Finding the perfect e-Reader gift

With Christmas less than a week away, Lethbridge Public Library would like to help you with some of your last-minute shopping and a suggestion for those last-minute gifts: devices to read e-Books on. They’re compact, store thousands of books and can be taken anywhere. Partner that with a library card and you have access to an e-Book collection of over 30,000 titles! You can borrow as many as you want and never worry about those pesky late fines!

There are two different options when it comes to reading eBooks: a multiuse tablet or a dedicated eReader. While it may seem like an easy decision to just buy a traditional eReader, it is often actually easier on the user, to purchase a tablet and install the Libby app. There are some great affordable basic tablets that not only will allow you to read e-Books, but will also give you access to a variety of library services. Unfortunately, many of the newer model e-Readers are often quite difficult to use, and may leave the user more frustrated than anything else.

Some of our top picks for 2020:

For the past two years we have given out the Kindle Fire 7 as a prize for our Adult Summer Reading Club. A seven-inch tablet available from Amazon, the Kindle Fire is easy to use to download e-Books, audiobooks and more. It offers about seven hours of battery life, perfect for reading, browsing the web, watching videos or listening to music. It is one of the most affordable options on the market, often retailing for less than $100.

Another great option when it comes to tablets is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, which retails for around $180. It’s a bit more expensive, but it offers a larger screen and about 14 hours of battery life.

If you are still looking for that dedicated e-Reader, there are still a few good models, though each year less and less are being produced. If you want just a basic e-Reader, stick to the Kobo; they are the only models that will work with our e-Book system. If I were to choose just one Kobo I’d go with the Kobo Nia. It retails for about $130 and allows you to download books directly to the device. It’s compact and perfect for someone who wants a dedicated e-Reader, or wants to upgrade an older model that no longer works.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift this year or even looking to treat yourself, why not invest in a tablet or eReader that will allow you to access thousands of wonderful titles from the comfort of your home? Why settle for giving one book, when you can give thousands of books with the help of the library. Visit lethlib.ca to sign up for your eCard and start checking out eBooks today!