Comments on: Amazon Kindle Review: Electronic Book Reader Pros and Cons

By: Lonnie

Lonnie — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:35:13 +0000

I’m writing this a year later as I was searching for something new to read online (Amazon) and came across a new sci-fi book that looked interesting.

It was “Beneath” by Jeremy Robinson.

Then I noticed that Amazon only offered it as an e-book for Kindle download.

I blinked and switched over to Barnes & Noble and– No-joy. That author’s past PAPER books were listed, but not this latest Kindle Novel.

So this split my book buying pastime now into THREE different venues.

One– Actually go to a Brick & Mortar to look at what’s on the shelf because for some authors, particularly new ones, if you don’t type the name of the book or the name of the author in the search– you won’t FIND THEM. Plus Both Amazon & B&N have gotten rid of the straightforward “NEWLY PUBLISHED” listing and replaced it with “New & Notable” which is NOT the same thing. “NEWLY PUBLISHED” means EXACTLY that: EVERYTHING that was NEWLY PUBLISHED the Month. “New & Notable” can really mean just New & POPULAR. What you see could just be a list generated by Publisher Sponsorship and Reader Popularity Ratings. For this reason, I have found new books sitting on the Brick & Mortar shelf that I would NEVER have seen if I searched online ‘New & Notable’.

Two- Other Online book sources (and Bookstores other than Amazon & B&N) are dwindling or being subsumed into the Amazon Market.

Three– Now with the advent of the Kindle, we ae now seeing the true advent of Paperless Publications. . .

But not all of us have Kindle’s.

And if another Author only publishes a eBook on the B&N Nook, and that novel is NOT available in Kindle Form. . .will I have to have a Nook, too?

As a Reader, I have nothing against e-books. But being forced to spend $300 just to be able to read something I could just get for $7 goes against my grain. Never mind the possibility that if the Kindle or Nook malfunctions, I will have to pony up $300 AGAIN to have the pleasure of just enjoying a novel late at night?

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:23:33 +0000

I buy a printed book. I read it. I pass it to my spouse, who reads it. She passes it to her mother, who reads it. She passes it to my mother. She reads it then passes it to my sister. It continues to circulate, I don’t know how many times for the cost of 1 $10-$15 book. To accomplish the same amount of reading… since no-one will be loaning their kindle to someone else, would require at least 5 Kindles and the book would have to be purchased 5 times in electronic form. Over $2000 cost compared to $10. I can’t justify it until ebooks can be purchased and owned or the prices would have to come down dramatically lower than paper books.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:55:09 +0000

I live in Brazil, but still have an address in the USA. I only visit the USA once a year. Understand that the “anywhere purchase” is limited to the USA, but that in areas of no signal (and they still exist in the USA) purchases can be manged via the intenet/your PC. Does anyone know whether that is the case for periodicals? The International Herald Tribune costs a hefty $2/day at the stand or by subscription so the $13.95/month cost for the NYT is a deal!

By: Lee Johnson

Lee Johnson — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:58:20 +0000

I currently read my books on my eepc a 1 and 1/2 pound laptop. True it cost a little more than the kindle but it does everything a normal computer can do. I would like to find a program to load on the P.C. that would allow me to read Kindle Books they seem to have a good selection. If you know where I can get one drop me a line at doctorleejohnson@live.com also look for a Physician Desk Reference that I can read on the P.C.

By: SVB

SVB — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:54:33 +0000

Thanks Beth,

What you point out should be placed under the “Cons” section of this article. Yes, it’s definitely a disadvantage when the Kindle is not available at other geographical areas. Hopefully Amazon will provide more accessibility to this product in the future, as well as the ability for it to be more compatible with other ebook formats.

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:56:37 +0000

I’m automatically against the Kindle because it’s not available through Amazon.ca. Many retailers like Apple offer their products through the Canadian version of their web stores in addition to retail stores — at prices appropriate to the Canadian market. (Trust me, the current exchange rate makes a huge difference).

I’m not clear how much it would cost me to order one since it has to be shipped here and go through customs. I’m not thrilled about having to pay in US currency all the time — and if I can order books (that is, copyright and juristiction aren’t a problem) I’m going to get constantly dinged on credit card fees and fluctuating exchange rates.

Besides, if I buy an e-book reader, I want one that works with my library’s ebook collection.

Seems like a waste to me. (For now, at least).