STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

eReaders

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

I read recently that with the Kindle you can't download books from your library, or other sources other than through Amazon, so you wouldn't be able to access those free resources. That being said, apparently there are lots of blogs that list the free book offers on Amazon on a frequent basis, so if you keep tabs on those you can get some good deals.

Jahni · Dooney & Bourke

I have an iPad and a Kindle...and if you're just wanting an e-reader, it's the Kindle...hands down. I've had my Kindle for a year and i take it EVERYWHERE. The beach, the car, work, court, EVERYWHERE. I love being able to download books where ever i am, regardless of whether or not I have a wireless connection (which is required for the iPad). It's the perfect size to throw in my purse, it's very light weight (the iPad is kind of heavy and bulky in comparison), and the words on the screen look just like an actual book page so no eye strain. Another bonus is the INCREDIBLE battery life...honestly, in the year that I've had mine I've charged it maybe 6 times.

Amazon has a great selection of books, and the prices are reasonable. They are also good about offering free downloads of new or obscure authors, in addition to offering subscription services to a variety of blogs, national newspapers, and periodicals (the others may offer those options as well). Further, there's no data plan required and it has a 3G network.

The only complaint that I have is that there is no back light option, so reading in a dark car can be a problem, but if you have any overhead light it's fine, plus they make kindle lights that you can attach.

My friend has a sony e-reader and I've tried it a few times, but I was not nearly as blown away by it as I was my kindle.

I love my kindle...SO. MUCH. so much. maybe a little too much...probably too much. back off haters. books = friends

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Another vote for Kindle.

DH has an iPad, and he uses it to read books, but I think the backlighting causes eyestrain and too much brain stimulation for use at night. My sis has Kindle and loves it, and DH bought a Kindle for his dad - - who is very happy with it.

NCshopper · Hermes

I vote for the Nook. I got mine in August and I've probably read 20 books since then. I LOVE that I can download library books, which accounts for most of the ebooks I've read. B&N also offers Free Book Fridays, where they offer a selected book for free. The touchscreen works great and I like the games and heard a rumor that they'll eventually have a crossword puzzle game (right now it's Sudoku and Chess). You can also share books with other friends that have a Nook.

My personal opinion about the iPad as an e-reader is this: uni-taskers do it better. iPads are super cool and do a lot of other things, but they weren't built to be a stand-alone reader. Think about it in terms of a camera: you wouldn't give up a regular camera for a camera-phone because phones with a built in camera just don't take as good a picture as a camera-camera, right? I can read on my Nook for the duration of a cross-country flight and it doesn't need recharging and my eyes don't get tired. I don't think and iPad would do that.

mikacat · Coach

Hubby got me a kindle for xmas and I love it. Read two books xmas week but have been so busy with work that I haven't read since. Looks just like a book. Love the reading light. lightweight and books download fast. You can share books with friends for two weeks which I would be glad to do. Let me know if you want to trade.

Thanks!

Kelly · Hermes

I got a Kindle for Christmas and it is awesome!

My biggest problem with it is that you can't borrow books from the library like some people can with their Nooks. But it hasn't really affected me much so far - you can get a lot of books for free actually. http://mashable.com/2010/12/25/free-kindle-books/

We have an iPad and I could never read on that for an extended period of time. The Kindle's e-ink is SO much easier on the eyes. Plus the iPad is bulkier, it wouldn't be as easy to just slip in my laptop bag or something.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Kelly wrote:

I got a Kindle for Christmas and it is awesome!

My biggest problem with it is that you can't borrow books from the library like some people can with their Nooks. But it hasn't really affected me much so far - you can get a lot of books for free actually. http://mashable.com/2010/12/25/free-kindle-books/

We have an iPad and I could never read on that for an extended period of time. The Kindle's e-ink is SO much easier on the eyes. Plus the iPad is bulkier, it wouldn't be as easy to just slip in my laptop bag or something.

Ditto all of the above. The e-ink of the Kindle makes it SO much easier on the eyes. I have a real problem reading longer than 3 paragraphs from computers but the Kindle doesn't strain my eyes. For this very reason, it is readable on the beach which cannot be said for regular computers or the ipad. Also, I have been using mine for weeks without needing a charge.

To me, the ipad is so much pricier that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it because I'd be worried about causing damage to the screen.

The fact that you can't share is a neg of all readers but I've found that e-books are cheaper than regular, and like Kelly said, there's a ton of resources for free, esp classical literature.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Alright, Kindle or Nook it is. Now to choose between them.