Warning: This is NOT an unbiased report !
Are you an avid reader? Is your suitcase or back pack often loaded with cumbersome books or magazines? Do you trek outside each morning for the newspaper?
Amazon has created an electronic book that has revolutionized the way we read. For around the same price as a dinner for two at an elegant restaurant, you can carry your books, newspapers and blogs with you. The Kindle weighs less than one pound. It is an easy read, and here are some of Kindle’s qualities that I enjoy the most:
- Look up words as you read
- Lighten your travel load – I often carry it in my purse
- Books usually cost $9.99 – a major savings factor
- Carry your entire library with you
- Order and receive a book or magazine in less than a minute
- Take notes (bookmarks) for future reference
- Change font size when your eyes are tired
- Save paper – Go Green
- Speed read with equal clarity
Amazon reports that currently there are 367,136 books online, 58 newspapers, 37 magazines and 7,328 blogs. These numbers are growing everyday.
Okay. Enough raving. Any downside? The single one I have found is sharing a book with a friend. The only solution is to either order or go to a bookstore and buy it for them.
Having used the Kindle for a year and a half, I’ve forgotten what life was like before I had it. It is part of my daily routine that would be hard to live without!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Oh wow Darlene – now I think I have to have one!
I had no idea the books were so cheap … and how’s it work that you can order ‘on the road’? Does it have some kind of service built into it?
LIKE the idea of making the words bigger – my eyes will appreciate that for sure.
Ahh – maybe a good thing for the ‘ol Christmas list
October 28th, 2009 at 11:13 am
It is wireless, Andrea.
While watching Barbara Walters being interviewed by Oprah about her book Auditions, I ordered Barbara’s book and began reading it during the commercial breaks.
It usually takes 30 seconds to download from Amazon.
In addition, Amazon keeps a backup copy of your entire library, so if the Kindle were damaged or stolen you would not lose any content!
January 21st, 2010 at 10:37 am
Darlene, this is great to know. I’ve actually been thinking about getting one and never knew anyone who had one. Is there a way of sharing books with other Kindle owners or is it only downloadable on one machine?
Thanks for the great advice, that helped with my decision.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Debbie, Each book is downloaded on your Kindle in 30 seconds or less. There is no way to pass it on to another Kindle user, but remember that a book is only $9.99. It’s also possible to download blogs now. Am not sure how I ever lived without this valuable little tool! Please let me know if you have any other questions before you buy one.
March 19th, 2011 at 12:37 am
Hi Darlene,
Thx for the review and I’m contemplating as well the idea to get me one… Even our biggest grocerystore here in the UK starts selling it with a discount… Great that I found your post here and I will go and get it very soon.
BTW, love your blog and the topics you are discussing.
All the best,
Alex
P.S.: If you need any help how to set up a Gravatar via http://en.gravatar.com/ then let me know. Would love to see a your face in the comments instead of the blank thumbnail… Speak soon!
Alexander Paul´s last [type] ..An Online Tribe… What is that
March 19th, 2011 at 7:17 am
Alex,
You’ll not regret getting a Kindle. It is a constant companion of mine! I’m glad the prices have come down so more people can afford them. There are other companies that now produce equivalents to the Kindle, but their book selections are not as vast.
Am curious as to why my picture isn’t appearing on your blog, as I do have a Gravatar. Hmmmm … I’ll email you on that one. Thanks for letting me know.