Last Christmas, Adam gave me a Kindle. I was completely surprised, since I hadn’t asked for or really ever thought much about an e-book reader. I’d always been a library kind of gal, only actually exchanging money for a book on extreme occasions.
“Wow!” I said, looking down at the Kindle. “Wow, wow!” I continued, trying to hide my ambiguity. Then I kind of forgot about it, moving on to my new earrings and the really nice purse I had asked for and the chocolate Santas I stole from Aura’s stocking when she was preoccupied with her new scooter. (Better for her that way. Couldn’t let her get fat and break the scooter. It was NEW.)
But about a week later, I cracked open the Kindle and started fooling around with it. I browsed the Amazon store, muttering things like “$6.99 for a single book? Who are they kidding?!” I quickly sniffed out the free downloads, grabbing some classics I’d always meant to read but hadn’t quite gotten around to yet. “That’s more like it!” I announced to myself. “Of COURSE Thomas Hardy is free! And you can’t put a price on Zola!” I snorted at the very thought.
And so I began to use my Kindle. It was comforting. The click of the Next Page button, the lull of late nineteenth-century literature…it made falling asleep easy. Here, try it for yourself:
But then, sometime in mid-winter, I got hooked on this detective series. I was five books in when I discovered the library had a hold list on the sixth one. I needed the sixth one. It was COLD and life was BORING and I NEEDED THE SIXTH BOOK. I tried bribing a librarian to bump me to the top of the list, unsuccessfully. Apparently, you get one degree in Library Science and all of a sudden you’re the Gatekeeper of All That is Ethical and Fair.
So I treated myself. Just one eensy weensy little paid download. But then there was the seventh book and the eighth book and the thirteenth book. After which I stumbled on another series, during a particularly feeble-minded period in my personal history. Pretend not to see the following, especially not the part about how one vampire baby might eat the other vampire baby.
And now? Now I’m addicted. IlovemyKindle. It’s getting to the point where I eschew printed paper. I’ll be reading a magazine and suddenly realize I’ve been tapping the binding for five minutes, waiting for the page to turn on its own. I look at a Kindle download charge and chuckle merrily. What’s $7.99 between friends?, I ask myself, nipping into our savings account.
I’m telling you: When we eventually go broke, I will be VERY well-read.
I am right there with you, my friend. I thought it was the dumbest thing ever when it came out and now I take it everywhere.
I hope in a few years they have Kindle books online from libraries. I have rented a few PDF books from the Chicago library- they magically disappear from your computer after 3 weeks. Fingers crossed they start having them for our little white plastic addiction. That would be incredible.
hmmmm – I’m still not sold on this highfalutin invention. I like the feel of a good hardcover in my hands. The smell of the pages. The sight of a book on my bedside table. Old fashioned? Perhaps. Or maybe just old. Old people don’t adapt well to change. Especially if it involves technology.
You know, i haven’t gotten a kindle yet. BUT I was just thinking about how awkward and large the Harry Potter book is that I’m reading right now… so big, in fact, that I can’t even fit it into my purse! And the next three books in the series are EVEN BIGGER. Crap. I might need a kindle.
I absolutely can not get one of these. I would go broke instantly. As it is, it’s a good thing my library doesn’t have fines as otherwise I would be in jail for unpaid ones.
Ooh, dangerous! I think I’m going to ask for one for Christmas…but I know I can borrow some ebooks from the library (but need to look to see if there are actually any that I want!).
I actually found that first section more interesting, because ANNA KARENINA is one of my all-time favorite books. Call me weird.
I am not sure if I would love it or not. I sure love holding an actual book!
I’ve been trying to not get too attached to the idea of really wanting one of these, but now I think I might really want one of these. I’ve run out of room on my bookshelf.
There…that should justify it nicely for my husband.
Hmmm. My mother in law is highly addicted to hers. I don’t have one and to be honest, I had no idea what it really even was until recently.
Is that surprising that I was confused?
No.
Do I feel I should put it on my Christmas list anyway?
Probably.
I have wanted one since they first came out but I’m on a debt diet right now so it’s the library for me. Then again, I’ll probably buy myself one for Christmas.
Love it. I don’t have a kindle, but I can imagine the addiction. I kind of hyperventilate when I go into a book store and promptly forget everything I ever said about “saving money” for “rent” and so on…
Exactly how does one fight his own face? I had to google Richard, Micah, Vampire to figure out WTH that was. And here I was feeling guilty for reading Twilight! You have me beat, friend.
But also–I would like a Kindle. Forwarding this to the husband AS WE SPEAK.
It’s kind of like Twitter. You don’t know what you’re missing until you get one.
I don’t have a kindle, but I’m contemplating asking for one for Christmas. I’d never even considered how helpful it would be when the book you’re DYING to read is on perma-hold at the library!!!
When you eventually go broke, Thomas Hardy will be there to comfort you. That bastard preys on the vulnerable.
I make bad Kindle decisions when I finish a book late at night. I usually end up ordering things like Tori Spelling’s autobiography. My husband has officially banned me from download purchases after 10pm. Like any good addiction this one is expensive.
all I can tell you is, do NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, let one of those Apple TV things into your house. It will make your Kindle addiction look like a bubblegum fix.
hmm. sounds dangerous to me. i am pretty certain i would get on a downloading spree, spend a grillion dollars on reading material and then never read it all. at least if i have to make the effort to get a store i use a little more self control…i don’t think i trust myself enough…
I have a kindle and I wanted it for months and I’ve barely used it. I think it’s time to pull that sucker out and try again! Thanks for the reminder.