eReading has changed my life. No, I don’t have a Kindle or a Nook. And I haven’t pre-ordered an ipad—yet. But I did get the free Kindle app for my ipod touch. I did it to see if I could be satisfied with a book on a screen. So I downloaded a couple of free “classic” titles and off I went.
Truth be told, I forgot about them for a little while. Then we had our travel day from the bad place after Christmas. What I thought would be seven hours of airport and airplane time turned into two days. Of course I finished the only book I had with me.
Now what? I couldn’t spend all that time with nothing to read! So I pulled out the ipod, adjusted the font size and coloring, and started reading. And guess what? I loved it! I loved it so much that I came home and bought a case for it that opens like a book. And now I love it even more!
I don’t know if I’ll ever have the money to plunk down for one of the larger ereaders, but that’s okay for now. I like what I have. My ipod fits in even a very small purse. And that has changed my life. I no longer have to carry a purse large enough to stow several books. And I don’t find myself in a situation where I’ve left a book behind or finish it and have nothing to read. In fact, now I look forward to being at an appointment or stuck in traffic or early for a ball game. I just power up and read. And with a screen that small, there is no losing my place on the page!
I’m not saying I’ll ever give up books with paper pages. My stuffed full bookshelves are testimony to that. But I’ve definitely seen the advantages of embracing the new technology. If only there weren’t so many books and so little time!
what about your eyes? it doesn't hurt them at all to stare at a screen like that? especially with contacts … for me, that would be hard.
but maybe not?
i still love my paper books!
Your post sure does tempt me to swing over to the e-books. I'll always cherish written words, but for travel ease a Kindle sure would be nice.
Ashley–I have MAJOR eye issues (severe dry eye and contacts) but the kindle and nook both use a technology where it isn't backlit and so it feels like reading on paper. However, for my ipod, which is backlit, I changed the background to black and the words to white and I haven't had any issues at all!
When you are out and about as much as I am with kids, it sure is nice not to have to lug around several big books! (Because I tend to read things like Dickens. Not exactly easy to stow in a purse!)
And yes, Lisa, travel with an ereader is awesome!
But I'm not giving up real books yet. And I doubt I ever will. I love holding a book in my hand (except when it's something like Gone with the Wind or the unabridged Les Miserables! Then my hands get tired, LOL!)