I love to read. I’m the child who read all 64 Nancy Drew books in one summer month while visiting grandma. I still bring at least 15 books with me for a 5 day vacation and my loving husband has learned to fall fast-asleep with all manner of book lights while I read for at least three hours every night.
A few weeks ago, Amazon.com offered to send me a free Kindle to test. I agreed, curious to know what all the hype was about. I’d read some positive press about the Kindle, but was doubtful any e-reader could enhance my favorite pleasure. I was wrong.
The Kindle combined with the Kindle Lighted Leather Cover makes reading more delightful, convenient and addictive.
The Kindle alone is nice, but the Kindle lighted cover is what made my experience delightful. The cover enabled me to hold the Kindle just like a lightweight hard-cover book. The cover opens and closes the same and provides added protection while incorporating a very useful reading light.
The Kindle is easy to read. I tried it outside in the sun, with and without sunglasses. I found less glare with the Kindle than with a regular book. I read it inside with light shining directly on the screen and in the dark using just the cover light with no problem.
The Kindle is more than convenient, its effortless. Once the device was charged, I hooked it into the carrying case, registered the device to my Amazon.com account and downloaded 4 books in less than 10 minutes. Really…it was that simple and that fast.
Its light, fits in my purse, and carries more books, periodicals and other content than I could possibly need. The built in wireless and free 3G connectivity allows me to download almost any content I want, any time I want, and browse the internet.
This device is extremely addictive for a reading fiend like me. I no longer have to wait for a convenient time to go to the library or store to pick up a new novel or magazine. I can find and download the content I want while I’m waiting for the kids to finish swim practice. The buy now button is front and center, tugging all my ‘immediate gratification’ strings, begging me to push it. If I resist and just hit download sample, as soon as I’m finished with the sample, the buy button beckons again. One click and almost instantly the rest of the book is available temporarily quenching my bibliodesire.
The Kindle also has some really cool unexpected features. You are not limited to using the Kindle only for content designed for the Kindle. You can actually convert many of your own documents to files that are readable on the Kindle, thus making them extremely portable and accessible. The search, bookmark, highlight, share and computer sync features make it useful for doing background research for blog posts. Added bonuses include the ability to listen to mp3 files, use audio commands and even have the Kindle read to you.
The Kindle is not in color, but the battery-life makes that trade-off more than worthwhile. Now in my 3rd week of heavy usage, I still haven’t had to recharge.
The only improvements I’d like to see are to the browser, which was a bit slow and to the content pricing model that I will address in a separate post.
Bottom line: If your mom is a reader, this is probably one of the best presents you can get her for Mother’s Day. Right now Amazon.com is giving away a $25 gift card and free shipping with purchase of the $189.00 Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6″ Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology For the real ‘book’ experience you’ll also want to include the Kindle Lighted Leather Cover that also comes with free shipping.
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
The Kindle is God’s very own gift to mankind [probably the last one ever seeing as how we insist on screwing things up all the time] were it not for the slight inconvenience that if Amazon, or a rights holder, decides you shouldn’t have thisorthat book/content, it gets wiped from your catalog without so much as a by-your-leave [and they have already done this, there is precedent].
Unless people come to your house to physically remove the book/magazine, that’s not happening with printed materials.
I’m not against new technology I am very much against someone else having the right to deny me the right to read anything I want.
I got my husband the Kindle for his birthday and he loves it. I think he reads 30x more now than he used to. I also got him the cover with the book light. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a booklight so bright. Of course, I’m usually on the other end of the book light. Personally, I prefer printed materials. I love the feel of a book in my hand. But, for my husband, it was the perfect gift.
I love reading the actual books because of the smell of paper. Especially the old ones! But with this technological development, I won’t say no to this especially how you have explained it that it is very easy to read. I also tried reading ebooks in my laptop but my eyes got hurt after 2-3 hours!
It’s like I’ve become color-blind for a short period of time. 
Nice review!
the pleasure of reading was different, but certainly by the smell of old paper in the library, next to the beach on vacation traveling through beautiful, sometimes as if the only problem is moving the eyes:)
I always wanted one, but I like holding a book too much. I wonder if i would enjoy reading as much with a Kindle..
I use Kindle on my smartphone and love it! I didn’t know the regular Kindle had a lighted cover. That sounds like a great feature. I will have to check into getting a full size version!
I just started reading your website – thanks for writing. I wanted to inform you that it is not showing correctly on the BlackBerry Browser (I’ve a Tour). Anyway, I’m now subscribed to the RSS feed on my PC, so thanks again!
I was hoping to have a kindle this year but wasn’t able to buy it last month.
Was wondering how did amazon offered you a free kindle for testing? do they really offer that one?
I love my Kinddle too. I don’t read books much but I enjoyed this so much that I started reading books. FYI, Amazon does offer some free ebooks too
Cool article. A lot of people love the niche that the nook currently provides. However, I do believe that Amazon might be coming out with an Android nook soon!
all the best with your new venture. May the force be with you!I just started reading your website – thanks for writing. I wanted to inform you that it is not showing correctly on the BlackBerry Browser (I’ve a Tour). Anyway, I’m now subscribed to the RSS feed on my PC, so thanks again!
I personally just like the feel of reading a book but whatever works for you.
Reading this blog, it has opened my eyes to a device that can be useful to me. The Kindle has features that are not limited, one can store documents that are readable and it is light and portable much better than carrying around 15 books like she said. You can carry this one device and it will store all your books. Another great thing I read is that it does not glare in the sun which is great becasue you can basically use it anywhere. They also give you amazing features if the Kindle reading to you and storing audio files in this one device. I will be looking into the Kindle after reading this blog.
If you took 15 books for a 5 day holiday then yes you need a kindle or someone to carry your suitcase! Personally I love the smell of a book…I sniff one as soon as I buy one and frequently go to bookstores just to sniff…..I know it’s weird but until the kindle produce a scratch and sniff version I won’t be buying one.
I have always used my ipad for reading books, but am becoming more interested in the kindle. The thing that I like most about the Kindle is how light it is. The ipad is tough to hold at times because it gets a heavy feel after prolonged use. I am very interested in the Kindle now, so this has really helped me. Thanks for the post.
Yes indeed, they are coming out with a new Android, it will much cheaper than most of the current ones, so lets see if its any good!
Got one for my mom actually and she loves it like crazy, she can’t even do away with it once she get hold on it..
I’m not sure if you know, but there is a new Kindle in town: Kindle Fire… And the old kindle just “suffered” a price drop down. Christmas is coming, so it’s time to buy a Kindle
this Kindle very sweety
I have one too, and another e book reader too, for non-Amazon e-books. I love them both, best purchases I’ve made in a really long time!
Kindle, a perfect Christmas gift! Cathy, you’re so lucky to get it for free!
I love to read. I think to buy this Book reader. Thanks for the article
Kindle is really a great gadget. It simply changes the reading preference from paper books to ebooks for me. I think its quite environment friendly too. We can save many trees per person if we all starts reading on kindle.
This collection very effective which i was looking for.
I got one last year and it is so convenient. I would travel in the past with multiple books and my carry on luggage was always too full. This simplifies everything. I love it.