Looking for a reader with public library support, not tied to specific bookstore

[skueppers]

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?

[vxf]

SONY PRS... probably the 650 if you don't want anything too big... I personally prefer the 950.

Doh, I just realized you already had that in your post... but yes, that seems to be the best fit for your needs...

[ATDrake]

1) The Nook can certainly be used to read library books, and while B&N uses its proprietary DRM for its own books (and has partnered with Adobe to make it available as part of the next generation of the ADE SDK now, so more readers in the future will be able to use it), it can also read ADE-DRM books from other stores without problems, and load up non-DRM books without problems, so it's not like you're locked into B&N.

The Nook does reserve certain features for B&N bought books, like the covers showing up in the "Cover Flow" collection browser in the touchscreen, but if you're willing to root your Nook, you can use those features on non-B&N books, too.

2) The Kobo is a basic low-cost reader that will do library books well enough. But currently it doesn't navigate internal links very well (this is planned for a future firmware update), so if you read stuff with footnotes like academic non-fiction or Terry Pratchett, you may want to consider a different device.

Like the Nook, Kobo can shop at any ADE-compatible/DRM-free store. And currently it reserves its new dictionary function for Kobo-bought books, though perhaps that will expand in the future.

3) Sonys are generally well-made (if a bit pricey), but if you can catch one on sale, so much the better. They're the only manufacturer besides Amazon to have secured the new Pearl e-ink screen (with better contrast, etc.) for some of their reader models, so if you want the most up-to-date technology in that area, it's a good choice.

4) Both the ADE software you'll need for downloading and transferring ADE-DRM books, and the Sony Reader Library app you'd need for managing certain aspects of your Sony, will work on a Mac, Intel or PPC, 10.4+ (I have an old PowerBook and a new Mac Mini, and they work about the same on both {slow, somewhat buggy, but reasonably functional}).

The Kobo Desktop app you need for managing your Kobo requires an Intel Mac, 10.5+ I think.

B&N doesn't require an app to manage/transfer its books and you can just drag and drop them when the Nook is mounted via USB. But you do need ADE for library books.

ADE can apparently be used under Wine in Linux, but it's said to be a bit tricky to install and get working properly.

Hope this helps, and welcome to MobileRead!

[skueppers]

Thanks, that was very helpful! I think the Sony reader probably does best meet my needs.

[speedtouch]

The PocketBook 360 is quite small and meets all your requirements.

[david_e]

I am using the same type of set-up as you are suggesting with great success. I have a PRS-650 that I am using with my Macbook to read books primarily downloaded from my local library. I also use Calibre (on a netbook running Ubuntu) with books from Project Gutenberg, converting to epub, and moving the books to an SD card for use in my reader.

Personally, I am thrilled with my 650 and couldn't imagine anything more perfect for reading books.

[skueppers]

Originally Posted by speedtouch

The PocketBook 360 is quite small and meets all your requirements.

Huh. Never heard of it!

I took a quick look, and it seems like a real hacker's device -- all that talk about installing new versions of FBReader, etc. I have nothing against FBReader (I used to use it on a Nokia N770 to read e-books), but I'm thinking that I want more of a consumer-oriented product right now.

Is the PocketBook really ready for the average consumer, or is it the sort of thing that has quirks that are easily accepted by those who want a lot of customization, but might annoy someone who doesn't want to mess around with the device and just wants it to work?

[SeaBookGuy]

My advice would be to hit Borders to try out the Sony and Kobo models, and B&N to see a "live" nook. I never thought I'd use Sony's dictionary much, but it's really nice for "when an author gets all word-y" - ha ha! I read a lot of nonfiction, and it handles footnotes quite well, too: tap in, read the item, and tap back to the text (they're tiny, so you've really got to aim the stylus carefully though!).

[3dusty]

I've had my Pocketbook 360 since May. I'm not hacker literate at all. I just send my books to it with Calibre and start reading. The only thing I've done is to program all the buttons except for one as "page forward" so that no matter where my finger falls, I can page easily. I do love the hard cover as well.

My sister-in-law got a nook for Christmas and she brought it over to learn how to download stuff. I did find out that I like how my books are organized in the pocketbook 360 much better. They go into folders and it is easier to find what book you want.

I didn't mess with it long, and a nook owner can correct me, but it seemed that you had to scroll through page after page to get to a book.

Dusty

[skueppers]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

My advice would be to hit Borders to try out the Sony and Kobo models, and B&N to see a "live" nook. I never thought I'd use Sony's dictionary much, but it's really nice for "when an author gets all word-y" - ha ha! I read a lot of nonfiction, and it handles footnotes quite well, too: tap in, read the item, and tap back to the text (they're tiny, so you've really got to aim the stylus carefully though!).

Thanks for the input. My in-laws got a Nook for Christmas, and since I'm their "tech support," I spent quite a while with it. I thought the navigation was a bit annoying, but the actual reading experience was pleasant.

I went to a Sony store and tried out the Sony 350 and 650 models. Unfortunately, I didn't have that much time with them, but they seemed well-made. One thing I haven't quite figured out is whether I'm comfortable with the possible page-turning methods on the Sony. I often read one-handed, and switch hands while reading; I think I may need to play with it more. I do read foreign-language books, so the translation dictionary feature is a plus for me. I don't know whether the footnote feature matters to me -- I've usually only read novels in e-book form, but I do read plenty of non-fiction in printed books.

I haven't seen the Kobo, and wasn't even aware of its existence until yesterday. I have definitely been living under a rock!

[ProfCrash]

If I were to look for a EPub reader the Pocketbook is looking pretty attractive. I have checked out their website and they seem to be very nice readers.

[blt50203]

Woot.com Sony for $99 today

[OtterBooks]

i c wut ur doin.

[Poppaea]

Originally Posted by blt50203

Woot.com Sony for $99 today

You'd better try full sentences! It's the Sony 600 for $99! The one with the glare issue thats last generation...

We are talking about PRS 650 here and they are way better, non glare, tap and touch devices.

One thing I haven't quite figured out is whether I'm comfortable with the possible page-turning methods on the Sony. I often read one-handed, and switch hands while reading;

That one is easy, you can change the direction of the swipe if you like to. I changed it to enable me to use my thumb of the hand I am holding it with. Changed my reading life, that one.

Poppaea

[skueppers]

I took a chance and ordered a Pocketbook 360, which I found for $109 including shipping.

I decided that, since I'm so used to using the iPhone for reading, I didn't want to spend as much as the Sony 650 for my first e-ink device. It's always possible that I might decide that the eyestrain I've been experiencing on the iPhone isn't that big of a deal after all.

I read a lot of reviews and comments on the Pocketbook 360, and people generally seem very happy with it. I figure that if it turns out to meet my needs, that's great, and if it doesn't, I'll have more information about what would work for me. I was also attracted by the included, low-bulk cover, and by the ability to load non-DRM books onto the device without using any special software.

Thanks to all of you for your help. I do think the current Sony products look great, but I just couldn't quite make the price work for me at this stage of my journey.