So I was thinking of typing up a ‘favorite things’ post – partly because I LOVE reading on blogs about stuff other people love, and partly because I’m an only child and – let’s face it – I like to pretend that people have an interest in what I have to say. Anyhoodle, I started to make my list and realized it would take me forever to post it (I’m at 20…and counting…guess I have a lot of favorite things, eh?).
So instead, I decided to make myself a little series, and I’ll post entries here and there as time allows.
First up: The Amazon Kindle.
I’d been asking for one of these darling devices for a couple of years, and Vic gave me one for my birthday this year. For those who don’t know – I’m a voracious reader. Usually a book a week, and my passion is suspense fiction. I like espionage, mystery, thriller, horror, jack reacher, etc. I have a LOT of favorite authors.
Reading my first Kindle book took some getting used to. Being insanely just a tad anal, I like to see how far along I am. On the Kindle you see a percentage. But after that first book I was hooked. I have 10 Kindle books under my belt now, and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever read a ‘paper’ book again. I have paper books here that I haven’t yet read…and I’ll buy them for the Kindle.
Here are the reasons for my love:
Convenience. It’s slim, it’s light, and I can take it everywhere. Sure, you can take a book with you, but since I usually buy hardcovers, the slim little Kindle is *much* easier to take along.
It sits nicely on the equipment book racks at the gym. Yes, I’m the weird one who reads on the elliptical. And I always had to use clips to keep my book open. The Kindle sits there PERFECTLY. And when I need to turn the page? Click a button. No unclipping and reclipping. For this reason alone I couldn’t go back to traditional books.
Change the text size with the touch of a button. So if you’re say…on the elliptical…and the book is a bit away from you…and you’re over 40…you can bump up the text size.
If you’re in bed, reading and eating ice cream…you can simply prop the kindle up on a pillow and use two hands to eat your tasty treat while reading. Hypothetically speaking, of course.
Preorders. I have a TON of favorite authors. I can preorder their books on Amazon (or on the Kindle itself), and when they come out, they’re delivered wirelessly to my Kindle. Oh yeah.
Shopping. You can shop on Amazon…or on the Kindle itself. Heaven. You can access the Kindle store, search by genre or author, read reviews, find books you hadn’t thought of…it’s a reader’s dream.
Book Price. Most hardcovers, which are $25 list, are $9.99 on the Kindle. At the rate I read, I’ll have it paid for in 6 months.
Orderliness…and trees. I LOVE not having piles of books sitting around LOVE it.
Discovering authors I might have missed. Browsing through the suspense genre in the Kindle store, I can see books that have great reviews. And if they’re in paperback? They’re $4-$6. And for that price, I’m happy to give them a try. And maybe discover a new favorite.
Continuity. You know how when you start a new book, you have to get used to it before you get into it? The size, the feel of the paper, the weight, the typeface? Well with the Kindle there’s none of that – just jump right in and it’s all the same.
Battery life. I only charge it once a month (if that). It holds a charge for a *long* time (if you turn off the wireless).
I can’t read the last sentence on the opposite page. Yeah, I have a tendency to do that. But now I can’t.
Are there any cons? Sure!
I miss walking into Barnes & Noble and finding one of my favorite authors in the ‘New Fiction’ section. That was always such a thrill. BUT – it’s overridden by the fact that I don’t have to drive to Barnes & Noble, spend 30 minutes waiting for Aidan (my other reader) to make a selection while hoping that Ava doesn’t decide she needs something, then spend $50 on books. I also find I get the same thrill when one of my preorders shows up on the Menu. Woo!
Not every book is on the Kindle. There are two books coming out this month - from John Hart and Michael Connelly – and neither is on Kindle preorder. But since their older ones are, my guess is they will be within a month. And I have plenty to read until then.
Ease of shopping. With my debit card tied to my Kindle account, it’s REALLY easy to shop. Sorta like iTunes.
You can’t share. When I finish a book, I usually either send it to my mom (if it’s simple) or to my friend Allison (if it’s one of our shared favorites). But you can’t share Kindle books.
Convincing my kids that I’m reading a book and not using a computer. I truly believe that kids follow by example and feel that Aidan loves to read because he’s been watching me read since he was a baby. And I worry that the Kindle won’t be a ‘book’ to them. But you know…it IS the book of the future. So I just keep calling it a book and showing them the words. And now…
Aidan wants one.
by Lisa
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