More strangers talk to me about my Kindle than anything else I have ever owned. The first question is “How do you like it?” I hate to say I love it because I have always loved paper books and don’t want to see them die. There is something about reading a book on a warm summer day or a cold winter night that just has a spiritual feel to it. You forget time and move into another world. I hate to say I love my Kindle but I do. But before I tell they why I like it I have to explain that it far from perfect.
At this point in my life, the Kindle is a great technology that meets my current need. As some of you know I took a new job at November Learning and have traveled by plane more in the last year than during the first 63 years of my life. When I started, I found that it was a great time to increase my reading since I had a lot of time sitting in airports and on planes. The bad part is that I carried at least two books or more books on every trip. I carried at least one book in my briefcase and one or more in my suitcase. They added a lot of weight to my journey.
What I hate it:
- It isn’t the same “feel” as reading a book.
- I can’t see the page numbers. It gives a percentage of the book I have read, but that is misleading do to index, glossary, and acknowledges pages that aren’t included.
- You can’t loan it to others. I often loan and share my books. But unless I loan you my Kindle, I can’t loan you a book to read.
- Not all books can be read on a Kindle. (I just bought two “real” books at the bookstore today.)
- It is expensive. With the small discount on books, I don’t think I will ever make up what I paid for my Kindle.
Why I love it:
- It is light and easy to carry.
- Because it is light, it is easy to hold up in bed. Your arms and hands don’t get tired.
- It is easy on your eyes. The “electronic paper” doesn’t seem to tire my eyes as much as when I read a book.
- As soon as I buy a book on line it is delivered to my Kindle. I don’t have to wait for it to be shipped. I don’t have to go to the store.
- I can shop for books using my Kindle. This is nice on the road. When I finish a book I ca just buy a new one. I don’t have to carry an “extra book” or settle for the “best” in the airport bookstore.
- It looks cool.
- And I have had conversations with a lot of people who would have never talked to me if I was reading a book.
I’ll continue to tell people I love books. And I’ll continue my secrete love affair with my Kindle.
Great observations.
I have really enjoyed my Kindle and look forward to using it more after I retire.
Your comments are so true–the hate and love parts both. I have even purchased some books on CDs (remember me–the one who wanted to listen to your blog entries) so I can listen to books as well.
The thing I like the most is finishing a good book in the wee hours of the morning and wanting to read somethings else–buy it through the Kindle Store and it is there in 60 seconds.
Technology. Who would have ever thought!