E-reader for newbie
November 12, 2020 6:47 PM Subscribe
I'm ready to try an e-reader. What's the best one for my fussy self?
- I like to buy stuff used so will likely try to find something that's a year or two old on Swappa.
- I get the sense that most of these are nice on your eyes these days but whatever you recommend on that front is great.
- I don't like Amazon.com.
- I will probably get most of my books from the library but will buy some from whatever evil source I have to buy these things from these days. I prefer to buy from the publisher I guess? I don't know how this part works.
- Bonus if I can also read my feedly/blogs/magazine subscriptions on there too. (But I don't want to have email or any other phone/computer type functions.)
- I like to buy stuff used so will likely try to find something that's a year or two old on Swappa.
- I get the sense that most of these are nice on your eyes these days but whatever you recommend on that front is great.
- I don't like Amazon.com.
- I will probably get most of my books from the library but will buy some from whatever evil source I have to buy these things from these days. I prefer to buy from the publisher I guess? I don't know how this part works.
- Bonus if I can also read my feedly/blogs/magazine subscriptions on there too. (But I don't want to have email or any other phone/computer type functions.)
I use an old Paperwhite, so I’ll let someone else recommend a non-Amazon reader, but having used e-ink and non-e-ink readers, there is a major difference there! My Paperwhite is way easier on the eyes than my kindle fire or the ancient Nook I used to have.
For books, I usually get them from the library, but if I’m going to purchase I use Kobo to shop from my favorite local store. Indiebound has other options as well, and if my local store isn’t selling an ebook I check there to see if another indie is selling it through Kobo or another platform. Then I have to convert and side-load everything to the Paperwhite but that may not be an issue if you have a different reader.
posted by assenav at 7:05 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
For books, I usually get them from the library, but if I’m going to purchase I use Kobo to shop from my favorite local store. Indiebound has other options as well, and if my local store isn’t selling an ebook I check there to see if another indie is selling it through Kobo or another platform. Then I have to convert and side-load everything to the Paperwhite but that may not be an issue if you have a different reader.
posted by assenav at 7:05 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
Another rec from me for Kobo. I had a Glo for many years but it finally bit the dust and I upgraded to a Clara. One benefit of the Clara is that you can download directly from your public library's Overdrive. I mostly borrow books from my library via Overdrive, but I do also buy books from the Kobo site.
It's great to read on and easy on the eyes. I can use the backlight or I can just use ambient light. I can adjust the warmth of the light as well. I read a lot more now that I don't have to hunt down large print paper versions of books--I just crank the print size up on my Kobo as big as I want it.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:28 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
It's great to read on and easy on the eyes. I can use the backlight or I can just use ambient light. I can adjust the warmth of the light as well. I read a lot more now that I don't have to hunt down large print paper versions of books--I just crank the print size up on my Kobo as big as I want it.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:28 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
I'm on my second Kobo (I managed to break the screen on my first one this summer after 6-7 years).
They are easy to use (with calibre, I sideload all my books). E-ink is easy on the eyes and battery efficient (2-4 weeks on a charge even reading several hours a night with the light on). Really I never have to charge it seperate from plugging it into my laptop to load more books.
My new one gets dimmer than the old one and I can change the colour temperature which is great. Support has been great, my old one was still getting updates to the software. And the software has gotten better with new ways of organizing and browsing the contents of the device.
While in theory the device has a web browser it is not good to the point of non-usability.
And it syncs with Pocket though I don't use that feature preferring to create ebooks of stuff I want to read offline.
If you are using Calibre you can group your books by series (maybe when buying directly too, IDK)
My only super minor complain is my new one only has auto-off cases (where closing the case turns off the device) that hinge at the top available. My old one had a conventional book like case with the hinge on the left which I prefer. However I do recommend a case with auto-off. The device auto-offs on a timer but you can just close and then open the case to get it to turn back on. Much easier to do in the dark than fiddle with the power button.
Oh, also for who knows what reason the micro-usb slot is upside down but you get used to that.
posted by Mitheral at 7:37 PM on November 12, 2020 [1 favorite]
They are easy to use (with calibre, I sideload all my books). E-ink is easy on the eyes and battery efficient (2-4 weeks on a charge even reading several hours a night with the light on). Really I never have to charge it seperate from plugging it into my laptop to load more books.
My new one gets dimmer than the old one and I can change the colour temperature which is great. Support has been great, my old one was still getting updates to the software. And the software has gotten better with new ways of organizing and browsing the contents of the device.
While in theory the device has a web browser it is not good to the point of non-usability.
And it syncs with Pocket though I don't use that feature preferring to create ebooks of stuff I want to read offline.
If you are using Calibre you can group your books by series (maybe when buying directly too, IDK)
My only super minor complain is my new one only has auto-off cases (where closing the case turns off the device) that hinge at the top available. My old one had a conventional book like case with the hinge on the left which I prefer. However I do recommend a case with auto-off. The device auto-offs on a timer but you can just close and then open the case to get it to turn back on. Much easier to do in the dark than fiddle with the power button.
Oh, also for who knows what reason the micro-usb slot is upside down but you get used to that.
posted by Mitheral at 7:37 PM on November 12, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have a kobo "libra h20" and it is awesome - it handles books from the public library (overdrive), the academic library (adobe digital editions), and pdf files for all those oddball things.
posted by niicholas at 7:48 PM on November 12, 2020
posted by niicholas at 7:48 PM on November 12, 2020
Another Kobo user here, the Forma model. I started using an e-reader when Sony was making them. I think I'm on my 4th now? (I upgrade when the new features come out.) It's really important to me that I not be locked into the Kindle world. I went from being an avid reader to being a voracious reader. Love my Forma, but I'm waiting for a Kobo colour e-ink reader to be my next upgrade, although that's probably a long way out. And if I want the rare book that's only available in a Kindle edition, there are workarounds for that, like Calibre.
This article may help you decide, but I'm a dedicated Kobo user.
posted by angiep at 8:31 PM on November 12, 2020
This article may help you decide, but I'm a dedicated Kobo user.
posted by angiep at 8:31 PM on November 12, 2020
I have owned a Nook, Kindles, and several Kobos, as well as Android and windows tablets. Kobo all the way.
There's a kobo store, but I've bought from multiple sources. If epub isn't available I buy another form and convert with Calibre. Library ebooks in epub format are great.
posted by liminal_shadows at 8:38 PM on November 12, 2020
There's a kobo store, but I've bought from multiple sources. If epub isn't available I buy another form and convert with Calibre. Library ebooks in epub format are great.
posted by liminal_shadows at 8:38 PM on November 12, 2020
I've purchased four Kindle Paperwhites from Goodwill or other thrift stores. Each one was less than 20 dollars. They usually come with an drained battery, but work fine. One turned out to have a slightly damaged screen which led to a very bright spot when the backlight was turned on. Solution: turn off the backlight.
The other three have been flawless. The same good battery life as my Paperwhite purchased from Amazon. You can pick up a usb charger and mini-USB cable from drug stores, discount stores such as Ross or Marshalls, etc. for about 9 dollars.
Calibre will convert all kinds of formats back and forth. It's great. Search for DeDrm for some added functionality.
I have also seen Kobo units at the same thrift stores.
posted by blob at 8:40 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
The other three have been flawless. The same good battery life as my Paperwhite purchased from Amazon. You can pick up a usb charger and mini-USB cable from drug stores, discount stores such as Ross or Marshalls, etc. for about 9 dollars.
Calibre will convert all kinds of formats back and forth. It's great. Search for DeDrm for some added functionality.
I have also seen Kobo units at the same thrift stores.
posted by blob at 8:40 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
Another vote for Kobo here. I have the Clara HD after switching a year or two back from my longstanding Kindle Paperwhite. While it's definitely a cheaper-feeling device than my Paperwhite (the lower seam of the housing creaks slightly; the Paperwhite always felt like it was a single piece of material), the three top reasons for me are (1) I'm s-l-o-w-l-y trying to extricate myself from Amazon things, (2) the "Comfortlight Pro" has meant reading at bedtime is far less harsh on my eyes, and (3) the native OverDrive support (although it's not like it's overly complicated to have OverDrive borrows show up on one's Kindle).
Downside: if you do a lot of highlighting or annotating, it's a pain to get to those things on Kobo. For one thing, you have to go into the book itself; there's no general "Your Notes"-type area on the device, and the notes aren't synced anywhere like they are on Kindle, which syncs them to your Amazon account for easy access.
posted by bixfrankonis at 9:52 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
Downside: if you do a lot of highlighting or annotating, it's a pain to get to those things on Kobo. For one thing, you have to go into the book itself; there's no general "Your Notes"-type area on the device, and the notes aren't synced anywhere like they are on Kindle, which syncs them to your Amazon account for easy access.
posted by bixfrankonis at 9:52 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]
Mentioning this to the requester (or anyone else who has or may have a ereader), if you are comfortable modifying your ereader software-wise I highly recommend trying KOReader, it adds a lot of features the default software does not have like night mode (white text on a dark background) and folder navigation (wonderful if you have a lot of ebooks), and as it runs along side the default software you can use either as you wish.
As far as brands go I nth the above recommendations for Kobo, I've been using them since the Kobo Glo was new, and they have a long lifespan, Kobo still provides updates for the 1st-generation Kobo Glo, not something you see often in these days of planned obsolescence.
posted by mochi_cat at 10:15 PM on November 12, 2020
As far as brands go I nth the above recommendations for Kobo, I've been using them since the Kobo Glo was new, and they have a long lifespan, Kobo still provides updates for the 1st-generation Kobo Glo, not something you see often in these days of planned obsolescence.
posted by mochi_cat at 10:15 PM on November 12, 2020
One other downside of Kobo, at least if you're in the U.S.: there are no eGift cards available, and physical ones apparently only can be bought at Best Buy and Fry's. So if you're someone, like me, who is in the U.S. and often would get gifted books on Kindle (oh, another Kobo lack: no public wishlists), you'll be basically out of luck on Kobo.
posted by bixfrankonis at 10:20 PM on November 12, 2020
posted by bixfrankonis at 10:20 PM on November 12, 2020
I have a refurb'd kindle that I got for $30? I think?
I like being able to purchase books directly if I want to, and there's a pretty easy way to send other formats to your kindle via email.
posted by stinkfoot at 7:09 AM on November 13, 2020
I like being able to purchase books directly if I want to, and there's a pretty easy way to send other formats to your kindle via email.
posted by stinkfoot at 7:09 AM on November 13, 2020
I'm currently using a PocketBook Touch HD3, because I don't like Amazon (or mobi files) and my experiences with Kobo have not been good. (Not terrible. Just not happy with the "must connect via internet or special software to activate" and I don't like their nav menu options.) I've had over five different ereaders, and this is the first that's come close to what I loved from the long-discontinued Astak Pocket EZ-Reader.
It's got both buttons and touchscreen to turn the pages, a backlight, and allows sorting both by title or author, and by folders & filenames. (I find this incredibly useful because I can save out fanfic with the fandom name in the filename; editing the files to put that in the title is a hassle.)
I got it at Newegg; they don't seem to be available at Amazon. PocketBook was one of my top choices for years, but they've only recently become available in the US.
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:22 AM on November 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
It's got both buttons and touchscreen to turn the pages, a backlight, and allows sorting both by title or author, and by folders & filenames. (I find this incredibly useful because I can save out fanfic with the fandom name in the filename; editing the files to put that in the title is a hassle.)
I got it at Newegg; they don't seem to be available at Amazon. PocketBook was one of my top choices for years, but they've only recently become available in the US.
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:22 AM on November 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have to say, hopefully if you settled on Kobo you aren't trying to buy stuff right now. Something seriously screwy is happening with their catalogue today. Whole listings have disappeared; it thinks my wishlist has 25 items in it yet also only has 10 in it…
posted by bixfrankonis at 3:44 PM on November 15, 2020
posted by bixfrankonis at 3:44 PM on November 15, 2020
Response by poster: Well, I followed he consensus opinion and bought a refurbished Kobo Clara. So far it's great! I've only had it for a few days, but I'm surprised to find that I am reading for longer stretches on the ereader than with a paper book! I guess for posterities sake I'll share it's a little weird holding it in bed. Like, I wish it had a bit of a lip on the side for me to hold on to. But besides that, it's great!
Thanks for your help. Great advice!
(Also shout out to blob - I will keep my eye out at thrift stores once I'm going to stores much again!)
posted by latkes at 6:37 PM on November 27, 2020 [4 favorites]
Thanks for your help. Great advice!
(Also shout out to blob - I will keep my eye out at thrift stores once I'm going to stores much again!)
posted by latkes at 6:37 PM on November 27, 2020 [4 favorites]
My reading skyrocketed when I first switched to an ereader. For one thing, I could now read on the bus, whereas trying to read paper books there nauseated me.
posted by bixfrankonis at 8:42 AM on November 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by bixfrankonis at 8:42 AM on November 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
This thread inspired me to buy a refurbished Kobo Clara and it is awesome. I've been reading on my phone for a long time but the ereader screen really is nicer to read on. I agree it's a tiny bit awkward to hold at some angles; I found myself wishing I could stick a pop socket on the back but that wouldn't work with the folding cover I have on mine. But it's still so nice - something about deliberately setting down my phone and walking away from it to read a book feels like it's good for my mental health, and I read two books over the holiday weekend which I probably wouldn't have read otherwise.
posted by beandip at 8:24 AM on November 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by beandip at 8:24 AM on November 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
My library uses Overdrive which is compatible with Kobo (I believe you can directly download, though I use Calibre still). You can also get Pocket articles on it.
posted by jb at 7:04 PM on November 12, 2020 [6 favorites]