I'm gonna get a book "nook"

It took all of three days before I caved and pre-ordered Barnes and Noble's new eReader - nook. I was sort-of thinking I could wait until we got the units in the store* at the end of November...but no. I'm actually surprised I lasted three days before breaking down. I ordered the nook (obviously) as well as the protection plan (it prices out at about the same as my iPod protection plan from Best Buy - and I'm a spiller and dropper so this is a good buy for me).

I also ordered a pretty cover. Choosing took ages and not all the covers are currently available (too much selection - gets me everytime). I finally picked a black synthetic leather cover with a quote from Mme de Sevigne - When I step into this library, I cannot understand why I ever step out of it. I also ordered the film kit; no scratches for me, thankyouverymuch, and I always find the films very easy to remove/replace as needed.

So now I get to wait until November 30. *le sigh* It is always hard to wait for shiny new toys.

Some of you are probably wondering why the heck am I ordering an eReader? Don't I have enough books? Don't I love printed books?

I do love printed books - I have thousands of them. I also love techie gadgets when I think they're going to be useful and I think this is going to be useful. What caught me on the nook is the partnership with GoogleBooks; I read a lot of old books (i.e. Victorian, Edwardian, even older) and those books are in the public domain...and they're free...so if I can access one (or many) needed for a class and download it to an easy-to-read eReader then I don't have to pack my backpack chock full (heavy, oy). One can also "side-load" ePub, PDF, and a number of other file formats (not Word - would need to convert to .pdf first) so hellloooo research articles. Wouldn't have to tote a 3-inch binder full of articles around, either. I'm also interested in nook because I occasionally find myself reading a book that I know I really wouldn't care to own permanently; disposal of unwanted books is a problem in my house (first, I must be convinced to get rid of the physical book, even if I didn't like it, and that is the hard part).

The final nook "hook" for me is the design - it is a pretty little toy. Pretty, pretty (sorry, Sony, but I never really liked the look of your eReader). Also, nook is not sold by Amazon. Amazon and I haven't gotten along since I was given an Amazon gift card in grad school (~10 yrs ago) and it turned into the worst online shopping debacle ever. So even though I knew people who loved their Kindle and Kindle 2 I was never, ever going to buy one because I would be actively giving Amazon business. Plus, I'm a bookseller. In a bookstore. You can do the math.

So now I get to (more-or-less) patiently wait for my nook. Hurry up, Thanksgiving! Once I'm eating turkey I know my nook arrives soon.

*FYI: Even the employees of B&N do not get a discount on nook. We have to pay the full price - just like everyone else.

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