I try and stay away, but fail every time. It’s so easy to use, so lightweight and compact, so effortless. When I want something, I press a button and what I crave appears in seconds, like magic. The other day it occurred to me – I can’t live without this object.
Yes, I’m addicted to my Kindle.
The first time I used an e-reader was on vacation ten years ago. I’d meant to bring the bestselling hardcover novel, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” but forgot. Instead, my husband Randy handed me his Kindle, “Try this.”
Looking back…that was the moment.
I hesitantly got into the e-reader “store,” found the book, and downloaded it. Within seconds, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” appeared like an oasis in the desert. At first it felt funny holding this strange device, even though I could adjust the light, type size, and font. Over that vacation, I kept picking up the Kindle (much to Randy’s annoyance) and went through the novel quickly.
Later, I bought my own and never looked back.
Like many lifelong readers, I expected to be turned off by this electronic gadget, preferring the feel, smell, and heft of a real book. But that’s not what happened. Instead, I fell in love with the ease of turning a page with a touch. I could even read faster and go through more titles.
To my shock, I turned out to be one of those philistines who didn’t care how the words were served up, as long as they were there.
But the most magical part of the Kindle is this: I’ll hear about Dani Shapiro’s newest novel, the latest spiritual guide by Anita Moorjani, or that new nutrition book everyone’s talking about. I go to the device’s store, download, and it appears in nano seconds. I can never get over that.
Real books now sit on my nightstand, looking dejected and abandoned. I still love them, and once in a while, even read one. I’ve always loved how books make a home cozier. I could never live without the sight of books. Sometimes I’ll read several in a row just to prove I can still do it.
But always the Kindle beckons. I now have 451 books downloaded, easily a third I haven’t read yet. But knowing they’re there makes me happy, like friends I haven’t met.
“I can’t quit you,” I said to the Kindle the other day, picking it up, newly charged, and ready to go. To be honest, I don’t want to.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I first downloaded, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” but life – especially reading – was never the same.
Do you use an e-reader? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like to, please share.
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Lea Sylvestro
Hmmmmm. Interesting. I’m one of those people who loves, as you say, the feel, smell, and heft of a book.I have thought that a Kindle would be a boon once travel becomes possible once more, and I am one of the few people I know who are in their sixties but don’t require readers. Still, I’m getting there – my eyes get tired, and the light and font control you describe sound enticing. I’m glad your Kindle and the many books it holds are bringing you joy! XO
Laurie Stone
Lea, Reading does bring joy, whatever means you do it.
Rian
I too love books… real books and still read them as well as have them stacked here and there around my house. But I also read on my kindle reader on my iPhone. It’s always there and convenient when I can’t get to a bookstore or wait for a new book to be delivered. And yes, being able to enlarge the print is a boon as well as clicking that button and having that book immediately arrive ready to read… and much more convenient when traveling!
Laurie Stone
Rian, That clicking the button for a new book is so exciting!
Karen
I started with a Kindle but quickly switched to my I Phone or I pad. I love my phone because whenever I am standing in line or waiting in my car I have my book. It is easy to listen to books when I walk. I almost never pick up a book.
Laurie Stone
Karen, So interesting. I’ve never heard of that system. I’m afraid the print would be too small on a phone, although read plenty off of it already.
Nina
I was adamantly opposed to e-readers until I was gifted one. I think it came to me at the right time because sometime after receiving it I began to have difficulties with arthritis in my hands. Some years later, I’m on my 3rd Kindle and could not go back to full-time books only. I purchase a book sometimes if I feel the experience might be better, but for the most part I’m happy with my large print (yes, my eyes caught up to my hands in the aging process!) and lightweight Kindle.
Laurie Stone
Nina, I can see how a Kindle would work well if you have arthritis, especially the very light ones.
Susan
My Kindle app and kindle device have changed the way I read … I can now read long into the night without needing to keep on a light that would otherwise have kept my husband up. I never run out of books to read on vacation. I just wrote an article about the benefits of Libby, a library app. That, combined with a Kindle, is heaven for a reader!
Laurie Stone
Susan, I’ll have to look into Libby, sounds interesting!
Diane
I’ve converted as well! I LOVE my Kindle!
The other night, I couldn’t sleep. Finally, around 2 in the morning, I picked up my little miracle. The next book our book club is reading is the sweet Lucy Maud Montgomery story of Blue Castle. I went to the store and picked it up for $1.99.
At 2 in the morning!
And read almost all of it through by morning.
It was wonderful!
In all the history of the world, that wouldn’t have been possible until the last decade. How grateful I am I live now!
Laurie Stone
Diane, So true. Our ancestors would’ve fainted at this modern convenience. Can you imagine 50 years from now?
Pam
I love Kindle too!! I had one of the old white ones for several years, and it finally died, so I’ve been reading on the Kindle app on my phone. I really want another Kindle, though. I like how easy it is to read in bed and adjust the font size. But, as you said, nothing beats downloading a new book in seconds! It’s wonderful.
Laurie Stone
Pam, I’m on my third Kindle and bought a fourth the other day for when the present one dies out. Terrible to be an addict…
Wanda
I love that I can buy a ebook at any time. Also, ebooks from the library can be borrowed on the kindle. But mostly, I don’t want to bring more actual books into my house. I’m in my 60’s and thinking about my daughter having to clear my house once I’m gone. I have way too many books as it is.
Laurie Stone
Wanda, I have tons of real books too, but love looking at them. They make a home cozy.
river
I still love my kindle after almost ten years, but also still love to read real books, so I alternate, one kindle story, one real book, or if either is a series, or a trilogy, I will read the whole series in one format before switching to the other format. I found the kindle most useful when I was still working, instead of having to carry heavy books to and from work, I could just take one kindle with many books. I currently have 265 books on it and delete each one as I finish it.
Laurie Stone
River, We sound very much alike!
Jennifer
My sister, who was older than me, and who revered and loved books more, was the first to turn to a Kindle. Not as a replacement but as a supplement. So instead of carrying two or three books in her massive bag (along with a deck of cards and cribbage board, 2 or 3 pairs of glasses, a registered, conceal to carry, gun, and allergy medicine) she carried the Kindle and just one other book! That bag was massive. I kept my books but when I started downsizing realized how ridiculous it was to have so many books. I started selling them and giving them away. And now I have 2 Kindles and the Kindle app on my phone. Turns out the Kindle app is the one that sees the most use because I read while waiting.
Laurie Stone
Jennifer, I’ll have to look into that app. Wow! Your sister carried a gun in her book bag. Now, that’s different!
Meryl
I remain a real book lover. I use an e-reader when traveling, it is so convenient, but obviously haven’t done that in over a year! My husband loves his Kindle and rarely opens a ‘real’ book.
Laurie Stone
Meryl, It’s always interesting to see what camp people fall into.
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski
A portable book is a great idea because it doesn’t take up room and you can bring it with you anywhere. I’m also a fan of audiobooks because I am trying not to sit on my butt as much as possible. I just don’t have the room for a bunch of books.
Laurie Stone
Rebecca, I know a lot of walkers who love audio books. I’ll have to try that out.
Carol Cassara
My thought is this: convenient for travel. That is all. I am old skool.!
Laurie Stone
Carol, Have to confess, I haven’t read a real book in ages. All on Kindle.