I find the Barnes and Noble Nook intriguing, as I've found ereaders intriguing in general. I haven't yet decided between becoming a Nook owner, holding out for a better product, or resisting the movement. Here is why (specifically in regards to the Nook):
What I like:
- Finally, I don't have to hold the pages open (yes, I'm that lazy)
- My books can go where I go - that's right Aaron, the multiple books I'm currently reading won't be piled on the kitchen table, coffee table, and dresser anymore!
- It has a seemingly very vibrant color touch screen, which displays the books by cover
- Newspapers and magazines that MIGHT be worth subscribing to if the nook is already in my hands:
- Los Angeles Times
- The New Yorker
- how about Christianity today or Relevant? I know thecomplete list hasn't been released, but I'd be interested to know what else will be available. It's a pro & con: maybe some mags and newspapers will be good, but I wont be subscribing to RealSimple - it's not the same in black and white.
- You can add a Micro SD card and expand your library
- "From Treasure Island to Pride and Prejudice, download thousands of free titles."
- Nook supports PDF
- It's more customizable than the Kindle
- Nook stores music (although this wouldn't be it's primary use, it's a nice addition)
- Nook includes a full dictionary, which I find very useful (especially when reading Anna Karenina)
But, what I don't like:
- It's a little small (7.7 x 4.9 x 0.50 inches)
- Members and EMPLOYEES do not get discounts on nook or on B&N eBooks, while right now I can borrow hard covers from B&N for free up to two weeks and I get 30% off all book purchases
- Nook does not have a web browser while the Kindle goes to Wikipedia
- Nook lacks text-to-speech
- Nook lets you loan eBooks to friends, free of charge, but only once and for a 14 day limited time.
As a reviewer said, " the ownership concept is a little bit abstract." Can B&N take books back after you buy them like Kindle once did?
- Gift Cards and Gift Certificates cannot be used to purchase eBooks
Are these aspects enough to deter me from getting one? I honestly haven't decided. The thing that is causing so much doubt in the Nook is the lack of discounted books. I own a lot of books that I haven't yet read - would it be worth it to buy a device that I would need to fill with more books? I've heard the argument that I could sell some of my books to pay for digital copies, but is everyone going to be doing that? Will my books actually sell for a competitive price or a price comparable to the digital copies?
Something else to consider: which books are available?
Books I'd be interested in purchasing digitally that I've been able to find:
- Swallows of Kabul (book:$13.95/ ebook:$10.40)
- Why Faith Matters by Wolpe (book: $14.99/ ebook: $9.59)
- The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari (book: $13.00/ ebook: $10.40)
- Dimantled by Jennifer Mcmahon (book: $24.99/ ebook:$9.99)
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy (book: $14.95/ ebook:$11.96)
- Miles from Nowhere by Nami Mun (book: $21.95/ ebook:$17.56)
- Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi (book: $15.00/ ebook:$12.00)
- Cruel and Unusual Punishment by Nonie Darwish (book: $24.99/ ebook:$9.99)
- Hold Love Strong by Matthew Aaron Goodman (book: $24.99/ ebook:$19.99)
- The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose (book: $24.99/ ebook:$19.99)
- The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha (book: $22.95/ ebook:$9.99)
Books I want in digital format, but can't find:
- Hello, I Must Be Going by Christie Hodgen
- Hearing God by Dallas Willard
- A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
It's a better turn up than I thought it would be, but are the prices fair? Are they worth buying in digital format for that price? I'll never be able to resell them. I'll never be able to pass them on to a friend. I'll never be able to lend them to someone who does not have a nook.
And those are my thoughts. What are yours?
