One year on a quick blog about why I love my Kindle but sometimes don't. No massive research, no facts and figures, just a response.
What I don't like first:
1. I miss being able to pass on my book. Did this in lots of ways- to friends and family, holiday bookshelves, station cafe etc.
2. Being able to remember the book by checking the cover or the summary on the back of the paperback. With the Kindle it is far more complicated and often I completely forget what the book was I intended to read.
BUT what I do like in no particular order:
1. The ability to get most books within a few seconds. I read a review of a children's author's fantasy series and was able to download the first book immediately. My local Waterstone would never have had the complete collection.
2. Checking out referenced stories easily. I read online about a young American writer who had only published online. Got to start reading her that day.
3. The absolute treasure of "free" classics. So many books I may well not have bought to read, I have downloaded and read when I can. Always wanted to read Sherlock Holmes stories again. Done. Hadn't read Jane Austen for 30 years. Done. Re-read Jack London. Done.
4. New writers. There is a wealth of free books on the Amazon site by either new writers or authors giving away one book to drag you in. Have found some real gems in amongst the rubbish and enjoyed reading other people's reviews.
5. Storage. This really is a boon. Hundreds of books sitting there. Begging me in.
6. Ease of use. When I read hardcover books now, I can't help but think "wish it was on my Kindle". They are so bulky especially when you try and read in bed.
7. The battery life is amazing. It really does last a month.
8. And it is easy to read, hold and use
9. Synchronising between Kindle and Android is great too.
I still buy printed books. Love the feel of them and still like the disposability but the Kindle fulfills most of the needs I have as a very avid reader.
As an educationist I can genuinely see them or their equivalent replacing many books in the Library. The same way that reference books have largely been supplanted by the web.
So, yes I love my Kindle!
Please for Christ sake help this poor boy from Haiti
ReplyDeleteI love my Kindle too. I'm a voracious reader and when we go on holiday I can manage a novel a day without too much difficulty. So a fortnight's holiday used to mean 14+ books in the suitcase (+ in case I read particularly quickly - terror of being without a book at the airport on the way home...). Twice my husband did his back in carrying the case.
ReplyDeleteNow I just pack my Kindle and can load up so many I never have to worry about running out. (And I do talk to my husband in the evenings.....)
Still love 'real' books too - especially for our Book Group where 'post-its' work better for me in discussion than electronic notes in my Kindle.