KINDLE

I know just about everyone reading this is a "reader" or you would not have picked blogging as a pastime. Books, magazines,search engines, and blogs are wonderful fun, escapes and research tools. I love my books and use them for vicarious adventure, learning, therapy and for clearing the mind right before bedtime. Reading is a tool we are all exposed to if we have ever been to school. Some of us never forget our first love.

My dearest memories of my Mother are when my brother Jim and I would be spanky clean from baths, warm in our Dr. Dentons (jammies with the feet in them) and plopped in bed, one on each side of her as she read wonderful stories to us. Gulliver's Travels, Robin Hood, Grimm's Fairy Tales (yikes), Black Beauty (sob), and the countless other books for children.


Her voice took us on journeys that TV today can't touch. We had to use our imaginations to envision the pictures the words painted. Reading is interactive where TV only requires that your eyes are open and you ears tuned. The mind is free to doze off.

One of my greatest joys as a youngster was the discovery of the Book Mobile. Wow what a wonderful invention. A mobile library bringing books almost to your house. Am not sure if they still operate today but they should. When you see the success of Harry Potter and the Twilight series, you can see that even today, kids are hungry to read.

Don't want you to get the impression that reading was all I did. I was a very active child and loved the outdoors with a passion. Horseback riding, swimming, team sports, and biking were constant but there were quiet times when the weather was bad that my books let me stay active in a relaxed manner. I have always needed time to myself and books provided that. If you want to see "Happy" cranky, take all her books away.

Since I can't afford to buy the number of books I read (sorry Mr. or Mrs. Author trying to make a living) I am a bit of a library hound and yard sale book hunter. Recently I got a call from my sister saying a surprise package was coming and to be on the look out for it. She has sent me Dolphin or Marlin gear in the past that she stumbles across at yard sales, so I was totally expecting something on that order.

When I opened the package and saw a hot off the presses Kindle, I was floored, speechless and thrilled. I had always secretly wanted one but could not justify paying the price. Retirement really makes you sharpen the line between "want" and "need."

I thanked my sister within an inch of her life making sure the Kindle was my gift " forever." I would no longer accept even a piece of gum from her as a gift. She just covered me for LIFE. One more time, thank you Jan for totally spoiling me.

If you are unfamiliar with Kindle, let me fill you in. Kindle is an electronic reader. It is thin, lightweight and slightly smaller than a regular book and weighs about as much as a paperback.



Picture of Kindle on top of a regular book

You can download books into your Kindle (it will hold up to 1500 books at one time) and the average books takes from 25 seconds to one minute to load. Anywhere you have a good cell signal, you can have a book dropped into this small miracle.

The prices of the e-books are much cheaper than book store prices. A new best seller is $9.99 (why don't they just say $10.00). Many books are much less. A few authors do not authorize Kindle versions but so far I have not been denied a choice. Some authors will just delay the electronic reader access by a month or so to give the eager the chance to buy the hard copies.

Very soon, all ready in some areas, you will be able to check out library books with your Kindle for the price of a membership and from the comfort of your home. The books that can be downloaded to your reader won't be yours to keep and will disappear from your reader in the usual 3 weeks. This I can't wait for.




The screen is just like looking at a page in a book. There is no glowing screen to contend with so you do need a light source. However, you can read it in bright sunlight easily. The size of the type is adjustable for those of us with weakening eyesight.




There are no download fees so what ever the price is, that is all you pay. I find it easier to read in bed now. I was always fighting with a hard cover book in bed and could never get really comfortable. You can one hand Kindle and with a caress of your thumb, turn the page. When you shut it off, it marks you place for the next time.

Now one thing I was unaware of was the large number of free books that are available. Many of the completely free books are classics (I do enjoy classics so that is a bonus) but sometimes well known current authors will offer one of their older books briefly for free on Kindle to entice readers to try their other books. The hunt is fun.

There was a time I would have argued that I liked the heft and feel of a hardcover book. Once you have held a Kindle, that argument fizzles. Also, I do not miss the coffee stains and chocolate thumb prints often found in library or used books. Why do people think they can read and eat at the same time? That rarely works out.

Now I agree there is nothing cooler looking than shelves lined with books. That view seems to impart pleasure, comfort, warmth, safety and just a bit of class. However when you down size your life, space for books is at a premium. And no, you can't get your Kindle signed by the author. I imagine if you showed up at a book signing with one, you would receive cold stares from the author and the purists.

For older persons who can't get out easily, it is a boon. You can select your books from your easy chair and there is nothing to dust. Yes they are initially expensive. But Christmas is coming and if you don't have a rich child, perhaps the family can get together and pitch in on the purchase. Then shopping for your presents in the future will be a breeze. All they have to do is buy you gift cards to purchase new books.

I know it sounds like I work for Kindle but I am just a fan. Of course if Kindle wants to send me some book credits, that is OK :)) Sony makes a fine e-reader and the Nook that Barnes and Nobel has is new to the market. I can only speak for the Kindle.



Let it rain
Let it snow
Patti's Kindle
Is good to go



Would love to hear your views on electronic readers.