Kelli Stich Mills travels an hour each way to work each day. Prior to getting an Amazon Kindle for her birthday, she would be lugging around books on her commute each day.
Now, she is one of millions who are hooked on an electronic device to read their books. And while the exact number of people who have purchased a Kindle or a Sony Reader has not been publicized, thanks to Oprah Winfrey, the Kindle is currently on backorder and will not be available even for Christmas.
"I love my Kindle," said Stich Mills, who works in publicity for a New York firm. "I realized instantly it would be so much more convenient."
When I got my Sony Reader last Christmas (I bought it as a gift for myself), I was skeptical. As an author and now a publisher, I couldn't imagine a world without the touch and feel of real paper and the comfort of turning the pages.
But...after downloading my first book, which was free ('Up From Slavery' by Booker T. Washington), I couldn't believe how completely sold on the whole idea I had become. The technology is called liquid paper and it does read just like a book.
And to be able to have 160 books at my disposal (I'm only up to 30, but I plan on downloading 50 next year) in a device that is as thin as a small notebook, is incredible. Sony just released its new PRS-700BC model, which is touchscreen and has a built-in backlight (I will review and compare the different readers in a blog later this month). It It retails for $399 (the Kindle is $349).
But I like the old model, which is $299. I remember a time when we all had tape players and Sony Walkmans. Now everyone has an iPod and this generation probably doesn't even know what a cassette or CD is, just as the previous one said, "What's an 8-track?" Will there be a time when a book won't be the same for the next generation?
"I still buy books," said Stich Mills. "There are just certain books that have to be bought in book form -- like my cookbooks. And there are some special books like 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard,' that you want to have in your library. But for the everyday kind of reading, I can't imagine carrying around books anymore."
Do you own an electronic reader? Do you plan on buying one?
Comments: (13)
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By: Cornelius Toole on 12/09/2008 8:29PM
I don't own an e-reader, but I plan on getting one. I shopped for the kindle today b/c I'm a grad student and have to read tons of articles, but don't want print on so much paper. But the kindle doesn't support pdf files(most common file format for research papers). File format support is one of the biggest issues facing e-readers other than cost.
If you have the money the iRex make several e-readers(in the $600-800 range). They all handle many formats and have touch screens so you can annotate documents. They even have one with wifi connectivity and another with a 10.2in screen.
I for one look forward to the day when we can stop killing trees just to share documents.
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By: John Keitz on 12/10/2008 3:14PM
I have been reading ebooks from www.ereader.com on my Palm and Treo devices for over 5 years now. I only read a dead tree book (paper) when there is no other option.
I love the convenience of having a book with me at all times, if not hundreds of books. The ability to change colors and font sizes make the books easier on the eyes. Also, I can buy and download a book immediately and anywhere. You can't beat that!
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By: kaards on 12/11/2008 8:05AM
My husband takes our Kindle whenever he has time for reading breaks, like waiting on car repair, breaktime at work, etc. and his reading of the Kindle gets a lot of attention!! After he shows people how the Kindle works, people swear they are going to buy one for themself or someone in their family who loves to read.
I have read 4 or 5 books so far and I just love it! It's so convenient and the prices of the books are very low compared to the books at the bookstore. Wonderful thing is I don't have to travel to buy a book! It takes a minute or so to download the whole book!!
Worth the price if you are a bookworm!
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By: Marilynn on 12/11/2008 9:20AM
I purchased the Kindle when Oprah had it on her show and gave a $50 discount. I love it. It is so convenient, but there is NO way that it will replace me purchasing books. Some authors I have been collecting their books since they wrote the first one and I want to continue. I treat my books as children, do not bend pages or crease bindings.
I just drop it in my purse and do not have to worry about the pages being torn.
Again, I love the Kindle, but I LOVE my books!
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By: Donnetta Gaither on 12/11/2008 10:21AM
I am so excited about getting my Kindle. I asked for one for my birthday/Christmas because of the cost. I won't be getting mine until Feb/March because of the 12-13 week backorder. My only question is can you transfer a book you bought to someone else's Kindle once you have finished with it on yours?
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By: Joy Balmer on 12/11/2008 12:44PM
I've had my Kindle since last December, and it's been in my hands almost every day since then. I'm an avid reader AND a writer, and not a tech freak (I only begrudgingly own a cell phone), but when I saw this, I said "Now HERE's a hand-held electronic gizmo that's ME!" Someone mentioned PDF books---yes, Kindle does handle them. You can send them to your Kindle from your computer! Also mp3 files, which you can play with or without headset.
Another great thing--you can download a sample of ANY book on Amazon Kindle list (tens of thousands and growing every day--my own book, Hand-Me-Downs, the Secrets by Joy Shannon Balmer is on there!), whether it's an expensive textbook or a brand-new bestseller!
You can't transfer a book to someone else's Kindle--that would be the same as making them a copy of a CD you'd bought . . . kind of like Napster. Also, if you could send stuff to someone else's Kindle, there's soon be SPAM, count on it.
As you can see, I'm so sold on it, I'm constantly telling others about it--I LOVE it. (Barack Obama owns one!)
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By: Mickey on 12/11/2008 5:17PM
The Kindle is nice, and very attractive, but it is limited if you are a AVID reader like I am because it does not have alot of memory. I use an ebook reader from ebookwise - not as "pretty" with less functionality (it is just a book reader) however it does have a built in dictionary, page highlighter etc. AND the most important function to me - I can use memory cards to store my books. When one card gets filed (usually 120+ books) I just purchase another one - I am on my 5th card now, and VERY happy. I have re-purchased many books that I already own as paper or hardcovers just for the convenience of being able to take the ereader (and the cards) with me anywhere (doctor's office, vacation, plane, beach) you name it.
The cost was so reasonable, I have been thinking of getting a spare!
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By: Carrie on 12/11/2008 5:33PM
I have had my Kindle for a year now and I love it, I have paid for it with the savings I have gotten for not having to buy books at Borders and Barnes. I get questions about it all the time when people see me reading. It was probably one of my better investments. The adjustable type is great!! Heck the KINDLE is GREAT!!!
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By: EJ on 12/20/2008 11:10PM
Hey, my book is on Kindle: Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought. Check it out.
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By: Andy Ann Arbor real estate on 12/23/2008 7:38AM
I believe these readers will become much more common as the cost of publishing daily newspapers becomes prohibitive. People will still want to consume the news. While I don't have a reader, I like to read a lot of newspapers and blogs on my iphone at coffee shops, and even while waiting in a long line.
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