw a post from a Facebook friend that read:
Kindle is the spawn of beelzebub, I keep buying books!! and a comment that “Everyone I know who has one spends even more on books than normal which is a very good sign.”
I was going to wait until my birthday in July, but now I wonder if I can hold on that long.
So it’s now a case of when, not if, and what not whether.
Any tips or advice on choosing Kindle, Sony or Nook? Are you buying even more books since you had an e-reader? Do you still buy print books as gifts or if you’re browsing in a bookstore – or get a print copy if you loved the e-version?
Posted by Phillipa @ 6:20 am | Leave a Comment
Nell Dixon Says:
I love my kindle, I’m reading more widely and my library is expanding rapidly. I downloaded 7 free harlequin books from Amazon yesterday as well as all the ones I keep buying.
Rachel Lyndhurst Says:
Hi Phillipa,
I’ve got a Sony Touch and it’s gorgeous. Not only does it take all formats (I could be mistaken, but I don’t think Kindle does,and shoot me if I’m wrong!) but you can also upload your own work. Very useful when editing/revising and saves a ton of paper.
It has a special pen tucked inside that lets you make notes and probably does a lot of other things I haven’t discovered yet.
I still buy ‘real’ books as well, but I do think I’ve been buying more books in general as a result of getting the ereader. Not brave enogh to buy erotica in W H Smiths or Waterstones? DOWNLOAD IT!
Lyn McCulloch Says:
I was given a Kindle for Christmas and wasn’t sure that I’d like it. But I do. I love it! I too have bought more, and different books, than I would have otherwise. My only complaint is thenumber of books that are not yet available for Kindle.
I’d say go for it – but life will never be the same again!!!!!
Lyn xx
Phillipa Says:
Nell – trying new authors etc is a very positive benefit and free boks? 🙂
Rachel – thanks for tips. Kindle is quite a bit cheaper, isn’t it – there’s the rub!
Uploading my own books would be fabn for editing and proof reading. I do wonder what to have for first time. Very illumintaing that when people don’t feel pressured by ‘image’, they buy what they really want to read…liberating.
I also hear comments from Twitter: some people never buying a print book and the delivery is free to e-reader for readers in other countries – so any book, available anywhere, in theory.
Phillipa Says:
Lyn – I, have the bookshelf overflowing problem that puts me off acquiring even more – but e-books solve that. You’ve always got your book with uou on train, etc. if you’re fed up with one, you can move onto another.
I love the idea that you try new genres, authors etc because of the e-reader.
I feel a gadget hunt about to happen… price might be the decider.
Jude Says:
Hi Pip
When I first saw an ereader at conference I wondered what the fuss was about but someone told me about hers and how much she rated it … as soon as I got one (sony pocket on offer from MnB with titles on it – last year’s bday gift) well things changed. I use it loads. I download widely too. I use it to look at my work for proofing and get a sense of the book on the page. Plus I love the fact that when I’m snuggled in bed I just have one finger poking out to flip the page. I no longer have probs with the kids snaffling my bookmarks out so I forget where I am … the list goes on! I bought the light thing so I can read it when hubs is asleep. And I love that I can put as much or as little on there as I want and organise it all through the computer.
I’ve lent it out to friends. Now my friends are hovering desp to buy after just one test. But unsure whether kindle or sony like yourself. Either way I think you’ll just be hooked! I really do think it’s great news for publishing and I seem to get through more books this way.
I love mine. I still buy the odd print bk here and there but all in all it’s saving trees and p and p and I really really would not want to give it up!
Judy
PS I even download knitting patterns!!
bccmee Says:
I bought myself a Kindle for my birthday in November 2010 and love it! I’m reading more now because it’s so easy to access books and it’s more pleasing and comfortable to the eyes than other electronic devices. When it first arrived, the quick start directions were on the screen and I was stymied because I couldn’t figure out how to remove the instructions. It turns out that the device came powered on and that was the actual reading screen! The Kindle’s page display uses virtually no power and the reader can run up to a month on one charge. I have not paid for a single book since I prefer the classics anyway and it’s easy to find everything in the public domain.
Sometimes I imagine discussions between Darcy and Bingley about the size of their respective Kindle libraries. 😉
Sue Roebuck Says:
Kindle, Phillipa. I too have bought more books since I got mine for Christmas, but for me they’re cheaper (I live in Europe). I still read print-books and I’ll never stop browsing in a bookshop but I do love the Kindle. And it’s great for reviewing books because you can put in notes and underline stuff (which I wouldn’t do with a paper book).
Debs Says:
A few months ago my husband asked if I wanted a Kindle, I told him that I couldn’t ever imagine wanting to read a book from an e-reader. I was given one for Christmas and love it!
I don’t think my Kindle will ever replace paperback books, but I do love it and it’s so easy to put in my handbag for going to the hairdressers, travelling, etc. Now I’ll have more space in my case for clothes and shoes.
Phillipa Says:
Wow… I think the tide has swept over this Canute already. My OH loves gadgets and probably won’t need any persuasion to hang round the Sony shop or Kindle store… and buy me one for my birthdauy… or Mother’s day – if I can last that long!
Interesting that you tend to buy more with an e reader than without…
liz fenwick Says:
Dh has the sony which is great for traveling and i have an ipad. I din’t think I’d read on it but low and behold I am….
Good luck
lx
Jane Odiwe Says:
I’ve got a kindle and love it! DH has kindle and sony reader – he prefers the sony, (it’s a bit posher) but can’t get all the books he likes, so uses his kindle more often. Hope that helps!