The New Way to Read

My love of reading began by accident. I associated books and reading with schoolwork, just like most kids my age-- until third grade. Our teacher started a contest in our classroom, challenging us to read a certain number of books by the Christmas holiday, and any books over that amount were extra credit. I was a little perfectionist, and a challenge like that wasn't taken lightly. I set out to read more books than anyone.The first few books I read were just for the contest and I trudged through them. Reading was easy for me, but there wasn't any real joy in it...yet. Then, the next book I picked, I am sorry to say I can't remember the title, I started reading it, and suddenly I realized this could be something different. I looked forward to the time I could return to reading the story, wondered what would happen to the main character, and then hated when I was done with the book. My love of reading was born. Since then, I have had an ongoing love affair with books, bookstores, and reading.

When I started hearing about the Sony e-book and the Amazon Kindle, I really didn't think I was interested. Half of the reason I love reading is honestly the feel of the book in my hand, the words on the page, etc. But I thought that it might be good for travel, and I travel a lot with my job. I did some research and settled on the Kindle, thinking if I didn't like it, I could return it.

The Kindle has a unique feature in that it comes with free wireless service, or Whispernet as they call it. Wherever you are, you can order books from Amazon, and they are in your Kindle in a second. That has come in so handy when sitting in an airport, having just finished a book, and needing something for the next flight. Also, books cost half of what they would off the shelf, since they are electronically delivered.

From the minute I got the Kindle out of the box, I was in love. The ease of getting new books, the way the screen looks just like a real page, it is all perfect. And the worry of the feel of the book being missed? It has gone by the wayside. I would say right now, that the Kindle is one of my prized possessions, and I am so glad I put my hesitations aside and went digital! I recently heard that Oprah just got a Kindle and is having the same reaction. They were selling like hotcakes already, but Amazon better stock up!