14 Days with my handheld eBook Reader
5 Reasons to buy the Nook
I held off on Amazon’s Kindle; then with the news of an “iSlate” (iPad) in the horizon I held off on The Nook. But with the prices for the iPad a little too high for it to be something you just walk into the Apple store and pull out your wallet, I went back to weighing the pros and cons of owning a handheld ebook reader and purchased the Nook.
Two days after the iPad’s debut I bought the Nook as my choice of a handheld eBook reader. I might have buyer’s remorse. But I do have 14 days to play around with it before I can get a return but lose a 20% restocking fee and the eBooks I’ve purchased.
This is day 5 with the Nook so I have a little more than a week left to decide whether to keep it or not.
I wanted a handheld eBook reader because:
1. I read a lot of books
2. I spend a lot of money on books
3. My backpack is heavy
4. Handheld eBook readers are cool.
5. Reading books on my iPhone is not fun
But why the Nook as a handheld eBook reader?
First, it’s top in its class as a handheld eBook reader. Second, I am a big fan of Barnes and Noble. Their membership program stands out among the rest and makes me feel like I am saving money on books. The savings is immediate gratification! Plus a discount coupon along with a member discount really help budget book purchases. Why would you ever pay full price for a book is beyond me!
That is why I choose the Nook as my eReader. So here are the 5 reasons why I wanted a handheld eBook reader!
1. I read a lot of books
There was a time in 2009 where I read so many books I didn’t know where one story or quote came from. I was almost at a book a week and all the themes, ideas, and stories were a mash of thoughts in my head! Now I try to read only one a month.
I wanted an eBook eReader so I could have any book at my fingertips!
2. I spend a lot of money on books
Reading is one thing. Spending is another. As addicted book buyers and readers know, you tend to buy more books than you actually read. You are always trying to catch up. I am always trying to catch up. This is expensive and if I can save money from coupons, membership programs, and cutting the costs to $9.95 a book, I’m all for it.
I wanted an device that will eventually cost average itself out based on my book purchases.
3. My backpack is heavy
What is in my backpack or briefcase right now?
- “Affiliate Millions” by Anthony Borelli, Greg Holden
- “48 Days to the Work You Love” by Dan Miller, Dave Ramsey
- “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell
- “SuperFreakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
That’s heavy. It is bulging. I can’t even fit a pen in between any of those books. A handheld eBook reader is an ‘all in one’ gadget and is half the space of just one of those books!
4. Handheld eBook readers are cool.
Let’s face it. You are at a coffee shop, you sit back on a lounge chair, and you open your handheld ebook reader case and start to read like a scholar. You could be looking at your screen saver for all people know or listening to the music uploaded into the Nook. But you look cool right?
Okay, eBook eReaders have more functionality than just being cool. The Nook allows the upload of .pdf files and mp3s, so it’s a media device as well as a book. The Nook has different cases from the cheap protection to frames and designer covers.
If you are not an avid reader and you have a portable eBook reader, believe me, people will think you’re cool!
5. Reading books on my iPhone is not fun
I tried it with my Palm Pilot years ago and gathered up a nice collection of eBooks. It was not fun. It was also quite difficult on the eyes and when you have 2,000 pages to go on a book that is only really 200 pages long, it feels like a daunting task to read a book. The iPhone has eReaders that you can use to read books you have bought for the Nook which is a plus. That just in case moment at the bank line when you ‘forgot your Nook in the car’ type moment.
That being said, the Nook is fun to have. Having one makes you want to read more.
Having the Nook makes you feel like you actually should spend time relaxing with a great eBook and a cup of coffee.
“A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.” Martin Tupper
Those are my 5 reasons why I bought a handheld eBook reader instead of waiting for an iPad, and specifically the “Nookie” as I named it. I believe these are good enough reasons. The issues: is it really worth the money? Is it really better to have a handheld ebook reader instead of the nice crisp pages of a new book on your lap?
I have 7ish more days to determine that. Believe me, the $259 + $70 extended warranty (plus tax) I can have as a refund gets me closer to the iPad. I’ll keep you posted:
What purchases have I made for the Nook?
- “The Maxwell Daily Reader” by John C. Maxwell
- “Excuses Begone!” By Wayne W. Dyer
- “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen M.R. Covey
- “The New Yorker” Magazine
That should keep me going for the next week.
If you do have a brand new Nook – here’s how to set it up: “How to setup the Nook handheld eBook reader“
Glenn is a former financial analyst, close-up magician, and hockey player. He is now a writer, novelist, screenwriter, 
I want an iPad!
Me too!
Me too!
Too expensive though!
I too want an iPad but I’m really weighing the benefits. Its a ‘cool gadget’ but my MacBook (although not a pad) can probably do what the iPad does and more. This is the biggest drawback to me. I know the iPad is NOT a PC but a whole new media experience.
Now on to the Nook… Display is a disappointment thus far. I might eat the restocking fee in a couple of days (as well as the eBooks i bought thus far).
I’m interested in getting a nook simply because traveling with books is a pain (weight, space, etc)… Will be interested in whether you end up returning it or not.
This was my biggest reason. I have up to 3 books in my briefcase or backpack at one time. I do go through them fast, and it is nice to know that my back isn’t going to be loaded with such weight.
This is one of the biggest reasons why I was interested in an eReader. I have till today to decide. I’ll keep you posted!
matching reasons – not sure how the eBook / eReader formats will match on future devices – just start an overview – http://oyen.de/ereader – so TXT / PDF and ePub are the winers?
I have owned both a Kindle 2 and Nook. I ended up keeping the nook because of the PDF support and the touchscreen navigation. I would like an iPad too but I doubt I would mainly use it for reading…too many apps and games to distract the user.
I haven’t tried with Chrome. IE gives people some problems. Firefox is best. I use the Arras theme for Wordpress. The link is at the bottom of the home page footer. Check it out.
Glenn
Just to clarify… it’s a 10% restocking fee and no you won’t lose your books either. Your account will remain with BN and you can use the BN eReader on your smart device or computer.
Not that you are going to return it or anything… it’s just too cool!
Hope,
I did not return it! LOL Check out my post: 14 Days – the Final Decision!
Glenn
I’ve had my nook since December and I now prefer reading on it over print books. Part of it is the instant gratification of buying and downloading a book but as a librarian, I also like the fact that it uses the non-proprietary epub standard and you can lend books between fellow nook owners. I think this represents a more open model than either the Kindle or the ipad.
@Alesia – I feel the exact same way. I got mine as an xmas gift and was unsure how it would be to read without turning the pages. I can’t leave home without my Nook!!! And with the WiFi browser, its awesome at coffee shops with wifi access!