Do I really want a ebook reader?

[RobertWagner]

I read about 2 hardcover books a week, all best seller fiction. I get my books from the Los Angeles Public Library, which allows best seller books to be kept for 3 weeks. LAPL also loans ebooks,(internet download) which self erase after 3 weeks. There is also a waiting list for best sellers.

Since my total cost for reading is nil, is there a benefit to buying a ebook reader?

[desertgrandma]

Welcome to MobileRead, RobertWagner

If you have to ask yourself that question the answer is probably "no".

If you are interested in reading more than just what is available at your public library, like some of the thousands of classics available here for free, or if you are interested in being able to read whatever you want, when ever you want, the answer may be "yes"

[soondai]

Hey Robert, I live in L.A. too and between the LAPL and the county system, there is a really good selection of ebooks (and paper books as well).

I really recommend checking out the county system. I mostly read nonfiction, but I have had several instances where I would reserve a new book through both and end up with a lengthy wait at LAPL and get the book almost immediately thru the county.

Seems to hold true to a lesser degree with ebooks as well.

I certainly have no regrets about getting an e-reader, but if you can already get all the books you want it may just come down to if you want a new (very enjoyable) toy or not.

[ProfCrash]

The nice thing about an e-reader is that it is lighter then a hard cover, you can adjust the font size for reading, and it is easier to carry with you. I would imagine that being able to download library books from home would be more convienent then going to the library itself but you might really look forward to trips to the library.

[GA Russell]

Robert, my jetBook Lite paid for itself in three months. The books that I read are not available from our Raleigh library, and many are free right here at MobileRead.

So if I were you, I would ask myself...Am I limiting my reading to what is available from the library?

[mldavis2]

I use a Kindle 3 and didn't know if I'd really like it or not. I do and here are some of the reasons:

1) Huge catalog of classic literature available for free
2) Lightweight -- I can hold it in one hand and turn the pages, and hold a cup of coffee in the other hand. No wrestling with a big, thick paperback.
3) Just lay it down and forget about finding that bookmark that always ends up between the sofa cushions. It always returns to the page where you left off.
4) Lots of indie (Independent) author works available for free or cheap that you'll never find in a public library
5) Most eBooks are sightly cheaper in eBook format than paper (pBook) publications (or at least should be).
6) You can take your reader on a trip and take dozens (or hundreds) of books with you in the palm of your hand

[JeremyR]

If all you read is bestsellers you borrow from the library, then no, not really. You might get some small benefits, like not having to go to the library or an e-book reader being easier to manage than a hardback. But eh...

(BTW, big Hart to Hart fan when I was a kid...)

[CazMar]

I have access to Adelaide University's big library as well as membership in several public libraries but I do love having a book reader. They are much easier to carry and the e-ink screen is very kind on your eyes. Also, if I feel like reading a particular genre, fiction or non fiction, it's all there and can be carried around with you. I also put study notes on the reader and then I can read these on the bus or wherever.

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by JeremyR

If all you read is bestsellers you borrow from the library, then no, not really. You might get some small benefits, like not having to go to the library or an e-book reader being easier to manage than a hardback. But eh...

(BTW, big Hart to Hart fan when I was a kid...)

... and you should probably check with your library to see what wait lists are like for electronic copies of best sellers. Again, you may be better off with hardcopy.

However, I much prefer my ebook for many reasons. Really too many to go into here, and too many to pick just one. It's like telling someone that they needed internet access or email several years ago. You can't really explain it, you just have to experience it.

So, my bottom line: 1) Are you comfortable with technology? 2) How painful is it to 'waste' $100 to $150. If 1) is yes, and the money is not material to you, go ahead and buy one and I think you will be surprised -- in most cases you can return it for no cost. For example, I believe (check with them) that a $139 Kindle from target can be returned at no cost (no restocking fee) for up to 30 days/ If budgets around your house are tight right now stick with your paper books.

[lene1949]

I started reading ebooks on my palm, because it was back lit, and I could carry a huge amount of books on that one tiny device...

When e-ink came out, I was quick to buy...

The other day, a workmate of mine moved my bag and said 'Geeze, your bag is heavy!' I responded 'yes! It would be... There are nearly 400 books in there'!

I then showed her what e-books are, how they work and where to get them...

One of these days, Australian are going to learn...

[cjottawa]

Originally Posted by RobertWagner

I read about 2 hardcover books a week, all best seller fiction. I get my books from the Los Angeles Public Library, which allows best seller books to be kept for 3 weeks. LAPL also loans ebooks,(internet download) which self erase after 3 weeks. There is also a waiting list for best sellers.

Since my total cost for reading is nil, is there a benefit to buying a ebook reader?

Howdy Robert!

Others have mentioned the usual selling points of e-readers already.

I'm particularly fond of having 75 books in a package the size of a single paperback.

I also like not having to physically GO to the library or risk late fees if I don't return on time. (the ebooks "expire")

One thing I'm not sure has been mentioned: "other reading material."

I've downloaded a number of reference manuals related to my work and I read blogs and news web sites on my Kindle via 3G (free) or WiFi (when at home or in a coffee shop).

The ability to do that makes the Kindle, for me, much more attractive than carrying paper.

It's an "electronic knowledge delivery system" (EKDS™) not an "electronic book replacement."

[pokee]

There IS a HUGE benefit and that is: CONVENIENCE. Your ereader would probably save you money in gas after about a year's time if you go to the library that often.

I know I've even had issues getting the library books back on time (I have kids and work full time - sometimes I am just too busy!), so I owe money on fines because of that. Not sure if that's happened to you before.

I live in BC Canada, and our online library ebook selection is quite minimal, but I am told that it's growing quickly. I was still able to check out 5 fairly new releases and I have 5 more on hold. I don't think I'll ever have a problem borrowing books that interest me. For anything I am dying to read, I don't mind paying the $10, because I'll probably want to keep it anyway to potentially re-read later on down the road (I would use this same logic when buying hardcovers vs. checking out at the library).

The best part about checking out ebooks is that you can do it online at anytime, it's easy to search, it's easy to put holds on them (and they email you when it's your turn to check them out). That convenience is worth it's weight in gold.

I use a Kobo (sold at Chapters/Indigo in Canada and sold at Walmart and Borders in USA) and it supports the ePub format that the libraries use (whereas the Kindle does not). Sony's ereader also supports epub.

I think most Kindle users use python and calibre to strip the DRM and convert to kindle's format, but quite honestly, why the extra step when another comparable ereader supports this format? And what if ePubs evolve to prevent this stripping/conversion? Sure, there will always be another progream available to conform, but as easy as it can be made out to be, any extra step to me is hassle, plain and simple.

Make the move - I think you'll be glad you did. I don't think I've met anyone to get an ereader that hated it!

[Monique]

Originally Posted by mldavis2

I use a Kindle 3 and didn't know if I'd really like it or not. I do and here are some of the reasons:

1) Huge catalog of classic literature available for free
2) Lightweight -- I can hold it in one hand and turn the pages, and hold a cup of coffee in the other hand. No wrestling with a big, thick paperback.
3) Just lay it down and forget about finding that bookmark that always ends up between the sofa cushions. It always returns to the page where you left off.
4) Lots of indie (Independent) author works available for free or cheap that you'll never find in a public library
5) Most eBooks are sightly cheaper in eBook format than paper (pBook) publications (or at least should be).
6) You can take your reader on a trip and take dozens (or hundreds) of books with you in the palm of your hand

Very nice summary. eReaders certainly aren't for everyone, but those are some compelling reasons to give it a go.

I have Kindle, which I'm enjoying, but I hope to get an iPad soon. It offers so much more and my old Kindle makes me feel like I'm stuck in 1995.

[RobertWagner]

Originally Posted by JeremyR

If all you read is bestsellers you borrow from the library, then no, not really. You might get some small benefits, like not having to go to the library or an e-book reader being easier to manage than a hardback. But eh...

(BTW, big Hart to Hart fan when I was a kid...)

[I] not that Robert Wagner

He's much older, and Im better looking

[JeremyR]

Drat, I was hoping you could say hello to Stephanie Powers for me (she still looks pretty good).

But yes, as was pointed out, forgot the point about waiting lists for the e-books. They are usually a lot longer than regular books, as there are fewer copies to begin with. So checking what your local library's list is like is really a huge factor.