Books make the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys reading. If you aren't sure what books to buy for the readers on your gift list, an Amazon.com gift certificate is a great choice. In addition to choosing from a vast selection of books, gift card recipients can order electronics, toys, music, software, personal care items, and much more. You can send a gift card by e-mail, print it out, post it on someone's Facebook account, or ask Amazon to mail it at no extra charge. Amazon gift certificates never expire.
While many people still love dead-tree books, ebooks are all the rage this year. Did you know that you can buy Kindle ebooks as gifts? From the sales page of any Kindle ebook, just click on the "Give as a Gift" button on the right side of the screen. The gift recipient doesn't even have to own a Kindle – they can download the free Kindle reader app to use on a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry or Android phone.
Ebook readers are popular gift items this year and they aren't just for ebooks – users can also subscribe to magazines, newspapers and blogs. When shopping for an ebook reader, pay attention to whether the device downloads books through Wi-Fi Internet access or over a 3G cell phone network. There's no extra charge for using the 3G network and most 3G devices also run on Wi-Fi. Also consider the screen type, amount of memory, battery life, and size and weight of the device.
The prices of Amazon's popular Kindle ebook readers have dropped this year. The Wi-Fi Kindle, with a 6" black and white screen, is now just $139 and the 3G Kindle is $189. Kindle DX, with a larger 9.7" screen, more memory, and 3G access, is $379. And don't forget the accessories, like this cool leather cover with a built-in light. Kindles are also available at several retail stores, including Best Buy, Target and Staples.
Barnes & Noble's NookColor features a bright color touch screen and sells for $249. It looks like an overgrown smart phone and it can also store and play MP3 music files. The device even includes an internet browser and several games. The backlit screen is great for reading in bed and the full-color display is ideal for magazines and illustrated children's books. But for daylight reading, it's not as easy on the eyes as other ebook readers. The glass screen will be hard to read outdoors, but they offer an anti-reflective film for it. The NookColor does not have 3G access, so you will need to be in range of a Wi-Fi network to download books or access the internet. It also requires more frequent charging than other readers.
Barnes & Noble's original ebook reader, the Nook, comes in both Wi-Fi and 3G versions and costs $10 more than comparable Kindles. Both the Nook and Nook Color have expandable memory and easily replaceable batteries. They are available in Barnes & Noble stores, Best Buy and Walmart. Barnes & Noble offers a free Nook reading app that lets you read your ebooks on computers and smart phones, and they have a lending program that lets you share ebooks with a friend for 14 days.
The Apple iPad tablet computer is also popular for reading ebooks. The iPad has a large glass touch screen, comes in both Wi-Fi and 3G models, and has range of apps available. This cool device is pricy, ranging from $499 to $829. The iBookstore has a smaller selection than the Amazon and Barnes & Noble bookstores, but many iPad users just download the free Kindle iPad app and order their ebooks through Amazon. (And just in case Santa is reading this, I'm hoping for an iPad in my stocking.)
On the Borders website, there's a chart comparing the features of several other ebook readers, including Sony and Kobo.
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Holiday Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
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Great post, thanks so much for that, I use the Kindle and it makes reading so much easier, once you have switched you will never go back!
Posted by: Joe Williams | April 18, 2011 at 05:35 AM
Though a paper book may look like something tangible under the Christmas tree, ebooks are the future. An ebook reader loaded with some ebooks would be the perfect "physical" gift.
Posted by: Thomas Retterbush | June 01, 2011 at 05:44 AM
Good stuff! Finding gifts for readers can be so difficult. I love your idea of a leather cover for a Kindle... Thanks for posting, and just in time for the holidays!
Posted by: Brad Wirz | September 28, 2011 at 10:09 AM