Amazon’s Kindle has so many advantages, as we previously discussed in Should I Invest In A Kindle? As with all technology, they are constantly updating what’s available.  Here are a few of the new features:

• Over 400,000 books available online (they have added 38,864 in the past two months)

• Global Wireless coverage

• Native PDF Support

• Text-to-Speech

• Blogs

• Rotating Display

Of all these advances, the one that’s captivating me is the ability to download blogs.  Because this is at the cutting edge of technology, each blog must be subscribed to individually.  They range from $.99 to $1.99 a month.  As blogs become the norm the price will decrease.

I just ordered The Kindle Reader’s Blog on a 14-day free trial, after which I’ll pay $.99 a month to continue the subscription.   The blogger, Jan Zlendich, recommended The Year of No Money in Tokyo by Wayne Lionel Aponte.  It’s the travel memoir of a black man who is jobless in a foreign country in the midst of our economic crisis.  And here’s the super cool part—it is Text-to-Speech enabled, which means that if I’m tired of reading, it will read to ME.  I’ll keep you posted on that experience (I’d rather read than listen to an audio book).

After taking half an hour to scroll through Jan’s Blog (I had originally set aside 15 minutes), a whole world of possibilities opened.  Looks like I’ll be following The Kindle Reader on a daily basis.

And what’s the advantage over just reading it on your laptop?  The Kindle fits in my purse.  It’s a constant companion, and whenever there’s a wait, I read!  Yesterday during a downpour I was in a l-o-n-g line at the grocery store.  It was late in the day and shoppers were antsy to get home.  I pulled out the Kindle and had 13 minutes of good reading time.

Kindle lovers have expressed the desire to delve into areas they’ve never thought of reading before—different hobbies, sci-fi, sports, personal development—an endless list.

If this article has inspired you just a tad to read more and perhaps push beyond the margins of your current library preferences, please share your comments and ideas below.  If you’ve thought of doing more research on  a Kindle and have some questions give me a shout out!  I’ll be happy to help  you.

To Our Reading Enjoyment,
Dar

P.S.  If this review has sparked your interest in purchasing a Kindle, my link is Dar’s Kindle Store where you can check out the new, the used (at bargain prices), and grab one that fits your needs.

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!