When I got this question, I knew I had to refer to CJ, who’s a frequent visitor to this site, and an avid Kindle lover. So much so, that she runs a website dedicated to the Kindle’s awesomness; lightmykindle.com. Thanks for fielding this one, CJ!
First of all, let’s discuss what the Kindle
is. The Amazon Kindle is an electronic reading device capable of downloading books directly from Amazon using a free, built-in wireless connection. The Kindle can store up to 200 books and has the ability to read additional books off an SD memory card. The Kindle screen is designed using e-ink technology, which means the Kindle screen looks more like a piece of paper than a computer screen. It’s a pricey device (currently at $359), but the book prices are lower than bookstore prices (new releases and best-sellers generally go for $9.99; older titles can be found for as little as $2 sometimes).
The most important things to consider when thinking about buying a Kindle are:
* how often do you read?
* where do you read?
* what do you do with books when you’re finished with them?
Let’s discuss the first topic - How often do you read? If you’re an avid reader like myself, a Kindle is absolutely worth every penny. If you find yourself reading in line at the post office, or reading for hours at a time, this is definitely the gadget for you. If your reading habits are more in line with only on vacation or only when you absolutely have to, then a device dedicated solely to reading is probably not for you.
The question of where you spend your time reading is related to the question of how often you read. If you carry a book everywhere you go, the Kindle will be a welcome addition to your life. It weighs only 10 ounces - much less than a bulky hardcover. Frankly, though, the Kindle is an improvement over a hardcover or large paperback no matter where you read - in bed, on the train, lounging in a hammock, or in line at a store. The Kindle is especially wonderful in reading situations where holding a book is awkward - laying on your back, while eating, etc. - because it’s so light and can be held with one hand even while “turning” pages.
The last consideration - where your books go when you’ve finished with them - is a major one for most potential Kindle owners. If you maintain a library of previously read books or you frequently re-read novels that you’ve already finished, the Kindle’s lack of “pass-on-ability” probably won’t bother you. If you tend to share books among friends or are a die-hard member of PaperBackSwap.com, you might be a little hesitant. As a Kindle owner, I can tell you I fall somewhere in between the two. I often keep books I know I’ll read again (Wicked, Stephen King novels, marketing or writing books I might want to use as a reference in the future) but I also enjoy sharing books with family and friends (especially James Patterson novels, since both my mother and my mother-in-law read them). I’m also a big fan of PaperBackSwap.
Here’s the good news if you’re like me and you’d still like to own a Kindle - owning a Kindle doesn’t mean you have to stop buying “real” books, or sharing books with friends, or using PaperBackSwap. Since the day I received my Kindle I have maintained a reading pattern of reading one “real” book and one Kindle book at the same time. This allows me to continue reading the pile of “real” books I purchased prior to getting a Kindle, as well as trade books with friends and on PaperBackSwap, while still using my Kindle often enough to justify the price.
As a Kindle owner, I think the three issues presented here are the most important factors when considering to buy a Kindle. This is, of course, after you’ve already determined that price is not a prohibitive factor.
For more information about the Kindle, visit Amazon’s product page which is filled with videos and reviews. You can also read more about the Kindle on my website, LightMyKindle.com
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October 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am
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