Chucky Mama Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 (edited) I quite like the look of the new eBook readers like this one: http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/reader-ebook plus Amazon are bringing out their own toward Christmas time: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00154JDAI?amp%3Brw_absolute=y I and am thinking of putting one down on my Christmas list. I do love buying 'real' books but these gadgets look so nifty plus they have the advantage of not taking up space either around the house or in a suitcase or handbag. They say that you will be able to get the newspaper sent to it or buy and book and in will be sent straight to the reader pretty much wherever you are Does anyone have them or have any knowledge of how good/bad they are? Edited September 19, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I treated myself to a Sony e-reader for the summer holidays based on the praises sung of it by Omlet forum members. I have to agree with them...it is really fab! I have loaded it with lots of the classic books that I have always intended to read but never got around to (such as Anna Karenina, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Crime and Punishment, Around the World in 80 days etc), and have also found some great websites where you can download free e-books (mainly old ones but quite a lot of modern "Creative Commons" books). One good one is http://ManyBooks.net. I have got 68 books on it now and am working my way through them. I am aiming to avoid buying books for quite a while. I read 19 on holiday in Sweden for 4 weeks...no way could I have packed that many books in my suitcase ! One annoying thing is that the books you buy (as opposed to download free) cost the same as getting the paper version which seems mad ! I can just slip it in my handbag and take to read at Dr's surgeries, the hairdresser, waiting while DS warms up before his football matches etc. At first the page turning seemed too slow but I quickly learnt to press the button to turn the page a bit earlier so I can read the last couple of lines on the page while the machine is "thinking about" the new page. Now it seems completely natural to read it. It is fine to read in bright sunlight too...in fact probably easier than a real book, plus you can put it down outside and the wind doesn't turn the pages over for you!! It only needs charging up about once a week and this is done via the USB port on the computer, so one can load up new books on it while it recharges ! You would have to have a computer in order to download books as there is some software that comes with the reader that is used to send the book to the machine. Therefore, you could only have the newspaper or book sent to you if you have a computer as the reader doesn't have a modem or whatever, but perhaps the new ones will be different? So far I am in love with it. I'm sure some of the forum members who have had one for a while will be able to comment further and perhaps on its durability. Go for it, I say! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I bought one this year, i love it the reasons i bought it were: Its portable It holds 100 and something in the books memory and 1000's of books with a memory card added. I read quick and don't have alot of room to store books so one slimline digital book is great. Ideal for holidays and any form of transport. i even purchased a waterproof bag for the beach lol it has a long battery life I found american websites so saving a bit of money on downloads. I don't get hand ache holding it open like i do sometimes with paperbacks as i hate bending the spines on books lol the only downside is the selection of books isn't great yet, luckily i'm a browse and see what i fancy type rather than set my heart on 1 book, but that will improve as they become more popular. If anyone has found harry Potter i'd love to know where ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I have the e reader on my iphone and its great. Good size print, comfortable to read and always in my pocket or bag. Its great so Im sure the other ones are as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I have been after one for ages, & almost asked for one last Christmas, but wanted to wait a while & see some reviews. I am most interested in the Amazon Kindle (both your links are to the Sony one!), as I have heard very good things about it & I like to use Amazon anyhow. I think the books range may be better for the Kindle too. Its also woreless so you can get newspapers & so forth. Amazon are launching this in the UK very soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 No, I haven't, but thinking about it - OH would love it if all my bookshelves were no longer groaning under their burden and I didn't hump an enormous bag on holiday full of reading matter! As you say lalefm it does seem daft that downloads aren't cheaper than 'real' books. But I love our local bookshop and don't want them to close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 (both your links are to the Sony one!) oops sorry, just changed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Mum ended up getting the Sony one a couple of weeks ago when Currys and therefore John Lewis slashed £50 off the price. She is very pleased although we could do with some good download sites. She was reading it today at the hearing clinic and having a good chuckle to herself as people were whispering about it to their partners - of course these people were mostly hard of hearing so thier whispers were rather loud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 i would love one but worried that i wont like the books available as like reading chick lit a lot. However i do have a bee in my bonnet about one and dont think i can wait til the amazon kindle is out!!!! Excuse the typing other hand holding a glass of wine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 I am busting to get one but OH wont know what to get me for Christmas so I need to have something to put on my Christmas list. I don't 'do' waiting very well though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Shhhh dont tell anyone...I have ordered an ereader from John Lewis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 hey I got a sony one a while ago and i would totally recomend it i love it to bits. In my house we liked it so much that after i got my one my mother bought one for herself. It's really reliable and really easy to use.The only slight thing is that PDFs are very slow turning pages however if you put stuff into word it works perfectly Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Call me old fashioned but I'd hate one. It's like an analogue watch. It tells you not just the time but you can relate to the past and next hour without thinking. How do you chase back to check up on a character whose relationship to the story you've forgotten? If you have an e reader how do you quickly flick back to the page you were reading before the last three that you seem to have read without taking any of it in? How do you zip forward just the right distance to make sure that the thing that has you just fearfully on the edge doesn't actually happen so that you can go back and read at a more leisurely and safe pace? How do you know how far along the story you are? How can you say to yourself, half asleep but still reading that unputdownable volume, It's OK only another four pages and I'll put out the light? Perhaps you do none of these. Me? I sometimes read the last page first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 How do you chase back to check up on a character whose relationship to the story you've forgotten?you can enter a page number and jump there If you have an e reader how do you quickly flick back to the page you were reading before the last three that you seem to have read without taking any of it in?again you just pick how many you want to go back and enter the number How do you zip forward just the right distance to make sure that the thing that has you just fearfully on the edge doesn't actually happen so that you can go back and read at a more leisurely and safe pace?you can jump page numbers How do you know how far along the story you are?you get given what page you are out of how many are in the book i.e 150 out of 300 How can you say to yourself, half asleep but still reading that unputdownable volume, It's OK only another four pages and I'll put out the light?not sure i'm totally getting this one but you turn pages as normal and you can bookmark spots or even just turn it off and it will turn on at the same page Perhaps you do none of these. Me? I sometimes read the last page first I do this and it is as easy as using a normal book I was really sceptical however once i got my hands on one it was great and because i read fast i'm no longer doing my back in carrying 6 books when i travel. I'd add this is with the sony i don't know about the amazon one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I might have a look at one But I hate digital watches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Got it yesterday and I.......LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read it last night in bed til I drifted off. Already have about 5 book son it I want to read as treated myself on Waterstones. I bought the reduced one from John Lewis and its red. There are two new ones coming out (or out already not sure) one is a smaller pocket one (I didnt need this as wont be carrying it around or on trains) and the other is a touch one which would be great but the cost was well over £200. I just love it and if you read loads GET ONE. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 Got it yesterday and I.......LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read it last night in bed til I drifted off. Already have about 5 book son it I want to read as treated myself on Waterstones. I bought the reduced one from John Lewis and its red. There are two new ones coming out (or out already not sure) one is a smaller pocket one (I didnt need this as wont be carrying it around or on trains) and the other is a touch one which would be great but the cost was well over £200. I just love it and if you read loads GET ONE. x Which model do you have mazzyc? I am so I am going to struggle waiting until Christmas. I do worry though as l like to read in a long hot bath and I am sure the steam wont be good for an eBook reader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 this one http://www.johnlewis.com/230619643/Product.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 this onehttp://www.johnlewis.com/230619643/Product.aspx It looks as if it displays only two or three sentences per page. Is that right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 It looks as if it displays only two or three sentences per page. Is that right? Na they just have it formatted in a silly way on the pic. Depending on text size it can almost the same amount of lines as an ordinary paperback. It's a silly pic for them to show i've got the same one in silver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 I am now twitching as I don't know if I can wait until Christmas - I don't 'do' waiting very well. I might have to go and buy myself one. Trouble is what if the Amazon Kindle is better? Oh..now I am in a real pickle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 i am terrible and when I want something i just get it as can't get the bee out of my bonnet! It is about a small page per ereader 'page' and now i am used to it its just like reading a book, so much so that i often go to turn the page instead of pressing the button. You can put photos on it and listen to your music via it too whilst reading. No idea if the amazon kindle is going to be better just knew I couldnt wait another few months!!! If you are the sort of person that can wait then do and try both and see which you prefer (I assume with the amazon one you order it and if dont like it as much you send it back as doubt it will be in a shop???). Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 The Gadget Show did a review of e-readers about a year ago. See here video link (You have to put up with a couple of ads before the actual video plays) for a video of the programme. They looked at the Sony e-reader, the Amazon Kindle, the Iliad book reader and the BeBook. Not sure if the machines they reviewed are still current models but it gives you an idea of what they look like at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Oh I'm wavering. £230 would buy a lot of Dan Browns at a fiver though I might just wait to see if Apple come up with a larger version of the Touch as is rumoured. Steve Jobs seems to back with a new liver so watch this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 The Gadget Show did a review of e-readers about a year ago. See here video link (You have to put up with a couple of ads before the actual video plays) for a video of the programme. They looked at the Sony e-reader, the Amazon Kindle, the Iliad book reader and the BeBook. Not sure if the machines they reviewed are still current models but it gives you an idea of what they look like at least. Thank you for the link, I have just watched it and am now I think a bit closer to having to go out and get a Sony. I am trying to justify myself by saying that they could sell out come Christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
