Kobo Libra Colour - REVIEW!

[@hartereads]

I was waiting for this video. You pointed out issues with annotating that I haven’t seen on other videos. Great job!

[@RoadReads]

I’ve not seen so many of my annotating issues talked about in videos. So it’s making me think I’m missing something! 🙃 And even with the Readwise sync of annotations, as far as I can tell it’s just the text that I highlight that gets transferred to Readwise. As I see it now, it’s not quite ready for prime time as far as annotating. But I’m still having fun with it!

[@Movingthebookmark]

Very thorough review Susan. This will be very helpful to a lot of people. Your hair looks fabulous!

[@RoadReads]

Thank you!! I had a lot to say about the Kobo. 😉😃 But I think I may have focused too much on the issues I have with it, because I really am loving it. 😊 And thank you for the 🎀 compliment! As soon as the video was over, I put it in a ponytail for the rest of the day. 😁

[@stephanieh9730]

This was the absolute best review on the kobo I’ve seen and at this point I feel like I’ve seen them all lol thank you so much for this! This helped me decide on ordering a boox ereader instead 😊

[@RoadReads]

I hope you love your new Boox! But gosh, I have to admit I’m loving the Kobo Libra Color! (My biggest issue with it is still the fact that you can’t export the annotations without subscribing to a 3rd party service, but otherwise, it’s such a pleasant e-reading experience.) Thank you so much for watching!! Happy reading!!

[@stephanieh9730]

@@RoadReads I solely use KU so I wish that kobo would allow me to use KU. I'd love to try it out!

[@Leoslittlebooklife]

Great review, Susan. I’ll stick to my Kindle. Its white screen is the thing I love the most.

[@RoadReads]

That white screen sure is nice on the Kindle! 😃

[@sburns834]

I've had a kindle since 2010. They never used to have white screens. In my eyes white screens done make it feel like a book.

[@jen-vx3ks]

Hi Susan, loved seeing this video, thank you! On annotating in colour (in hard copy books): The first book I annotated was a reread of a favourite and I used a colour coding system. Although I love the end result, it did take me out of the reading at the moment. Since then, I’ve been annotating with a beige marker and then I can later on change the coloured tabs to add the colour coding system. As you, I like going back to my annotations and relive the book 😊 This might be an interesting option for you too. I saw it in another video and really liked the concept. Now annotating during reading doesn’t take me out of the flow.

[@RoadReads]

That’s a great idea! Thanks!!

[@ediev930]

Great in-depth review! I would love a video on annotating! I don’t have a system myself but I love to annotate. Sometimes if a book brings out certain emotions or memories I’ll use it almost as a journal. Hugs 🥰

[@RoadReads]

Isn’t annotating such a wonderful way to further connect with our reading! 🤗

[@TheVioletdecember]

This was such an informative video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts your experience and as always your infectious positivity and joy of reading!

[@RoadReads]

Thank you so much for watching and your sweet comment! Happy weekend!!

[@Andrei-Rex]

Incredible review. And your make up is just flawless queen.

[@RoadReads]

Thank you so much for watching!!

[@apk2]

I’m not sure if it’s just me getting used to the Kobo coming from the kindle, but battery life really bugged me in the beginning. Someone suggested to let the battery drain to at least 2% before recharging and it will recalibrate. I didn’t notice too much of a difference the first time but after using and recharging twice in the last little while (normally), I have found the battery life to be just fine. I haven’t charged in over 2 weeks and I usually read for about an hour or more a day at night.

[@RoadReads]

That is some great intel!! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m going to try that.

[@joycechiao0812]

Thank you so much! This has finally solved my annotation problem. Really thanks a lot!🎉

[@RoadReads]

Wonderful! Thank you for watching!

[@teritucciarelli4451]

Wow, what a great and thorough review! I am so grateful. 💖💖 Thank you for trying this out and giving out all that information. You have done an excellent job with your honest feedback! I am a BIG annotator...I often color code my highlights with flags on my paper books, characters, themes, quotes, etc. and I highlight on all my kindle books too. I agree with you on annotating, if you look at my books you would think I was taking a test on them. lol, I'm just a big nerd I guess. I absolutely love my kindle oasis, and for now I think I will wait for them to upgrade and hopefully we will get some of those color options. For now I am very happy with my system. I often have a book on my kindle, and the paper book in my personal library. It is super easy to go back and forth and add my highlights. (If it is a book where I want to keep my notes and highlights in the paper book too.) I also have a digital reading planner and it's so easy to copy and paste quotes and pictures from my kindle app or the internet and add to my reading planner. I am looking forward to reading East of Eden, it has been on my tbr forever! Right now I am deep into Elena Ferrante and the Neapolitan series. loving it!!!

[@RoadReads]

Teri, I should aspire to your level of annotating!! (This Kobo is lots of fun, but I’ll still be on the lookout for Kindle’s response.) Enjoy your Ferrante reading!! And thank you so much for watching!! 🤎🤎

[@HolographicCoaching]

Digital reading planner? I would like to learn more!!!!! What is it?

[@Read2live]

Within the same week, I received two defective Kindle Signature Editions, so I'm returning that second devise also, and I'm very disappointed: freezed half of the time during reading and when scrolling for books, showed me blank pages instead of the kindle store or my library a couple times a day or more and were not fixing for a long while even after I restarted ot reset; I just had to put it aside and wait to try later. Also, the battery without me using it, screen on sleep, wifi off, and light down off and on would go from 100% down to under 80% or under 70% within a fee hours, and more problems can't mention all of them. I have had Kindle Oasis 10th generation, my first and only kindle since 2019, and I have zero problems. I loved it! I read a lot more often than not every day with wifi on and the light all the way up and lots of use of the warm light, and download a lots of books, and I still had to charge it every 2-3 weeks, rarely less than that. I also highlight my kindle books a lot! I'm thinking now about getting a Kobo because I love the annotating. That is my favor part. I was rarely using Kindle Unlimited, so I haven't have that subscription. I still could get a lots of cheap books and also borrow from my libby. I have 5 library cards on libby. What I worry with Kobo is if I will be able to get a lot of classic books for cheap or free on Kobo the way I get on kindle (some of the less known classics also). Your review still made me want to try. No device will be perfect, but this still seems good. I'm afraid to get another kindle since they don't make the Oasis anymore.

[@RoadReads]

I think Kobo's prices are often equivalent to Amazon's. I've been really enjoying my Kobo Libra Colour. If you do end up getting it, just be sure to adjust those settings I mentioned BEFORE you start annotating. It will save you headache and sorrow. ;)

[@Read2live]

@@RoadReads Yes, thank you! Your video was very helpful to me about those settings, and from what you said about how you read, we read in a very similar manner, so I'll definitely do it your way when/if I get one. 😊

[@Sophie-dh6xr]

When you do your video just on annotating and highlighting could you also do how to best review them? and whether Readwise is any good with Kobo Libra? Also is there a risk that you lose the annotations/highlights if you log out? How best should we back them up/ do you export yours? Thanks

[@RoadReads]

Yes! I’ll film that soon!

[@LindyS1830]

I have a Kobo, Nook, and Kindle. I didn’t want to give Amazon more money. I like the Kindle least. I love my Kobo and Nook. I do not have this new color version. But I love the Kobo. Hope you will like yours.

[@RoadReads]

That’s great to hear! (Even though I have issues with some of the annotating features with this Kobo, I am really enjoying it! )

[@yarnmama10]

Thanks for the great review Susan! I always enjoy your videos. I have been an ereader since 2010 when I bought the first Nook. I have the current Nook Plus (the big screen one), a Kindle PW Signature Ed. and my Oasis (the last one). I have been intrigued by Kobo but haven't pulled the trigger. I used to use Calibre to strip the DRM in the past but just can't be bothered with it anymore. 😄 BTW, I have been reading Emily St.John Mandel's stuff based on your recommendation. I liked Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel. Sea of Tranquility is next on by TBR after I finish The Women by Kristin Hannah (which is excellent BTW).

[@RoadReads]

So happy to hear you’re reading (& liking) Mandel!! 😃 Hope you enjoy Sea of Tranquility! What a great e-reader lineup you have!! Thank you so much for watching and leaving your kind comment!!

[@NightingaleNews]

Came here for a Kobo Libra Colour review, but NEED to know the name/model of your frames…because they are AWESOME! Also, thank you for the review! I’m a Kindle Oasis girlie, but am obsessed with getting a color e-reader. I’m trying to make the best decision. I ordered the Kindle Color Soft, but no page turning buttons…I’m not opposed to multiple e-readers, but just doing my research.

[@RoadReads]

Thank you so much for watching! As for the glasses, they were an inexpensive, 3-pack of cheaters from Home Goods. The brand is Nicole Miller. Good luck on your e-reader quest! I am not tempted by the Colorsoft...at least not yet. I'm really enjoying the Kobo Libra Colour! My biggest complaint ... and the only way I see the Colorsoft having an advantage of the Libra Colour ... is that you cannot export your highlights and notes from it like you can from the Kindle, without paying for a 3rd party program. WHY, KOBO??? I am hoping that Kobo gets this fixed with a software update.

[@NightingaleNews]

@@RoadReadsagree, and I’m already sad about no page turning buttons on the color soft. My Oasis is life! 🤣 Thanks for the frames info!!

[@raineysworld6095]

Great review and information, I’m trying to decide to buy kobo or 1 of the new kindles, Decisions , decisions. 😊. By the way I love 💕 your watch, what brand is it & where can I purchase it ? Love 💕 it. Tfs 📚📚📚

[@RoadReads]

Thank you so much for watching! I too love this watch! 😂 I got it years ago at Nordstrom and the brand is Michele. I looked into the new Kindle Colorsoft and am not feeling tempted by it. - At least not yet. 😉 The new Paperwhites aren’t tempting me yet either but they sure look snappy on the page turns.

[@texmax888]

Thank you for all the valuable information. I have been in the Kobo universe for about three years with a Kobo Sage. I love the interface and have been wondering about the Libra Colour since it was released. You can use the stylus on the Sage as well as it has notebooks and I have experienced every issue you complain about. Button location, where do you attach it to the device, and palm recognition sending my font size into microscopic sizes. I am a huge annotator so to say I was disappointed is an understatement. That being said, I love to read on it! If I am reading a book that I would like to annotate it’s back to my kindle. I did invest in a Scribe and the writing experience on that device is wonderful. Hopefully someday we’ll be able to annotate directly on our kindle books. I remember seeing somewhere on KZbin you can remove your Kobo notes with a PC and direct connect. Like adding fonts to a kindle. I am an Apple girl and it didn’t matter how many times I connected my Sage my computer wouldn’t recognize it. I love your channel….keep up the amazing discussions!

[@RoadReads]

You said something that I really should have emphasized more: like you, I love reading on this Kobo! It’ll be interesting to see what Kindle comes out with next, won’t it?

[@darleneboudwin9580]

Thanks for the informative review! Your feedback has helped me decide to stick with my Kindle Scribe. It has its flaws, but the Kobo does not seem much better.

[@RoadReads]

Thank you for watching! I’m eager to see what the next new Kindle will be like! But till then, I am having fun with this Kobo. 😃

[@maudes6960]

To export your highlited (sadly not the written annotation) in .txt you have to add to the coding in a particular .txt document found when you connect your Kobo to the computer.

[@RoadReads]

Hmmmm. Thanks! I’ll look into that!

[@sweetnothings12]

I just got my kobo yesterday I’ve been playing around with it only wishing it had dark m ode like the kindle

[@RoadReads]

It does! Just go to settings (the wheel -like icon, top right), scroll down to page 2, and the dark mode option is there!

[@sweetnothings12]

@ ok thank you I found it

[@rubyjreads7503]

The deal breaker is the Google Drive integration. I'm loving that feature

[@RoadReads]

Wonderful!

[@MrBookaholic99]

Very interesting! I enjoyed your review 😊

[@RoadReads]

Thank you, fellow bookaholic!

[@sburns834]

I have an oasis but my gripe is with the kindle oasis is battery life. Ive had my kindle since 2019 and since day one it has had huge drainage. If i have wifi or 4g on for 5minutes itll go from 100 down to 10percent. So its on airplane mode but it doenst get 3 days without needing to be charged. In aus kindle dont have access to libby. Kobo does here.

[@sburns834]

I've just bought the Libra colour due to the colour, USBC, and being able to listen to audiobooks on it. I don't use audible. I buy my audiobooks physically on cd. And I've looked into it I can put them as "sidelong" audiobooks onto it. They have to be converted yes.

[@susanbolster]

Great hairdo today Susan!

[@RoadReads]

Thank you!! 😃

[@bethmccraw6718]

Great review!! I think I’m going to stick with my paperwhite signature for a bit yet!

[@RoadReads]

You’re right - the Paperwhite is great!

[@NerdishlyActive]

Thank you for the great review! Did you order yours directly from Kobo or from Amazon?

[@RoadReads]

Thank you! 😃 I got mine off of Amazon.

[@NerdishlyActive]

@@RoadReads Appreciate your help!

[@xantiom]

The white versions are important if you are reading outside. If it is a sunny day, the black absorbs too much heat and it can become scolding hot.

[@clarepotter7584]

Interesting, I had a really ancient kindle which had a fantastic battery life, I couldn't use it for audio books so I had a kindle fire, the battery wasn't anywhere near as good, it was years old when it stopped downloading audiobooks, it would download some, not others, thought it was glitchy but Amazon had just decided to not support it. I had the option of buying a new kindle but had to pay more not to have Amazon advertisements, so I had an iPad instead but I don't like it as much, the library's harder to access, it only seems to show the latest purchases and various texts seem to be underlined which isn't from me. So I think it was a mistake.

[@RoadReads]

I may have a fix to one of your issues! If you don’t want the “popular highlights “ to show up on your iPad’s Kindle app, when you’re in a book, tap near the top of the screen. Then tap on Aa. Then tape on more. Scroll down and toggle off of Popular Highlights. Hope that helps to make it a bit less annoying on your iPad. 😁

[@clarepotter7584]

@@RoadReads I thanks very much! I can't imagine why the default to give you the popular highlights.

[@RoadReads]

Good question!

[@blane1814]

I think k I want one for just library books

[@RoadReads]

If you get one, I hope you enjoy it! 😃 I read all of East of Eden on the Kobo.

[@nat4465]

I love love love mine. You voiced a lot of the concerns I have as an avid annotater. I did change the setting to avoid the page turning. I also noticed that once you write towards the middle of the page, resting my palm on the screen is not a problem for me. So what I do is I have the portion that sticks out, where the buttons are, laying under my hand to write on those edge sides of the margins. But I’ll give the paper idea a try although yea I don’t want to add more to the things I have to carry lol. I already dropped my stylus by mistake and it dented the tip 😣 thankfully the stylus did come with two more nibs, I have to be extra careful. But yea it wasn’t writing well anymore when the tip was dented, again thankfully just changing the tip helped. I also added a pen grip to my style to make it more comfortable. Since I am using the notebook feature to take my reading notes (i love how you can easily switch between the book and notebook by swiping down from the top) I found my hand hurting from all the notes I was taking since the stylus body is too smooth and thin. The pen grip has definitely solved my problem and I can still press the highlight button. Although, I also choose to use my finger to highlight instead. I do wonder if it will damage the pen in the long run but it seems fine for now. I don’t mind taking the risk since if I don’t put the pen grip, I wouldn’t be able to use it as much anyway. The biggest bummer for me is that my highlights/notes aren’t saved for library books 😩 at least not that I know of for now. (This is my first ereader) I’ve come to terms with it in a sense that if I were to borrow a physical library book, I’d have to take out all my sticky notes before returning. But I was so used to my notes and highlight being saved. when I’d read on my phone, after returning the book if I wanted to borrow the book again a year later, i could borrow it again and all my notes would be there and yes being able to export them was nice also. I really hope this is sorted out in the future. I don’t mind it as much for bought ebooks, since they are mine and I don’t mind going through my ereader to view my notes but I can see how it’s a con if you have the experience of having that on the kindle. But other than that this device makes my heart so happy 😁 I actually enjoy the muted colors 😊 like reading on newspaper or some nice textured linen paper

[@RoadReads]

I’m so happy to hear you’re loving it!! 🥳🥳 Despite my issues with it, I’m loving it too! Been reading and annotating in it all morning so far. 🤓

[@nat4465]

@@RoadReads how nice 🤩🤓✍️🌈

[@sburns834]

Fyi you need to turn the kobo off when youre not using it. Stop putting it in sleep.

[@RoadReads]

I’ve not heard anyone recommend turning the Kobo off. Do you say that for the sake of battery life?

[@sburns834]

@@RoadReads yes. Turn it off when not in use. Only have it in sleep mode for maximum 2mins if you're going to the toilet or grabbing a drink. But other than that it shouldn't be on sleep mode at all.

[@whytheory3251]

In my 20's? I thought she was mid to late 20's.