Around a month ago, I bought a Kobo Clara HD. After reading some ebooks on it, I want to share my experience with using an e-reader.
Why I Wanted an E-Reader
I only had my phone and laptop to read ebooks. The phone screen is way too small, and I can easily get distracted by notifications. On the other hand, the laptop is too big to get comfortable while reading. I decided to get a Kobo as I have heard good things about it, and I knew I did not want a Kindle.
Buying a Secondhand Kobo
I first looked at buying a new Kobo, but there were no sales going on. Then, I started browsing secondhand websites, including Tradera, which is a Swedish-based auction site similar to eBay. I won an auction on Tradera for a Kobo Clara HD that came with a sleep cover. The seller had fantastic reviews and shipped the next day after I won the auction. I then received the e-reader in 2 days, and it is in great condition.
Setting Up the Kobo
I had downloaded ebooks on my laptop, which I could easily drag and drop onto the Kobo when I connected it to my laptop. Also, I had purchased ebooks through Google Play Books. I downloaded the ebooks, and then I had to import them to Adobe Digital Editions before I could transfer them to the Kobo. I also signed in to Overdrive on the e-reader. Any ebooks I borrow through Libby will now automatically show up in the Kobo library. Overall, setting up the Kobo was fairly straightforward, and it was easy to get the ebooks I bought and downloaded onto it.
My Experience of Using a Kobo
Reading on the Kobo has been a great experience, and it is much better than reading on my phone. You can easily adjust the font size, which is useful as some ebooks start out with really small or large fonts. The lighting automatically adjusts, and you can manually adjust the lighting too. It is also easy to read ebooks as you simply tap the right side of the screen to go forward to the next page or the left side to go back to the previous page. I have read an ARC, a short story, borrowed an ebook through Libby, and even read graphic novels. I have been rereading the Heartstopper series, and they look great on the Kobo.
The Kobo itself is lightweight and comfortable to hold. The sleep cover can also open and be set up to read hands-free. I also like the sleep cover because when you close the cover, it will put the e-reader to sleep without having to press the button at the bottom. Furthermore, when you open the sleep cover, it will turn on the Kobo and show the Home page.
On the Kobo, there are 4 tabs – Home, My Books, Discover, and More. The Home tab shows you the ebooks you are currently reading and some books in your library. The next tab is My Books, which lists your books and shows which ones are unread, finished, and currently being read. You can also see the authors, series, and any collections you have made. Then there is the Discover tab, which has the Kobo Store. The store has daily deals, and I have bought the Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston.
You can find trending books, new releases, and books similar to those in your library in the store. In the Discover tab, you can also borrow ebooks directly through Overdrive. However, I find it easier to keep track of my loans and holds through the Libby app on my phone. The last tab is More, which has your wishlist, reading activity, and the settings.
Would I Recommend a Kobo?
If you do not already own an e-reader or you are looking to get a new one, I recommend a Kobo. It is easy to set up, and I have had a great experience using it.
Anyone who reads digital books will appreciate an e-reader (even if they think their phone is sufficient). One of the few single-use technologies that makes a world of difference! I’ve heard great things about kobo, and I’d like to go that direction when I need a new e-reader. Using kindle now because it was a gift and also works best with the type of protected files I’m usually reading.
Yes! At first, I thought my phone was good enough to read ebooks, but after reading a few, I could not stand it anymore because the phone screen was so small and it was not a pleasant experience. When you do look for a new e-reader, I do highly recommend a Kobo.
I have my mums old kindle but i am so used to touch screens i just end up using the kindle app on my ipad to read haha xx
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
Haha well an ipad does seem a lot better to read ebooks on than a phone! I do not have a tablet, so getting a Kobo was a good decision for me.
Thank you so much for sharing this review. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
You’re welcome!
I don’t have a digital reader (yet) as I prefer the feel of a real book in my hands. I tend to read in bed before I go to sleep but I can see a Kobo could be very useful when travelling, for example. Great review!
Thank you! I love physical books too, but with living in Denmark, only a small percentage of books are sold in English so I have to buy them online. On the other hand, there are so many ebooks out there and they are often cheaper than buying the physical version + paying for shipping.
Great review of the Kobo, Karalee. I’m glad to hear that the setup was easy and straightforward. I currently don’t have an e-reader, but perhaps in the future! I know it’s a lot easier on your eyes than reading on the computer or phone.
Thank you! If you regularly read ebooks, I definitely recommend getting an e-reader! It is much more pleasant to read on the Kobo than on my phone or laptop.
I do enjoy my Kobo for library books although books I borrow from the library do not automatically appear on my kobo and require resynching several times. Glad you are enjoying yours.
That is great you enjoy your Kobo, but it does sound annoying that you have to keep resynching for your library books to show up.