Why does Kobo do this?

[ownedbycats]

I don't have exact weights, but my old Aura HD is far heavier-feeling than my Libra H2O. However, my Libra H2O has most of its weight on one side which makes it harder for me to hold long periods of time.

With an origami cover I can just prop it up on my lap

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I don't have exact weights, but my old Aura HD is far heavier-feeling than my Libra H2O. However, my Libra H2O has most of its weight on one side which makes it harder for me to hold long periods of time.

With an origami cover I can just prop it up on my lap

The Libra H2O was ergonomically the most comfortable ereader I have ever used. It was pure bliss to hold for long periods of time, for me. The Libra 2 is nowhere near as comfortable. My perfect ereader would have the screen of the Libra 2, the shape of the Libra H2O and the speed and stability of the latest Kindle Oasis.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by meeera

Some of us use ereaders _because_ paper books are painful and difficult to hold.

And I do very much believe you. I just don't feel that making silly jokes about the weight of an ereader is in any way an attack on your person and will not feel guilty for such humor.

Similarly, I do not think the cartoon character Mr. Magoo is intended as a slight on me for my poor vision. Sometimes ideas are just humorous.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I only read at home and never take my ereaders out with me...

Man! I take mine everywhere!

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I only read at home and never take my ereaders out with me,

If you don't mind my asking, do you have issues with leaving your home? One of my neighbours suffers from agoraphobia to the point where her son has to escort her out of the house with her head covered when she has to leave her home if she has to go to a medical appointment for example.

I could not get through waiting in a waiting room without my ereader to keep me company. It beats taking a blanket with me.

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Man! I take mine everywhere!

Same. Adds colour to any empty time window throughout the day.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by DNSB

If you don't mind my asking, do you have issues with leaving your home?

Not really. I just rarely do, because you can do most errands online these days. I do have issues with concentrating on a novel when out and about, though. So I prefer to read books on my ereaders at home, and read Wikipedia or news articles (or browse MR ) on my phone when I'm stuck somewhere waiting (which isn't often - I have no kids and fortunately haven't yet had to visit doctors frequently). When I go shopping and such, I usually have no time to read at all.

I know most people here read whenever they have a free moment, but I've always needed a peaceful atmosphere to concentrate on books. Even as a child, I never took books out with me when I left home, even though I read a lot at home.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

And I do very much believe you. I just don't feel that making silly jokes about the weight of an ereader is in any way an attack on your person and will not feel guilty for such humor.

I did laugh at the jokes, especially the bit about needing a spotter when attempting to raise your ereader with your hand.

Seriously though, the issue is not about raising your device, but holding it in one hand for a while (I'm nearsighted, so propping it up on a table is not an option - too far). I can lift and carry some pretty heavy shopping bags or bags of cat litter, but I don't have to do it for hours. Holding my 275g Nook Glowlight made my hands pretty tired after a while, though.

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I know most people here read whenever they have a free moment, but I've always needed a peaceful atmosphere to concentrate on books. Even as a child, I never took books out with me when I left home, even though I read a lot at home.

I used to find reading around the public very hard, all the situations, noises, conversations would tug at my concentration and draw me away from the narrative. I'd find my eyes had followed the text to the end of the page but my brain hadn't absorbed the content.

One of the many positive side-effects of meditation helped with this; just as you learn to allow the sparks of thoughts to cool and disappear rather than starting little fires of distraction, you're also able to do the same with noisy distractions from your physical location, tuning them out.

Active noise cancelling headphones with a little white noise is still helpful for public transport though.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by neil_swann80

I used to find reading around the public very hard, all the situations, noises, conversations would tug at my concentration and draw me away from the narrative. I'd find my eyes had followed the text to the end of the page buy my brain hadn't absorbed the content.

Yes, exactly.

One of the many positive side-effects of meditation helped with this; just as you learn to allow the sparks of thoughts to cool and disappear rather than starting little fires of distraction, you're also able to do the same with noisy distractions from your physical location, tuning them out.

Good to know. I have never done meditation, mostly because one of my uncles did when I was young and he had some negative effects from it (probably was taught wrong, I guess). That made me cautious about meditation, especially as I have a lot of mental issues already.

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Good to know. I have never done meditation, mostly because one of my uncles did when I was young and he had some negative effects from it (probably was taught wrong, I guess). That made me cautious about meditation, especially as I have a lot of mental issues already.

It's helped my eternal battle with depression and anxiety. I use a phone app (Headspace) which provides guided meditations. Try the course of ten ten-minute sessions and see if you feel any benefit. For me it quickly became one of my favourite parts of the day.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by neil_swann80

It's helped my eternal battle with depression and anxiety. I use a phone app (Headspace) which provides guided meditations. Try the course of ten ten-minute sessions and see if you feel any benefit. For me it quickly became one of my favourite parts of the day.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Thanks, I'll look into it.

No problem. And if you ever need a chat, PM me. I always find it helps to converse with someone walking a similar path.

And if you don't already, a daily journal is great tool also. I found describing my depression/anxiety as creatively as I could to be enormously helpful in my understanding and specific manifestation/flavour of the condition. It's helped me better notice an approaching storm and form/collate more efficient coping strategies.

[anacreon]

I've always had a book (and now a reader) with me me on the go. Some books I can only read at home, with no music on, because they need concentration, but I'm mostly able to ignore ambient noise, and can read pushing the basket in a supermarket or my luggage in an airport boarding queue, or in public transport. What I can't ignore is a loud conversation close by - real people or a TV in some waiting room (hateful). The most memorable is a woman in a checking-in line yelling that yes, the baby was his. Another was a man savaging an employee on the phone.

And I've missed one to three bus or tube stops because immersed in my book.

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by anacreon

And I've missed one to three bus or tube stops because immersed in my book.

Ha! Same. I've taken to setting an alarm on my phone to restore my attention to the journey.