Are eBooks worth it?

eBooks are books you can read on electronic devices. You can read an eBook as a PDF, as a flip-book (like you do with some magazines and junk mail), and in ePub format. If you download a .epub file, you won't be able to read it on your computer or device unless you have an app.

eBooks have really taken off and have become very popular. They have enabled lots of people who ordinarily might not have become a Author, to write a book and publish it in PDF format.

I must admit, in the past I haven't downloaded many eBooks. Most I have downloaded have been in PDF format. As I have the free version of Adobe on my computer, I have been able to view these books right away, on my desktop computer (with a Windows operating system) or on the tablet.

I have really wanted to see how these ePub files work. So today (the day I wrote this blog) I choose a book from a big online bookstore. I was redirected to Kobo to create an account and make the purchase. It was all very easy to set up an account by entering a few details. Then I was given the option to pay by credit card or PayPal. I paid by PayPal.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to view the book I purchased on my desktop computer as I need to have a Windows 8 operating system, and I have a Windows 7 operating system. Fortunately for me, I have a Windows 8 phone! So I downloaded the free Kobo app from the Windows Store on my phone.

Their books can be viewed on the desktop, eReaders, tablet, iOS, android devices, and Windows8.

I selected the Kobo icon, and was prompted to log in. Once logging in, the book I had paid for was in my account under "All Titles" and I can swipe to "I'm Reading", and swipe again to "Already Read". Lastly there is "Want to Read". So this all looks pretty good to me.

You can also "bookmark" a spot in the book. So if you get interrupted, as we often do having kids around, you can press your finger on "add bookmark" so that when you restart the app later it will take you to your bookmark. You can remove the bookmark. I assume that this is the same on other devices with the Kobo app.

From the Kobo app you can access the Kobo store. So I've gone there to look for a children's picture story book. After all, that's what we're about! And we are thinking to offer eBooks to you, so we need to try this out for ourselves.

On our WinTab tablet, over the last couple of years we've downloaded a few flip-book style story books from the Google Store. Some of them traditional stories. Our son has loved flipping the pages over with his finger. We've downloaded mostly free books and a few that are very low cost.

So what is good about eBooks? Why should I try it out?

MY TOP 5
1. Take story books on holiday with you without having to carry books around.
2. If you have to keep your kids entertained at an appointment, they can read an eBook.
3. They can be a lot cheaper than a physical book, sometimes for only a few dollars and sometimes free.
4. If you want the book right away, it is as quick as a download.
5. Kids are attracted to technology, they'll be totally focused on the book.

Overall, eBooks have a time and a place. It could be because of cost, convenience or personal choice that you choose to buy and read eBooks. The technology is there for you to try, and see if it suits you and your family.

Are you reading picture books to your kids using eBooks? Do you think you'll try it out? Please share in the comments or on our Facebook page.