Reading Books in the 21st Century – and I’m Not Even Kicking & Screaming

August15

I’ve been reading books since the middle of the last century, and for all of that time the physicality of books has been important to me.

I have sweet childhood memories of the smell of the old library in St. Thomas Ontario where I whiled away many a summer afternoon, and the weight of the four precious books we could check out and carry home. I love the look of the books on my shelves. I love the feel of a book in my hands-especially one with linen pages and deckled edges.

Kindle vs books

So, over the past few years, I’ve approached the idea of e-books with mixed feelings. I intensely dislike reading on a computer screen and assumed that an e-reader would give me the same type of experience. But that’s no longer so, if it ever was. And I’ve been increasingly drawn to the convenience of an e-reader. When we went on our road trip to Ontario last month, I filled an entire tote bag with my reading material. It was just one more bag to lug around.

Once I made the decision that I’d like an e-reader, I was frustrated by my budget. So I began entering contests on-line to win one. And—surprise—I did – from Kindle Nation on Facebook. Kindle Nation has frequent posts and newsletters with all the details of the latest Kindle books, especially the free ones. (Pop on over and enter this month’s contest for yourself.)

It’s the latest Kindle with 3G reception which runs off the cellphone network. In the country, any sort of wireless coverage is iffy, but if I aim my Kindle out my open office window, it downloads just fine. And it’s so easy! I can browse from my Kindle or from my Amazon account on my laptop. I choose a book, click ‘purchase with one-click’ and sit back & watch it appear on my Kindle, ready to read. So far, I’ve ‘bought’ only free books, but I’m sure the day is coming when I make the digital equivalent of an all-day trip to Chapters.

As I ferried my new Kindle about, showing it off, I was constantly aware that I could be damaging the screen and that it should be in a cover. But again—the budget! Then a dear friend gave me a surprise gift on Thursday evening – a DEE-LUXE leather Kindle cover with a light for night-time reading. To say I was thrilled is putting it mildly. I’ve already used the light, reading in the car on the way home from the movies on the weekend.

My Kindle (or any e-reader) will never replace books for me. But it’s a great addition for certain circumstances. It’s about ‘versus’ after all. Welcome to the twenty-first century, me.

posted under Book stuff

10 Comments to

“Reading Books in the 21st Century – and I’m Not Even Kicking & Screaming”

On August 15th, 2011 at 8:58 pm Elizabeth Says:
I much appreciated your observations about the Amazon Kindle. I too have recently [very recently] considered the Kindle but only because I have a friend who is enthralled with her ‘Kindle’ eReader.

On the strength of her recommendation I made the purchase today and shall, I hope, now be perhaps more powerfully motivated to resume reading for pleasure as well as mental and emotional stimulation, an activity that has in recent years been shoved to the side. I am beginning to think it was a mistake- I should not have permitted it. Perhaps the Kindle will help me to ‘get cracking’ again.

Thanks for your encouragement- I love your blog.

Elizabeth
On August 15th, 2011 at 9:10 pm Debbie Says:
Thank you for your kind words, Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy your Kindle as much as I do mine!
On August 17th, 2011 at 2:08 am stacybuckeye Says:
I still haven’t taken the plunge, although if/when we travel more I will probably invest just for the convenience. I could read on my hubby’s Ipad, but I haven’t so I’m obviously not itching to to enter the 21st century 😉
On August 17th, 2011 at 8:01 am Debbie Says:
Stacy, I think it’s one of those things, like losing weight (LOL), in which you have to have reached a certain psychological ‘tipping point’. When you get there, you’ll know. Until then, read on, guilt-free!
On August 17th, 2011 at 10:02 am Gigi Ann Says:
I haven’t entered the 21st century yet, but each time I visit B&N I look at the Nooks longingly. One day I even had the man explain it to me a little. So I think it’s only a matter of time, and I will move out of the cave age. BTW loved the tour of your library over at Cathy’s Scene today.
On August 17th, 2011 at 10:18 am Debbie Says:
Gigi Ann, I suspect the time will come for you…but it’s not to be forced. Thanks for dropping over from Cathy’s Scene!
On August 17th, 2011 at 10:45 am Barbara Says:
Debbie, I’m here for the first time after seeing you on Cathy’s blog today. I too moved to the country (PA) after living in the city most of my life. My blog also morphed from being about life in the country for a city person to mostly a book blog. I’m retired and read constantly so it’s only natural I’d write about books. I like your dogs, your lovely home, and the way you write. Will add you to my blog list.

Also, thank you for this post about e-readers. I’ve been gradually thinking I might get one because a lot of books I want to read are now only available as e-books. Still dragging my feet because of money though.
On August 17th, 2011 at 12:00 pm Debbie Says:
Welcome, Barbara, and thanks so much for the kind words about my home – and my writing!

As for the e-reader, now that you’re thinking about i, it’ll sneak up on you and eventually hit that “tipping-point” that Malcom Gladwell defined so well. When it does – have fun!
On August 17th, 2011 at 11:22 pm diane Says:
Debbie, Congrats on the new Kindle – lucky win, you need to buy a lottery ticket! LOL

I was eReader resistant for a long while, but I LOVE my Kindle and wish I could replace loads of my read books with the eBook, if it wern’t so expensive to do that. ENJOY!
On August 18th, 2011 at 1:53 pm Debbie Says:
Ah, yes, Diane – the expense. S-l-o-w-l-y. 😉