ereader

Join the local library once you're down there.
It will give you access to all libraries in the Greater Phoenix area, good for two years.
All you need is a mailing address and proof you live there.

DH & I each have a Kobo. I choose this brand because we wanted to borrow library books and at the time we purchased them, Kindle did not have the software to use the library.
We have used them every winter in Arizona for the last 4 years. I have an account with our library in Calgary and load the library books onto the reader via our laptop. When someone recommends a new author, I go to the library website & borrow the books.
Works great. Would not hesitate to get another Kobo.

portliz wrote:
Lots of info. Thanks. I want him to be able to download books from our library here. Sounds like he needs to preload before we leave. Not practical. Is there any eReader that will allow him to do this from Florida? Did he understand from my quick read that it can be done by loading ion computer first

You don't have to pre-load first. That's just our preference since we acquire ebooks throughout the year and usually have many unread already on our KOBO before we leave. The simplist approach for new ebooks while in Florida if one has a KOBO eReader is to buy ebooks from Chapters/ Indio but we have also purchased from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. The latter two require more machinations.

Again, there are many many many sources for free ebooks and this is where the Calibre program on the computer really facilitates. We download these ebooks to our computer and then use Calibre to transfer them to the KOBO eReader.

We also prefer to use the computer to transfer purchased ebooks to the eReader rather than directly syncronize the eReader via WIFI to our ebook library under our KOBO account, but you can bypass the computer in this instance if you have a WIFI source.

We have also loaded many ebooks onto the KOBO from our public library while in Florida (as noted there can be a waiting period for these after placing a request. Sometimes months). Kind of neat sitting in a state park and adding an eBook from your home library located 2000 miles away. This is a relatively straightforward process if your library supports it. KOBO has some information here:

Ebook from Public Library

One can keep this stuff as simple or as sophisticated as one wants. Like some others we much prefer to read ebooks on an actual eReader as opposed to a computer or tablet although we have done the latter too.

The good news is that a Canadian eReader will definitely work in Florida!

Fizz wrote:
OK one more time.

A tablet is not and eReader. You can read with it but if you are into serious reading get a proper reader.
No glare in sunlight and you can read for days on one charge with an eReader.

You are absolutely correct, a tablet is not an ereader. I've actually got an ereader, it's a Sony and it's sitting in the technology scrap pile back home after Sony exited the business.

The OP should be aware that getting a specific brand of ereader will limit the choice of which company the books are purchased from. For example, if you have a Kindle reader you can't buy books from Kobo unless you go through some machinations to convert file formats on your computer and somehow get the books into a Kindle.

While writing this response I checked the app store on Win 8, kindle and Kobo apps are there (and I assume B&N as well), I can order, download and read from any book supplier.

In terms of reading, I'm happy using a tablet, no problems reading and I can get an E-mail that comes in or research something from the book on-line without having to crank up another piece of technology or being limited to the technology on an ereader

OK one more time.

A tablet is not and eReader. You can read with it but if you are into serious reading get a proper reader.
No glare in sunlight and you can read for days on one charge with an eReader.

Just another couple of comments and suggestions.

You don't have to get a specific E reader, I have a Kobo app on an old Blackberry Playbook, my smart phone and on two computers including one that's a "transformer" that has a removable touch screen running Windows 8. The Kobo books in my library can be read on any of these devices and I have the other computer functions as well. One of the newer tablets like Samsung would work well as an E reader

Over the years I've run into a couple of wrinkles with Kobo, I couldn't get buy a specific book using the Playbook, but I could buy it using the smartphone and it then appeared on the Playbook!(probably a Playbook limitation) I also had different tax treatment on a purchase when I bought a book in the US using a US internet provider, I think Kobo has got that issue straightened now. The US vs. Canada publishing copyright issues and payments may also come into play.

rwbradley wrote:

garyhaupt wrote:
I suspectt that many people are repeating what they have heard...or been told. In my case...being in Canada, I am unable to use any of the Overdrive software from my local library because I am using a Kindle. These E-Readers and their propiatary software are very sophisticated and complex bit of equipment. No ONE reader does it all. One must decide what works for themselves, and so forth.


Gary Haupt

Gary brings up a good point, there is no one fit all solution, however there are a number of ways of using Overdrive on a Kindle. It is fairly easy with the tablet style Kindles (like the Fire) simply by downloading the Overdrive App on it. A quick google gave me a Canadian Library instruction sheet for using it on a Fire.
http://www.sclibrary.ab.ca/docs/ebooks/Kindle%20Fire%20handout.pdf
This solution will not however work on most of the e-ink style of Kindles. Other options involve using utilities like Calibre to convert books to a format the Kindle can read, but for borrowed or purchased books, this usually requires you to circumvent the copy protection first which is illegal. Overdrive in the US apparently has Kindle format books, so it could come to Canada one day.

yes yes yes..I had forgotten..if I had a Fire I could use Overdrive. But not on my White. I was pretty short with the Amazon rep, for all the good that did me.


Gary Haupt

Thanks looks like kobo it is.

We use Kobo. I borrow as many epub books from the Public Library as I buy from Kobo. It is much like borrowing an actual book. They have a limited # of ecopyrights they have purchased and sometimes you have to wait for a copy. You have it for 3 weeks, then it disappears. If it is an old book, in the public domain, copies are not limited.
No problem downloading in the U.S. and when we have encountered problems I have found Kobo easy to contact & deal with.
Bought a Kobo Glo HD today for $119. at Chapters Indigo. If you buy, get one with the screen that will light such as the Glo or Aura. Great for reading outdoors in the bright sun and later the screen can be lit when too dark. Aura is also available in a waterproof model.

You do not need to preload before you go. They can plug into your computer with a USB cable. You can then buy from Chapters or Amazon or borrow books from your library on you computer from where ever you can get internet access while on the road then plug the book reader into the computer and synchronize the new books to it.
If you are a little tech "nervous" I would personally recommend the Kobo. Chapters are really good at helping you choose the right one. After that install the Kobo app to your PC and you can search, purchase and sync books easily and automatically using the USB cable. You will also not have to worry about what device to get with Overdrive for your Library, it will work with all models of Kobo. Many libraries will even teach you how to use Overdrive with your Kobo.