The nook really started appealing to me around November. I had seen some friends' Kindles before and while I thought they were interesting, was never really sold on the idea of reading a book entirely on an electronic device. Sure, I've read about a thousand PDF articles by this point for classes (ok, maybe not THOUSANDS ...) but an entire book? That didn't really seem as much fun as being able to actual sit down, physical book in hand, flipping through the pages, seeing how far you've gotten and how much you have left, striking up a conversation with a random stranger who notices you reading it and has read it, too, adding that book on a shelf next to your entire collection of books, etc. etc. Not to mention that fact that I'm a librarian! We read books! We loan books! We love books!
But then, one day, it was a little slow at the library and I opened up Google Books and started reading the limited preview of Graceling, which was next on my list of YA books to read.
I was kind of impressed. It was fun to scroll down to the bottom of screen when you got to the end of a page. Maybe not quite as fun as turning a page in a book, but it was new and different and instantly accessible. Until, of course, I got to the pages that were excluded from the preview.
Anyway, it made me start to realize, I could possibly really like an eReader. And then, at Christmas, I got a lovely little handmade card with the words "P.S. I got you a nook!!!" inside it. Since there was a such a big demand for it, I wasn't going to receive it until this month.
This meant there was time for the worrywart in me to start to have some doubts and I wondered if maybe the Kindle would be the better choice. I researched Web sites and forums and made up a Rory Gilmore-approved Pro/Con list. The nook was just so cute and new and exciting. (I am such a girl). Plus, I love Barnes & Noble. The Kindle was more established and has a browser to get online (which you can't with the nook, unless you go all hacker on it and mess with its insides).
But then, the thing that really got me on the nook was its compatibility with OverDrive, the library eBook distributor, which apparently, doesn't work with the Kindle.
So, we stuck with the nook and I got it last Friday.
Having had a few weeks to prepare for its arrival, I started downloading free eBooks off Barnes and Nobles' site and anywhere else I could find good, free ones like ManyBooks.net (where I got Cory Doctorow's "Little Brother") and Project Gutenberg. I started looking up what titles would be available through my local library (Freakanomics, The Tipping Point, Julie & Julia, Gossip Girl!) I also bought myself a cute little case for it and a book light.
And then ... Friday came!
For a few days, I really wasn't able to provide a great review. I absolutely loved playing with it - pushing the buttons, going "shopping" and searching through available books and just sort of flipping through the pages of some of the free books I had already downloaded. But I didn't have time to really sit down with it and read on it.
When I finally got that time, I found, to my surprise, reading on it was just as fun as playing around on it.
Of course, this is not to say that I'm going totally electronic from here on out. I got six new books for Christmas that I'm going to read, not to mention that I'll still be checking out books at the library, buying books at bookstores (new and used), and so on. But the eReader format is definitely interesting and it will be exciting to see what the future brings.
One thing I particularly like about it is the quick link in the store to the Teens Top 100. Not only does this let me see some new titles but I can download free samples (usually the first 30 or so pages of a book) and I could check them out a little before I suggest we purchase them at the library. What's also great is that a lot of the teen books (not the newest releases but many of the other ones) are available for less than $8. So if you're a YA librarian, this thing is pretty fantastic.
I must admit a few complaints. It can be a tad annoying when you start reading a book to have to push the "next page" button again and again past the title page, dedication page, introduction, etc. to get to the first page of the book. While they do have a "Go To" option that lets you go right to the first chapter, I'd kind of like to be able to tell how long the introduction is to determine whether I want to read it. Same thing with chapters. I'm definitely a "See-how-much-longer-this-chapter-is-to-determine-whether-I-should-stop-here-or-just-keep-reading" kind of person. Pushing the next button multiple times isn't quite as fast as flipping through pages with your fingers. Also my battery seems to run out faster than it advertises, which, from what I read on some forums is not an uncommon thing.
Other than that, I'm a big fan. And so is my cat.
6 comments:
Great review! My boyfriend Mat ordered a Nook pretty early, so he got it in November. I like how the screen isn't backlit - easier on the eyes, plus, it's harder for people next to you on the bus/airplane to peek at what you're reading. I think his only complaint is the hardcore clicking noise the buttons make when you turn a page.
What's your kitty reading these days? 101 ways to dispatch a mouse?
:)
Nice review! The nook looks lovely, but not available in Canada yet. I have a Sony Touch Reader that I'm enjoying very much. (Also a Christmas gift!)
I too like the fact that the screen isn't backlit. It took some time getting used to the e-ink technology, but other than that, it's been fun.
I also get lots of books from: kobobooks.com and Project Gutenburg.
Sarah,
I have to say, I was afraid at first when I played with the nook in the store. It seemed very slow and clumsy. But then a new release came out last month that seems to have taken care of that. Did Mat experience that? Also, have you tried going into the store with it? I went yesterday and tried to download some of the in-store only special things to see what it was like, but there seemed to be some network problems, as I couldn't get it to download anything. That was a bit frustrating.
I think my cat is reading 101 Ways to Be A Complete Weirdo. She's so strange.
Angela,
I agree the e-ink took awhile at first and I was skeptical, but, as it turns out, I find it very nice to read. Thanks the recommendation on kobobooks.com. I'll check that out!
A very good review also. Plus, I always like seeing Gracie :)
We picked up a Kindle, a Sony reader, and a nook for our library to do some research. I like the Nook the most in theory, but there've been some software glitches that are a bit frustrating.
Barry - The nook definitely does have some software glitches still. But the good thing about it is that the updates come right to your device which means this thing (hopefully) will just keep improving!
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