Though I have cast my lot with physical books in the paper vs. ebook debate, I will admit that ebooks and e-readers have their merits. For instance, my hometown library is slow (if at all) to get new books that most people my age are into. So whenever I go to a bookstore, I’m baffled by how many new–and old!–series or novels I’m missing out on. For that reason, I will admit ebooks do bring expediency to my literary ventures. Here is a list (in no particular order) of ebook providers I use when I can’t get to a book fast enough or I simply can’t find what I need in the physical world and must explore elsewhere.
Nook Book
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Although the actual Nook book exists, you don’t need one to access Barnes & Noble products. If you have a smartphone or computer, you can download the Nook app and voila! Ebooks at your disposal.
Pros: Can customize your reading experience (font, background color, font size). You have access to almost any book you’d want.
Cons: Gotta buy the book–and not through the app, but first online or on the separate B&N app. Only then can you read it on your Nook app.
Amazon Kindle
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Similar to the Nook, you don’t need the device to enjoy; you can get the Kindle app for your phone!
Pros: If you have a Prime account, you don’t necessarily need to purchase a book in order to read it. And, like Nook, you can customize how you read… with a bonus: you can tap on your page and it will zoom out so you can “flip” through the book and cross reference pages (I think that’s cool).
Cons: However, if you don’t have a Prime account, or if a title doesn’t mention Prime, you have to pay for it. If you have Prime, it’s a sorta win–you don’t have to buy every book (if they offer what you’re into). But if you don’t have Prime, it’s about the same as a Nook experience.
Scribd
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I recently discovered this ebook provider and, so far, it’s my favorite. Unlike Nook or Kindle, where you have to buy titles in order to read them, Scribd gives you access to almost everything with just a monthly payment of $8.99. It also offers magazines, audiobooks, sheet music, and documents (e.g. various open sourced PDFs, such as plays or movie scripts)!
Pros: If it has the title you want, you don’t need to buy it. Just start reading with customizable settings. And, you don’t need a smartphone to enjoy–you can read directly on their website.
Cons: Not having to buy titles or audiobooks is muy bueno but Scribd doesn’t have everything; I’ve come to my share of dead ends while searching. Additionally, you don’t always have full access. From what I’ve gathered in their FAQ section, their services are on a “rotation basis.” You’re only offered so much at once–say, 10 books a month (I don’t know for sure, I just picked a number) per genre (the site is somewhat unclear; I think this is true)–and once you’ve read 10 books in that circuit, it will tell you that other books within that circuit are unavailable until your next billing period/month. I know that’s confusing. I’m still trying to understand it myself. But basically, you don’t have to buy stuff but it will slow you down every now and then, I guess. Also, the search categories kinda suck. If you want to discover other YA novels, for instance, you have to look in the section that has young adult AND children’s books. They’re not differentiated. So have fun searching for some teen romance alongside Newberry books about George Washington and Sam Adams.
I know there are lots more ebook providers out there (Overdrive or Libby anyone?). I could get into them or explore them later, but these are just the ones I use primarily and I thought I’d pass on my two cents to you all. Anything has its pros and cons, so it’s up to what you feel like dealing with. Me? If I don’t have to buy it, let’s read. Unless of course, it’s a book-book that I have been waiting to read. In that case, take my money.