Thursday
Oct162008
A Novel Way to Read
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 01:24AM
Because I don't always have time to hit the library or bookstore and leisurely stroll amid the stacks, I was intrigued by the new Amazon Kindle, a so-called "wireless reading device." It's basically like having electronic books, magazines and newspapers, all at your fingertips in a nifty and slender little package. I borrowed a review unit and shared it with fellow bookophiles. It's a nifty little gadget, weighing in at just 10.3 ounces and with enough memory to shelve 200 titles.
Check out the Kindle video.
In case you're thinking about investing in one for yourself – or have a lit lover on your holiday list who's not afraid of mixing a little technology with their romance novels – here's how the pros and cons broke down:
Hardcore Book Readers (Book Club Members, Library Lovers): For the traditional paper lover, the Kindle was a tough sell. These guys like the feel of a book and the ability to judge it by its cover. In short, they like the tactile nature of a good novel or self-help book. The Kindle was considered as a viable option for the traveler who might not want to be bogged down by the weight of the latest hardcover releases and who is probably OK with the transient nature of the computer-bound books.
Dedicated-But-Time-Starved Readers: Some of these guys were slow to warm up to the rather cold feeling you get from a piece of plastic but admitted that over time, they might make room for it on the nightstand. These are the guys who aren't the first to go out and buy the latest, greatest tech toy but will eventually work up to it.
Gadget Fanatics: OK, that's me. I liked the easy-to-read screen and loved the portability factor. Even more telling? The youngsters in the house loved it instantly. These are the readers of the 21st century who already have changed the way we listen to music, use cell phones and make friends in cyber circles.
My biggest beef? In this economy, the price. At $359, and titles costing $9.99 (I could go pick up a used paperback for a buck), even this tech toy devotee had to put on the brakes. But I'll be keeping an eye on the price point – and possibly adding it to my Christmas list if I feel I've been especially good this year.
Check out the Kindle video.
In case you're thinking about investing in one for yourself – or have a lit lover on your holiday list who's not afraid of mixing a little technology with their romance novels – here's how the pros and cons broke down:
Hardcore Book Readers (Book Club Members, Library Lovers): For the traditional paper lover, the Kindle was a tough sell. These guys like the feel of a book and the ability to judge it by its cover. In short, they like the tactile nature of a good novel or self-help book. The Kindle was considered as a viable option for the traveler who might not want to be bogged down by the weight of the latest hardcover releases and who is probably OK with the transient nature of the computer-bound books.
Dedicated-But-Time-Starved Readers: Some of these guys were slow to warm up to the rather cold feeling you get from a piece of plastic but admitted that over time, they might make room for it on the nightstand. These are the guys who aren't the first to go out and buy the latest, greatest tech toy but will eventually work up to it.
Gadget Fanatics: OK, that's me. I liked the easy-to-read screen and loved the portability factor. Even more telling? The youngsters in the house loved it instantly. These are the readers of the 21st century who already have changed the way we listen to music, use cell phones and make friends in cyber circles.
My biggest beef? In this economy, the price. At $359, and titles costing $9.99 (I could go pick up a used paperback for a buck), even this tech toy devotee had to put on the brakes. But I'll be keeping an eye on the price point – and possibly adding it to my Christmas list if I feel I've been especially good this year.
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