There’s a really good summary of eBook options at this link.
I am more fond of my Kindle now.
I have given up the whole idea of buying contemporary literature for it (which probably doesn’t make Amazon happy) but have loaded it up with lots of fabulous free or dirt-cheap classic literature and have enough books to last me for ages.
It lives in my handbag, and now that I’ve found the right charger for it I’ll be able to recharge it while I’m travelling.
The correct charger to buy (for Australia, that is) is the International Wall / AC Charger for the Amazon Kindle Latest Generation (US or International) and Kindle DX – Gomadic Brand w/ TipExchange Technology. It costs $24.95 USD plus postage.
Great … after listening to more on the radio the other day, that’s sort of the conclusion I came to – and, you never know, more current Aus content may become available in the future.
By: whisperinggums on May 21, 2010
at 10:11 pm
I think time will sort it out. There was the same kind of confusion over VHS v Beta and it resolved itself in the end. And in the meantime, I’m discovering all kinds of wonderful classics and reading them easily instead of on the computer. At the moment I’m reading Stendahl’s Red and Black and really enjoying it.
By: Lisa Hill on May 21, 2010
at 11:16 pm
I wasn’t sure about how I’d feel about reading on the kindle, and that’s what made me delay buying one.
But….I too am a fan. Like you mine is loaded with free or cheap classics, and actually it was the desire to read the out of print Balzac novels that pushed my decision to purchase the kindle.
By: Guy A. Savage on May 21, 2010
at 11:57 pm
Yes, it’s terrific for reading those old, old books. Much better than reading them chained to the computer, or pulping a few thousand trees in printing them out from Gutenberg. Lisa
By: Lisa Hill on May 22, 2010
at 12:04 am
I’m having so much trouble figuring out which eBook reader might suit me best. I think I’d like it most for the free books as well, there’re so many great classics out there and I love the thought of being able to read them all.
By: Iris on May 22, 2010
at 1:59 am
I’ve got a Sony Touch and love it. I think they’re all good. The amount of free books in the public domain is amazing. All the best, Stu
By: winstonsdad on May 22, 2010
at 4:27 am
Iris, it could be that the eReader leads to a resurgence of interest in the classics…
I also like the idea of students having them. I’m sure it’s the same all over the world, kids lugging huge backpacks full of books to school, remember those massive maths and science books? Imagine them on an eReader instead!
By: Lisa Hill on May 22, 2010
at 7:31 am
I love the idea of textbooks on an e-reader. Especially since it might also mean a decrease in costs. And I’d love the option to just highlight as you go, without the feeling that you’re ruining an expensive book that you might sometime have a chance to resell.
By: Iris on May 25, 2010
at 5:17 am
The other good thing about digital text books is that they would be easy to update – you know, when there is some new development in science, or when the curriculum changes as it will next year with the new (long overdue) national curriculum.
By: Lisa Hill on May 25, 2010
at 5:47 pm
Thanks for all the really interesting info on this subject Lisa.
By: karenleethompson on May 31, 2010
at 1:32 pm