UK Book Club discussion

Hi, has anyone tried one of these? Are they any good? The only advantage I can see is that you can take lots of books with you when you go away. I think I would miss my hardcopies. I've so many books yet to read

Hi Gill
I havent got an ereader yet i am hoping to get one in the future. I have been looking at the Sony Touch Screan as I think it will be the easiest one for me to use as I have cerebral palsy and I have trouble with small buttons lol. But like you I think that I will miss holding the hardcopies and turning over the pages of the book but on the other hand you can get load of the classic books for free on the internet at
www.manybooks.net i think that the right address.

Hi

I got a sony e reader last year and I love it! Have to say I still read a lot of books at home and tend to use my e reader when I'm travelling but as I don't drive I use public transport every day so its very handy and not as heavy as a book!

As Nick says you can get lots of classic books free. Have just looked at that website Nick it looks good thank you! I usually use http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

You can also get ebooks and short stories free from unpublished authors from http://www.feedbooks.com/

Hi Amy
glad you found the site usefull ;)

I think if I am correct you will be able to send each other ebooks by email I think? If I am rong I hope some one will correct me please.

I have 2 sony readers the 505 and touch version and love them both! and take them everywhere with me too.

I use manybooks.net which is a good site for classics and older books and free too. You can download straight to your ereader from there.

From Melbourne, Australia: I am lucky enough to belong to a public library that lends ebooks. my son in law is interested in getting a Kindle or other ereader, but needs to know he cant just buy eBooks from their connected retailers. The library uses Adobe PDF eBook and Adobe EPUB eBook and Mobipocket eBook. Can they all be used with Sony? I am really interested in getting a reader for myself, but the cost is horrendous at the moment, so I'm waiting for them, like iPods, to go down in price.

Hi sally
yes sony covers most formats I think. If I'm right Lynne with be able to tell as she has two ereads. I hope this will help you.

Just looked for my instructions! I know the sony reads PDF files but will get back to you if it does other formats, or you could try the website for Sony.co.uk

Lynne wrote: "I have 2 sony readers the 505 and touch version and love them both! and take them everywhere with me too.

I use manybooks.net which is a good site for classics and older books and free too. Yo..."

Do you find that you use the ereader instead of books or a bit of both? eg if you wanted to read a particular book would you download it or purchase it. I tend buy a lot of books 2nd hand when I see bargains. What it the availability of book downloads - are most books available?

pdf, epub, text file, rtf file,word file (unsecured)BBeB book

Please don't ask me what they are as I have no idea! Technical stuff defeats me!

I buy my ebooks from waterstones.co.uk they have a huge selection of new titles. I too still like to buy real books but my sony's go with me everywhere, I can read then whenever I have a spare moment. You can find me in cafes, supermarket queues, and train journeys reading it! My touch version is great as I can read that balanced on my lap and knit at the same time, I use the needle to touch the screen and turn the page!

I am reading Alice in Wonderland from my 505 version. I have a SD card of my favourite music in my 505 version too so I can listen to music as I read as well if I want.

Do you find you have a REAL book and an ebook on the go at the same time? I'm tempted to get one but not convinced yet that I would use it as much as the cost warrants. Are download expensive? I've looked at some of the sites where you can get them for free but they didn't inspire me.

Some are some aren't it depends on the books and special offers. Yes I have both real and ebooks on the go. I take a real book with me to work and my ereader. (See my Currently reading list!) I read from my ereader every day! I also have the ds lite classics too which I also use regularly! I am a total nut when it comes to reading books!

I cant what to get my ereader as there r so many class
ic books i would like to read but most I think the ereadre will be easier for me to use.

I've had the Sony 505 for almost a year now. It's a great bit of kit. As with most Sony things it's nice to look at as well as use.

I use Adobe Digital Editions to store my library as it is useful to read on the laptop screen (I use it for work books as well). Books downloaded from Waterstones can be stored in Digital Editions.

I have had limited success in loading PDF and Word documents onto it. They load OK but the formatting is a bit ropey when you zoom in to medium or large. At Small the text becomes almost unreadable.

The Sony library app is a bit hit or miss.

I get most of my books from Waterstones but have also bought from BooksOnBoard. The selection is good and the price is usually slightly less than the price of a dead-tree book (but not much). There's an argument that the e-book version should be a lot cheaper cause there's no printing, distribution, etc. but that doesn't seem to be the case yet.

Pro's of e-book:
- Ease of buying books e.g. think about buying a book, go online, buy it, download it, read it. No messing about on buses in the rain! :)
- Less cluttered bookshelves/house;
- Can carry your whole bookshelf on holiday/business;
- More comfortable to hold (I find).

Cons:
- Second-hand books (or indeed lending of books) are a thing of the past. I love the idea of libraries getting into e-books (as Sally mentioned earlier). I think that is the best of both worlds.

I don't think that e-books will ever replace 'real' books. However, I think that there are a lot of reasons why you can make use of both.

Thanks for your comments everyone. I'm still undecided whether to buy one or not, but it good to see those who have one are very positive about them. No bad comments yet. Maybe I'll wait until they come down in price a bit first - I still have lots of REAL books at home to keep me occupied in the meantime!!!

I have to say that I really don't like eReaders. It's a nice idea, being able to carry a whole library round with you, but it takes away some of the reading experience for me. Part of reading a book is the feel of book, turning the pages etc - it ends up feeling really personal, and I just don't get that with an eReader. I also find it difficult to look at a screen for too long, so I wouldn't be able to read for as long either.

Thanks Dani, That's partly how I feel too. I sit at a PC screen all day so I'm not sure whether I could use an ereader too. If I have to read a document at work I usually print it to read it rather than read it on screen.

I agree with both Dani and Gill on this one, I definitely prefer 'real' books and really struggle to read stuff off a computer screen (tend to zone out and just stare at the words without taking it in lol). I like the smell you get with books too whether old or new (or somewhere in between), it grabs your senses a lot more than an electronic gizmo.

As an avid book reader I felt the same about real books and never thought I would enjoy the e reader but to me it enhances my reading experience!

I have the Sony 505 and touch versions with no back light so its kind on the eyes and by changing the font size from small to large (505 version) and even larger font on the touch version I find it even kinder than reading a real book and I have been known to read for 7-9 hours straight when looking after my patients even in low light.

I have light covers for both versions too which work well to read in low light/in the dark, which doesn't disturb anyone else in the room who is sleeping.

I agree with you about reading off a computer screen. I can't do it either. However, the reader screen is not like a PC or laptop screen. It has no backlight and is static (i.e. it doesn't flicker) so no eye strain. It looks a lot like a paper page and is very easy to read (as Lynne says). I think its one of those things that you have to try for yourself.

Hot off the press... http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/th...
http://www.engadget.com/photos/the-ap...

I've used my phone for reading e-books but always found it was a little painful for the eyes! I would be interested in trying an ereader but would want to try one before actually buying one I think!

Nip into your local waterstones and have a look at their display they will show you how it works, or a Sony shop if you have one near you

We do have a Sony one, I'm in town tomorrow, may pop into either WS or Sony to have a look :)

Would it be pros to send ebooks by attaching them to emails to send to friends?

Nick wrote: "Would it be pros to send ebooks by attaching them to emails to send to friends?"

I wonder if that would be possible with e books that aren't free? I would think there would be some kind of block on it to keep you from transfering a book to someone that they would normally have to pay for.

I noticed some librarys near me (Unfortunately not the ones run by my local council) have started doing ebooks that you can 'borrow' they expire after 4 weeks when I presume you won't be able to access them after this date

Any other librarys do this? I will have to check if my local librarys will start this hope so!

I don't think my local library does that it does seem like a really good idea though!

I dont know if any one will be interested I found out that you can send ebooks to your friends. As I recieved one the other day from a friend. The only thing I dont have a ebook yet I am getting a collection of ebooks already and saving then on a memory stick.

Hi Nick,
I think I would check up on that friend if I were you. Fine, fair enough if the original book was free and out of copyright. However if it is a book currently covered by copyright then both you and your friend could be in serious strife as it would be common theft!!! Some libraries have a system where you can download an E-book, these have, or should have, a time limit before the file corrupts. Libraries pay a royalty per hire/loan on their books. The technology to prevent illegal downloads is, at the moment less than perfect but is rapidly improving, the problem is amazon don't seem to care.
Just remember authors have to eat as well, very few of us get 'advances' never mind big ones.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer:]

Sorry i didnt say before as i was trying to hurry as i was going out. the book my friend sent was one that she has written so we are safe.

Hi Nick,
It's me who should say sorry mate! The point is still valid though as this is likely to be a serious problem in the not too distant future.
I hope you enjoy your friends book, more power to you, and your friend, I wish her well with it. Unfortunately sales are more down to who you know rather thas how good the story is.
If you get the chance, come and see us at Winchester or Frome in June and July.
All the best Paul Rix [old geezer:]

Paul wrote: "Hi Nick,
It's me who should say sorry mate! The point is still valid though as this is likely to be a serious problem in the not too distant future.
I hope you enjoy your friends book, mor..."

Would like to be able to come and see you but right now I'm living in spain. Hope fully I will be back in england.

After more than a year of looking into this I treated myself to the Sony Pocket, its a nice size (about the size of a paperback but not as deep so fits into my bag better), the battery lasts me 4 weeks per charge and I have found a lot of sites (official I might add) that have either posted books for free (out of copyright) or bought books on offer (WH Smiths and Waterstones). I love my reader but I still buy certain books in physical form as there are certain authors I follow and there are some authors that will not be releasing in e-book format.
For me the pro's are quite substantial, biggest one is space, electronic format is a big space saver and also removes temptation from my son to tear things up should I leave them in his reach, I also travel a lot with work so not having to carry numerous physical books with me is much easier, as I can 'zoom' in on the text if I am tired I have found I don't get as much eyestrain as I used to and this has resulted in me reading a lot more.
The only con for moe is that not all books that are being released at the minute are available in e-book and considering the production costs and environmental benefits, e-books are more costly too.
I have noticed that some people are put off by thinking that after sitting infront of a computer screen all day that this is the same as reading from an eReader screen, it isn't, the screen isn't back lit and there is no flicker or glare, it's kind of lightly textured and has the appearance of light grey paper.
I do recommend them for people that read a lot but I also say go to shops and have a play with them first.

Kim, my seniments exactly! I could not be without either of my Sony's! I have the light covers on mine too as sometimes I am sitting in the same room as my patient in low lighting, they are brilliant for that and also at the cinema when you have to sit through all the commercials before the film starts!

I haven't managed to get a light case for mine yet, partly as they appear to be out of stock and secondly the price.
I got a lovely leather case for mine off amazon (its black with white stitching and a nice clasp) fits lovely and reading with the case on it has the feel of reading a really nicely bound book (make the experiance nicer I think), as an interim I use a book light I bought when I was pregnant (to while away those sleepless uncomfortable hours at night with a book) and it slips nicely onto my case. Gosh its years since I have been to the cinema (I forgot about the adverts).

I got one as a christmas gift and one as a treat for me from me! But yeah they are expensive! Will have to look on amazon for a new case I still use the original one on my 505.

Hi - I see there's not been any action on this thread for a few weeks now but I thought I'd add my comments as I'm another owner of a Sony (pocket edition) Reader.

I was offered the chance to receive one as a special Christmas gift and after much deliberation over how I felt about eBooks I accepted that offer and with great excitement (and trepidation) unrwapped my Reader on Christmas day 2009. I have to say that when I actually held the device in my hands I almost fell in love with it straight away - the smooth lines, nice weight and the leather cover all just felt and looked great. More importantly the interface is simple and intuitive to use and the screen quality is superb - no eyestrain at all.

I still use my Reader in conjunction with "real" books as, for me, it doesn't quite capture the experience of turning a page. It may sound daft but if there's a book that I want to read that I feel will be somehow "special" I still buy it in paper format (Amis's The Pregnant Widow is an example of this). For everyday reading though I do genuinely love my Reader, it's convenient to carry around, can hold an enormous selection, sits easily in one's lap or flat on a table and is easier to read in bed. I also find that the immediacy of downloading eBooks has prompted me to go for things I might not have otherwise and my reading habits have widened as a result which can only be a good thing.

I'm occasionally disappointed that not every new book is published in eBook form and I also find that pricing decisions can sometimes be unfathomable and frustrating (I've seen certain eBooks priced at the top end of the "Hardback Scale" when the same volume can be bought as a physical paperback for a 1/4 of the price).

On balance, I think that I am pro eBook but there is still a schism within me that means I'm not ready to give up on printed books anywhere in the near future. You see I love reading, but I also love books. And yes, convenience is a factor, as is space saving but at the same time there's almost nothing I love more than casting my eye over my bookshelves crammed with volumes; the variety of the colours and styles and sizes of the spines so alluring to me. I look at my Reader and I love it but then I picture it as the only thing on my bookshelves and it makes me sad...

Ok my question is not about an e~reader but about the books you can buy. I have loads of titles on my TBR which are only availble from US web sites and yes I've checked Waterstones, BooksonBoard, Cool ER etc, now I know many people in other countries purchase from the US such as 'my books and more' but has anyone here done so? and if so did you find they were ok with rates of exchange.

Don't have an ereader yet but have been sent a couple of books PDF. Have it not easy to read as this. I translated both my books to ebooks and all is well enough. I too like the paper (or tree) books, but then I'm older and I think the ebooks and other on-computer info belongs to the newer ones. For authors - publishing house and indie ones - it is the way of the future. In Japan, small houses, make for almost all using e-readers.The Skye in June

I have to say I realy love my kindle. Don't miss the physical feel of books at all....which I thought I would, but do miss the visual stimulus and the sight of a book on a bookshelf....but my shelves were full and I am helping save some trees.

OMG, I can't believe I hadn't considered the save the tree angle! What with me being such a save the planet person too. My next read is on the kindle, it'll be my first try, quite excited.

Helen wrote: "OMG, I can't believe I hadn't considered the save the tree angle! What with me being such a save the planet person too. My next read is on the kindle, it'll be my first try, quite excited."

Hi Helen,

Now you can say that your saving the micro-chip LOL!

Helen wrote: "OMG, I can't believe I hadn't considered the save the tree angle! What with me being such a save the planet person too. My next read is on the kindle, it'll be my first try, quite excited."

That's the biggest reason why I keep considering one but I'm too attached to my books. I will get there eventually though I'm sure!

I've just started The Moonstone on my Kindle. Think I'm actually more excited about using that than the book at the moment!

I am loving my Kindle :) It is the best present my husband has ever got me.

I am doing my bit for the planet and saving space at home at the same time :):):):)

Also a Kindle lover! I love the convenience of being able to download books instantly and even read books on my phone wherever I go with the Kindle app!