A few weeks ago, if you were paying close attention, you’ll have noticed that I said something mildly derogatory about my Kindle, to wit: “I’m the sort of reader who, as the larger story begins to reveal itself, likes to go back to the beginning and look at little clues that were dropped; I like to see the structure. The craft. And it’s maddening to try to do this on a Kindle …” So let me ’splain, lest you think I’m not on board with the e-revolution. Lest you think, you know, I’m not cool enough to e-read. 🙂
I stumbled on this interesting blog post a couple weeks ago. This guy has a lot of really insightful things to say, especially considering it was 2008 when he was saying them. He calls himself an eBook militant, a term that charms me, even though I don’t agree with everything he says. It’s the words in the books that are important to him, and at that basic level, we do agree.
And that’s a big reason why I love my Kindle. I can put a lot of words in it. I even think I read faster—I think pushing a button rather than physically turning a page actually speeds things up; I seem to finish long books more quickly. (I am a bit more materialistic than the Militant. I like to own the books I’ve loved in book form. I’m of the same mind as Anna Quindlen, who said in one of her New York Times columns, “I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.” And yes: I personally have moved hundreds of boxes of books in my lifetime. Man’s life is toil, right?)
But I enjoy using my Kindle and I even got the Kindle app for my iPhone and read quite a bit of a novel on my phone during a recent out-of-town trip. That, my friends, is something I never thought I would say. Reading a novel on my phone? I did it, and it was fabulous. (I’m not as behind the curve as some: a few years ago I laughed out loud when a small local publisher wanted to send me a manuscript to edit on paper. Um, no. Why would I do that when I can do it digitally and you’ll actually be able to read my editorial notes?)
Things have been heading this direction for some time. It was only a matter of time. And now, kids, the revolution is upon us: the Independent (UK) reported in early July that all South Korean schools will convert to digital books/tablets by 2015. (The Irish Times reports that seven secondary schools in Ireland have issued iPads instead of textbooks this fall.) That whooshing sound you hear is the future we’ve all been discussing so earnestly rushing right past us.
I’m still learning things about my Kindle; I’m working my way through the owner’s manual, learning how to turn off the feature that allows me to see what passages other readers have chosen to highlight, for example. (No, no, I don’t want to know! Not everything has to be a social interaction, no matter what Facebook or Google+ would have us think.) The Irishman has an iPad, on which he reads, browses the Internet, and e-mails me interesting articles I later use in this blog. 🙂
But I do love the e-reading experience; I suspect I will be doing more and more of it; it’s somewhat cheaper, and it’s convenient. If you haven’t yet tried one, you might want to check it out. You just might like it.
Tweet: Welcome to the revolution; pick up your e-reader to the left.
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The last three overseas trips I took, I carried my I-touch and one physical book (in case I couldn’t charge my I-touch) and, of course, Rick Steve’s guide book just because I love him.
It meant not only my luggage was lighter, but I could carry more reading material (including a translator feature for Slovenia and Hungary). That was important when I settled in for a long London to San Francisco flight and I hated the opening chapter of six “free” e-books in a row. 🙁
My husband absconded with the Kindle he gave me for Christmas three years ago and so I read predominately on that small screen. But I’ve got some issues with my thumbs and it actually is easier for me hold a light screen in the palm of my hand and to simply touch the screen as I whizz through the pages.
On a longer book, Julie Ormand’s The Invisible Bridge was 600 pages, a bargain on the Kindle for size alone–I could not have savored it since it would have taken up so much space in the PURSE I carried on, not to mention the awkwardness of trying to read it with my hands.
OTOH, it also meant I always had something to read while waiting in line to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and England, watching for the train in Bucharest and waiting for my nieces in Budapest . . .
I probably need to get a little book light for my Kindle, because I’m not crazy about a backlit screen for reading after I’ve been working all day. And I do like to read myself to sleep. 🙂 I am convinced I read faster on the Kindle. Bit I gotta say i REALLY did LOVE reading on my phone! When you’re in public, with all those potential distractions, what’s on the screen is just the right amount. And very, VERY handy, size-wise. 🙂
I love my Kindle–it’s easier on my eyes than the printed page for some reason. As far as lights go, though, I understand it’s hard to get those clip lights to work past the middle of the page…and it adds weight. You wouldn’t think that important, but it’s the other reason I love my kindle. It’s lighter to hold than most books (easier to read in bed). When you add a cover, it get’s a bit heavier–then you add that light…and I”m not sure I’d like that all that much! Mix all those positives together with hundred’s of free books, and I’m so sold.
Most of the time I have my bedside lamp, but lighting is iffy when you travel. So I really just need a light for…backup. 🙂 Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Bookish Industry is very disorganized and I am worried that technology is moving too fast..we(as if book readers) can’t get much out of recent pace. I would love if industry come with some kind of vision or leadership or share there views about direction they want readers to enjoy there books. Hardcopy or ebook shouldn’t make difference if properly marketed, both are important and should continue to function in future and that type of vision I wish industry to move rather than moving towards 100% ebook.
I don’t think it’s happening anytime soon. 🙂