Barnes and Noble NOOK Giveaway

This contest is now closed. Congratulations, Angelica! #409

I have been having so much fun with my Barnes & Noble NOOK and I can't wait to tell you all about it! What's a NOOK? The NOOK is Barnes & Noble's eReader and it does some pretty exciting things, but first let me tell you why I think this is such a cool gadget for the kitchen geek. Barnes and Noble has over 800 cookbooks available as eBooks. Before you tell me that you wouldn't want a cookbook as an e-book, let me tell you why I would.

I don't live near family, but when we visit we always love cooking together and I don't have room to pack cookbooks and recipes in my luggage. I can easily pack my NOOK in my purse for the trip. That way I have access to some of my favorite books and recipes (that either aren't on my blog yet or available online). I am also in favor of downloading cookbooks that are more reference-like and not full of pictures, especially if the book is large. It saves space in my already overflowing kitchen as well as being more environmentally friendly.

There are so many wonderful food memoirs and novels out for our enjoyment, but I definitely don't want to have a hard copy of every single one, however entertaining the stories and enjoyable the recipes. It just isn't practical for me to use up that space. Living somewhere with a less than stellar public library, checking the book out isn't always an option for me.

Still not convinced? Read on to check out all the great features that the NOOK has to offer.

Reading on the NOOK isn't like reading on the computer, although you can download Barnes & Noble's free eReader software for your PC, MAC, iPhone/iPod-Touch, iPad, Blackberry, or Droid. You read your books on the NOOK's E Ink® display, where text appears just like a printed page. No glare or backlight thanks to the 16-level gray scale display. You also have your choice of six font sizes so you can read comfortable.

Another great feature I love is that you can lend your books with any other Barnes & Noble eReader user for up to 14 days. They don't have to have a NOOK, just the software. I'm just waiting for city libraries to catch on and have e-books available for check out on SD cards.

If you choose to read while you're in the Barnes & Noble stores, you can read ANY book for free for up to an hour a day. No purchase necessary. At home you can download a sample chapter for free of any book, just in case you aren't sure if you'll like the book. And with More In Store you get free exclusive content from top authors as well as fun things like freebies at the B&N cafe.

What were my first downloads? Everyday Food (I've been wanting to check this one out because I love the magazine) and The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (this came recommended from my friend Amy).

There are photos in Everyday Food, although they are in black and white because the e-ink doesn't display color. I'm hoping it will in a later version of NOOK. The navigation through the recipes is great. Choose from cover, title page, dedication, table of contents, introduction, chapters, or even a specific recipe. You can also bookmark recipes you've made (or maybe want to make) for easy access later on.

Those are some of my favorite features, but check out these too!

• Thousands of FREE eBooks
• Over 68,000 eBooks under $5
• Build your own eBook library with FREE literary classics. Come back each week for new eBooks!
• Connects via Wi-Fi + FREE at all AT&T hotspots and Barnes & Noble stores (for NOOK Wi-Fi and NOOK 3G + Wi-Fi)
• For the NOOK 3G + Wi-Fi you can also connect anywhere FREE via 3G
• While connected via Wi-Fi, explore the Web and check email using the color touch screen.
• 2GB (approximately 1500 eBooks) plus an expandable microSD slot
• Right now you can get 30% off NOOK accessories.
• Up to 10 days battery time.
• Play Chess and Sudoku
• and more!

Giveaway (1 winner): Barnes & Noble NOOK 3G + Wi-Fi

The Rules:

• Check out the eBooks available for NOOK download. What would be the first book you'd purchase? (by 11:59 PST August 16th)
• Anonymous comments: leave your email address and first name in the comments.
• 1 random winner will be announced by August 20th. I will notify you via email and you will have 72 hours to respond before I choose a new winner.
• Contest open to US Residents only.

Extra Entries: Additional entries can be earned by doing any of the following, giving you a total of 5 entries. Leave a separate comment for each of your entries.

• ReTweet the following message: Win a Barnes & Noble NOOK e-Reader (3G + Wi-Fi) from @eBooksBN and @goodlifeeats http://is.gd/eg4H1 #giveaway
• Become a fan of goodLife {eats} on Facebook.
• Become a fan of Barnes & Noble on Facebook.
• Vote for me (Katie Goodman) as one of Babble's Favorite Mom Food Bloggers