Taking the eReader Plunge

I have a Pandigital eReader that I loved, but I accidentally broke the glass on the lcd screen. I searched in vain for a replacement screen.  I've tried for months to get their customer service to help me find replacement or repair for the screen, but just getting them on the phone took forever (10 tries!), and while I finally got a "case number", no one followed up with a resolution either way for the past 6 weeks.  Email was even less successful, with no response at all.  Given the complete lack of customer service that I've experienced with Pandigital, I cannot recommend them.

I like the Nook - both the reader and the app for Mac (PC, iPhone and iPad all have apps for Nook too). The biggest reason I chose Nook over Kindle is that with Nook, you can borrow library eBooks. Sony eReaders also support the library ePub formatted eBooks, but the Sony products are more expensive than the classic (b/w) Nook.  I didn't bother with Kobo, since Borders is now in bankruptcy, and I want to have a piece of equipment that has a fair chance of being supported by the manufacturer for a while.

There are three models of the Nook, the original black & white screen using eInk, and the new Nook Color which is a small Android tablet (and hackable, but that's another post for another day).  If you just want something for reading, save money and go for the black & white version, which has either wifi-only or wifi + 3G downloads (free) provided by AT&T.

If you want a really inexpensive Nook option, you can find refurbished models (varying availability depends on stock on hand) on eBay, sold by Barnes & Noble. I've found many Nooks listed on eBay for inflated prices from other sellers, but B&N has consistently had the lowest.

If you don't care to try an eReader, you can also add Adobe Digital Editions software, free, and read library eBooks on your laptop or desktop.   And if you want to buy Nook books from Barnes & Noble, and use them across platforms, they have free apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC.

Okay, now what can I read?

There are several options for free and low cost eBook content readable in Adobe or Nook formats.

Try your local library.  As a resident of NY state, I was able to join the NY Public Library in NYC for free, via computer, and have access to all electronic book and other resources. Your local library system may also offer eBooks and other electronic files as well through the Overdrive interface (the same one used by the NYPL). Obviously, not all titles are available as eBooks, but it's a good place to start when looking for newer works.

Project Gutenberg has thousands of public domain books in multiple formats,  ePub for Adobe Digital Editions software and the Nook, html, simple text, as well as Kindle compatible files.  All books are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

For Nook and Nook app users, Barnes and Noble has a blog, Unbound, that posts about new releases and often has promotional pricing on selected titles, and features free eBooks on Fridays with titles from contemporary writers (some full length novels, but sometimes short stories or novellas).  There is also a dedicated section of free eBooks on the Barnes and Noble site, available any time.  If you have a Nook, you can read their eBooks for free for an hour in-store and get free samples, usually the first couple of chapters, of most eBooks in the catalog anytime.  I have found that it really helps me to decide if I want to justify shelling out full price on a new title.

My kids still prefer dead-tree-style books, but I am finding that the electronic version really suits me.  I like the light and compact nature of an eReader, and I love being able to instantly download and read something the moment it strikes my fancy.  It's less cumbersome than using a laptop, and it frees up the computer for my daughter's marathon Roblox sessions :-)