One of my favorite e-reading devices, except for suboptimal library book support
Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you choose links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Yes, I’m talking about the buttons.
Nook Glowlight 4.Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
The problem happens when you switch to holding the e-reader in your non-dominant hand.
Don’t just take my word for it; try the Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4.
The other less-than-optimal feature here is the reliance on Adobe DRM for library books.
Amazon
With Kindle and Kobo devices, getting library books via Libby or OverDrive is a cinch.
The recessed screen does sometimes get dog and cat hair stuck in it.
(Sad panda.)
Nook GlowLight 4 update screen.Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
The recessed screen here sometimes gets dog and cat hair stuck in it.
Other readers have screens flush with the bezels, which keeps dust and dirt out.
The Upsides of GlowLight 4
What’s great about the GlowLight 4?
The page-turning buttons on the GlowLight 4 are a game changer.Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
Well, pretty much everything else.
it’s possible for you to also set your GlowLight to color shift throughout the day automatically.
I generally keep it to this setting, so I don’t need to think about it.
I had to buy a new book to try it out, didn’t I?.Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
The interface for your Nook Library is easy to use.
Reading books is what you’d expect.
The covers are all black and white, but that’s not a big deal.
We’re here for the words, right?
That allows for text that’s crisp and easy to read.
The display still lags a little when turning pages and occasionally flashes black when refreshing its contents.
It’s not a deal-breaker, but newer Kindles and Kobos seem to have less of this problem.
Setup and Buying Books
Setup was a breeze, too.
Buying a new book was just as easy.
Honestly, the best thing about Barnes and Noble GlowLight 4 (besides the buttons!)
is the easy access to the catalog.
I can access my Nook books on any unit, from my iPhone to Mac.
I purchase them online, and they are instantly delivered to my Nook.
That’s some great stuff.
I’ve never had a problem finding a book I want in B&N’s catalog.
Final Verdict
Barnes & Noble’s latest GlowLight 4 is a button-lover’s dream.
It makes reading with one hand much more comfortable.
It’s light, the screen is crisp, and the B&N catalog is vast.
