Kindle vs Nook vs.....?

[Karl Henning]

I'm aware of technicians who will try to fix an iPhone, etc, outside the ecosystem of Apple stores. Perhaps a little googling will turn up someone in your area who works on other gadgets.

Thanks!

[j winter]

I currently have a Kobo Libra 2 and love it to death, just a simple, well designed piece of tech.  Kobo's ebook store can't match Amazon's, but I like the fact that it can read lots of different formats, can hold 32 gb of ebooks (for reference I have over 2,500 epub books, and the thing is barely a third full), works smoothly with my local library, and ergonomically it's very comfortable to use, fits right in your hand.  I greatly prefer it to reading on a tablet or phone -- I don't like the glare from reading from a shiny glass surface, I deal with enough of that looking at my laptop for work.  I've used Kobos for about 10 years, before that I had a few Nooks but gave up on them as Barnes & Noble's tech just couldn't keep up.

I still prefer a paper book if I'm reading something with maps or illustrations, if I'll need to consult footnotes or endnotes, or if it's an old favorite.  But for most books, especially fiction, it works just fine, saves shelf space, and is the ideal option for carrying around thousands of reading options on vacation, or even on a lunch break. 

[DavidW]

Almost certainly not worth it (the warranty's long expired) the power button seems to have recessed into the case. Nothing for it but to get a fresh device, meseems.

The Glowlight 4 is great, I highly recommend it.  If your old one was the Nook Simple Touch the huge jump in resolution and having that warm frontlight really makes a difference.

[Karl Henning]

The Glowlight 4 is great, I highly recommend it.  If your old one was the Nook Simple Touch the huge jump in resolution and having that warm frontlight really makes a difference.

I think I'll go ahead with that.

[DavidW]

I bought a Kindle in 2010.  It was interesting that I found a post here that I made in 2011 saying that I was drifting back into physical books.  But eventually more and more of my reading became ebooks due to limited space in my apartment and then later presbyopia.  I now live in a house and wear progressive lenses.  Over the course of the past year or so since I could comfortably read normal and fine print again, and found myself reading ebooks less and less often.  It is just a nicer experience to read print books and to own them (actually own them).

I think it was inevitable, but a few things have made up my mind to ditch ebooks a little bit earlier.  Amazon has made a critical change to close the exploit people (like myself) were using to strip the DRM off the ebooks they paid for.  The second is the Roald Dahl controversy.  You've most likely heard of it.  But what you might not know is that the publisher pushed the censored version out to Kindle, Kobo etc. to replace the original version.  I didn't "own" any of those ebooks, but it is just too much.  Paying full price for a license to own something that could change at the drop of a hat... it is just ridiculous.  And I'm not taking it anymore.

So I'm calling quits on ebooks.  I'm reading one now, and it will be the last one.

What about everyone else?

[Jo498]

I got a kindle around 2012. I bought comparably few books, but use it mostly for public domain books (e.g. the last batch I got were lots of CS Lewis whose stuff is available from Australian Gutenberg or so).
The most annoying thing for me is that when I don't use it for weeks it nevertheless discharges so I have to think about re-charging even if I don't use it.
I am also appalled at the schoolmarmish Dahl censorship (ironic and somewhat fitting that these Dolores Umbridge types (of both sexes) hate on Dahl) and I like physical books too much to go all kindle.

[Spotted Horses]

I bought a Kindle in 2010.  It was interesting that I found a post here that I made in 2011 saying that I was drifting back into physical books.  But eventually more and more of my reading became ebooks due to limited space in my apartment and then later presbyopia.  I now live in a house and wear progressive lenses.  Over the course of the past year or so since I could comfortably read normal and fine print again, and found myself reading ebooks less and less often.  It is just a nicer experience to read print books and to own them (actually own them).

I think it was inevitable, but a few things have made up my mind to ditch ebooks a little bit earlier.  Amazon has made a critical change to close the exploit people (like myself) were using to strip the DRM off the ebooks they paid for.  The second is the Roald Dahl controversy.  You've most likely heard of it.  But what you might not know is that the publisher pushed the censored version out to Kindle, Kobo etc. to replace the original version.  I didn't "own" any of those ebooks, but it is just too much.  Paying full price for a license to own something that could change at the drop of a hat... it is just ridiculous.  And I'm not taking it anymore.

So I'm calling quits on ebooks.  I'm reading one now, and it will be the last one.

What about everyone else?

I bought a Kindle around the same time, still works although 99% of my reading is on the Kindle App for iPad or iPhone.

The Dahl controversy is outrageous, but it is not that new or unique to ebooks. I read complaints from enthusiasts that the publishers of the Poirot books edited the new editions of the books to remove the old-fashioned writing style in favor of a more contemporary style. (Isn't that the whole point of reading an old book?) Faulkner's book The Mosquitos was edited by the publishers to remove what was considered unacceptable sexual references. That made the plot development disjointed. The fact that Amazon can modify the text you've already purchased is something new and clearly outrageous. It has not happened to any Kindle book that I own.

That said, I'm not going back to physical books anytime soon. The time I have available to sit down with a physical book in good lighting with my reading glasses is basically zero. If I read physical books I'd be able to read maybe one book per decade. The other factor is that I've signed up with bookbub.com, which scans amazon for discounts and sends you a daily email. You can specify a genre, and you can create a list of authors you are interested in. Turns out there are more $1.99 offers on my favorite authors than I can ever read. It is very rare that I pay full price for an ebook, the only exception being the occasional new release by a favorite author that I don't want to wait for.

[DavidW]

So I'm calling quits on ebooks.  I'm reading one now, and it will be the last one.

I'm amused by how outraged I was last year. Of course, reading issues sent me back to ebooks. Last month, I picked up prescription reading glasses, which, for long reading sessions, were as much of an improvement over progressives as progressives were over my single-vision glasses.

While I've been reading physical books nonstop over the past few weeks, it allowed me to re-examine why I bought a Kindle 14 years ago and perhaps come to ebooks not because I need the larger font but for the original reasons.

Indeed, DRM and publishers bowdlerizing text and then pushing it onto the reader makes it less attractive than truly owning a book that also can't be changed. However, I spent HALF A DAY culling my book collection and lugging them out to be donated. There are books I can't easily find here without paying expensive shipping fees online or driving to a bigger city. But I can buy the ebook immediately. I recently purchased an ebook for $2, and the physical copy cost $26, which is NOT a new release. Finally, I'm reading a doorstop that practically hurts my hand, which would be much easier for a reader.

It is nice to read both and do it out of choice and not necessity. I wish that my optometrist explained the options to me and why instead of just pushing me out the door. But it is what it is. Thanks to @vers la flamme and @AnotherSpin, I'm a happy reader once again.

What do you all do? Read physical only? Digital only? Both?

[SonicMan46]

I'm amused by how outraged I was last year. Of course, reading issues sent me back to ebooks.............

What do you all do? Read physical only? Digital only? Both?

Last year and a half, I've been downsizing my book and physical disc collection - have donated close to 70% or so of my physical books (including my entire wine and woodworking books) - of those I thought of reading again, I purchased as Kindle books which I read on an iPad,  my main device for reading although I still buy books (mainly from the History Book Club) because I like to feel and smell a book, usually donate them locally.

Also in that time, I've probably donated over 1500 CDs locally, both classical and non-classical music; and plan to cull out more.  As to glasses, I have far and near prescriptions and have Varilux lenses in my main glasses but also my reading prescription in another smaller lens pair - found that having that reading prescription in the larger lenses made reading easier.  Dave

P.S. also have reduced my DVD/BD collection by 80% - virtually all replaced with mainly Amazon Prime Video streamers of similar resolution or more.

[KevinP]

An anglophonic expat living in a non-anglophonic country, ebooks are a lifesaver. Strinctly B&W reader for me, except for the occasional title that isn't available in that format or the occasional comic book.

During my last sabbatical in New Zealand, I certianly bought a lot of physical books, but it was a pain getting them back to Korea. I shipped some and stuffed my luggage with others. Not going to make that mistake again, especially given that most of them were not essential. (I literally have recurring dreams about needing to go to the airport but being unable to pack everything, which never happened before then.)

[San Antone]

The Glowlight 4 is great, I highly recommend it.  If your old one was the Nook Simple Touch the huge jump in resolution and having that warm frontlight really makes a difference.

If I switched from Kindle to Nook, can I import my Kindle books?

[DavidW]

If I switched from Kindle to Nook, can I import my Kindle books?

Yes, provided you keep your Kindle registered to your account until it is done. Follow the instructions here. You must download your eBooks from the content and devices page on Amazon.

I do recommend Kobo over Nook because it is the most open of the big three formats and also supports the most file formats. Kobo also has no ads, which can't be said for Kindle or Nook (the home screens are just ad portals).

[Papy Oli]

Just popping in here to pick up the collective brains please: Have any of you experienced any issues with Send-to-Kindle in the last week or so ? I don't know if it is a general issue (I found similar reports from June 24 or last year, nothing this month).

For a bit of context, I only started in the last few weeks to dabble in e-books (due to being a born again reader  ). I bought a couple of e-book sets on AMZ directly, to use for now on the Kindle app on my Android phone and more rarely on the PC kindle app on my windows laptop.

I also bought a few more DRM-free complete sets directly from Delphi Classics. I sent these EPUB sets to my kindle library (via the Send-to-Kindle Amazon webpage: https://www.amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle) and downloaded and accessed them without issue in both apps. So far so good. This is while I make my mind up about an actual reader (either Kindle or another type - or whether my phone will be sufficient for my use and purpose).

Jump to this week. I bought a bundle of 50 complete works in French from another e-book editor (https://www.arvensa.com/offres-speciales/). Too good to pass on as many of those were of interest to me. DRM-free and cheaper than buying their equivalent on AMZ. I downloaded the 50-odd EPUB (varying from a few MB to about 135Mb for the largest I think). About three quarters were sent ok to my library and accessible on both apps again, as expected.

For the rest, I started to get some issues:

Issue 1 - Sent-To-Kindle doesn't work for 8 Epub files, I upload them (individually or in small bundles) and it takes about 30 minutes of processing each, then it is rejected (AMZ email received it couldn't be sent).
I tried at different times of day (and into the night). Same outcome.

As there are other options on that Send-to-Kindle page, I tried them:

- by email (note: Kindle email address is double checked and correct, my personal Gmail address is approved, limited to 25Mb but still tried it for the smaller files. Same outcome. They appear as processing...then rejected.

- Android : I copied the problematic epubs to my phone Documents folder. Click one file, Share, Share to Kindle. Again, it appeared as processing on the Send-to-Kindle page, then failed.

- Windows App. Installed it on my laptop and tried it (limited to 50Mb). Right-click the EPUB, Send to Kindle. Same outcome.


Also:
- I saw in my Kindle android app settings that I could assign a specific folder on my phone that my Kindle app could access itself and load to the library. Did so, copied the problematic EPUBs there. None of those appear in the library either.

- Thinking the upload problem might be a volume issue, I uninstalled the PC Kindle app altogether (removed from Devices and Contents on AMZ too)to leave me with only one device to upload to (the Android App). Same outcome, not uploaded.

- I rummaged in my phone folders and found the successfully uploaded books there, in a converted fashion assume (Internal shared storage>Android>Data>com.amazon.kindle>files>kindle). I tried to drag and drop EPUB or MOBI versions of the problematic books there. Same outcome.

- Next approach after reading more about it online: Installed the Calibre free software on my laptop. The 8 files in question open fine in Calibre. I converted those from MOBI to EPUB and tried  to send, same outcome. I converted the EPUB to EPUB and tried to send the newer version, same outcome.

- Even though it seems to be an "ancient" AMZ version, I then tried to convert those problematic EPUB to AZW3 format and copy them locally on the phone (in the folder path mentioned above). That has for now done the trick, I can see them in the library.

it's been a lot of faffing about but also good learning a bit more through this problem. I'll keep trying the Send-To-Kindle upload in case it is an AMZ issue. Have I otherwise completely missed an alternative approach or a simpler one ?

Oh I nearly forgot.

Issue 2   
For 6 other EPUB books, the files uploaded ok via Send-to-Kindle but without a cover in the library (even though the cover appears correctly in Calibre and is recorded fine in the metadata). Went through the above options too and only converting the EPUB to AZW3 did the trick again to see it properly.
Any other suggestions?

   
PS: Btw, The issue No.1 is not just for some files from Arvensa Editions. To check, I purchased 4 more sets from Delphi a couple of days ago. 3 uploaded absolutely fine. One just doesn't. It seems I will have to follow the AZW3 conversion route again for now.

If I ever go down the road of a physical kindle (basic or Paperwhite), I hope there's less faffing about and you can drag and drop files directly on it ? Even if there are not AMZ purchases ?


Sorry for the long blurb but I thought I'd mention the full context. Thank you in advance for any suggestions/comments on the issue or other options I have missed.

Happy reading     

(PS: I checked a couple of the problematic EPUB with this tool that I saw mentioned on Reddit: https://kindle-epub-fix.netlify.app - both files came back without errors).

[DavidW]

@Papy Oli, when you use Calibre, instead of converting to epub and then using send to kindle again, you should convert to kfx in Calibre and sideload.

Sending to Kindle has been problematic for many users (which I've seen on the subreddit). Either it is slow or fails. I don't know what is going on.

[Karl Henning]

Yes, provided you keep your Kindle registered to your account until it is done. Follow the instructions here. You must download your eBooks from the content and devices page on Amazon.

I do recommend Kobo over Nook because it is the most open of the big three formats and also supports the most file formats. Kobo also has no ads, which can't be said for Kindle or Nook (the home screens are just ad portals).

Interesting!

[Papy Oli]

@Papy Oli, when you use Calibre, instead of converting to epub and then using send to kindle again, you should convert to kfx in Calibre and sideload.

Sending to Kindle has been problematic for many users (which I've seen on the subreddit). Either it is slow or fails. I don't know what is going on.

Hi David, thank you very much, I'll have a look at that. By sideload, I assume you mean copy the files to the phone by USB connection into the same kindle folder I have put the AZW3 into?

[DavidW]

Hi David, thank you very much, I'll have a look at that. By sideload, I assume you mean copy the files to the phone by USB connection into the same kindle folder I have put the AZW3 into?

I'm sorry I missed that you were using your phone (in my defense, your post was very long).

In that case, use a different app. I think Moon+ reads epubs, and you can sideload directly onto the device (without requiring a service like Send to Kindle).

[Papy Oli]

Thank you @DavidW

I have installed Moon+ on my phone and sideloaded the EPUB. I will have a play around and compare to the Kindle Android app.

I also installed the KFX output plug-in on Calibre and will try that anyway as well.

[Papy Oli]

I'm sorry I missed that you were using your phone (in my defense, your post was very long).

In that case, use a different app. I think Moon+ reads epubs, and you can sideload directly onto the device (without requiring a service like Send to Kindle).

2 months on, I have gotten used to Moon+ and use it a few times a week on the phone (thanks again @DavidW ).

Still on the lookout for getting an actual e-reader at some point and looking particularly to the Kobo Clara BW?

Any general impressions on Kobo products, anyone please? Reviews look good.

[NumberSix]

2 months on, I have gotten used to Moon+ and use it a few times a week on the phone (thanks again @DavidW ).

Still on the lookout for getting an actual e-reader at some point and looking particularly to the Kobo Clara BW?

Any general impressions on Kobo products, anyone please? Reviews look good.

I briefly owned the previous model, which was the Clara 2E. Gorgeous text on the screen, definitely better than my Paperwhite. I only returned it because at the time I had no business buying a new reader when my Kindle worked just fine.

The reviews on the new Clara BW and the Clara Color have been uniformly strong - with some people emphasizing simply that the Color's screen is not quite as crisp. But I can't imagine anyone would complain about the Clara BW, if it's even the same quality as the model I test drove. I might get one soon because I miss the 6-inch size, compared to the Kindle PW's slightly larger and heavier frame. The smaller size feels almost perfect for long reading sessions, if you're not trying to read PDFs.