MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Looking for a reader with public library support, not tied to specific bookstore

skueppers · 12-29-2010, 05:35 PM

I've been reading e-books for years -- I probably read my first Project Gutenberg e-book 20 years ago. I've also purchased e-books from Baen Books over the years, and have enjoyed CD's they've included with some of their books. I really haven't been paying very much attention to the e-book universe in the last five or six years, simply re-reading old favorites or downloading free classics from Project Gutenberg.

I only ever bought one e-book with DRM, and am not particularly enthusiastic about doing it again, though I suppose it's possible I might for an occasional, much-loved title. I've moved through quite a few handheld devices over the years for reading e-books (several different Palm devices, a Nokia device, an iPod touch, and now an iPhone), so I'm very conscious of the need to have books in unencrypted formats that can be easily moved to new hardware in the future.

Recently, I've been feeling that an e-ink device would be useful, as I've been starting to experience some eyestrain when reading for long periods on the iPhone. I'm also entering a period in my life where I am doing more reading than I had been for the last few years.

I'm looking for a device that:

* Has e-ink
* Is compatible with Adobe DRM ePub, since my library offers books via Overdrive.
* Can be used with a computer running MacOS and/or Ubuntu
* Does not require the use of any particular online book store
* Fits in my purse

In an ideal universe, it would be great if this device could download books from various sources directly via WiFi, but this is a less critical feature. I do enjoy being able to download books directly to Stanza on the iPhone, but I'm OK with needing to use a computer to load the reader with books.

I do not have a burning need to read the latest bestsellers on my e-book reader. If I really need to read it, I can borrow the paper book from the library.

Which readers should I be considering? I have a feeling that the Sony 650 might be a good choice for me, but are there others I should look at? Can the Nook be used the way I am thinking of using this device, or is it too tightly tied to the B&N store? What about the Kobo? It seems to support very few file formats, but maybe if I started using Calibre, this wouldn't seem important?

12-29-2010, 05:35 PM	#1
skueppers Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPhone	Looking for a reader with public library support, not tied to specific bookstore I've been reading e-books for years -- I probably read my first Project Gutenberg e-book 20 years ago. I've also purchased e-books from Baen Books over the years, and have enjoyed CD's they've included with some of their books. I really haven't been paying very much attention to the e-book universe in the last five or six years, simply re-reading old favorites or downloading free classics from Project Gutenberg. I only ever bought one e-book with DRM, and am not particularly enthusiastic about doing it again, though I suppose it's possible I might for an occasional, much-loved title. I've moved through quite a few handheld devices over the years for reading e-books (several different Palm devices, a Nokia device, an iPod touch, and now an iPhone), so I'm very conscious of the need to have books in unencrypted formats that can be easily moved to new hardware in the future. Recently, I've been feeling that an e-ink device would be useful, as I've been starting to experience some eyestrain when reading for long periods on the iPhone. I'm also entering a period in my life where I am doing more reading than I had been for the last few years. I'm looking for a device that: * Has e-ink * Is compatible with Adobe DRM ePub, since my library offers books via Overdrive. * Can be used with a computer running MacOS and/or Ubuntu * Does not require the use of any particular online book store * Fits in my purse In an ideal universe, it would be great if this device could download books from various sources directly via WiFi, but this is a less critical feature. I do enjoy being able to download books directly to Stanza on the iPhone, but I'm OK with needing to use a computer to load the reader with books. I do not have a burning need to read the latest bestsellers on my e-book reader. If I really need to read it, I can borrow the paper book from the library. Which readers should I be considering? I have a feeling that the Sony 650 might be a good choice for me, but are there others I should look at? Can the Nook be used the way I am thinking of using this device, or is it too tightly tied to the B&N store? What about the Kobo? It seems to support very few file formats, but maybe if I started using Calibre, this wouldn't seem important? Last edited by skueppers; 12-29-2010 at 06:14 PM. Reason: Added part about Kobo at the end.