Home Virtual Reality The best gifts readers need for 2020: iPad vs. Kindle vs. Fire and more – CNET

The best gifts readers need for 2020: iPad vs. Kindle vs. Fire and more – CNET

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An affordable ebook reader could be the perfect gift for the voracious reader in your life — the book lover who has a hardcover book on the bedside table, trade paperbacks in the living room and an overflowing bookshelf in every room of the house. Amazon and Apple both offer a good selection of choices, including the Amazon Kindle, Amazon Fire Tablet and the iPad Mini. So you should be able to find one that suits your bookworm’s particular needs.

Your gift recipient won’t need a bookshelf or bookplates with an ebook reader and ebooks, though a good book nook is still recommended. Ebook readers will look beautiful on their coffee table, shelf or bedside table. Anyone who receives a book or an ebook reader as a gift is going to be vocally appreciative, as no one wants to be pegged as “not a book person.” Plus, they’ll have to read the book eventually, right? Win, win.

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Yes, the Kobo reader and Barnes & Noble Nook are still out there, but they don’t have access to Amazon’s book library and are hampered by hazy future hardware and software support. So it’s tough to make a case for reading on those. 

If you are looking for a thoughtful gift for your favorite bookworm, we’ve got you covered with great gift idea options for those who appreciate literary gifts. The unique gift options below include some of the best gifts for readers whether you’re looking for a great title or an e-reader to view it. 

Read more: The best graduation gifts under $30 for 2020  

Sarah Tew/CNET

If you’re looking for a Kindle to leave in the seat back pocket of an airplane (when you take a break from reading your book to “rest your eyes”), this is the one to get, just because it’s so inexpensive. The latest version of this ebook reader gets an updated body and includes a built-in book light (so you don’t have to wear one on your head when you’re up late with a cup of coffee or tea), but the better screen and higher resolution on the Paperwhite still beat it by a mile and make it a reader’s favorite. Great for rereading a favorite book, like Alice in Wonderland or the Harry Potter Series, or falling into a new world. Just don’t read aloud if you’re up late.

Read our Amazon Kindle (2019) review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Although it hasn’t changed much in the last few years, the Paperwhite is still the default Kindle to gift the book enthusiast in your life. It’s effortlessly readable, the backlight makes it great for reading chapter books by your favorite author in both dark and sunny situations — plus, it’s often discounted, which means more money toward your book budget… which means more reading when you’re cozied up with a cuppa tea or coffee! Perfect!

Read our Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon’s top-end Kindle is is too expensive for what it is. But at the same time, it’s an extraordinary upgrade from reading on the standard Paperwhite. I upgraded during last summer’s Prime Day, and was knocked out by how much better the Oasis is in terms of book readability and responsiveness. Plus, the physical page turn buttons make you feel like you’re reading a real chapter book. Amazon runs a lot of deals on this, and watch out for trade-in bonuses on older Kindles to get it for a reasonable price. 

Read our Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon’s Fire tablets no longer have “Kindle” in the name, but they still work great as e-readers. The Fire 7 is usually $39, which is less than an expensive hardcover book (but not really powerful enough to be your everyday multimedia tablet). For book reading, just note that it’s not an E-ink screen, just a plain old LCD. But, on the other hand, it’s in color, so it’s perfect for reading a story with pictures, like a graphic novel or an illustrated book. And, as with all Amazon devices, book selection is top-notch!

Besides the 7-inch model, also check out the 8-inch Fire HD 8 and the iPad-like Fire HD 10. 

Read our Amazon Fire 7 (2019) review.

Óscar Gutiérrez/CNET

The best iPad for ebooks is the pocket-sized, and recently revamped, iPad Mini. The size and weight are perfect (smaller than a book, even), and besides reading your favorite book, you can do all the other great things you can do with an iPad. Again, this isn’t an E Ink display, so it’s not perfect for book reading, but it’s a great all-in-one device. 

Read more.

What about actual titles?

And to fill up that Kindle, Fire tablet or iPad, of course you’ll need a great book or 12 or more! Actually, what’s digital equivalent of a boxed set?

Anyway, we digress. A book subscription is a perfect gift (with monthly options curated for your recipient) and beyond that, we’ve included a book selection list. The ideas on this list represent some of what we’ve been reading lately (plus select picks from the well-known authors who’ve graced our CNET Book Club podcast).

Remember, there’s a whole world of books out there, from Pride and Prejudice to A Game of Thrones (or the whole A Song of Ice and Fire series in a box set), from banned books to chapter book series. You can even gift a subscription to The New York Times, if you want to think outside the box when it comes to reading material! And no, whether you pick up a digital book or a physical dead-tree book, we don’t judge. It’s your story. Reading is a joy, so it’s still the perfect gift.

Now get cozy, put on the coffee (or tea) and get reading!

Book #1: Fall, or Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson

Interview: Neal Stephenson explores the long, weird future


Book #2: Recursion by Blake Crouch 

Interview: Blake Crouch messes with your memories


Book #3: Giraffes On Horseback Salad by Josh Frank

Interview: Josh Frank on bringing the Marx Brothers and Salvador Dalí together


Book #4: Team Human by Douglass Rushkoff

Interview: Douglas Rushkoff on why we all need to join Team Human


Book #5: Futureland by Walter Mosley

Interview: Walter Mosley on his new book set in modern-day Brooklyn, as well as his genre-bending sci-fi


Book #6: Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer

Interview: Jeff VanderMeer on the eco-apocalypse 

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