Although ereaders have been available for some time in America, it’s not easy to get our hands on one down here in New Zealand. We can’t purchase a Kindle in New Zealand (you can in Australia) and we can’t purchase a Sony reader even though we have Sony stores. (They don’t stock them)
It was a real surprise when I received a newsletter this week from Whitcoulls, our NZ bookstore chain, saying they were selling the Kobo eReader. They’re $295 each (about US$230) and take up to 1000 books. I tried one out when we went to the mall during the weekend and was actually quite impressed. Not that I’m going to purchase one – I’m hanging out for an iPad, which is due to hit here around July. (I test drove one in Waikiki and fell in love.) But I have to say congratulations to Whitcoulls for moving into the future!!
I’m still busy with edits, but I have two very special guests visiting me this week. Jane Beckenham will be here on 2 June and Kaye Manro is here on 4 June. I hope you’ll come and say hello.
What are you up to this week?
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May 31st, 2010 at 6:16 am · Link
I don’t think I could read a book on a screen… although an e-reader would certainly help calm the mounting stacks of books! I’d love an iPad too…! :)
May 31st, 2010 at 10:30 am · Link
I have a Kindle and I love it! I’m going to get another e-reader though for a backup.
Enjoy your Ipad when you get it!
May 31st, 2010 at 11:13 am · Link
I really like having the books in my hands. I like seeing the books on my book shelves and being able to share them with my mom and neighbor.
I don’t have an e-reader, kindle, ipad, iphone or even a cell phone. I’m so behind the times…but that’s ok with me.
I have won a few ebooks and have bought a few ebooks. When I do I just read them on my computer.
May 31st, 2010 at 1:06 pm · Link
N ikki-ann – A few years ago I thought the same, but then I discovered ebooks. With ebooks I could purchase the type of book I wanted to read rather than the ones the shops in NZ thought I should buy. It was no contest and my ereading started.
May 31st, 2010 at 1:08 pm · Link
Maria – I’ve talked to a lot of people who have Kindles and they all love them. I know Amazon has a huge share of the ereader market because they make the buying experience so easy.
May 31st, 2010 at 1:09 pm · Link
Mary – When I first started reading ebooks I read them on my computer. I still occasionally read on my laptop, but mostly I use my Palm. That’s the only sort of reader I could get down here. I’ve had it for around five years now and it has traveled the world with me.