eBook reader recs?

[dragonfly]

Mom wants an eBook reader of some kind for Christmas, but she doesn't know enough about them to have a preference. Neither do I. I don't want to start any wars or anything, but which kind should I get her?

Edit: I went to bed after posting and woke up to all these wonderful responses! Thanks so much, everyone.

1. I also have issues with Amazon, but if the consensus was that the Kindle was really the best option I would have tried not to let my feelings interfere with her comfort, if you know what I mean. However, it sounds like there are lots of other viable options, so yayy, not a Kindle.

2. I honestly didn't know there even were other options than Kindles, Nooks and Sony, so that's a bit boggling. ::boggles:: Kobo sounds interesting, atm.

3. Mom is less tech-savvy than I am (or perhaps I should say tech-comfortable), but we live together, so I can help her, and she is willing to learn things when she cares about them. I could work with her for Sony-type downloading, and she'd catch on.

4. Price is an issue, but it's not the issue, and Mom would totally understand if I got her something that's not top-of-the line. OTOH, I don't have to go with cheaper, if it has a real downside.

5. Mom does not have particular issues with hand comfort or eyestrain, but of course, I'd rather not give her any, either.

So, from here, of the main three, I'm thinking Sony-ish, but now I do want to learn about all the lesser known brands too. THANKS for all the guidance, everyone.

Comments

[delladea]

elf made a great comment above. I've only ever owned a Kindle (3rd gen. WiFi only), but I've been pleased with it. It's fairly easy to get around the limitations on the device, and it's rather nice to be able to email Word documents to the device and have them converted. E-ink screens are a must for me since they really reduce eye-strain (color screens currently don't).

Kindles are very easy to use and buy content for if you don't mind being locked into buying media from Amazon.

I'm sure she'll love whatever you get her! :)

[shanaqui]

Amazon doesn't stop you buying media elsewhere... I've got Baen ebooks and Diane Duane's ebooks on mine, along with files of my own and Project Gutenberg books.

[delladea]

Very true, I should have said "For the extremely tech adverse, Kindles are very easy to use and buy content for if you don't mind being locked into buying media from Amazon." I have several ebooks on my Kindle from Manning publishing and Project Gutenberg myself.

herve leger

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