A New Toy!

Ah... when it comes to technology, I'm usually about five years behind the rest of the world. By the time I got around to getting a cell phone, they did a LOT more than just make telephone calls (you mean, I can take pictures??? What's this internet thing I keep hearing so much about?) I finally got around to getting an iPod just this past summer (okay, I did have a Shuffle, but did you know they make one that holds every song ever recorded???? See? That's what I mean.)

I've been writing for epublishers for almost 4 years now. I did have MSReader on my very first laptop, but even then, I only had five or six ebooks on it. I spend so much time on the computer that the last thing I want to do is read for leisure on one as well. Can we say eyestrain?

So while I write for epubs, my heart was firmly in the paperback book corner. I love books. Always have, always will. I love bookstores - the smell of ink and paper and coffee... Love. It. Blindfold me and take me into any store, and I will know when I've set foot inside a Barnes and Noble, just like I'd know if I stepped into my mother's house.

It wasn't that I disliked ebooks, but reading something from a screen? No. Thanks.

But then last year, we got my mom a Kindle for Christmas. We bought one for my father in law as well. And for the first time, I saw what a book on a Kindle screen looks like. It's not like reading from a computer at all. Hmmm...

I wanted.

But I'm cheap... er, that is frugal . So I waited, figuring prices would come down eventually. I was already behind the times (my brother was amazed - no aghast - when he and I were talking about Kindles and I confessed I didn't have one.) And finally, I caved and ordered a basic Kindle (the one with the free offers, because I heard so many people talk about how awesome some of those offers were. Besides, who cares what the screen saver looks like? Special offers. Dead authors. What's the diff???)

It came yesterday and within five minutes of opening it, I had it up and running, and bought three books. I don't think I've bought three books in the last year, which is really sad, considering how much I used to love to read. I used to read 1-2 books a week. This summer, I read one book. One. Book.

And that is going to change now. I think I'm in love with this Kindle. It's awesome. Absolutely awesome. It's not like reading on a computer at all, so there's very little eyestrain, and it's the perfect size. The main deciding factor in finally breaking down and buying a Kindle was when I spent three hours at the car dealership a few weeks ago. I finished my book about halfway into my car's service and had nothing else to read. Ended up restarting the book I'd just finished. And although it was a good book (Stacia Kane's City of Ghosts if you're interested) I really didn't want to reread it right away.

The only drawback is my wallet is going to suffer for this. :D Oh, and I could use any recommendations. In any genre. So, if you have any suggestions, let me have 'em!

I'll be curled up on the sofa, Kindle in hand. :D