Kindle Advice

The Kindle Fire does this. It's about $199. You can get a certified pre-owned Nook for much cheaper.Google it.

Our library lets you "check them out". Why not see if yours has this option and try one before you buy it.

Also, I know from experience, some elderly people just don't want the "technology". I know Kindles, Nooks, and iPads seem cool to us. But lots of older people get frustrated/confused with the networks, switching screens, etc. Make sure this person WANTS this gift.

My mom and I tried the Nook and Kindle. She HATED THEM. She said the screens and buttons were too small. She didn't like how they functioned. We bought her a laptop instead. Ebooks weren't important to her. Having a "usable" monitor and screen were. She was used to a computer and felt moving from a desktop to a laptop was "new enough" for her.

Make sure it's what they want. Not what you think they need.

Best wishes.

The Kindle Fire has been getting excellent reviews and can do quite a bit. You CAN get Ebooks from your public library on it as well, if you are an Amazon Prime member borrow 1 book a month for free via Amazon.

One advantage the Nook does have is the ability to use it and buy books for it in a BN Store. She would also be able to get assistance from staff in the store rather than relying on online or telephone support with Amazon.

Something to keep in mind is ease of putting a book on the device. For library ebooks, the Kindle WiFi devices allow you to get the book directly without having to hooknthe device up to a computer but the 3G models require you to hook up to the computer to put the book on. The Nooks will not allow you to do it directly for some reason. You would also want to check if her library has downloadable Ebooks as some do not due to the start up and maintenance costs, smaller libraries are less likely to have them.

Here's a great comparison chart of the various devices: http://paidcontent.org/table/comparing-e-readers-and-tabl...

my father in law loves his because he can increase the font size when reading books or magazines. they will love it.

Kindle Fire or NOOK Color or NOOK Tablet will all do what you describe. Be aware though, that all of those are really tablets, so they ARE back-lit (like a laptop or computer) so can cause a bit of eye strain over time (in a way that the e-ink models won't)

NOOKs are typically a little more expensive than Kindles, BUT allow you to read books purchased from a variety of sources AND download library books for free. Kindles can only read books purchased on Amazon (a FEW library downloads are available, but not many because they have to be Kindle not pdf etc.)

I think the new Kindle fire can do this... and the product that the gym teacher from Glee is advertising on the TV (can't remember the product!!) can do it too.

I think anything you'll buy that has this capacity will run you in the $400 range.... and if you can afford that Apple sells refurbished iPads w/ a warranty (off their website) for around the same amount.

If just for reading the new Kindle which is more streamlined than the existing one (and WAY below the Fire) is only $79 right now... great deal.

Do they have a wi-fi at home? if not, you will need one that is able to access 3 or 4G...i have a nook color (not the tablet) and it will only access wifi but my mom has an older nook (which i wouldn't recommend) but that accesses 3G.

I love my nook color and i have read excellent reviews for the nook tablet. it got much better reviews than the kindle (more storage, faster, etc.). i can check out books from the library (if they have e versions available) and play games, etc. it's very fun! it is back lit but you can adjust the lighting and the font size so its very user friendly. good luck!

The kindle fire does most of what the ipad does.

I have an older version Kindle and love it for reading. I would go to a Best Buy store and try out the Kindle Fire. I've read very good reviews on it.

The fire will do all of that. If they don't get out much where they would have to read in bright light it will be perfect. I got the touch, which is only a reader, because I needed to be able to read in the car, park, beach (hopefully), in other words bright light.

If you go with the reader get the touch, it is only 20 dollars more than the cheap model and since it is touch it is easier to navigate. No Kindle has internet except the Fire. They can only download books and magazines.

My favorite feature is touch a word and it gives you the meaning. Great when you are reading researching books.

I use my Kindle for all that you've mentioned. Very user friendly, I actually purchased one for my mother in law for Christmas as well. I can't compare to a Nook or anything else because I don't have those.