Books Gone Digital: A Quick Review of the Kindle Reader

Staying true to the electronic progression of things in the world today, just about everything is digital. We trust these tiny little computerized toys with our most treasured possessions. Gone are the days when families would spend hours reminiscing over a huge box of family photos, now we just click on the computer, pop in a disk, and there they are. However, one thing I felt sure was safe, would be our beloved and cherished books. Those Dr Seuss favorites mom used to read us at night, and that now, years later; we read to our own kids. Or our favorite Danielle Steele romance novels, which we have piled on our shelves. If you're a book lover like I am then you probably have your own library, or a room in your home devoted to your beloved books. Well, book lovers beware; we're going digital.

I have to admit, being an avid book lover I was a little dubious, not to mention dumbfounded; when I heard that companies were taking books digital. Reading a book on a cell phone like object, just doesn't compare with actually reading a real book. But against my better judgment, I decided to try the new digitized version of books. I bought the new Kindle Reader available on Amazon for $359.00, then I had to pay to download the books I wanted, which costs anywhere between $5.00 and $20.00, which I admit, is significantly cheaper than hardcover; unless you're like me and buy all your books at discounted, flea market prices.

The Reader also has a flashing light thing going on that totally threw me off and made me feel as if I was on the verge of a seizure. Another bad thing about the Reader is that its hard to flip back if you lose your place or forget something and want to check it out again. The Reader is good if you carry a lot of books with you, it allows you to download your favorites and read them on the go without having to carry huge bags of reading material along with you. It also makes it much easier to read the daily newspaper while on the go, without all the folding and unfolding. In my opinion there are advantages as well as disadvantages to the Kindle Reader. I certainly wouldn't choose this over books, but to be used in certain circumstances where carrying books would be awkward. I'm sold.

For information on the new Reader and digital books visit www.kindlereader.com