Hello to you, e-readers. Need your help:

aage · 09-28-2011, 10:37 PM

First off, please allow me to introduce myself. Aage is my real first name, I live in Ottawa, I am married to an avid reader, and I need a 40th Wedding Anniversary gift soon!

My wife's sister's husband (yes, my brother-in-law) has a Kindle that he is nearly always staring at, but when I casually asked my wife what she thought of it, she dismissed it as a frivolous item, and told me that she "preferred real books" to it. I must say though, that she is far from being technology hungry; in fact, she emails by telling me, "<her sister, our daughter, or other recipient> needs to know <insert email message here> and would I send it to her please, quickly?

I have learned to print out any responses, since my feeble memory never seems to captures near enough detail, or she looks at me with doubtful eyes as if that particular information never really showed up on the computer.

And yet, I balance that with the fact that she loves to read, has difficulty carrying the voluminous bags of books back and forth to the library, and yet loves to go to the library.

Oooh! It just occurred to me that I will have to find out what support our library system gives e-readers.

So! I ma looking to buy her one now, and the one I was first drawn to is the Kindle. It is my feeling that any attempt to include any other "computerish" functions would only make it too complicated, and add to the weight. And still, if it had wifi and a browser, and didn't add to bulk, who knows..?

Small, light, and good screen clarity. In short, that is what I am looking for.

I would dearly appreciate any and all comments that anyone would care to make.

Thanks in advance,

Aage

MickeyC · 09-29-2011, 07:50 AM

Hi Aage and welcome to MobileRead. Many of our eBook enthusiasts, okay, addicts were, at first, reluctant to try eBooks preferring regular books but quickly changed their minds once they got their hands on an eBook reader. There are plenty of WiFi eBook readers so definitely check your wife's library. I've had a Sony 505 for well over three years and really like it.

VicLavigne · 09-29-2011, 02:19 PM

Well, not knowing your wife...... the fact that she has already dismissed the idea of owning a ebook reader doesn't seem to make it a good potential for an anniversary present. Not unless you throw it in as extra. I'd get a a present she likes, and maybe see if you can entice her later.

What has worked for some (I know it happened with my wife) is that one partner gets an ereader and then the other partner gets attracted to it over time. So maybe what you really need to do is buy one for yourself, then maybe she'll want one of her own later.

Vic

TGS · 09-29-2011, 02:34 PM

Hi Aage and welcome to Mobileread. My wife spent months claiming not to understand how I could possibly read an ebook reader - she would never dream of it! I bought her a cheap second-hand reader from here on Mobileread. Now she converts all her friends. Having said that, I'd get some flowers and jewellery as well if it's an anniversary pressie!

ImogenRose · 09-29-2011, 10:43 PM

Hello and welcome to MR!

Imogen

beppe · 09-30-2011, 04:37 PM

Welcome to MR!

aage · 10-01-2011, 06:27 PM

Thanks to those who took the time to welcome me here. I can see that you are a dedicated group, and open to newbies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

Hi Aage and welcome to MobileRead. Many of our eBook enthusiasts, okay, addicts were, at first, reluctant to try eBooks preferring regular books but quickly changed their minds once they got their hands on an eBook reader.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicLavigne

Well, not knowing your wife...... the fact that she has already dismissed the idea of owning a ebook reader doesn't seem to make it a good potential for an anniversary present.

Cassidy and Vic,

I have to admit that I took the bull by the horns and bought her a new Kindle Keyboard (used to be called the Kindle 3, I believe). It seems to have a good mix of the features she needs, and I also think that it might become a way for her to have her own non-threatening device to use for email. Time will tell!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

Hi Aage and welcome to Mobileread. My wife spent months claiming not to understand how I could possibly read an ebook reader - she would never dream of it! I bought her a cheap second-hand reader from here on Mobileread. Now she converts all her friends. Having said that, I'd get some flowers and jewellery as well if it's an anniversary pressie!

Well, I must admit that I shared Vic's fear that she would not adopt it, but as she was going away to spend a long weekend with her sister, and her sister's Kindle enthusiast husband, and then her brother and his wife, who apparently are also e-reader people, I thought it would be a chance for her to get advice and ideas from them. Such has proven to be the case from what she told me on the phone just now, and she seems to be getting quite taken by the little wonder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beppe

Welcome to MR!

Thanks, beppe! Now where do I know that name from!?

Well, it appears that the challenge will be to somehow find ways to procure reasonably-priced (or even better, free) books to read, that will run on the Kindle. Our local library system here has good support for e-readers, with the notable exception of Kindle!

I see though, that in the US, some library systems have begun to add Kindle support, so hopefully that will follow up here, too.

Would anyone care to point out a good thread to start reading to help me in getting content?

Thanks again,

Aage

ps: I was amazed at how fast Amazon got that unit across the border to me! I order it very late Wednesday night, and it was delivered here Friday morning!!

VicLavigne · 10-01-2011, 10:18 PM

That is really great news that your wife took to the Kindle so fast. It took my wife 2 years of exposure to me using an e-reader before she became interested.

Lots of cheap and free content can be found if you search. There are loads of 99cent titles out there. And most "classics" can be downloaded free from the right site. Amazon has free content loaded, but if you are dliligent you can search other websites and manually download titles that are free. Smashwords.com is my most recent favorite site for new titles, and they have a good quantity of free versions too.... for the Kindle, you would have to download them to a computer and then side-load to your device. And of course, this very forum has a section of free classic titles and the mobi versions work on the Kindle.

Vic

09-28-2011, 10:37 PM	#1
aage Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Device: Kindle Keyboard WiFi	Hello to you, e-readers. Need your help: First off, please allow me to introduce myself. Aage is my real first name, I live in Ottawa, I am married to an avid reader, and I need a 40th Wedding Anniversary gift soon! My wife's sister's husband (yes, my brother-in-law) has a Kindle that he is nearly always staring at, but when I casually asked my wife what she thought of it, she dismissed it as a frivolous item, and told me that she "preferred real books" to it. I must say though, that she is far from being technology hungry; in fact, she emails by telling me, "<her sister, our daughter, or other recipient> needs to know <insert email message here> and would I send it to her please, quickly? I have learned to print out any responses, since my feeble memory never seems to captures near enough detail, or she looks at me with doubtful eyes as if that particular information never really showed up on the computer. And yet, I balance that with the fact that she loves to read, has difficulty carrying the voluminous bags of books back and forth to the library, and yet loves to go to the library. Oooh! It just occurred to me that I will have to find out what support our library system gives e-readers. So! I ma looking to buy her one now, and the one I was first drawn to is the Kindle. It is my feeling that any attempt to include any other "computerish" functions would only make it too complicated, and add to the weight. And still, if it had wifi and a browser, and didn't add to bulk, who knows..? Small, light, and good screen clarity. In short, that is what I am looking for. I would dearly appreciate any and all comments that anyone would care to make. Thanks in advance, Aage

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Are readers more educated than non-readers?	user_none	General Discussions	71	08-10-2011 12:05 PM
How many readers do you own??	nikkie	Lounge	45	02-12-2010 08:23 PM
Hi All Readers!	Perfessor	Introduce Yourself	4	01-11-2010 07:22 PM
Hi Readers!	LittleMe	Introduce Yourself	7	02-26-2009 09:36 AM
Hello Readers!	GoneNova	Introduce Yourself	1	08-24-2007 09:49 AM

09-29-2011, 07:50 AM	#2
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi Aage and welcome to MobileRead. Many of our eBook enthusiasts, okay, addicts were, at first, reluctant to try eBooks preferring regular books but quickly changed their minds once they got their hands on an eBook reader. There are plenty of WiFi eBook readers so definitely check your wife's library. I've had a Sony 505 for well over three years and really like it.

09-29-2011, 02:19 PM	#3
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	Well, not knowing your wife...... the fact that she has already dismissed the idea of owning a ebook reader doesn't seem to make it a good potential for an anniversary present. Not unless you throw it in as extra. I'd get a a present she likes, and maybe see if you can entice her later. What has worked for some (I know it happened with my wife) is that one partner gets an ereader and then the other partner gets attracted to it over time. So maybe what you really need to do is buy one for yourself, then maybe she'll want one of her own later. Vic

09-29-2011, 02:34 PM	#4
TGS Country Member Posts: 9,058 Karma: 7676767 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Liseuse: Irex DR800. PRS 505 in the house, and the missus has an iPad.	Hi Aage and welcome to Mobileread. My wife spent months claiming not to understand how I could possibly read an ebook reader - she would never dream of it! I bought her a cheap second-hand reader from here on Mobileread. Now she converts all her friends. Having said that, I'd get some flowers and jewellery as well if it's an anniversary pressie!

09-29-2011, 10:43 PM	#5
ImogenRose PORTAL Posts: 7,204 Karma: 2884640 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Kindle 1, Kindle 3 (3G), iPhone	Hello and welcome to MR! Imogen

09-30-2011, 04:37 PM	#6
beppe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,161 Karma: 81026524 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Italy Device: Kindle3, Ipod4, IPad2	Welcome to MR!

10-01-2011, 10:18 PM	#8
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	That is really great news that your wife took to the Kindle so fast. It took my wife 2 years of exposure to me using an e-reader before she became interested. Lots of cheap and free content can be found if you search. There are loads of 99cent titles out there. And most "classics" can be downloaded free from the right site. Amazon has free content loaded, but if you are dliligent you can search other websites and manually download titles that are free. Smashwords.com is my most recent favorite site for new titles, and they have a good quantity of free versions too.... for the Kindle, you would have to download them to a computer and then side-load to your device. And of course, this very forum has a section of free classic titles and the mobi versions work on the Kindle. Vic