Why You Should Buy An E-Reader

[G. Alvin Simons]

I'd like to offer the other side of the story. You should buy an e-reader to get access to the hundreds if not thousands of books out there that are no longer in print. I extend an invitation to anyone considering an e-reader to spend some time at a FREE site & just look all the offerings. Yes, many, many of them are older books, but what could be more helpful to someone researching or writing about a particular time than having books available from the time period? You get a real sense of the cultural attitudes, language, etc. through these older writings. Best of all,they're free! For instance, anyone researching World War I can find many out-of-print works of first-hand accounts written during that time period. Perhaps the known facts have been updated, but the sense of atmosphere & attitude pervading these works can't be found in more modern texts. Isn't THIS what a historical fiction author strives for, authenticity to the time, place, & society of his/her story?
Yes, the classics are certainly available, too, so grab all you want. I just wanted to point out the valuable research material & delightful reading that can be had for free through an e-reader without ever leaving your home.
I'll step down now & offer my particular favorite source:
http://manybooks.net/

Enjoy,
Alvin

[MLE (Emily Cotton)]

That's half of what finally got me. I was waiting for the DRM issues to settle out, but the pure convenience of all my research texts in the same spot as my WIP and any other PDFs I cared to download, when crossed with that $139 price reduction--- well, I bought.

Now if it would only arrive before I head out for Spain...

[G. Alvin Simons]

MLE,
I hope that it does because I know you'll love it. One quick tip: to prolong the battery charge, turn off the wireless until you want to download something. Also, be sure to follow the directions for switching it off when finished. Yes, it does go into a sleep mode after a few minutes of nonuse, but that still draws current. By doing these things, I've been able to make my charge last for over a week.

I hope you enjoy Spain,
Alvin

[rockygirl]

I've been considering an e-reader, mostly because I'm running out of space for books in my little house. I'm wondering what brand everyone is using. I have friends divided between Kindle and Nook.

What are you using?

[G. Alvin Simons]

Rocky Girl,
I have a Kindle. I listed my reasons for buying one in Kenny's e-reader questions thread. I'd suggest anyone considering a Kindle to visit Amazon & watch the video. It's what convinced me.
I hope that you enjoy whatever you purchase,
Alvin

[rockygirl]

Thanks for the info, Alvin!

[rockygirl]

I bought a color nook two weeks ago, and I am loving it. The images are very sharp. A read advantage is getting the NYT daily, as there are no deliveries up here, and the price is the stores is far over the cover price.

[Mythica]

I haven't used Manybooks.net much. I love archive.org - they have all the stuff on Gutenberg plus more. I have found some great old history books there.

[G. Alvin Simons]

I'll check that site out, too. Judging from the other thread, it seems as if there's DOZENS of reasons not to buy an e-reader & few reasons to buy one. To each his own, I guess.

Alvin