Reading - RV-Dreams Community Forum

KD · RV-Dreams Family Member

Reading

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think it has been mentioned before but we use the Kindle. It is an electronic book, not a computer screen though as it is not back lit, it is a format called electronic paper. Whenever you need a new book you browse Amazon and as long as you can get a cell signal (AT&T) you can get your books in minutes. It eliminates all those paper books. The internet access to Amazon comes with the Kindle so no extra monthly charge for that. We are voracious readers and knew we had to come up with a solution. My husband was hesitant about the format, he looks at a computer all day at work, but the electronic paper has won him over, it is much easier on the eyes. Sony and Barnes and Noble have their versions now too,can't speak for them but we love our Kinldles.

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Have you looked into the Kindle? I read about it here on another thread (not sure which one!!) and it sounds like a great option. I'm not fulltiming yet either - still in the planning stages - but am also a reader, and plan to get a Kindle this year probably.

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey janieD, glad to hear that you like your Kindle - I am looking forward to trying it out. :)

KD · RV-Dreams Family Member

a friend has a Kindle -- I'll ask her if I can take a look at it. Seems I recall it cost quite a bit to purchase, though.

Thanks everyone.
Karen

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Many campgrounds have a free book exchange in either the wash room or the club house. Some of them are quite large.

We've been able to join the local library in many places when we stay long enough to make it worth while. Sometimes it's free and sometimes there's a $5 or $10 charge. We are going to be in southern Florida for a couple of months and just joined the Homestead library. We even ordered books elsewhere in the system that we've been looking for for a while now.

Howard · Host

Hi KD,

Many RV parks have libraries and book exchanges onsite - some are quite extensive. There are numerous "take a book, leave a book" programs in RV parks across the country.

Also, consider checking out BookCrossing.com. With BookCrossing, people leave books in public places for others to pick up and read. The books are registered online so that people know where they are and where they've been. It's free!

You may want to check out online book exchanges like SwapTree.com. Books are listed and traded. The only cost is shipping a book to someone else that you are trading with. These exchanges are good for those times when you may be in a place long enough to receive mail.

Those are just some suggestions. I'm sure you will get more. smile

KD · RV-Dreams Family Member

thank you all SO much!

Karen

mcw50 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We also read a lot and like others have mentioned, we always ask when we check in to an RV park if they have a book exchange...and if we are in a place for a week or two we see about getting a card at the local library (if there is a $$$ charge we usually pass). Other things we have found are that some RV parks have "yard sales" or the like, especially on the weekends and we are always on the lookout for "flea markets" and used book stores. We've managed to always have a supply of "Books to Read" on hand.

K & E · RV-Dreams Family Member

We live in Wisconsin and the library I belong to has an online reading checkout program. There are many books to choose from. You pick the one you want and check it out. Sometimes, you have to put a hold on it. They must have a limited supply of electronic books to check out. Once you check it out online, you have access to it for 7 days and then it disappears. These are audio books, but you can access them anywhere you have internet connection. Once it is downloaded, you don't need the internet to listen. I also love to read and frequently listen to audio books while in the car or exercising. Maybe your local library has a similar electronic system. We plan to start fulltiming in May!

rjenkins · RV-Dreams Family Member

the ipad from apple is coming out april 3rd that will compete with the kindle not to mention that is comes with 150,000 apps availabe to download from day one!

pinetree · RV-Dreams Community Member

If you are staying at one place and can get mail, buy a box of books for e-bay. Last box of James Patterson books 52 cost $12.50

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would caution anyone on the ipad (I love apple products) for the reading application as it is backlit like a computer screen which is what it is. That makes it hard on the eyes if you read a lot. The kindle and I think the sony reader have what is called electronic paper which is more like looking at a book, if you want to read it in the dark you need a light just like you would with paper books but it is much easier on the eyes. Maybe that doesn't bother some people but the backlit computer screens are know to fatigue the eyes.

Fanciesmom · RV-Dreams Community Member

Well I'm late to the "party" but I hope the input will help.

We love to read, and I am voracious! We had library cards in CA, but not now (the library is not convenient to where we live). We both have Fuzes (any device that will play WMA files works) and download books from Audible.com. Membership is 15.00 a month and that give you one credit toward a book. There are lots and lots of great books that are hours and hours long for one credit. They frequently have sales with books about 5 bucks each. Lots of the time they'll have membership specials with 3 months at $8.00. Right now we each have a membership - but when we go full time we'll have to drop one I'm sure. All the books you purchase are stored on their system, and downloaded to your computer - you can listen to them via the computer if you want. If you lose a book for some reason you can always re-download it.

Libraries are starting to carry more and more audio books, and some are small battery powered devices that you just need to plug headphones into.

I love audible books - I can sew, cook, clean, or whatever I need to do while I listen.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I use the Kindle e-reader on my Mac (they have a PC version as well). It's an app that runs on your computer and acts just like the Kindle allowing you to download and read books on your computer. The reader program is free. I'd love to have a Kindle or iPad but since I spend so much time on the computer I don't mind the screen. The e-readers have convenience but come at a steep price.

Sherry · RV-Dreams Family Member

Karen,

I am SO with you on this. I too am a voracious reader - over 100 books a year - and that has been one of my biggest concerns about full timing. I don't really watch TV, I read. But the cost of getting books on the Kindle, other than the classics, or from audio.com just isn't in my budget. I don't necessarily read best sellers but I read a wide variety of things and use interlibrary loan a great deal to get things my library doesn't have. Libraries are WONDERFUL and one of the last pretty "free" things left.

Let me know what you decide to do.

Sherry

galeanna · RV-Dreams Family Member

I love to read also but have a slightly different way to recycle. We have daughters who like to read the same type of books their mom does so last year I brought them all home and left them. This winter because the Waldenbooks closed in our hometown I put books in the one price ships and sent them home ... they pass them on to their friends.

faerie · RV-Dreams Family Member

i was thinking about i kindle and went on amazon and saw that the average book is about $10. is that right? are there cheaper was to get them? can you " share " them? for the price of a kindle and then 10 bucks a book its not worth it!

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

Has anyone tried the Barnes and Nobel "Nook" (e-reader) I saw one over the weekend and was very impressed. Very handy, lots of free (older) books (if I understood correctly). And the price wasn't to horribly bad, $250. You could download newspapers--on line books from the library. I may look into one for my wife who reads a lot when Xmas draws near.

Flyone

RodnReal · RV-Dreams Family Member

Connie bought me a Kindle for my birthday last month. I have bought 3 books so far. One was $4, another $6.99 and the last $9.99. It took about 5 minutes to get used to reading it as compared to a book and I wouldn't go back.
--Rod

rwarner22 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have found some great buys for paperbacks at flea markets and yard sales. A year old $1 book seems so much more interesting than the same titles in the bookstore! :)

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

I bought my wife the Nook a couple of months ago and she enjoys reading on it. You do have to have light available just as you would with a book. In fact I liked it so much I bought myself one. It has the abilty to download via wifi or 3G, 3G is free with the Nook. I have gone to B&N's website and downloaded all the free books I liked, weren't to many. As mentioned before other sites have the classics, I have downloaded quite a few of those also. I don't believe you can go wrong with any of them, it is what suits your tastes. I would like to believe that once Google gets their book website up and running all of the ereaders will be able to download from it.

lb311 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've got an iPad and go the eBook route, but my mom is old-school and only reads real paper. She's had good luck finding (and recycling) books at thrift stores such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. Even many small rural towns will have some kind of store like that.

peg513 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are spending our summer as camp hosts in a rural area of Colorado. The local library had not problems issuing us library cards when we explained our situation. So maybe if you're going to be in an area for an extended time investigate the library.

cabingramma · RV-Dreams Community Member

Couple of Ideas:
I'm a vendor at an ANTIQUE STORE and we normally have 50+ used books/paperbacks in the store. People love them so that's an idea that if you're in the neighborhood of one, stop in. Our 'antique' store has a wide range of items from the really useful newer items to true antique items.

ALSO, I know it may sometimes be hard to do in a bigger vehicle but you could stop at GARAGE SALES and grab a few for as little as .25-.50.
I've got BOXES and BOXES of books I'm going to sell at my garage sale next week ....stop on by - Nisswa, Minnesota!

Cindy

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

We find the Kindle a great resource for us. Done correctly,it is easy to share between two devices,by simply having two Kindles registered under the same Amazon account. (Richard's Kindle;Richard's kindle 2)You can even both read the same book at the same time,on each Kindle,that way. Best of all, you generate an electronic library,always kept in your Kindle on-line library,which you can always retrieve,if you want to.No need to carry books around, at all. I even got a book wirelessly downloaded to me while riding the Metro, in DC, this summer.Any place I got my ATT phone, I could get Kindle downloads (no chrge for airtime). While not yet F/T, we take long RV trips (cross country and back, this summer), and find the Kindle a great answer,for us. I never thought I'd love it as much as holding a book, but I do. Many free Kindle books, lots of inexpensive one too. Mine is the first generation, Ginny's is the second generation, which is even easier to use. The current new gerearation Kindle sells for about $180.00, I think. Earlier editions still new, are availible on e-bay and elsewhere, for less.

Richard

K & E · RV-Dreams Family Member

I also love to read. I regularly "check out" audio books online using my library card. I enjoy listening to books, but also love to read them. Does anyone know if you can download ebooks to a Kindle type devise in a similar way you can download audio books.

I really don't want to buy the books as I only read books once. I don't need to keep them so I'd rather just borrow from a library.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK, you are now dealing with an "e-book" dunce. I haven't had the interest in one of the readers, basically because of their cost. However, with the option of looking at different ones anyway (just in case), I searched for "e-reader formats". I think that was a mistake.

I ended up on wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats

and found that there are a pretty large number of formats and that not all are compatible. The format that most seemed to support was "pdf" files. Otherwise, there was a reference to the "eTower of Babel" and I firmly believe that from what I saw at the above site.

So, based on the seemingly incompatibility of the formats with all readers, is there a format that is better than the others? While many comments from all of you will be subjective, are there readers that are better than others?

Also, in the news within the last week, there was a story about Barnes and Noble having the possibility of being sold. Should that steer me away from the Nook? To me, that format is iffy anyway, due to the fact that it seems less compatible to the various formats anyway. At least based on one of the tables at the bottom of the wikipedia article.

Or, am I all wrong in looking at formats?

Or, is there one format that has more free books options?

Advice please.

Terry

rjenkins · RV-Dreams Family Member

lb311 wrote:

I've got an iPad and go the eBook route, but my mom is old-school and only reads real paper. She's had good luck finding (and recycling) books at thrift stores such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. Even many small rural towns will have some kind of store like that.

Have you found reading a book on an ipad as an eye strain? The kindle is really gentle on the eyes but I would rather have and ipad with all the apps that are for it but I am not sure about the intensity of that screen. Does it have adjustments that would make it like the kindle?

Froggi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Add me to the Kindle list....I have bought maybe 6 books since I got it in April. I follow a blog that posts free Kindle books and have over 150 downloaded. Some I will like, some not so much. But it works for me...I read a LOT and this saves us a lot of space and weight. In addition, most of the books I would buy are paperbacks that run $7 or less, same as I would have paid in the store.

mooline · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'll weigh in, too. LOVE my Kindle. I bought it about 16 months ago, to take on a cruise. I do a fair bit of business travel by air and found myself more and more frequently sitting next to people who had Kindles. Although intrigued, I had no reason to take the plunge as my local library is directly across the street from my home.

I had taken 6 books from my local library to bring on the cruise. Once they were packed, I realized how much space they took up (not to mention added weight!) At that point, the Kindle came into my life and it has been true love ever since.

In addition to innumerable e-books, magazines and major city newspapers for sale, Amazon also has free Kindle books (usually by budding authors). I've read a few of these and they were very good.

Suggest that if you're concerned about the cost of the Kindle but are comfortable with EBay, pop on there and take a look. Amazon has just come out with a new model of the Kindle that is substantially lower priced than earlier models AND has more features. Many of the Kindle early adopters may opt to buy the new version and sell the older (perfectly fine) model on EBay.

I highly recommend the Kindle 2 - it's the smaller of the "old" versions, but with a very readable screen (text size can be changed and it's easy to make the text size just right for you.)

The Kindle seems so perfect for RVers - it consumes virtually no space yet can hold thousands of books, magazines and newspapers. And with a touch of a button, you can buy a new book any time, day or night and have it instantly delivered into your hands (or delivered immediately upon your return to civilization, if you're out of signal range.)

My Kindle is one current possession that will definitely join us when we dive into the fulltiming lifestyle!

-- Edited by mooline on Saturday 11th of September 2010 04:18:04 PM

Remi · RV-Dreams Family Member

I went with the iPad for a multitude of reasons, but when it comes to reading, it covers all the formats and all the book distributors, both paid and free, on one device, as well as papers and periodicals. Also, you can use it for a wide variety of computing and media tasks. I haven't really noticed any more eyestrain than normal.

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

We haven't gotten into the Kindle scene yet, although I think it's a gret idea. I do like the "feel" of a book, though.

We have found not only book exchanges at RV parks but used book stores in places where we stay a while. We can take in books we have finished and put that credit towards others.

Right now we've got plenty of reading material!

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

I, too, love the idea of a Kindle with all the conveniences, but not only am I a voracious reader, I also read very quickly. It's nothing for me to finish a paperback in less than a day. Which means that the cost of keeping up with e-books would be prohibitive for me. Currently, I buy lots from e-bay or go to McKays. But I also wonder what I'm going to do when we fulltime. Who knows - it's 10 years away and by that time, e-readers could be so popular that prices are cut dramatically. One can only hope...

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we are sitting for a while we join the local library. Some charge a small fee, but a lot will take you as a temp for free.

There's nothing cheaper and a lot of time we finish the books after we've left and return them by book rate post.

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

I too am a voracious reader. In our five years on the road I never had a problem finding enough books to read. Many RV parks have excellent libraries. I wouldn't worry about that!

Froggi · RV-Dreams Family Member

tnsauerkraut wrote:

I, too, love the idea of a Kindle with all the conveniences, but not only am I a voracious reader, I also read very quickly. It's nothing for me to finish a paperback in less than a day. Which means that the cost of keeping up with e-books would be prohibitive for me. Currently, I buy lots from e-bay or go to McKays. But I also wonder what I'm going to do when we fulltime. Who knows - it's 10 years away and by that time, e-readers could be so popular that prices are cut dramatically. One can only hope...

Not really...unless you limit yourself to top ten best seller lists. Like you, I read a lot and very quickly. On a 10 day cruise I read the 5 paperbacks I brought, the 3 hubby brought and 4 more from the ship library...and did plenty of sightseeing as well. LOL!

I installed Kindle for the PC on my computer and started downloading free books two months in advance of my buying a Kindle. I bought it in April. I have hundreds of books now and I doubt if I have "bought" 2 dozen. Most of those have been under $7 and of those a lot were under $3.

Read my blog for more info: My Kindle...finding free books!

J Riechman · RV-Dreams Family Member

The new Nook has a color format which would be great for magazines. Does the Kindle? I have asked my Santa Hubby for one for Christmas but it usually goes right over his head so I may have to do a little shopping for him.

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good to know - thanks - gonna check out the info on your blog...

rjenkins · RV-Dreams Family Member

Remi wrote:

I went with the iPad for a multitude of reasons, but when it comes to reading, it covers all the formats and all the book distributors, both paid and free, on one device, as well as papers and periodicals. Also, you can use it for a wide variety of computing and media tasks. I haven't really noticed any more eyestrain than normal.

Remi, it has been a few months since your post and I too am looking at the ipad for its other versatility but was concerned about eyestrain for reading books. Have you changed your opinion on this or is it still pretty good.
Thanks

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Is anyone using a Sony ereader? I'm currently shopping and they seem to get good reviews from CNET -- my current impartial source for electronic reviews.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here's a side-by-side comparison page that might answer a few questions:

http://www.wireless-reading-device.net/ebook-reader-comparison-chart

zachnicolai · RV-Dreams Community Member

If you love reading and you're always on the road or you love travelling. Kindle e-reader is a must.

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

I like our Nook, wife and I both have one tied to one account at B&N. I download the free book every Friday, I decide later if I want to keep it. A couple of them I have read and enjoyed so much I bought additional books by the same author. Of course that is the idea for offering the free book, to get you to buy additional books, it is working on me in some instances.
I looked at all of the e reader books, some are better than others because of different features on each. The biggest benefit is the absence of the weight from carrying a bunch of books with you.

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

I did end up getting a nook for my DW, she loves it. Great for traveling. I have a question for the kindle group, I read in a (local) review that the kindle could not download books from a public library, is that correct? My wife has already borrowed 4 books form the library, and a couple of free books from B&N we have not spent a dime on books after our purchase of the e-reader it's self. If it is true that the kindle can not borrow books from a library I think people should be aware of that fact. If it's not true we can put an end to the rumor. We can download books anywhere in the country from our "hometown" library, no big deal right now since we are both still working (excuse me for bringing the "W" word up) but in a year or so it will be great for her.

Flyone

K & E · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am thinking of buying the Sony ereader because my library has ebooks available to download through Adobe Acrobat digital editions. When I checked to see what devices would work, the Kindle is not listed, but the Sony and Nook and many others were listed.

I have a questions for anyone that has downloaded library books to their ereader. My library has a 7 day loan limit on ebooks. If I download them to my computer, they magically disapear in 7 days. Does the same thing happen on the ereader? I'm not that computer literate, and I can't believe they would be able to make the book disappear from the ereader after it has been disconnected from the computer.

I'd love to hear from anyone who downloads free library books to their ereader and how it works for you.

Thanks

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, what you fear is true---after the loan period it disappears off of your computer and you can not access it on your ereader any longer. It's not that big of a deal just log back into the library and check it out again.

Flyone

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

We read a lot and kdown load book from Kindle PC - no needfor a Kindle if you have a laptop. I bought a Acer D255 10.1 inch screen laptop for less than the better Kindle. Battery lasts almost 3 hours which is about all I can read in one sitting. i then can use it for online etc etc much better than Kindle IMO.

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

biggrin Hey there,

Books are pretty available between rv'ers too. I've had a few exchanges just with other campers in a campground. I have exchanged several romance books this way. It's a good ice breaker if your shy about talking to others you do not know. I'm a romance reader by heart. However am working on the classics. My aim is to read 100 classic, then will move on to science fiction, fanasty, mystery, murder and biographies. Everyone gave some excellent anwsers to your question. Good Luck in finding various books for free!

biggrin http://www.traveljournal101.com/

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Books are my achilles heel. I love reading. I have the Samsung Galaxy tablet and downloaded the kindle and nook apps. I get an email 3x a day with about 5 free books in each and then they have links to other subjects like cookbooks, children's etc. . http://www.facebook.com/bookbub is one and the other is http://www.pixelofink.com/. I dowloaded books that I otherwise would not have thought to read. I am loving it.