In the simplest of terms, an e-book is simply an electronic version of a book. Rather than printed on paper, the e-book is completely digital and designed to be read on a computer or an e-book reader.
Unlike Web sites and other digital documents, an e-book is formatted with pages, chapters, indexes and even glossaries which makes the experience of reading one just like reading a real book.
While e-books can be read on a computer, an iPad or even a smartphone, the best experience when reading an e-book is if you use an e-book reader.
An e-book reader is a single purpose device designed to turn reading an e-book into an experience much like reading a real book.
The main advantage of an e-book reader is that you can have a device that is roughly the size and form-factor of an average novel, but stores dozens to hundreds of complete books in e-book format making it easy to carry a rather impressive and inclusive reading library with you wherever you go.
The most popular e-book readers are the Amazon Kindle, The Barnes and Noble Nook and the Sony Reader. All three devices are similar in that they used what is called electronic paper display or "e-ink" which is a technology that simulates text printed on paper. This means no backlighting (just like a book) and also means less eye strain. Reading from any of these devices is very much like reading a real book and since there is no complex display the battery life is very long, allowing for hours and hours (if not days and days) of reading between recharges.
The Kindle ties into the Amazon book store and allows you to purchase and download books directly to the reader. The higher end versions comes with a constant 3G wireless connection which allows you to shop for and download books anytime you like, no matter where you are.
The Nook ties to Barnes & Noble's online store and, like the Kindle, has a version that includes Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity for downloading e-books.
The Sony Reader is tied to the Sony Reader Store and while their earlier versions offered no wireless connectivity, they now offer it in their newest device called the Daily Reader.
All three are great devices and have their pros and cons. And all three are bargains compared to something like the iPad or a notebook computer that, while able to display e-books, are significantly more expensive than dedicated readers.
Something to consider when shopping for a reader as a gift for the holidays is that many die-hard book lovers seem to be very resistant to the idea of a digital book.
My wife, who has little to no use for a notebook computer, iPad or even a smart phone for that matter, reluctantly owns an e-book reader which she takes on all of our vacations. It gives her more reading material at the touch of a button than she could ever read during the course of a trip, and it is very easy to use.
That being said, when she's at home the reader is put away. As an avid reader, she still prefers a real book in her hands and she still raids the Half Price Book Store with great frequency in search of new additions to her library.
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