Kindle me, baby!

I am an avid reader and book lover.  I have shelves and cabinets full of books.  I always travel with several books, and usually have a book under my pillow, in my car, in my purse or tote bag, and desk at work.  I love the way books feel and smell.  In my opinion, a crisp, brand new book just waiting to be opened and enjoyed is one of life's purest pleasures. I savor the time spent happily lost in the pages of a good book.

So... I debated long and hard before I bought a Kindle.  I wondered... would I really USE it?  Would I really ENJOY it??  Would it be the same pleasant, enjoyable experience as reading a REAL book?  Well, I've had my Kindle for a few months now and let me assure you that the answers are yes, yes and YES!

I knew my little Kindle was a winner when I tucked it into my back pack and took it on vacation recently... and happily read 6 books in 2 weeks.   I could never have carried 6 (heavy!) books with me; it's just not possible!  But my li'l Kindle made it so easy and convenient!

And (this surprised me)  I am even reading more since I got my Kindle.  Why?  Well, I have identified 3 main reasons.  (1) My [*cough*] over-40 eyes really like the adjustable font feature!!! No reading glasses needed.  YAY!  (2) I have the lighted cover from Amazon and it makes reading in bed (with all room lights off) so easy and enjoyable! (3) I can slip my Kindle into a heavy-duty ziplock bag and read happily in the tub!  (I have always loved to read in the tub but HATE how a regular book's pages get all wrinkly and crinkly when they get wet! Gah!) 

I got the smaller Kindle, with Wi-Fi only, no 3G... wanted to spend as little as possible since I wasn't sure how I would truly like reading on it.  Now honestly, although there have been a handful of times when WiFi was not available and having 3G capability would have been a nice perk, it's really not been much of an issue!   I don't regret my choice.

I love cruising around Amazon's Kindle Store and seeing what's new, what's on sale, and what's FREE.  If you don't already know this, check the Free Book list OFTEN, because prices can change daily, and I have found and read lots of great books that were free one day, $9.99 (or more!) the next. Really!  Amazon also offers a list of 100 different books ("hand selected by our editors") that are discounted to $3.99 or less.  The list changes monthly, and there are some great bargains to be had. Here's the LINK.  There is also an ever-changing list of .99 and $1.99 books all over the site -- but you gotta keep your eyes open!

Yep, Amazon has certainly made "Kindling" easy and FUN!  With one click, you can download a free sample of any book that interests you (and they are very generous samples!)  Or, "Click to Look Inside" at the top of almost every books info page lets you actually "open the book" and read the beginning, right here, right now.  AND, once purchased, every book is returnable within 7 days of purchase with Amazon's excellent no-questions-asked return policy. All samples and books are sent right to your Kindle over the air, no cables or wires required. I mean, really, what's NOT to love?!

And NO! I assure you I am not affiliated with Amazon in any way.  Although I sure wouldn't MIND being!!!  ;o)  

Kindle Photo Credit: here