My New Toy!

For my birthday a couple of months ago I received a Nook as a gift from my oldest daughter.  I wanted a Kindle, but since the Nook was a gift, I was happy to receive it.  I LOVE IT!!

I don't know if the Kindle or any other e-readers are better.  I don't even have the most updated Nook.  I just fell in love with the one I have.  I have downloaded tons of free e-books, and even a couple ones I've paid for through Barnes and Noble. 

I wanted an e-reader, but since I had never used one, I was worried I wouldn't like it compared to regular books.  However, the idea of having a whole library at my fingertips was irresistible for a bookworm like me.  That is why I began looking into the Kindle.  When I got the Nook, I was afraid I wouldn't have as many choices through Barnes and Noble as through Amazon.  So far, that has not been a problem.

I worried that reading books on the Nook would be more difficult than with a regular book.  However, it is actually wonderful.  I haven't noticed any differences in my comprehending or enjoying the reading.  In fact, it seems the same.  I don't lose my page either, since the Nook saves the last page I was on. 

I read two or three books, and scanned through others, before I let my daughter begin reading on the Nook.  I downloaded a free book for her to have her try it out.  There are so many free downloads online of public domain texts that I think it could be a wonderful way to have access to book that my library doesn't have or that I don't have the money to purchase.  Sites such as Project Gutenberg have made downloading and reading older books a cinch. 

I have noticed some differences from a regular book, and will use the regular book if the library or I already have it, but those differences are usually just a matter of adjustment for the reader.  Sometimes chapters begin in the middle of the page instead of on the next page or there might be a misspelled word once in awhile.  It's rare that the differences cause even a hiccup in the reading though.

I really love the access.  I don't live near a Christian bookstore.  When I want a new book, I have to travel to buy it or pay a lot of shipping costs to have it sent to me.  With a Nook, I can usually buy the book and have immediate access to the reading. 

Two of my daughters already want one.  I'm thinking of investing in one for our homeschool.  It's like a whole world opens up with an e-reader.  The public domain texts have been available for awhile, but reading books on a computer screen is so hard on the eyes.  With the e-ink technology, I have felt no eye strain from reading the Nook ( I don't have the colored Nook that lights up).  While I could print out the books from public domain, those costs for ink, paper, and binding the books add up. 

Over the weekend I found many classic books and curriculum suggestions for free.  I found books from the Robinson Curriculum, An Old-Fashioned Education, and others.  I also found several of the original books from Lamplighters Press.  And, of course, there are tons of free e-books out there on homeschooling.  Several on the Charlotte Mason method of Homeschooling are at Simply Charlotte Mason.

I will always love original books.  I am still working on building my library in our home.  However, my Nook is becoming a wonderful tool for homeschooling and for my life.