So yesterday I took the plunge and invested in the Kindle e-book reader from Amazon.com. As y’all might’ve inferred, I’ve been in a real book reading mood lately but I’ve been having difficulty lugging around all the tomes I’m trying to get thru on my various travels. Pink reader Karen suggested that I try out the new Kindle from Amazon as a way to carry many books with me in one, lightweight device. I’ve been skeptical about e-book readers in general but there is great functionality with the Kindle that appealed to me. First, it has expandable storage capacity, thousands of books can be purchased directly from Amazon.com AND they are wirelessly delivered to the Kindle immediately after purchase. You can even buy books from the device itself, away from your computer. Here is what the device looks like:
Now, before some folks start to complain that this is an advertisement for this device, let me assure you that it is not. I shelled out the $300+ for the device and only mention it because I’m interested to hear from other folks who may have experience with the Kindle. I was very happy to learn that most Neil Gaiman books are available for the Kindle as well as many other of my fave authors (Cormac McCarthy, David Sedaris). I’ve had the last two Stephen King books (Lisey’s Story and Duma Key) sitting on my shelf for months because they are both so thick and heavy … I bought Kindle versions and now have them on my device ready for reading. I’m not sure if the reading experience will be improved by this new toy but I am happy that I can now carry so many books with me so easily. I also subscribed to The New York Times newspaper. I HATE reading newspapers because of the newsprint they leave on my fingers … that problem doesn’t exist in Kindle form. So yeah … if any of y’all have any good or bad things to share about this thing, please let me know. I’m still figuring everything out yet. Oh and to be clear, I am not giving up traditional books … I love them too much. I just hope that this little device will help me read more books when I’m away from home (and I am away from home … a lot).
Last night, Mike and I went out for a fun catching-up dinner at Outback so that I could finally get my Aussie Chayze Froys fix. We had a great time. Tonight, I think I’m meeting up with Josh to see a movie … but I deffo plan to be back home to watch the Project Runway Season 5 pre-Finale ep ;)
I love the library (and it’s free books) way too much to buy a kindle. Otherwise I would be so game. I commute on the train to work and then have to bike to my office from the train station so I’m with you on lugging the tomes around. I just can’t afford to buy all the books I read (at least one a week).
Um I want one but I just found out that they are making a newer one that is thinner and flexible. It is the size of a sheet of paper…
Its super convenient, and I love love love mine, but there is something about going into a borders or b&n.
Yeah…. no. It’s hideous and I love the idea of books too much.
I ordered me a kindle earlier today. I’ve been looking at buying it for awhile but I had read some bad reviews on it.. I am an avid reader and I thought i would go ahead and try it anyway. I’m tired of books getting lost or messed up, this way I’ll always know where they are and they’ll never get messed up :D and if I still don’t like it, i could always resell it.
I have a sony e reader, and it is pretty awesome. I like it for reading outside, there is no glare; compared to the white paper of a book. I had not heard of the kindle, but it looks like the screen is not as big as the sony?
Anyways, I am sure you will love it. They are nice for traveling and reading in bed :)
Buying my Kindle was THEEEEEE best thing I’ve done in ages. Seriously – it’s been over six months, and I have used it every single day. From converting stories and books I already owned (EASY & FREE) – to buying books on the go wirelessly – this is an AMAZING gadget and I would recommend it a thousand times over. I’ve had co-workers and friends buying them now too. And it’s rather addictive…lol. Plus, you can adjust your font – which is great for folks who don’t like to pull on their glasses all the time… :) Hugs xof
Oh no! I looked it up and the Aussie Cheese Fries are the worst food in America! Sad :(
http://www.menshealth.com/20worst/worstfood.html
I love em too, Trent!
Aussie Chayze Froys is so embarrassing. I can’t even pronounce it like that and I’m Aussie! Outback Steakhouse is somewhat of a joke here but I am curious as to what kinds of food are on the menu! I may have to venture to the States to find out someday!
Liz
This may save trees but what about all the other resources it is using? And what about when they break and end up in our already over stuffed landfills?
i think the new sony 1 looks really good!!!
It looks great and I want one! Unfortunately it’s unavailable to people outside of the states without a US passport (I’m a Canadian living in Japan).
If Amazon makes it international then I’ll definitely pick one up though! It’s too bad it’s only available in the US for now :o(
when i said passport, what i meant to say was CREDIT CARD. oops.
After three months ownership, it gets five stars for usefulness, allowing me to read more, and almost anytime I want to. It goes with me like my wallet. So, to me, it is worth $300 plus, BUT it is not a substitute for Barnes and Noble, Borders, or the local library–it is in addition to.
Mac
I, too, am a librarian who reads your blog (who knew there were so many of us!). I do not think that the Kindle will hurt libraries so much. If I read something on Kindle (which I am still trying to decide whether or not to purchase) that I love, I will most likely buy the physical book. And if I am going to meet an author, I will buy the book. And I will always go to the library with my daughters.
Ugh Runway. While I was very disappointed that Jerrell didn’t get to move on his line did look like a hot mess, I just pray that Kenley does not win this season or I will not watch the show any more once it moves to Lifetime. She is rude & annoying & I hate the way she talks too.
Trent, congrats on your big purchase! I’m interested in the kindle…Please keep us updated on how you like it because it is a lot of money to spend!
The Kindle is awesome when you totally get sucked into the Twilight books, and want to start reading a new one, but its 1am, and B&N is closed…so you just download it! That being said, if I really like a book, I’ll still go buy it hardcopy (ie, Twilights). Buy a new case for it tho – the one that comes with sucks – I got the Small Sleevecase http://www.sfbags.com/products.....lecase.htm which is perfect! Its also nice if you have a huge document in Word or PDF or whatever – you can email it to your kindle & it will convert so you can read. I love it, its absolutely great for travel or just making it easier to read books!!
[...] Original post by It’s Trent, Bitch! [...]
i love my kindle. my comments were too long to post. i emailed you trent. publish pink for the kindle. jossip is available on the kindle. i emailed you about that a month ago. would love to be able to use my kindle for everything since i can already surf the web and email with it.