I’m trying to figure out what keeps me faithfully reading my Kindle, one book after another. I mean, it’s not the most attractive device, and I might even enjoy reading books on my iPhone even more. I also don’t like the fact that I’m purchasing all my e-reading materials from Amazon. However, day after day for the past six months, I have whipped out my Kindle on my commute to and from work, amid strange stares, whispers, and the occasional “what the f&^% is that?” (In all fairness, I do sometimes hear, “I sooo want one of those!”)
Do I keep reading it because I feel like I have to get my money’s worth? Because the Kindle editions are (usually) cheaper than the print? Or, am I enjoying the fact that I’m not shoving two or three books into my already-unnecessarily-heavy bag? I think I’ll chalk this one up (mostly) to my “ADD” reading habits. I subscribe to The New Yorker and Newsweek, and I’m usually reading one fiction and one nonfiction title at the same time. I never know what I’m in the mood for at any particular time, so having everything on one device is quite helpful. I am also enjoying the free samples that Amazon offers. (I currently have about 50 of these uploaded to my Kindle. Nerd.) Not only is it nice to read these samples before purchasing, but they also serve as a “wishlist” so that I can remember titles that I’d like to read in the future without committing to buy at that moment. The fact that I can sync my Kindle with my iPhone is also an attractive feature. For instance, if my subway car is packed and I’m forced to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a stranger, it’s easier to read on my iPhone.
I have also found myself quite annoyed with Amazon/ebooks for a few reasons. I am bothered by the fact that I don’t really “own” my book, as I learned from the recent 1984 fiasco. And what do the new Ted Kennedy memoir and that somewhat-popular book called To Kill a Mockingbird have in common? There’s no Kindle edition! I can click that “Tell the Publisher! I’d like to read this book on Kindle” button until the cows come home (and enlist my friends to do the same), but that doesn’t even let me know if or when the Kindle edition will be available. Perhaps they could adopt an alert system so that they email me when a particular title has been added to their catalog? That would be niiiice. I also miss the pretty pictures in the magazines (although The New Yorker does place all the cartoons at the end of the Kindle issue). And most Kindle books I’ve read leave out the photo signatures altogether. That is sad.
Overall, I find myself reading much more now that I own a Kindle. Again, I’m still not 100% sure why. I guess I’m not that type that really cares about the look, feel, and smell of a real book. I care much more about the content. I’m quite intrigued by the announcement of a new version of the Sony Reader (Daily Edition), which allows library lending, purchasing through Powell’s Books, and supports the ePub standard. I would much rather purchase my ebooks through an independent publisher than from Amazon. And if this is indeed the case, I soooo want one of those! (And is expected to be available in time for the holidays. Hear that, Santa?)
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