A Nook Review: Why I Love My Nook from Barnes and Noble
Posted: Monday, April 26, 2010
by Jean Horst
My husband got me a Nook for Christmas the year Barnes and Noble first released it. I wasn't sure I'd like an eReader but I am totally hooked. I have found an item that is not only the coolest toy I've ever owned, it makes my life simpler and better too! My original review written below was for the Nook classic 3G edition. I've added some updates since I now gotten a touchscreen only version. This is not a review of the Color Nook.
The designers gave it a fairly simple configuration and it's easy to use. I am pretty savvy with electronics and I figured out the basics in about 15 minutes. It measures approximately 5" x 8" and so is lightweight and compact. It fits easily in my purse - smaller than a paperback, lighter than a hardback. With it's built in WiFi, it connects directly to Barnes and Noble's website from which any available eBook can be downloaded in a few minutes time.
I can also download PDF books but I have not tried that feature. My local library will set up an account so I'll be able to "check out" books for a period of time. I've also not tried out the audio capability it has. If you are worried about storage space, the Nook will accept an external SD card if you happen to max out it's memory. I currently have more than 50 books and have used 4% of memory space. I think I'll be okay for quite a while.
There is a list of over 950,000 available free books as well. I've done some perusing of those titles and found a LOT of books in German. Hmmmm. I did find a number of classics free. Sherlock Holmes, Jane Austen titles, Louisa May Alcott titles, Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, etc. you get the idea. Many of the books can be "lent" to another Nook owner. That's a nice thought but right now I don't know anyone else who has one so I've not tried to see how that works either.
From my library, the "reading now" icon takes me directly to the book I was most recently reading, to the last page I was reading. I also really appreciate that it's easy to leave one book to go to another and back again. When I return to a title it takes me directly to the last page I was on - no having to figure out where I was. Love that. There are settings to control font size and style if you need larger print or consider one easier to read than others.
Shopping is made simple by the Search feature. Authors come up by name if you type last name, first name or vice versa. Searching for "0.00" brings up all the free titles. Tap "buy", wait a minute or two and it's in your hand. Very simple... almost too simple... All purchased titles are then saved in "my library". There are some useful presorted lists to search such as, New York Times Bestsellers, Top 100, New Releases and eBook Deals. Barnes and Noble does give surprise coupons and specials frequently via the Nook too. I am regularly getting books at very discounted prices! I stumbled onto the Nook Facebook group and discovered they give a free download pretty much every week. That's where I recently found the notices of a new update coming out about a week before I got the official email notice.
Probably the thing that takes the most to get used to is the color touch screen at the bottom where all the controls are for the book screen at the top. It took me a bit to remember that I couldn't touch the top screen to make anything happen. All navigating must be done with the scroll up/down buttons on the bottom. That being said, I've had no trouble with the sensitivity or accuracy of the touch features.
Updates to my Nook since I bought it have included the ability to browse the internet, some games, free eBook reading for up to one hour per day IF you are in a Barnes and Noble store. There again, the biggest issue will be using the bottom screen for control of the top one. I wasn't planning to use my Nook as a browser anyway but it's nice to have the option. I am now also able to sort my eBooks on "shelves" labeled any way I want. That's a feature I am using quite a bit. By my count, B&N has updated my software 3 times since January and each one has been a pretty significant improvement.
Now there are three versions available. A Wi-Fi only with electronic ink screen, a Wi-FI and 3G version with electronic ink screen, and a brand new, full color, 7 inch touchscreen version that runs on an Android platform and is a functional tablet.
This summer, I purchased a Wi-Fi only touchscreen Nook that is extremely simple to use. It is smaller and much lighter. I had no problems re loading all my library of 200+ books and I find it quite a bit easier to travel with than the original version. The only real downside to it is the lack of 3G. I do miss the ease of connection. The Wi-Fi is pretty picky about speeds. If you are someplace with a free Wi-Fi that requires a browser it will not work with your Nook. It has the e ink which I still prefer over a lit screen. I've been told (in 11/2011) that a version of the Nook that will combine the two screen versions is coming sometime "soon". Supposedly we will be able to switch back and forth depending on which we prefer.
I'll keep my fingers crossed.
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More commentsI already commented, Jean, but thanks again!Jennifer
It seems that the Nook is a killer to KindleI have not used a Kindle. I've seen reviews and know that it's users are pretty happy with it. We'll see how it all plays out.
Thanks for this article. You may never know you would love a thing you try and accept it and experiment with it.Very true! Thanks for commenting.
This sounds a little like an ad. This is not the only product like this and I would like to know why this is better then say what Amazon sells. The introduction seemed a little long also. But the writing is pretty good and in spite of what I am saying here I might consider looking into the product based on the information contained.Thanks for taking the time to comment. I would have done some comparisons to the Kindle but I don't own one, so I just did a review of what I have in hand. I've heard good things about the Kindle, though. When the Nook first debuted it had some on screen features not available on the Kindle but I believe Amazon has since added upgrades to bring it more to par. Other than that, the biggest difference is probably the Nook's touch screen keypad vs Kindle's actual keypad.
Thanks for this valuable information! I'm almost tempted... but still like flicking the pages of real book. But soon, very soon!
Easy to read article, I've never heard before of the Nook. I wasn't gadget lover myself until I started my own web page. I'm a book lover. On my last vacation I wondered around the library at the hotel with books left by the hotel members and got one that I started reading with some pressure if I was going to be able to finish it by the end of my vacation, afraid that I was going to leave the book behind and not being able to take it with me. This Nook thing you say could have been the answer, fortunately, I got to finish the book.Hi Samantha,You've hit on my favorite thing about the Nook - traveling with it! Thanks for reading.
HI Jean! great review - though I must confess, I was thinkin you meant a literal "nook", like you feel in love with a little corner in the book store to call your own! :-) I WANT ONE!! I love your sense of humor that comes through on this one. Thanks for sharing! Love & hugs, TThanks for the laugh, T! Love ya!
I love my Nook as well. It's one of those products that the more you use and get to know it the more you fall in love with it.I love going to Barnes and Noble having it connect automatically to their Wi Fi and all the goodies that come with it. "Read in-store, coupons, exclusive Free Books, discounts to Nook owners, and heck I even got a free seven layer desert bar from the Star Buck's Cafe. How fun is that.I looked at the Kindle, but once you play around with the Nook, the Kindle just seems soo outdated : )I love my Nook too.Hi John!I just got back from a vacation in Boston and my Nook was with me the whole way. Made the 8 hours I spent in the airports go by so much faster. (Does this make us "Nookies"?) I wouldn't travel without it.
Interesting reading Jean. I have tried to read a few books on the laptop, but have found it tedious. Interesting in saying that, I have found blogging, reading others blogs, stories here etc are all done on the computer. Your mentioning of it not being back lit, and its like its written in ink adds an interesting aspect to it. I think here in Australia they are much more expensive then over in the States.I have to say though, that I love the feel of books. The texture of the paper, the ability to turn the pages, picking up an old favorite that is a little dog eared etc all adds to my pleasure of books.I know what you mean. I'll never stop loving the smell and feel of a paper book. It's hooked deep into my childhood psyche I believe. My little Nook holds a close second since it's like a library in my pocket!
I'm with you, Jean. You are prolific. Do you write in your little nook? I trained to be an Air Foce pilot in Texas. It took me about 6 months to be able to understand the West Texas accent, that was a long time ago. You've probably become Americanized by now, even though some of you want to seceed from the Union. I guess you are not one of them. Good luck and thanks for your interesting articles.Bob BregmanThanks for reading and commenting, Bob. No, I'm not a secessionist. That didn't work well the first time, don't have any faith we should try that again.High five! Texans are like the rest of us. Want to stay together. Sink or swim.."hang together"Bob
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