E-Book Reader

I need some information, and I had seen threads talking about E-Book Readers in the past, so figured folks on here might have some insight.

I just talked to my mom and she asked what I thought about E-book readers. Every year, it is my responsibility to find my dad something to give my mom for Christmas. She's in her mid-50s, and I have gotten her to the point where she can do some basic internet browsing (not a painless experience for me!), but she is definitely not tech-savvy. She does like to read.

I took a look and have discovered that purchasing e-books is really not much cheaper than purchasing hard copies. I know you can download some e-books from the library, but I was having a hard time figuring out if any books she is interested in (she mostly likes true-crime stories, some nora roberts, tami hoag, etc).

They have a computer at their house, but it is 8+ years old and on its last legs. It's deathly slow, but she doesn't know any different, so doesn't mind I guess.

I'm looking at the Kobo, which seems to be the Canadian version of the Kindle or Nook. It has the E-ink screen and is $99 for the basic and $149 with wireless (I'm assuming wireless will make it much easier for her to download books, as she could do it right from the unit, instead of having to hook it up to their computer...they do have wireless internet at their house.

My question is, do you think there is a point in buying an E-Reader for her at this stage in the game? Given her technology situation and the fact that it is really no cheaper (I think she was thinking it would be, but I'm noticing there is typically no more than $1 difference in price).

I was actually hoping to convince my dad to get a new computer for Christmas (something on the lower end, cheaper side, as they don't need anything fancy). I could still try this, and get her the e-book reader from myself....or later on for her birthday or Mother's Day.

I just don't really know if it would actually be a useful device for her, or if she's better off sticking with the hard copies.

We have a Kindle that we got from Dottie's mom. She got it from her son (Dottie's brother) who died suddenly last year. She never used it, and Dottie has never used it.

An I-pad might be a more useful thing.

As I said in another thread, when magazines start being available on a color e-reader, then I'll get one.

My mom is in her 50s too and she would looove to have an E-reader! She really wants an ipod touch or an ipad. She is not tech savvy either, but she would want me to transfer all of my ebooks to her
She basically really wants to read the books that I read, but since I started using my ipod touch as an e-reader I never buy hard copies so I can't just let her borrow everything I read like I used to, and it's been bugging her that every time I tell her about a book I'm reading she can't just borrow it and read it.
I mean, you don't really need to have a computer to get ebooks, because the ereaders have their own wireless connection. And, there are lots of free ebooks too. All of the classics are free, because the copyright has expired on them. I'm not sure starting what year the copyright still holds, but there is also the option of letting someone borrow a book, although I'm not sure how that works on the kindle or nook.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

We have a Kindle that we got from Dottie's mom. She got it from her soon (Dottie's brother) who died suddenly last year. She never used it, and Dottie has never used it.

An I-pad might be a more useful thing.

As I said in another thread, when magazines start being available on a color e-reader, then I'll get one.

Click to expand...

NookColor - Color screen just for magazines.

I'm 53 and bought a nook this summer. I'm lucky that many of the authors you mentioned have ebooks for a great price. On the other hand I still buy books from my fav authors and using the nook when at the gym or in the car (or going to a place that I might end up being bored!)

My grandmother isn't very tech-savvy. It took her over a year to get OK with just text messaging my cousin and I, and another year to be able to send the simplest messages on Facebook (my mom lives nearby and helps her with that stuff). However, she has really taken to the Kindle! My mom and I both have one and she wanted one too, so she got one.

For the most part, the books aren't that much cheaper (especially new releases), but older titles might be. I tend to peruse Romance novels because I can download a lot of them for less than $4/each. The other advantage is that I don't have to drive to the store to find a copy when a new release comes out: I can just download it to my Kindle.

Now, the Kindle is Amazon's version, and Nook belongs to B&N. Most people will say the savings on books from Amazon is better, but it's really more about the convenience than price.

I have a kindle and I love it! I have the wifi version (no 3g since I typically just download stuff at home) which was easy to set up since I already have wireless set up here at home. I've noticed that I can find quite a bit to read for free. Mostly when looking at what they've recommended to me. It's stuff that is being offered for free temporarily. Like the first book in a series. But it's free! One reason I went with the Kindle is that they seemed to have a bigger selection of what I like to read (inspirational fiction).

The web browser and things don't interest me; but for actual reading reading it's great. I tend to get absorbed in what I read for hours at a time. I can't see enjoying a magazine on it. The battery life is also great on the kindle.

I'm in my 50s, am a true crime fan and love my 3G Kindle. Most e-books aren't cheaper than the hardcover or paperback versions, especially if you're outside the U.S., but there are also millions of free, often non-copyrighted e-books available online. E-books tend to come down in price if you wait a few weeks or months after they're first released. The main advantages of an e-reader are instant gratification, portability (I take mine literally everywhere), saving space in the house (DH thinks that's the biggest advantage) and ability to change font size or have most books read to you by the device. I have quite a few reference books on my Kindle.

If you do get her one, be sure to get a cover/case for protection and a little reading light if the device doesn't have a back-lit screen (one of the advantages of an e-reader, as it's easier on the eyes).

I adore my Nook. They do have a decent discount on eBooks, and many free or under $5 ones. I usually wait a little bit for the newer release/best seller books to drop in price before getting them on the Nook. It's so convenient to carry with me rather than a large book, and I bought a case for it that I can also use to keep money, credit cards, and my cell phone in if I don't want to bring my purse in somewhere as well. I have about 30 books on it so far, and that's definitely saved space in my house!

I bought my case on Amazon, and it came with a car charger for the Nook as well as a screen protector, for ~$13! The car charger will be helpful for when I'm reading it at work in the car and have forgotten to charge it (since the charge lasts a long time on airplane mode).

Originally Posted by zoeysmom

......I took a look and have discovered that purchasing e-books is really not much cheaper than purchasing hard copies. I know you can download some e-books from the library, but I was having a hard time figuring out if any books she is interested in (she mostly likes true-crime stories, some nora roberts, tami hoag, etc).

I'm looking at the Kobo, which seems to be the Canadian version of the Kindle or Nook. It has the E-ink screen and is $99 for the basic and $149 with wireless (I'm assuming wireless will make it much easier for her to download books, as she could do it right from the unit, instead of having to hook it up to their computer...they do have wireless internet at their house.

Click to expand...

I have dowloaded the Kobo app on my iPod Touch. I love it. And I have to beg to differ on the books not being cheaper. I have dowloaded many books for under $10. When you sign up for Kobo they send you weekly email deals - many of the classics are free, or they offer 2 for 1, $5 off etc. Plus they recommend many less known authors (not necessarily top 10 bestsellers) and they expand your reading range.

If they have wireless, using Kobo will be so easy. Plus, I have seen many of the e-readers on the subway and it's really easy on the eyes. One thing I like, you can be reading 4 different books and the e-readers always keep you bookmarked on the right page when you return back to that book selection.

I'm sure they have a money back guarantee - she can try it out and if she doesn't like it return it with no problems. I just love that books don't take up so much space anymore - they are all located on one little device.

My MIL is 60 and she has a Kindle and LOVES it. She is VERY far from tech savy...there have been many things we've had to explain to her over and over again for her to understand it. She just learned how to text in October. Now she texts me every day. lol I agree, there are a lot of free or low cost books out there...tons for under $5. They may not be the top sellers, but they are still good books. I would get her one, for sure.

I have the regular Kobo and I love it. It's pretty easy to set up and connect to your computer. You can just install the Kobo and/or Borders app onto her computer. Downloading things from Kobo couldn't be easier- it automatically puts them in your Kobo app on your computer, and then you just have to sync the content. There are some publishers that will allow their products to be less expensive or will take coupons (like Random House) and some that will not (St. Martin's). You can download Epub files- so that gives you more options for purchasing from other sellers- All Romance Ebooks, Smashwords, Borders, Etc. To have the content from all of these sellers on the ereader at the same time you can download Adobe's ereader program- which is also very easy to use.