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All I Want For Xmas Is A Kindle (Or…an iPad!!!)

I think it’s time that this family had a Kindle.

And I don’t even need a fancy one because I’ve already got an iPhone. But it’s too small to read on.

And I’ll be frank with you: my eye doctor has already told me that I am not that far away from bifocals.

I’ve been avoiding her ever since.

Here was the tipping point: I want the new Nora Ephron book. But have you taken a look at the thing? It’s like a handful of essays for $22.95.

Are you kidding me? The last publishing affront of similar absurdity was the Kelly Corrigan book for $16.99 for 96 pages.

96 pages! I wrote 96 pages, like, I don’t know, yesterday. Sheesh!

Now Corrigan’s book is priced at $6.80, which I might actually be willing to spend, so we can see how well that worked out for the publisher.

Still, as much as I like Corrigan as an author, I was not going to pay $16.99 when her second book came out. I was too offended by the slightness of the book.

Borders had Ephron’s new book for a couple of bucks off. Or I could get it from Amazon for only $11.49, which isn’t bad.

But it’s only 160 pages. All that book for 160 pages? It seems wasteful to me.

And yet I want to read it. I like collections of funny essays. And I don’t want to wait for the library to get it. Even if they already have it, which they do, I just checked. There is a wait for it.

And I’m not waiting. And even though I could download it on a free Kindle app onto my phone or computer, this is not the ideal reading device. Do I really want to spend one more minute a day on my computer more than the 6-10 hours I already spend? I don’t think so!

And that little twinge of impatience is where the Kindle waltzes right in and convinces me that yes, indeed, it’s time. And my daughter has been complaining of not being able to read in the car in the dark, so this will solve that problem as well, if buy one of the lighted covers to go with it.

My husband is an English teacher and can also benefit from the free classics available for download.

So, I know what I’m getting for my birthday or Xmas. Likely it will be the Kindle for my birthday and then a bunch of books for Xmas for the three of us so we can try it out.

I’m not going to use my Kindle for books related to work. I’m only going to use it for reading for pleasure. At least that’s the plan. We’ll see how long I last.

Do you have a Kindle? Do you like it? Let me know if you have any suggestions.

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  • Meryl K Evans November 16, 2010, 1:52 pm

    I like the Kindle — I don’t have the most current one. And my husband brought home an iPad from work. The Kindle is lighter, but all it can do is let you read books. iPad lets you do much more, but it’s heavier and will tire your wrists if you’re reading lots of books.

    You might want to consider a Tab — like the iPad except lighter and smaller. Sounds like a Kindle with more apps.

    Caveat: I’ve only read ONE whole book on my Kindle so far… and it was when I traveled and needed a book NOW for my book club. I had no time to order the book, so I downloaded it to my Kindle. I think Kindle / eBook readers are great for those who travel. Just not ready to give up the feel of a book and the growing thickness on the left side as I read another page.

  • KristenR November 16, 2010, 5:53 pm

    I can’t give you a review on the Kindle, or any other e-reader for that matter. I’m seeking reviews myself. I have been hesitating for some time on an e-reader period. Like Ms. Evans expressed, I would miss the feel of a book. Alas, I love gadgets! And buying certain books at a lower price is a plus!

    I just was looking into the Nook earlier today. I have been drooling over my friend’s Sony reader, and she keeps telling me to get one. I do know two friends who have the Kindle and they love them. I think it will just come down to the features you prefer. Good luck with your decision!

  • Joanna November 17, 2010, 2:53 am

    I have friends who have Nooks and love them, especially for traveling. I don’t know anything about either, myself .

  • Jen Henderson November 17, 2010, 2:59 am

    I have both a Kindle and an iPad–well, my husband has an iPad and when he got it, gave me his Kindle. 🙂

    I have to say that I really enjoy my Kindle, love reading on it. The screen is easy to read, even in bright light, and it’s nice to both read what I want when I want (download from anywhere) and to get a discount (usually). You can insert notes and comments, which you can later see in a list, though it’s not nearly as easy as writing in the margins with a pen. I also like that it’s lightened my bookshelves a bit. My only complaint is that I teach some of these books, so it’s difficult to “flip” through the book to specific places or share a chapter via pdf, as I sometimes do. I think overall it’s a perfect way to enjoy books that you might not intend to use for research or teaching.

    As for the iPad, you can download the Kindle iPad app (that’s free) and order Kindle books. So bonus. And you can read magazines on it–at least those that have gone digital. It’s much more easy to navigate than the Kindle and the possibility of having animated, audio-enhanced books is amazing. Some books created for the iPad–or that are compatible with iPad–are simply breathtaking. Many children’s books. Many amazing books.

    Of course, the iPad does much more than provide an e-book platform, so my sense is it depends on what you want. A good e-reader or a multi-functional e-reader/internet/word processor. And it depends on how much you want to spend: $140 or $500 for basic models.

    If you just want an e-Reader and have limited funds, go for Kindle. If you want something more comprehensive and have the money, get an iPad. My two cents.

  • Dionne Obeso November 19, 2010, 8:00 am

    I have a Kindle and I LOVE it. I read on it almost every day, and bought a purse specifically so that it would be the right size to carry my Kindle (it’s about the size of a trade paperback). I’m impressed that you think you can share with two people! I never want to put mine down, and poor hubby is left out in the cold. I’ve read dozens of books on it, and I absolutely love everything about it.

    Put me in the Fangirl column. 🙂

  • Nancy November 21, 2010, 11:37 pm

    Hi Christina,
    I’m a Kindle-phobe who loves her books. I also write books, cozy style mysteries, that for the past five months have been selling better as a Kindle version than as a paper book on Amazon.

    My husband is getting me a Kindle for Christmas. I feel like a traitor but already am making a list of books I want.

    Nancy Lynn Jarvis
    The Death Contingency
    Backyard Bones
    Buying Murder

  • Frank November 21, 2010, 11:52 pm

    Kindle is great, especially the latest version. Light, thin, easy to read. Highly recommend it.

    However, the Kindle price for Ephron’s book is $9.99. Net, you save $0.50 vs. the hardcover. If it’s better value you’re after, electronic readers may not be the answer.