slmkhoo:

linden2000:

[quote=\"slmkhoo\"]I just ordered direct from the website and it arrived in Singapore without any problems. It seems fairly reputable.

Is this the website?
http://www.kobobooks.com/touch_wheretobuy

Got to this webpage and clicked a few of the online options. Some stated only ship to US. Still trying out the rest and the retailers under \"World\", I'm not too familiar. Only Borders but think that has closed? Maybe I'm at the wrong site? :?

slmkhoo:

linden2000:

[quote=\"slmkhoo\"]
I didn't get a Kindle because of the country restrictions, and although many find ways to get around them, I don't like to give a false address. I bought a Kobo which has no country restrictions. Just google on it to read more. We've had it over a year now and so far we've had no problems. It only takes EPUB and PDF formats and so you can't buy Kindle editions, but EPUB is a very common format. For the free classics, there are a few sites which provide EPUB versions. I recall looking at some reviews about other readers but can't remember which now! For me, the main criteria was the e-ink screen, no country restrictions, and accepting EPUB format (and cost!).

Many thanks for your reply. I don't like to give a false address either, hence exploring other options. I'm fine with ePUB format. Googled kobo but still yet to figure out how to buy from a more familiar/established retailer which ships to Singapore. Will continue to search, maybe I missed something somewhere...Thanks again.

slmkhoo:

I didn't get a Kindle because of the country restrictions, and although many find ways to get around them, I don't like to give a false address. I bought a Kobo which has no country restrictions. Just google on it to read more. We've had it over a year now and so far we've had no problems. It only takes EPUB and PDF formats and so you can't buy Kindle editions, but EPUB is a very common format. For the free classics, there are a few sites which provide EPUB versions. I recall looking at some reviews about other readers but can't remember which now! For me, the main criteria was the e-ink screen, no country restrictions, and accepting EPUB format (and cost!).

slmkhoo:

I didn't get a Kindle because of the country restrictions, and although many find ways to get around them, I don't like to give a false address. I bought a Kobo which has no country restrictions. Just google on it to read more. We've had it over a year now and so far we've had no problems. It only takes EPUB and PDF formats and so you can't buy Kindle editions, but EPUB is a very common format. For the free classics, there are a few sites which provide EPUB versions. I recall looking at some reviews about other readers but can't remember which now! For me, the main criteria was the e-ink screen, no country restrictions, and accepting EPUB format (and cost!).

slmkhoo:

I don't think paper books will disappear. There are benefits to paper books which ebooks can't compare with at the moment, and like you, I just love wandering amoug shelves of books. We have lived overseas for many years where there are no English libraries, so my most favourite activity when back in Singapore is visiting NL! My family laughs at me. We still prefer paper books mostly but we also read ebooks if we can't get the paper ones. And now that my kids are at the age when they are beginning to read the old classics that are out of copyright, we can get the e-versions free. To ease the eyestrain, I bought a dedicated ereader with an e-ink screen which is less tiring than reading on iPad or tablets. Currently we have only one in the family, but I'm considering getting another.

slmkhoo:

I don't think paper books will disappear. There are benefits to paper books which ebooks can't compare with at the moment, and like you, I just love wandering amoug shelves of books. We have lived overseas for many years where there are no English libraries, so my most favourite activity when back in Singapore is visiting NL! My family laughs at me. We still prefer paper books mostly but we also read ebooks if we can't get the paper ones. And now that my kids are at the age when they are beginning to read the old classics that are out of copyright, we can get the e-versions free. To ease the eyestrain, I bought a dedicated ereader with an e-ink screen which is less tiring than reading on iPad or tablets. Currently we have only one in the family, but I'm considering getting another.

lapapillion:

mgnvr:

Can we return the ebooks earlier ?

Afraid not, haha It's loaned out to you in 21 days, whether you finished it earlier or not. I don't know any ways to 'return' to them, and certainly do not email back to them It's just like a timer that will expire in 21 days.

mgnvr:

Can we return the ebooks earlier ?

lapapillion:

verykiasumummy:

thks so much... i presume borrowing an ebook doesnt attract the overdue fines at all right? i used to forget about the return dates and incurred $12 overdue charges once... since then i didnt really borrowed any...

Oh, no no, it will automatically be 'returned' in 21 days. That means that after 21 days, you cannot open the file and read anymore, so that's good

verykiasumummy:

thks so much... i presume borrowing an ebook doesnt attract the overdue fines at all right? i used to forget about the return dates and incurred $12 overdue charges once... since then i didnt really borrowed any...

lapapillion:

verykiasumummy:

is there a limit to the ebooks that are available?? anyone happens to know if craft books and sewing books are available as ebooks too??

Picture is worth a thousand words

http://i33.servimg.com/u/f33/13/53/42/16/12-oct11.png\">

lapapillion:

Funz:

I'll be one very sad person if the libraries go 100% electronic. I actually think differently. To be able to touch and feel and flip the pages of a book makes the reading experience much more enjoyable, especially for young or emerging readers. Even the process of picking the book forms part of that experience. To be among shelves and shelves of books, to browse through all these books to see what catches your eye, to be able to flip through the pages to see if the content is interesting, to finally settle on that few books and check them out, feeling the weight of the books, anticipating when you can find a quiet corner to lose yourself in those words.

I feel the same! But if NLB's aim is to attract the next generation of readers, who are born into the digital world of gadgets and the omnipresent internet, then plain ol' physical books just would not do. Between the temptations of multimedia websites, touch screen interactive books and read-out-to-me audiobooks, physical books (especially thick ones with small fonts), just do not have a sliver of chance to vie for the attention of the next generation

I like your romanticism about books...you must be an avid reader

Funz:

I'll be one very sad person if the libraries go 100% electronic. I actually think differently. To be able to touch and feel and flip the pages of a book makes the reading experience much more enjoyable, especially for young or emerging readers. Even the process of picking the book forms part of that experience.

Funz:

Think I might start collecting books. They might soon be valuable collector's items.

Funz:

I'll be one very sad person if the libraries go 100% electronic. I actually think differently. To be able to touch and feel and flip the pages of a book makes the reading experience much more enjoyable, especially for young or emerging readers. Even the process of picking the book forms part of that experience. To be among shelves and shelves of books, to browse through all these books to see what catches your eye, to be able to flip through the pages to see if the content is interesting, to finally settle on that few books and check them out, feeling the weight of the books, anticipating when you can find a quiet corner to lose yourself in those words.

ChiefKiasu:

lapapillion:

Wow, I like that idea I really do! Though oldies like me would miss the crisp smell of fresh books and the ecstasy of running your fingers over the texture of printed paper...something that just cannot be reproduced on the most high resolution and brightest display screen.

Ah yes... one of my favorite moments as a boy is to own a new book (doesn't matter whether it is a novel or text book) and to hold it near my nose while I flip the pages rapidly with my thumb. Love the smell of new books (and dollar notes, for the matter ). But that is a luxury that the world can ill afford. We can't keep cutting trees to satiate our hunger for literature.

lapapillion:

Wow, I like that idea I really do! Though oldies like me would miss the crisp smell of fresh books and the ecstasy of running your fingers over the texture of printed paper...something that just cannot be reproduced on the most high resolution and brightest display screen.