I always thought I’d go the iPad route.
I’d certainly thought about it. Still, it is hard to rationalise $700-$800, and then you really want the 3G version, which costs you more for the internet too!!!
But then, in 2010, we decided to do a family Kris Kringle again. Instead of getting a bunch of small gifts, I was getting one big one. I couldn’t think of anything else, then one day, messing about on the internet, I came up with the idea of the Kindle. It was a little over the Kringle limit, but I was happy to make the difference (and as it turned out, my sister was happy to spring for it anyway), so I spoke to the person who had me for a gift (we’re all so hard to shop for, evidently, that we end ups speaking to each other about ideas…) and the Kindle was ordered.
My only frustration with it was that it didn’t arrive till January 17th…. but at least they warned us!
I have to say that I am sold!
200,000,000 odd books that are available for free, thanks to being copy write free. If you like classics like Doestoevsky, Luther, or Wilde, then that alone is a sweet deal. It’s also a fair bit cheaper to buy normal books!
In particular, I love the idea that right now I am carrying a little over 60 books with me in something the size of a paperback!
In some ways it is funny, cause I was always the one who said I would wear “Eau de musty book” if they ever made it as an aftershave. I’m still the one who enjoys the tactile aspects of reading, but boy, convenience does sneak in on you too!
So, would you ever use a kindle if you had one?
What’s your favourite thing about real books?
Tim Goldsmith 