All I wanted for Christmas was an e-reader. That’s it. I didn’t care for any candy, chocolate, new socks, electric blanket, or new pillows. All I wanted was a portable, traveling, e-reading book device of some sort.
Viktor came through for me big time.
See, I don’t think an e-reader will ever replace my actual hard bound books, but I do need something a little more portable, what with all the traveling I do. My biggest concern when I travel is how I’m going to fit my 15 magazines and two books under the front passenger seat on an airplane.
That’s where this baby comes in handy. It’s small, thin, and super portable. And after I invested $13 on the first book in the series I’ve been reading {Outlander, if you’re curious}, the sequels in the series have only been $5 a pop. Way cheaper than any airport bookstore selling something I’m not super interested in reading.
And, there are a couple of cool features to sell you on, in case you’re wary of the price, {$250. Steep, I know}.
The Nook Reader, the color version I have, is a little bit like a mini iPad, which sells for around $800. It connects to the internet, and not just to the Amazon store like the Kindle, but actual internets, and you can do anything you’d do on your home computer on your Nook. Check your email, update Facebook, post on your blog.
Also, {we’re getting to my favorite part} you can share books with anyone else who has a Nook Reader. There are entire forums out there where people are sharing books with other like-minded Nook Reader users.
Cool, right?
But wait, there’s more.
I just found out last week that you can check out books from your local library, for free, on your Nook. All the usual stuff applies, like you can only check books out for 3 weeks at a time and all that jazz, but isn’t that the coolest? Each library branch has a code to an online repository of books where you can browse and check out whatever your library has in stock.
I’m sort of dying over that one. I haven’t had time to go to my local library since December and it’s killing me a little inside.
Top to bottom, if you can squirrel away the cash for it, I’m sold on my little Nook Reader.
100% in love.
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
I got the same thing for Christmas and I am in. love. with. it.
A friend of mine who works in publishing gave me a little speech about how she would never, ever. And how she would like to keep print alive for a bit longer, thankmeverymuch. But here’s the thing: I have purchased SO many more books since getting an e reader than I ever did before. It’s less expensive and more convenient. Double the awesome.
Listen, I’m a HUGE fan of the printed word. I’ll never stop reading actual books. This just makes it that much easier for me to read more books, more often.
I’m with you.
I love mine … a surprise birthday gift! I love it and it has come in handy at Dr’s appts for entertaining my daughter. I haven’t tried the lend me books but would love to share with my nook friends! I’m really waiting for the android apps to come out ;) I know you can hack it and download them but it would be just my luck something would happen and well there goes my warranty! Thanks for the info on the library – cool stuff! I did read something about that but haven’t taken the time to check it out!
What a great gift! And I love the read along books for kids!
Go check your local library. Amazing.
I got a nook when they first came out a little over a year. I love it. I just can’t wait until they have the same ebooks as Amazon. We even got our 12 year old an ereader for Christmas. I’ve got my husband, mom, sister,dad and daughter hooked on ereaders. There’s nothing better! I thought that I would miss holding an actual book in my hand but I don’t! It’s funny at night when my husband and I are reading in bed and you can hear us both “clicking” to turn the pages!
Of course you did, you early adopter!
I was wanting an e-book reader and couldn’t decide between that and the kindle. Now knowing that I can get on the Internet with this is a huge selling feature over the kindle. However, kindle has TONS of free books available to download from their site, and not just old classics. Does Nook have a good selection of freebies?
Nook doesn’t have a great selection of freebies, I won’t lie. I wish they’d get on board with that like Kindle, and I’m hoping it’s just a matter of time.
Love Outlander! I’m on book #3.
Just started the 4th. Oh Jamie. oh.
OMG.
I’ve had my Nook for over a year now and had NO CLUE my library would do that! I’m about to go ape shit on the internet.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WISE AND SHARE-FUL. Yes, I made that word up.
Tish, go talk to your local library, they’ll help you out. Shareful, I’ll take it!
You actually can get online with the Kindle, as well, and not just on the Amazon store. I have a nook and LOVE it, but several friends of mine went the Kindle route and have not been disappointed. I even noticed that the internet connection on the Kindle was a bit more reliable when all of us were on a cruise earlier this year and wanting to check our emails.
I have the original nook and have no problems checking my email on it, but I haven’t tried to do much else with it, so I don’t know if the new nookcolor gadgets are better than their less expensive predecessors in the area of internet usage. As far as free books, of course there’s anything you can find on Google Books or Project Gutenberg, but I haven’t noticed B&N offering a large selection of free stuff. And as for the library stuff, a lot of libraries are working on implementing e-reader check outs, but haven’t *quite* gotten there yet. And a lot of them have, but their selections leave something to be desired. I think in a few more years you will be able to check out anything you want and I can’t wait for that day!
Thanks for all the info Megan!
I would really like a nook, especially knowing that you can check out books from the library, too. That’s a great feature. My Birthday is coming up. Maybe I’ll email this link to my hubby as a little “hint.” :)
Gina, it’s my new favorite.
I’m trying to want one. I’ve worked in book publishing for 15 years, and while I totally think they are important (especially for traveling) it’s just still hard for me to get all super excited about them. I’m getting there though, and am always glad to hear when someone likes them!
I felt the same way Paula, I really did. I have a huge home library, and I still buy books and magazines like there’s a fire, but this has made my voracious reading appetite that much more satiated.
I’ve read so much more since getting my nook as a birthday gift in the fall (I read alot before, but now it’s just easier). I also work in publishing, but on the digital side of educational materials/products and have no fear that print is dead, or will be anytime soon. While my girls like to read my nook and their books – they also love going to the library and picking out their own books.
I don’t think print will ever be dead, ever. We’re a family of library rats too, but this just makes the travel + reading that much better. Love it.
Ok seriously it’s like you were reading my mind. I’m in love with anything Apple but when I have the phone and a computer I was having a hard time with putting down the cash for an iPad even though I’m fascinated with them. The past two days I’ve been toying with buying a nook…AND…you just sold me on it. So thank you! My back thanks you as well since I’m traveling to Hawaii soon and was also wondering how I would tote around all that reading!
Oh Michelle, the pressure! I hope you enjoy it. I’ve loved toting mine around on all the trips I’ve taken over the last month!
I had no idea that the nook could do so many things. Cool.
Do you know if you can access the library thing with an iPad?
I don’t! I wish I did. But the iPad can practically clean your house right? It probably can. I’d ask your librarians, see what they think.
Ok have to admit I’m an apple girl and have an iPad because I can do way more than the nook or kindle can do. Yeah there’s Internet but I also have much more stuff on the iPad including a kindle app, barnes and noble ereader, overlook audio for books, plus all my Microsoft office programs to do documents and spreadsheets. (use my wireless keyboard) May be a little bit pricier, but love love love it and well worth the price. But it’s not for everyone.
Um, I love mine too.
I know. I want an iPad, but for what I wanted and needed, and for the price, this was a little more realistic. Shoot, someday.
This is as tempted as I’ve been to get an e-reader.
I’m on #4 of the Outlander series.
Jillian, I just started #4 and I think so far I like it even more than #3. Sheesh, she’s got me by the throat with this series, I love it!
I’ve got to get it nowwwww! And I love that green case.
YOU would love l-o-v-e a Nook Marie. Then we could swap books. Do eeeet, do eeeet!
We have both the original Nook and a Nook Color and I love them both. I have shared books with friends and my hubby and I pass them back and forth. And when I found out I could borrow from the library, I squealed. I’m a die-hard “real” book fan but for portability, these little beauties can’t be beat.
Netlibrary & Overdrive are the databases at the library that have e-books you can check out.