I love books and reading. But I’m no bookworm. I wish I could be one; I really wish I could spend all day lost in a book. For now, I’m just thankful to myself for being able to steal a few minutes off everyday to read a few pages at bedtime. That said, let me tell you that I was one of those people who would never let the thought of switching to an e-reader ever cross their minds. I remember the first time I heard of e-readers and seeing pictures of the device and I remember saying that there’s nothing quite like holding a physical (paper)book and turning its pages. Apart from that, the musty smell of old yellowing books is something I love and always will.
Over the years, things have changed. I’ve had a kindle for over a year-and-a-half and I love it. I still read paperbacks and hardcovers. They are a class apart but e-books are more convenient these days. It is easier to carry an e-reader than a 600 page book to fill in those spaces of my life as I wait outside the dentist’s office or sit through 20-odd hours of air travel. The last time I made my trip home, I remember having to take out my copy of Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom from my ‘hand bag’ because it had gotten too bulky; I couldn’t remove the diaper pouch and sippers instead. So in went my 8-ounce Amazon Kindle and while waiting to board the flight, I downloaded a Sparks’ novel for the flight.
Now if only Franzen would come this way and read what I just wrote. It’s ironic that I once replaced a heavy book of the very author who would -- a year later -- condemn e-readers and people who use e-readers.
I repeat, I still read paperbacks and hardcovers but every time I read one after finishing a book on the e-reader, I get a little irked. When I come across one of those words I’m not familiar with, it is a bump in the flow as I will have to pick up a dictionary, look up the meaning and then pick up my reading again. A lot of the time, I make do with the contextual meaning and carry on with my reading, hoping to look up the word after I was done with that sitting. But then, sometimes there are several words I think I should look up and when I finally get down to doing it, I remember only half the words. On the contrary if I’m on an e-reader I just have to click on the word and voila! I have the explanation.
So what, if the Kindle isn’t back-lit? The e-ink makes sure my eyes don’t hurt and it is the closest thing to reading print on paper. What are book-lights for, anyway. If your mommy switches off the light at 9:00 pm or your spouse can’t sleep because your bed-lamp is on, believe me: an e-reader paired with a book-light is far better than a heavy book and a flashlight beneath that blanket.
I admit: I love the Kindle. I love the fact that I can mark my favourite lines. I love the fact that I can click on an insightful paragraph and instantly share it on Twitter. I love the fact that it can hold over 2000 books in it. I love almost everything about it.
I admit: I am Kindled!
Over the years, things have changed. I’ve had a kindle for over a year-and-a-half and I love it. I still read paperbacks and hardcovers. They are a class apart but e-books are more convenient these days. It is easier to carry an e-reader than a 600 page book to fill in those spaces of my life as I wait outside the dentist’s office or sit through 20-odd hours of air travel. The last time I made my trip home, I remember having to take out my copy of Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom from my ‘hand bag’ because it had gotten too bulky; I couldn’t remove the diaper pouch and sippers instead. So in went my 8-ounce Amazon Kindle and while waiting to board the flight, I downloaded a Sparks’ novel for the flight.
Now if only Franzen would come this way and read what I just wrote. It’s ironic that I once replaced a heavy book of the very author who would -- a year later -- condemn e-readers and people who use e-readers.
I repeat, I still read paperbacks and hardcovers but every time I read one after finishing a book on the e-reader, I get a little irked. When I come across one of those words I’m not familiar with, it is a bump in the flow as I will have to pick up a dictionary, look up the meaning and then pick up my reading again. A lot of the time, I make do with the contextual meaning and carry on with my reading, hoping to look up the word after I was done with that sitting. But then, sometimes there are several words I think I should look up and when I finally get down to doing it, I remember only half the words. On the contrary if I’m on an e-reader I just have to click on the word and voila! I have the explanation.
So what, if the Kindle isn’t back-lit? The e-ink makes sure my eyes don’t hurt and it is the closest thing to reading print on paper. What are book-lights for, anyway. If your mommy switches off the light at 9:00 pm or your spouse can’t sleep because your bed-lamp is on, believe me: an e-reader paired with a book-light is far better than a heavy book and a flashlight beneath that blanket.
I admit: I love the Kindle. I love the fact that I can mark my favourite lines. I love the fact that I can click on an insightful paragraph and instantly share it on Twitter. I love the fact that it can hold over 2000 books in it. I love almost everything about it.
I admit: I am Kindled!
