Thursday, October 15, 2009

A Literate Addiction

Several months ago, I blogged about my passing desire to own an Amazon Kindle. This e-reader would allow me to download books to a portable device no matter where I was in the world. It would, I was certain, not only save me money in the long run, but would also make me a happier, saner person. After all, I love books and this would allow me to purchase them in an economical fashion yet at a rate that would not exceed a generous book budget negotiated between Hubby and me.

This lightweight device can hold up to 1,500 books, which is no small matter when you move around as much as I do. Kindles also come with several really cool features like the built in dictionary for those times when you know you aren’t going to “look it up later” and the ability to change the font size of the book you’re reading, making it a great tool for semi-blind people like me and, conversely, those who prefer smaller text with fewer page turns.

Meet Betty, my beautiful Kindle whom I adore. She is a member of the family who requires a lot of personal attention and must be cared for, snuggled, and fed books on a regular basis. She doesn’t like it when I go too many days without purchasing new material or too many hours without reading a new tale with her. She’s my baby and I love her.

Hubby is under the mistaken impression that I have “an addiction.” Just because I spent more than 12 hours on the Kindle chat boards when she arrived doesn’t make me addicted. Buying her original cost in books in three short months doesn’t make me addicted either. Nor does reading 43 books in three months – more than three times my normal rate.

Best of all, Betty allows me to buy only those DTBs (dead tree books) that I truly love. Normally, every time we move I have an enormous stack of books to donate to local charities or libraries. Thanks to Betty, as I explained to Hubby, I could read the electronic version of the trash that I would normally donate and only purchase in hardcopy those books that had truly captured my imagination. When he pointed out this was effectively buying the same book twice, I told him he was being narrow-minded. Betty understands my love of books means that some reading experiences deserve the real thing.

I’m not addicted to Betty! I love her and she loves me. Why else would she bookmark the page where I fell asleep reading, or read aloud to me when I’m bored? I can stop reading e-books anytime I want to – I just don’t want to.

Now I have to sign off here because Betty says I have spent too much time on Blogger today and need to pay more attention to her. Isn’t it sweet of her to keep track of things like that for me?

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Awww.. Betty sounds adorable! Hahaha! A bit freakishly control-freak-like... but when you're dressed up in a fuchsia a pink as Betty is, all is forgiven!

I've heard so much about a Kindle, always thought about getting one, but never got around to it! Haha!

Jennifer said...

Oh. I've wanted one for the longest time. The only thing: don't you miss turning actual pages and the smell of the book? ;-)

Corinne said...

You and I both married logical men. And I'm sure you realize, as I do, that there's just no logic behind certain things. They just are. You love Betty, I want a kindle, doesn't matter if there's really actual, true book saving when it can happen in THEORY and most importantly the wife is happy. Right? Right?

LadyFi said...

Oh, Betty - how I long for my own Betty! She's no ugly Betty - but a truly lovely one...

I gather they are being released for sale in Europe... only to taunt me as we have no money for a Betty...

Wonder if I can sell my husband's TV games while he's at work? ;-)

Zuzana said...

What a magical pink friend.;) Amazing, I never knew she could also read out loud.;) Does she have a female voice? Or is that a stupid question, when her name is Betty.,)
Have a lovely Friday!;)
xo
Zuzana

Anonymous said...

I also didn't know she could read aloud to you! Great way to put the grandkids to sleep...but what about the snuggles and hugs that I'd miss. How much cheaper is it to buy on Kindle vvs "the book"?
merthyrmum

N said...

The first step is denial:p

I still prefer reading from a real book though.

Unknown said...

You did it! You bought a Kindle, congrats to you!

I love my Kindle for all the reasons you mentioned and many more, especially that it weighs so much less than a hardback.

A little tip that you might not have heard about as yet: when you go to the Kindle book store, chose "low to high" instead of "bestselling" etc, and you'll find tons of books at unbelievable low prices and sometimes for free! I recently purchased an Alex Kava bundle for 1 cent! Yes, I had read two of them, but since I like to reread, that was fine with me.

Love your cover for Betty! I have the original Kindle and the only covers offered were in black; may have to upgrade soon!

Unknown said...

Me again. I wanted to "speak" to the person who asked "don't you miss the smell and feel of book"... for me personally, I fell in love with the Kindle so fast, I only missed this for the first week!

Susie said...

What a neat thing:-)

Caution/Lisa said...

Are the books yours forever after you buy them? I'm jealous of the relationship you have with Betty.

etrich said...

OMG, Betty is so beautiful! Mate has been trying to convince me we need to add a Kindel to our family. Not sure if I can handle one, I really love the feeling of turning pages. But traveling with multiple books leaves less room for mates clothes. Maybe that's his logic...

Anonymous said...

Cool! I've been wanting one for ages. Question...can you download via wifi on the Kindle overseas? I was under the impression it wouldn't work...

Midlife Roadtripper said...

No wonder you hadn't blogged in such a long time. Wasting all that time reading books.

I don't know if I can get used to a Kindle. I keep ignoring one, but your post has me wondering.

Great post. Enjoyed it.

Melissa B. said...

It's just wonderful that you and Betty have become friends. I can see how a Kindle would come in handy if I were trekking around as much as you. For now, though, I will content myself with cracking open the old-fashioned, pen & ink version. I can see a Kindle in my future, though!

Anonymous said...

I get it. I'm addicted to my Iphone.

Lee said...

I'm so jealous! I've always wanted a Kindle. I don't read a lot of books because I have NOWHERE to put them.
Of course, I love the feel of pages between my fingers, so it may not be the best thing for me.
Thought I'd check out your blog, stop by mine some time if you'd like! Have a great day!

Nicole said...

Darn girl, you've almost convinced me to get me a "Toby" :D

Connie said...

My husband is as much addicted to his iLiad as I am my Sony, maybe more so, so he can't complain. My kids think that story time is better on my bookreader too. :)

surfie999@gmail.com said...

Saw a Kindle recently in Singapore ,used by an American tourist......and was impressed.

Not readily available yet in Australia.....but: watch out for Google!! They are coming too.

There are problems with the connection system for the rest of the known world with Kindle's.....some "one of a kind" non compatible US phone system!

Lynda said...

Poppet, so do tell, are you downloading your books in Egypt? I am intriged. Wondering how it will work if I buy one here in Germany... then download the books..will they be in German? Blogger is in Arabic in Egypt..and in German here...

Sandy said...

I have not succumbed yet but I know a Kindle is in my future. The issue for me is that I don't buy many books, I use the library, but I did borrow my stepdaughter's Kindle to take on a vacation recently and I liked it. I found that I read faster with it. I never thought turning pages took that long but apparently they do! Great post. I didn't know the covers came in colors!

I hope you and Betty have many happy years together.

cat said...

I would love a Kindle!