Reading is something that I try to do every single day. George R.R. Martin said, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads only lives one." This is so true! Stealing a few minutes a day to get swept up in a story takes me on many different adventures each year. I love books, and some of you may know that I used to manage a bookstore before I had kids. The smell and feel of a book always gives me a sense of excitement, because I know that my next adventure awaits in those pages. We live in a world that technology is changing the way that we do things in our every day lives, and I am a little embarrassed to admit, I do NOT embrace it at all! I was probably one of the last ones to get a Facebook and a smart phone, and my husband gets so frustrated when I refuse to learn how to operate the features in our car. I'm old school in many ways, and reading an actual book is one of those old school ways that I haven't seemed to break. Up until last week.
I was recently challenged to put my hard copy print books down and try reading on a Kobo Glo HD eReader for 7 days.
I was a bit skeptical that I would actually like it, but it turned out, I loved it! There are 3 key features that drew me into the Kobo Glo HD.
COMFORT
I like to lay on the couch or in bed when I am reading. Propping up a book or finding the right hand positioning can get difficult with a traditional print book, especially hardbacks or books with many pages. I also get arthritis frequently in my hands, which can make holding a print book uncomfortable at times. The Kobo Glo HD is lightweight, weighing in at a little under 6.5 ounces, it is so comfortable to hold, you won't have a problem holding it in any sitting or laying position. The HD Cara E Ink touch screen allows me to turn the page with a quick tap of my finger.
CONVENIENCE
The Kobo Glo HD measures at 6 inches, which makes it very portable! It's just a little larger than my iPhone, and I can easily slip it into my purse so I can read virtually anywhere while on the go!
The battery lasts up to 2 months on a single charge, which means I can read an entire book (or more!) before having to recharge. I also love that I can store up to 3,000 books on the device, and for one who likes to read while traveling, this is so perfect for me. I don't have to worry about carting around and keeping track of several heavy books, when I can fit them all into one lightweight and portable eReader! If I so happen to finish a book and need a new one, the Kobo eBookstore has over 4 million titles to choose from right at my fingertips! As long as I can connect through Wi-Fi, I am never without a book to read.
CUSTOMIZATION
This is the feature that I love most. The Kobo Glo HD allows for me to customize exactly how I want to see the print and pages on the eReader. I can choose between 11 different fonts, and even measure out word spacing and how I want the margins to appear on the screen.
If I get stumped on a word, a quick tap of my finger pulls up a dictionary, or I can even make annotations. There's even a search button, so if I want to go back to a phrase or quote and can't remember where it was in the book, it quickly finds it for me.
I get a lot of book recommendations from fellow bloggers, and have quite the summer reading list already piled up. I actually just finished All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. While it deals with tough issues (depression, abuse, suicide) I fell in love with the characters and had a hard time putting the book down. I am now reading One Plus One by Jojo Moyes, and after that I have Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro lined up.
A fun little feature on the Kobo Glo HD is a section where you can track your reading stats. It tells you how long you read per session, average pages read per minute, and how many hours you have totaled reading altogether. Seeing these stats makes me want to try to read more just to see if I can break each record.
The Kobo App is also very handy to have! If I forget to grab my eReader, I can still access my books on my phone. The app remembers exactly where I left off in my books, so I can catch up on reading while standing in the grocery line or waiting in the car for my girls to come out of school. The free Kobo App is available to download to iOS, Android, Blackberry 10, Windows 8 or Windows 8 Phone or Desktop Computer.
What's better than having millions of books right at your fingertips? Discounts off some of those ebooks! Simply follow This Link and use coupon code theresasmixednuts to save 35% off select titles.
Discount code is valid for 35% off select eBook purchases from this page and select lists. Discount will be confirmed at checkout. Offer valid until June 30, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion and cannot be used to adjust amount paid on previous purchases. Discount code must be entered at time of purchase to qualify for this discount. Discounts cannot be applied nor the discount value refunded once a purchase is complete. Rakuten Kobo Inc. reserves the right to change or cancel this offer at any time without notice.
I can honestly say, I never expected to enjoy using an eReader as much as I have with the Kobo Glo HD. While I'll always have a love for traditional print books, I've fully embraced the convenience of ebooks and foresee spending reading many more books on my Kobo Glo HD!
What are you currently reading? Do you think the Kobo Glo HD would make reading your favorite books more convenient?
Take the Mom 2 Mom Challenge. Try taking the 7 day reading challenge on the Kobo Glo HD. 200 winners are going to each win a $10 Kobo Gift Card!
The contest is open to all persons residing in the USA (excluding Hawaii and Alaska), and Canada (except residents of the Province of Quebec), eighteen or older. PTPA Media is administering the contest and will be responsible for winner selection and prize shipment.
Kobo Mom 2 Mom Challenge
This is cool! I could see myself and Mica wanting to read on it.
ReplyDeleteI can totally see Mica sitting in that swing reading on an eReader ;)
DeleteAmazing...
ReplyDeleteAnother plus to having an eReader like Kobo, is that you don't have a ton of books cluttering up your shelves. Unless of course you are renting from the library. I am like you, I do like having a book in hand, but can see the huge benefits of an eReader as well. Great giveaway - that's a lot of gift cards!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is such a space saver! I have about 50 books taking up space in my closet. That space could be put to better use- like storing new shoes lol!
DeleteSo, I don't read, but Chris does and this sounds A LOT nicer than the plain old Kindle he has right now.
ReplyDeleteI tried the Kindle when it first came out and it just never grew on me. I didn't think I'd like the Kobo either, but I've been carrying on and on about how much I love it to Jason this past week. I've even started putting library books on it too!
DeleteAs I'm sure you know--I read!! A LOT!! I still also prefer a paperback book but do have the free kindle on my desktop. I am holding off getting a portable one of any kind because of my eye sight which is getting worse as I type!! I would need one about the size of a paperback so the print could be made large enough. I am usually in the midst of 2 or 3 books at a time. Just finished an e-book by Diane Harman (she writes really great cozies) and the paperback I'm reading is called Golden
ReplyDeleteYou know Michelle, I think you would love the Kobo because you can change the font size. I was able to make the print really small or even bump it up to large print style. I am always amazed at how many books you are able to read a week. You've probably read more this week than I have all year lol.
DeleteLately, I haven't had time to read anything, but I definitely think this Kobo would make life easier. I love the bright screen.
ReplyDeleteI find it is a time saver when it comes to reading. Now I don't have to cart myself across town to the bookstore or library when I need a new read. I can do it right at home.
Deletenow that looks practical! I just hope that after electronic books nobody will find the way to replace us translators with electronic ones too :) And lovely photos as always, dear
ReplyDeleteDahling, you are so irreplaceable! Let them try. I'll give them a black eye ;)
DeleteIt really is such an awesome little device! I like the size of it, it's not at all hard to carry around.
ReplyDeleteI love the size of this reader. It would fit perfectly in my purse. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm pretty impressed with this device. That search feature would be really nice and I love how you can adjust each page to your preferences.
ReplyDeleteI don't read as much as I used to because I don't like turning the pages. I guess this would solve all that
ReplyDeleteSo compact and handy! The customisation function is very appealing since different people prefer different text size and fonts.
ReplyDeleteAi @ Sakura Haruka
I am loving my kobo glo HD! It's really compact, doesn't hurt my eyes and is so nice to use! I have read more since I got mine than I have in years! - jeanine
ReplyDeleteThis looks really great. I am currently not reading anything. I need to get a Kobo and find time to read.
ReplyDeleteCatherine S
This looks really great. I am currently not reading anything. I need to get a Kobo and find time to read.
ReplyDeleteCatherine S
I can definitely see how an e-reader would make it more convenient for me to read, especially with the customization options and my vision issues. The stats features are super cool too!
ReplyDeleteI can tell you're not into technology by the way you say you "got a Facebook" ;)
ReplyDeleteThose things do seem awfully cool. Anything that makes it easier to get through the millions of books I want to read has to be worth it.
I love my Kobo. My kids are always borrowing mine. I love that you can have so many great books at your fingertips.
ReplyDeleteI read so much on my eReader, I have an entire library of books I've purchased on there!
ReplyDeleteIt's so convenient to read "on the go" without lugging a few heavy books around. Kobo sounds like the perfect way to make that happen.
ReplyDeleteThe Kobo Glo HD would be a great gift idea. I really liked how it keeps reading stats... would be great for our daughter who likes to keep track of her time and but gets "lost" in her books often. Lol
ReplyDeleteI love the quote "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads only lives one." It made me instantly flash to all the stories I have read and loved over the years. I borrow my sons e reader to get my daily dose in.
ReplyDeleteI love my ereader - I take it everywhere with me. I read so much more now - especially those big fat biographies I love so much, but hated lugging around. We're getting an E-reader for my son for his birthday - I'll have to check this one out for him.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a reader, I might actually get to read next time I am in a waiting room.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a Kobo, but I do have an iPad and I have tested all the book reader and retailer apps. I loved Kobo because you could connect with friends and other readers and earn fun little badges and rewards for reading. You could tell they put a lot of thought in to it.
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool! I am still reading paper books because I'm too nostalgic to let them go!
ReplyDeleteI Love reading myself. So nice to steal away to another place and time.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had great results form your challenge! I love how easy it is to take reading with you!
ReplyDeleteI love that tracker! I track what I read on Goodreads, but I would love for my eReader to do it for me.
ReplyDeleteI love reading and prefer books myself. However, I do read books on electronic devices. I would love to try this one!
ReplyDeleteThe Kobo Glow looks like a really nice e-reader! I love the reading statistics section!
ReplyDeleteLooks like one I need to have as I love reading so muuch..
ReplyDeleteFor a second, I thought you had a kindle
ReplyDeleteSure a lot more convenient indeed and you can get many stories to be swept up in with no clutter haha
ReplyDeleteI love my Kobo e-reader. I definitely find I read more books since I have purchased it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I read more. I hadn't heard of this Kobo e-reader before. It sounds like a really great product!
ReplyDelete