With a Nook and a library card you can download hundreds of library books. And there are a ton of ebooks available for free. Borders and Barnes and Noble offer new ones for free frequently. I travel a lot for my job and have trouble getting to the library before it closes, so the Nook works well for me.

Oh Katia - that used to be me too! Until just recently, I had let my library card lapse because I wound up "buying" the books also. :shock:

What is nice about the Nook borrowing from the library is that there are NEVER late fees.....When the lending period (21 days at most libraries) is over, the book will not open on the Nook any longer!!! If you didn't finish it, you have to go back to the library website, and take it out again...

You are also able to become a member of many libraries that are not 'yours'.... IE the Philadelphia Free Public Library will let anyone become a member (and download books) for a yearly fee of $15....

I LOVE my Nook. I still buy real books, if I see something I really want and the price is right!

Ladies ... I love "real" books too. I still have plenty and I read primarily while in bed. The iPod gives me the freedom to keep up with my hectic schedule and enjoy reading MORE than just the 15 minutes I "allow" myself before bedtime. It's not a replacement, it's an addition. I can get housework done, groom dogs, drive, garden, mow lawn - all while reading. Can you? :)

Someone asked about the space parameters of the iPod. It depends on the iPod you have. Mine is the largest available (iPod Classic 160 GB) because I didn't know how much space many books would take. As it turns out I have about 20 books on my iPod (plus several hundred songs)and still have TONS of space available. And before you ask, I have both short and long books. Cost $249. There is also the Apple "Shuffle" which is about 3" square has 2GB space (sb big enough for a few books) and only costs $49. And the Nano which is in-between.

Sue

Sue, is the Ipod for books to read or books to listen to? I have a nano, and it doesn't have a screen. Just curious. I have a Nook and an Iphone with the apps so I am good to go, wherever I go. I too still like print books, but this is a great option.

the iPod devices are only for listening to books, and I believe Shuffle, Nano and Classic will all play books (I know Nano and Classic will).

Now, bear in mind that when listening to books it's important to have a good narrator. If it's bad narrator that has little difference between voices, or lousy accents - it can ruin what might have been a good book. I was using the reviews on audible to help determine if the narrator was good or not, but I can't always trust those reviews. After a while though I have gotten to 'know' some narrators. Generally speaking, I like English narrators better than American narrators.

I have been using books on CD in my car during my travel and you are soooo right about the narrator making or breaking a book. I will try to put some on my nano and Iphone so I have a selection of battery powered devices when I am on my trip to NZ. Lots of time without being able to recharge them. Thanks