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Must...not...buy...
Jul. 8th, 2008 09:54 amOver the past month or so, my want for an Amazon Kindle has gone from a tiny kernel of interest to obsessively powerful longing. While I don't think I could ever completely give up my bookshelves of favorites, I have to admit that the Kindle offers several features of interest that have me this close to biting the bullet and ordering one.
~ The idea of having, in one slim package, a bevy of books to read at any one time is fabulously exciting. As is the idea of clearing off some space on my bookshelves, which are stacked three deep with books I'd like to keep for possible reading again, while only perhaps 20% of these are truly books I'd feel compelled to replace if, say, there was a house fire. A kindle would allow me to reduce the towers of books to neat shelves of favorites.
~ Whispernet, free high speed internet connectivity anytime, anywhere. Sure, the browser is awkward and the keyboard more like a cell phone's, but I could check e-mail and read my f-list in any hotel or airport without having to pay that #$%^@*% $10 fee using my laptop requires. Also, instant research if I need to look up something right now, from an authorial perspective. Also, the electronic paper display and ability to adjust font size are vastly appealing as someone who spends most hours of any given day reading.
~ an included oxford dictionary for immediately looking up any unfamiliar words I might run across in the course of reading.
~ the ability to import my own documents for reading, and the added bonus of taking notes and highlighting text for editing purposes. On a screen meant for reading and not my laptop. *savors* Also, the possibilities for reading friend's manuscripts are quite tantalizing.
~ I have already looked up some favorite titles. I still reread The Dragonriders of Pern, for example, nearly every summer. I have yet to read them again this year, and I could d/l them to a Kindle for around $8 - that includes all three books, by the by. To have them at my fingertips. Whenever, wherever, always. *sees multi-jeweled eyes and metallic dragonhide glittering in the sun* Harry Potter has yet to be made available via Kindle, unfortunately, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.
~ Classics, such as Jane Austen, are available for cheap - less than $2 apiece, usually.
~ Instant gratification. For $10, I can d/l the newest LKH or Diana Gabaldon instantly. No need to drive to the bookstore. Although. Some of these bestsellers I would have to own. I cannot imagine not having every Outlander book on my shelves.
~ the price has fallen from $399 to $359. Perhaps this doesn't seem significant, but $360 sounds a lot better than $400 for reasons that are probably largely psychological.
I'm sure my worshiping of my iPod has something to do with my need for one of these devices for books. I haven't looked back since I purchased my first fabulous little white god of music, and the idea of having something similar for all my favorite books is extremely seductive.
ETA: I can see amazon gift certificates being very high on my wishlist in the future. Both for actually purchasing the Kindle, and for purchasing new content. I currently have a $25 gift card I received for B&N last X-mas, which I still haven't used. We don't have a B&N in my town, we have Borders. I never, ever shop there, and right now I look at that $25 and think "If only you were for Amazon, the Kindle would only cost me $334. *sigh*
~ The idea of having, in one slim package, a bevy of books to read at any one time is fabulously exciting. As is the idea of clearing off some space on my bookshelves, which are stacked three deep with books I'd like to keep for possible reading again, while only perhaps 20% of these are truly books I'd feel compelled to replace if, say, there was a house fire. A kindle would allow me to reduce the towers of books to neat shelves of favorites.
~ Whispernet, free high speed internet connectivity anytime, anywhere. Sure, the browser is awkward and the keyboard more like a cell phone's, but I could check e-mail and read my f-list in any hotel or airport without having to pay that #$%^@*% $10 fee using my laptop requires. Also, instant research if I need to look up something right now, from an authorial perspective. Also, the electronic paper display and ability to adjust font size are vastly appealing as someone who spends most hours of any given day reading.
~ an included oxford dictionary for immediately looking up any unfamiliar words I might run across in the course of reading.
~ the ability to import my own documents for reading, and the added bonus of taking notes and highlighting text for editing purposes. On a screen meant for reading and not my laptop. *savors* Also, the possibilities for reading friend's manuscripts are quite tantalizing.
~ I have already looked up some favorite titles. I still reread The Dragonriders of Pern, for example, nearly every summer. I have yet to read them again this year, and I could d/l them to a Kindle for around $8 - that includes all three books, by the by. To have them at my fingertips. Whenever, wherever, always. *sees multi-jeweled eyes and metallic dragonhide glittering in the sun* Harry Potter has yet to be made available via Kindle, unfortunately, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.
~ Classics, such as Jane Austen, are available for cheap - less than $2 apiece, usually.
~ Instant gratification. For $10, I can d/l the newest LKH or Diana Gabaldon instantly. No need to drive to the bookstore. Although. Some of these bestsellers I would have to own. I cannot imagine not having every Outlander book on my shelves.
~ the price has fallen from $399 to $359. Perhaps this doesn't seem significant, but $360 sounds a lot better than $400 for reasons that are probably largely psychological.
I'm sure my worshiping of my iPod has something to do with my need for one of these devices for books. I haven't looked back since I purchased my first fabulous little white god of music, and the idea of having something similar for all my favorite books is extremely seductive.
ETA: I can see amazon gift certificates being very high on my wishlist in the future. Both for actually purchasing the Kindle, and for purchasing new content. I currently have a $25 gift card I received for B&N last X-mas, which I still haven't used. We don't have a B&N in my town, we have Borders. I never, ever shop there, and right now I look at that $25 and think "If only you were for Amazon, the Kindle would only cost me $334. *sigh*
