E books

BohemianGypsy · Guru

E books

kandagal · Guru

Could I have some advice about e books. Which is the best brand & what features should I be looking for. Thanks in advance to all those book worms out there.

milo · Guru

i have my ipad, but havent bought any books yet, have the kindle app and ibook app ,
dont know whe kindles are like if you just want books

antigoon · Veteran Member

There are a number of options for reading ebooks besides the ipad, other tablets and notebooks. Readers may less functionality than tablets and laptops but are cheaper, lighter and better replicate the book experience. The main choices for the readers are the Kindle, Kobo and Sony. Each has pros and cons so it comes down to preference re screen (e-ink v lcd), cost, weight and functionality. The lcd screens can be difficult to read in bright light. whereas the inexpensive readers are monochrome. It is also worth considering the content available and it is here the Kindle is the present leader with biggest range and easiest purchase process. I don't know anyone unhappy with the Kindle for reading. Caveat emptor.

Muso · Veteran Member

I bought my wife a Kindle Ereader. She now has the wallet and the mini reading light for it. She downloads books from $1.00 to $10.00 thru the readers wifi connection so she can download in almost any location.

gillyb · Senior Member

I love my Kindle Touch nice and light to carry and easy to read even in the sun (not that I've seen much of that lately) books download in seconds, you can even download the first couple of chapters free to make sure you're going to like the book before you buy. Make sure you get a plastic film to protect the screen (can't think of the correct name..seniors moment!!) and also a protective sleeve and light all available at Big W cheaper and as good as the Kindle variety. I bought my Kindle on line from Amazon even with postage it works out about $20 cheaper than buying it from the suppliers here in australia namely Dick Smith & Big W, also very speedy delivery, was here in less than 1 week. I'm a very happy camper with mine.

My daughter has an ipad which has a Kindle app so can also download too but is bigger to carry around and not quite as easy to read outdoors in bright light.

Happy reading smile

Hylda&Jon · Guru

I review thoroughly everything I buy & after reviewing ebooks online I bought my Kindle Touch a couple of months ago & I'm quite happy with it.

The best review site I found I have linked below. Hope it helps.

http://ebook-reader-review.toptenreviews.com/

Cheers

Jon

Rip and Rosie · Guru

gillyb wrote:
I love my Kindle Touch nice and light to carry and easy to read even in the sun (not that I've seen much of that lately) books download in seconds, you can even download the first couple of chapters free to make sure you're going to like the book before you buy. Make sure you get a plastic film to protect the screen (can't think of the correct name..seniors moment!!) and also a protective sleeve and light all available at Big W cheaper and as good as the Kindle variety. I bought my Kindle on line from Amazon even with postage it works out about $20 cheaper than buying it from the suppliers here in australia namely Dick Smith & Big W, also very speedy delivery, was here in less than 1 week. I'm a very happy camper with mine.
My daughter has an ipad which has a Kindle app so can also download too but is bigger to carry around and not quite as easy to read outdoors in bright light.
Happy reading

agree 150%

kandagal · Guru

Thanks everyone for the info. Looks like I'll get a Kindle Touch.

Rip and Rosie · Guru

the advantage of the kindle is that it has its own internet connection to allow you to get more books- no need for more accounts or wifi etc... great!

and, once in its cover, feels like a traditional book in my hand when I'm reading.

Currently reading 50 shades of grey

Rosie

kandagal · Guru

Normally I get my books as I travel from op shops in towns that we visit. I give them the books that I got at the last op shop. Makes me a bit like a mobile library & I suppose I do support op shops in the process. But an e book will give me more choice.

gypsy rover · Senior Member

I have a Motorola tablet, which is Android, what do I need to do to be able to use it as an ereader? Help please!

Cheers!

Chris

antigoon · Veteran Member

You will need to install some apps but again its very much a personal preference and circumstances. Some good info on pros and cons of various apps at http://lifehacker.com/5875516/the-best-ereader-for-android.

gypsy rover · Senior Member

Thanks antigoon

Cheers!

Chris

milo · Guru

and kindle has there own app too , i presume its on android

(those are not the droids were looking for) old star wars quote!

Jaytee · Senior Member

We have a Sony e-reader each and are very happy with them, would certainly recommend Sony. There are heaps of books available online for free. I have never bought a book I download from our local Library or from the free sites. Downloading books from the internet is easy either with a cord or wi-fi.

The E-Ink screen technology provides a screen that is easy to read from, I expect that most of the readers have E-Ink screens now.

E-Readers certainly make reading in bed much easier, with little weight and no trying to hold the pages down like with a thick paperback book.

NeilandRaine · Guru

gypsy rover wrote:
I have a Motorola tablet, which is Android, what do I need to do to be able to use it as an ereader? Help please!
Cheers!
Chris

Go to the app store and download cool reader. it is free and works very good,

probably one of the better free ones as it will read any epub

Cruising Granny · Guru

What the heck is the difference between a table, an ipad, an android? It's like the script from Lost In Space. Warning! Warning! Warning! Luke Robinson!

gypsy rover · Senior Member

Hi CG

ipad is an Apple product and tablets are the same as ipads but made by brands other than Apple. Android is the operating system used by tablets that are not Apple ipads. Hope that makes sense.

Cheers!

Chris

Rip and Rosie · Guru

The difference between an Ipad and a tablet is like that between an Apple Mac and a PC............ basically same thing, but different technology and operating system, and cost.

Rob and Marg · Member

I have an older Kindle (bought it about two years ago, I think) and it has a joystick which is a bit of a pain to navigate. I'd much prefer a Kindle touch. However, I do have an iPad as well, and I downloaded an app so I can read Kindle books on my iPad. Here are a few points that might help (some people have already mentioned a few):

1. If you like to read in the sun or outside in bright light, a Kindle or other e-reader that uses e-ink technology is best. You can read these easily even in bright sunlight. At night, you need a light to read by.

2. If you use an iPad or Android tablet (roughly, an Android tablet is more PC-like, whereas the iPad is an Apple product) you can download a free reading app from Kindle so when you buy a book, you just choose the option (under the 'buy' button) that says "Download to my PC" or "Download to my iPad' rather than "Download to my Kindle". BUT... Amazon has a record of all books you buy, and when you fire up your Kindle, you can still download all the books that you've bought to the Kindle, even if you first downloaded them to an iPad or other tablet.

Here is the link to the free reading apps: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

3. the Ipad is backlit, like a computer, so you can read at night with the lights off. Handy if you're an insomniac but your partner likes to sleep without the light glaring into his/her eyes.

4. My iPad (first generation, so a bit heavier than the latest model) is heavier than my Kindle, so not as comfortable to hold in bed.

Cheers
Marg

peter67 · Guru

Also kindle has a much longer battery life because the device is very black and white simple and does not run other programs. Keyboard is slow and limited internet search. I hot spot my mobile to it, good luck.

yobarr · Guru

peter67 wrote:
Also kindle has a much longer battery life because the device is very black and white simple and does not run other programs. Keyboard is slow and limited internet search. I hot spot my mobile to it, good luck.

Hi Peter...I notice that you are a new member,(welcome!) but this thread is almost 9 years old! Cheers.

oldbloke · Guru

www.gutenberg.org/help/new_website

You can download pdf and text. No additional apps required.

Possum3 · Guru

The Child-bride loves E-Books, personally I can't stand reading novels on any screen device. I do however love Audio Books when either travelling or resting.

Both forms of novels are readily obtainable at Libraries.

Mike Harding · Guru

I strongly recommend you do *not* use a conventional tablet for book reading - the way their LCD displays work makes them a very poor choice for this application and they will be tiring on your eyes.

Rather buy a dedicated e-book reader, there are a number on the market now but if my Kindle Paperwhite failed today I'd buy another tomorrow. About A$150.

Also, buy a cover - it both protects the device and makes it much easier to hold when reading but *don't* buy from the shop but rather buy from ebay for about $10.

In addition download the free PC software "Calibre"

Calibre

This will convert virtually any e-book format to any other e-book format, it also provides excellent book management and library functions.

Tony LEE · Guru

Kindle Oasis Use bookbub to buy reading material. Average price per book is close to zero

Whenarewethere · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
I strongly recommend you do *not* use a conventional tablet for book reading - the way their LCD displays work makes them a very poor choice for this application and they will be tiring on your eyes.
Rather buy a dedicated e-book reader, there are a number on the market now but if my Kindle Paperwhite failed today I'd buy another tomorrow. About A$150.
Also, buy a cover - it both protects the device and makes it much easier to hold when reading but *don't* buy from the shop but rather buy from ebay for about $10.
In addition download the free PC software "Calibre"
Calibre
This will convert virtually any e-book format to any other e-book format, it also provides excellent book management and library functions.

Agree.

I use a hardware calibration device on my monitors. Not only is the colour space calibrated, but I run the screens at 5000k & at very low brightness. It's much easier on your eyes.

The standard screen is far too high colour temperature & far too bright. The room lighting, both natural & artificial is usually a disaster.

Use a grey card or similar to match & paint walls a neutral grey.

Wannabe nomad · Senior Member

I do everything on my Android Samsung tablet and just use my phone as a phone, or for Google maps.
I download books from the library for free on my tablet before I go away and for at home use and it does me fine. As I have neck issues, that makes reading give me a headache I now download audio books from the library to save looking down at my tablet as much and it's still free (except it takes a bit longer to download an audio-book than an e-book so uses a bit more data allowance). It has been a Godsend during Covid.

-- Edited by Wannabe nomad on Tuesday 16th of February 2021 01:03:35 PM

Bicyclecamper · Guru

When I went back to owning a phone 4 years ago, I got into audio books, so I could listen to them whilst riding the bike on long camping tours. Then, I realised the error of my ways, that, it was not only costing money every month to keep the thing(phone) active, but also, people would not leave me alone. So I gave up the phone and bought a cheap little Jaycar radio, that can take a usb stick, and I just download the audio books to it, not costing me anymore money, in running the thing. When we are in the van, we normally use paperbacks, but have gotten into the habit, of listening to an audiobook, one night per week, as a treat, just listening to it together, whilst play a game or two. This is the preferred way we use electronic reading today.