My 23 year old niece got a Kindle for Christmas from her parents, which is what DN23 asked for. She's single, working and reads in her spare time. She loves the thing. She gave me a quick demo, but I think before I would be able to master it myself I'd have to read/refer to 'the Kindle Book for Dummies aka JMToo'. Not hard just would take some time to discover and learn how to do what all it does.

She got the Kindle and then also the 'jacket' for it, which is something I would also purchase if buying the kindle. They seem so fragile, well maybe exposed is a better word. DN23 uses her's often and has downloaded some great package deals (select x amount for x price).

For me, I love the old tree books, can't begin to remember how many I've dropped in the bathtub though and the Kindle and I would have problems going together where I like to take my tree books. But that's just me.

After seeing hers I've toyed with getting one for my DD10 but have decided not to just yet. My little one reads books on the computer from home that see accesses from our library online and for her right now that works. She can sit at her desk, read, I can see what she's doing/reading and so far she's happy enough . I think it will come rapidly though that a Kindle will be in her future, she loves to read and when we go into town her first place she wants to do is the book stores.

I am waiting for my B&N Nook to arrive. I've been wanting a ereader for quite some time and was really torn between the Kindle or the Nook. What pushed the Nook to me was the ability to share books for 2 weeks.

Anyway, I can't wait to receive it as I am an avid reader and have books and magazines & reference materials everywhere. I am hoping to replace most of these with the nook.

I think I am going to get a kindle however for DS, as an alternative to him lugging these huge text books around. I think it will be easier for him to find what he needs textbook wise on Amazon so will go with a kindle for that.

I think the e-readers have a big future with textbooks & even leasing textbooks for the class duration...maybe time to pick up shares of amazon? I don't see them replacing tree books for the reasons JustMe stated above, but I think they are great, especially for students or heavy travelers. I'd be a little worried about a ten yr old breaking/dropping it, however if the kiddo was fairly responsible with his/her things I'd go for it. Lighten up their backpack.

~Cat

Cat - great idea about textbooks! I never thought of that! (or even knew it was possible).

I want a Kindle so bad! I am an avid reader so this is really a no-brainer for me. Books are cheaper and the thing is lighter than a book. I'm sure it pays for itself in no time!

I think the iPhone has an ap similar to the Kindle. The drawback to that is the screen size and availability of books.

One thing I'm wondering is: can you play a Kindle like an iPod? I have been wanting to buy books for my iPod so I can listen to them on my way home from work in the afternoons (hour-long commute).

thanks everyone, I also heard of Sonny making some ereaders? anyone knows? Never heard of Nook, i am going to look it up.

My issue is that a big one (kindle or others) is expensive (like 500?) but smaller might be hard to use, hard on my eyes?

Justmetoo, I also love to have that old fashioned feeling of paper in my hand and wonder if I want to give up that?

ashley i do not find audiobooks helpful for me, I drive far to work and tried to listen to audiobooks, and I tune out and think of something else.

I am going to research different kinds then...

this forum is amazing! one can get answers to anything here!thanks so much

I have the Sony ereader, you can adjust the print to a larger size if need be.......

FD,

I have a Kindle and for the most part I like it. DH gave it to me Christmas before last. I read a lot and I bur a lot, really too many, books. I am a serious Amazon junkie.

However, while the Kindle is nice and fully loaded, it just doesn't replace real, regular, "tree" books. It's just not the same experience even though the words from the books are the same. I trot it out so DH doesn't get his feelings hurt, but it's just too foreign to replace real books

Can't recommend for or against. If the whole thing is about the book get it. If it's about the whole experience, don't.

I think you can adjust font on all the ereaders. There are some new ones coming out over the next few months including the apple tablet which also functions as a laptop. I'm a serious gadjet junkie so of course as soon as I get somethng electronic and the newer version comes out I want to upgrade.
-Cat

I am not gadget junkie and do not really care but i read a lot and have too many books, it is too crowded. i've been using libraries more and I try to buy only books that I know i will read again. but still..i just wondered if i would save space and money by buying ereader.

good advice everybody.

I am wondering if one of these days i would buy one for DD. she reads like crazy but lives in a very small place so I wonder if she could save space by using ereader.

i am surprised how many people here use ereaders, i don't know anyone IRL.

Oh, wanted to add Kindle does have a text-to speech option, and keep in mind your need to access pdf files.

You can go to some techie sites (gizmodo.com, cnet) and read reviews plus find out which ones have the features that suit you best. I'm not sure about the ability to play music files or not? I didn't think of it since I use a mp3 player for my music.

~Cat

thanks cat, I don't care if it plays music. Is text to speech means it reads to you? i wouldn't care about that either because I don't like to listen to books. great idea to check gizmodo. this lady at work has Nook and she loves it. I don't think she brings it to work (everything gets stolen at work)otherwise i would ask to show it to me.