1/10/11

Happily proved wrong!


When Amazon launched its Kindle I was one of the purists who insisted I would never be happy reading from a machine. I am an avid reader, have been all my life and I just love books, the smell, the feel, collecting them....I could go on and on with reasons why I would never want a Kindle.

But there was one gaping hole in my argument, I always read in bed before I go to sleep and the required light would keep the Hubster from sleeping soundly. So when I saw the Kindle 3rd generation lighted cover, I could see an end to my nightly wrestling with various book lights and a better solution.

At first I downloaded the Kindle app to my PC and started reading some free books to test it out. I just found it so incredibly handy, it bookmarked where I was up to, I loved the dictionary and soon the Hubster had it on his PC too and we were both using it daily. We then looked into various ereaders available, but the Kindle was the first and by this 3rd generation the kinks have been worked out and it's widely viewed as the best. I did not want a colour screen as scientific studies have now proven the Kindle screen does not stimulate brain activity like colour does, and therefore it doesn't keep you awake late at night.

So I bit the bullet and received my Kindle in late November and was immediately hooked. I signed up for the delivery of the bestselling blog Free Kindle Books and other tips for just 99c a month and so far I have downloaded about 50 FREE books thanks to its excellent daily newsletter. To date I have only paid for one book and a few low cost games, but have numerous books to read and the free ones I have read have all been good. As a regular user of Paperbackswap.com where books are free, this had been another reason not to get a Kindle, but free Kindle books are available daily from Amazon and other sources.

The main thing I love about my Kindle is it's just so darn easy! I carry it with me everywhere, it's light (even with the cover), I never lose my page, I love the dictionary feature, you can easily read more than one book at a time, you can change the print size or even have it read the book to you, there are some great word games available to play, you can access the internet (I have the wireless version) and I can read in bed with my lighted cover.

I bought the Hubster one for Christmas and he keeps telling me how much he loves his Kindle! And as of this week we can now loan each other books to read as well. Most evenings you will now find us next to each other reading our Kindles or playing Scrabble together on them. When I took mine into work it resulted in everyone having a play with it and as a result two colleagues got them for Christmas too and are also in love.

So if you have ever been tempted by a Kindle, or even dismissed it as something you'd never want because you love your books, take it from me....if you love reading you will love a Kindle!

26 comments:

Expat mum said...

I bought the Ball & Chain one last year (before the price went down by $100 - pah) and he loves it. My one thing has always been that you can't lend books - but I shall now go and investigate.

Flea said...

I felt the same way, but my husband kept insisiting he get one for me. Finally, in one of those can't pass it up moments, he snagged a nearly new version two from a coworker for next to nothing a couple of weeks before Christmas. I love it! Don't use it nearly enough yet, but love it. :)

Richard Lawry said...

I absolutely love my Kindle. I now have an i-Phone with the Kindle app and can read whenever I have a few spare moments as my phone is always with me.

An Arkies Musings

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I'm coming up on two years with my Kindle (the second version). I get a little annoyed now when reading paper books and I want a word definition :) As soon as I finish reading my tbr shelves of paper books I'll most likely buy ebooks only.
I love being able to read the same book on my iPhone and the kindle. Love the bookmarking and highlighting features. You can access your highlights/notes online. That's really great.
Happy New Year, Sarah!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I've had mine for almost a year and love it. I love reading but I don't like messing around with the physical books.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I brought a Kindle for my mum for birthday and I've got to go round hers tomorrow to help set it up for her as she's eager to get started with it!

Victoria xx

Kay said...

WHAT a coincidence! I have a post ready to be on-line tomorrow about the Kindle! I wrote it several days ago and post-dated it.

My post will be asking whether to go with the Kindle or the Sony Reader or some other e-books. The library system here loans out books to be read on e-books, but not for the Kindle. Sigh....

You know how I am about decisions. The biggest reason to go with an e-book now is the same reason you gave. I like to read before I go to sleep without turning on the lights that could wake up Art.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Sarah, Glad to hear from you. Hope you and your hubby had a wonderful Christmas.

I don't have a Kindle but have heard tremendous things about it.. I would love being able to read a book with bigger print.

My hubby has an iPad--and I love the print size on that little thing.... One of these days --I will jump into the iPad and/or Kindle world.

Thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year.
Hugs,
Betsy

Mom in High Heels said...

I got a Kindle 3G for Christmas (though I actually got in in mid-Nov) and I ADORE it. I don't know how I lived without it. It is always with me. I love that I can carry so many books in one tiny package. Love!

Rob said...

I actually got a Sony Reader for the other half and I've ended up using it more than her - I liked the sony just for the greater compatibility.

We have a huge amount of books between us and having them all on a device like that is brilliant! Though does rather make our shelves redundant.

Anonymous said...

My cousin bought a Nook and loves it. There was an article in the local newspaper about the Kindle not having access to the Hawaii public library electronic books, but that the Nook does have access.

Mare said...

My brother[voracious reader] is well known to be technologically challenged, and has made it clear that he wanted nothing that came with an instruction book.
So his kids got him a Kindle without the instruction book, and his son downloads the books and hands it over! Already, I'm hearing positive things. This from the one who said: No Way!

Sherri said...

Sarah, my hubby loves his! The girls and I gave him the original Kindle for Christmas and Megan, my daughter got one from her hubby this year! I'm looking into a color Nook. I think they are great!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Hi, Sarah.. glad to hear you like your Kindle. My sister gifted me with the Wi-Fi (only) version for Christmas, but I am in the process of exchanging it for the 3-G model which will be easier for me to use where I live. I had looked at the Nook Color, but did not buy. It's interesting that color may keep one awake. Whodathunkit?

Thanks for the blog visit. I had lost you when my computer died last February. You're in my feeds again.

Love the photo on your header! Scary!

George said...

I'm glad you like your Kindle so much. I have an iPad and am just now starting to download books to read on it. I, too, thought nothing could ever replace a 'real' book, but I'm quickly changing my mind.

Sandi McBride said...

Oh Lord, you may have converted me ! I've always said exactly the same things as you just noted about the feel, the smell etc....but I also look around at the books on shelves, on tables, on the floor by the sofa, and wonder if I shouldn't have a book sale and buy myself a Kindle! wHAT WAS IT THAT TURNED ME? Why it was the light within the page! Yes Sarah, the time may have come and you're to blame, lol!!!
hugs
Sandi

California Girl said...

Thank you for visiting my blog today and leaving a comment.

I'm very glad I am on yours reading this particular post. I, too, am a book snob. You have now piqued my interest and I do like to read in bed at night.

Thanks for the tips!

Anonymous said...

I have a Sony reader and at times I wish I had gotten a kindle, but I still like it. I just found out I can borrow books for it. WOW! Anyway, sorry I have been away so long, I am getting back to blogging and trying to write something everyday.

Daryl said...

I was also anti Kindle but long story shorter I downloaded the Barnes & Noble free ereader NOOK to my iPhone and have been reading books there .. and when I get my iPad I'll use the NOOK on that as well ...

Stella Jones said...

Larry has a Kindle. He bought it for himself just before Christmas and he loves it. The other evening he was showing me how it works and I was very impressed. Like you, I never thought I would be interested in a digital gadget like that but maybe now I know more about it, I would. It is very impressive. He didn't tell me about the light feature and that would be good because, like you, I like to read in bed and he doesn't.
We'll see. Maybe I will, I just might.
Thanks for your comment on my Blog. Nice to see you there.

Anonymous said...

Glad to read this. I've been tempted but had the same reservation. Glad to hear the recommendation. Perhaps I'll put my request in for one for a gift this year.

tattytiara said...

I've never really thought too much about them since I've got such a back log of library and other books to get through already. I admit, though, that dictionary feature does sound really, really cool!

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

I have always been a book lover. I am running out of room for new books and I can't bring myself to throw or give away a book. I wasn't sure I would like an e-reader, but I got a Nook for Christmas. Now I can have loads of new books that take up very little space. I love my Nook and use it all the time.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Sarah, thanks for visiting my blog, I tried to send you an e-mail but AOL said your address had a "permanent fatal error" maybe AOL and your service just don't like each other.

Anyway, thanks for the visit and good to see more regular posts coming from you.

elaine warner said...

I've been holding out but I'm almost persuaded! My son-in-law, who's an author, didn't want anything to do with one but, due to the way the market is changing, decided he had to try it. And he's hooked. Just put his latest book up on Kindle, bypassing the whole agent/publisher thing. And it's a good book if sci fi/fantasy is your thing. Commercial message: Check out Evil UnLtd. by Simon Forward.

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