If I had a rupee for every time someone exclaimed, ‘…but the Kindle is not a book!’, I would have bought myself a 2nd Kindle by now.
Yes, the Kindle is not a book; it never claimed to be one either. It is an electronic reading device that lets you carry more books than you could imagine in a single place, without adding weight to your bag or arms or eating up space on your bookshelf.
Isn’t that every reader’s dream?
So why the angst against the Kindle?
Yeah, yeah, I know what’s coming now. If you get this e-reader, you’ll miss the ‘smell of a new book’. See, I knew you were going to say that! Also, you’ll ‘miss turning pages’ and ‘the reassuring weight of a physical book in your hands’ Bingo and bingo?
Been there, said that biting my own words now. Share on XA happy Kindle user since August 2012, this e-reader and I did take some time to befriend each other, as I saw it as a ‘betrayal’ to use it instead of books. I had the same misgivings I spoke about: I would miss the feel/smell/weight of a physical book and so forth. You know what, I didn’t, not one bit!
Why? Because I never stopped buying books!
Another misconception I’d like to bust is that getting a Kindle spells an end to buying books.
I have no idea how that thought came to mind until someone had a Kindle with hands that sprang out and grabbed theirs each time they reached for a book.
I have continued buying books in the 5 years I have owned this e-reader. It helps me decide which book to buy. Let me explain: if I am unsure about a particular book, I first buy a Kindle version and read it; if it passes with flying colours, I get myself a hard copy. Chosen hardbacks of my favourite books now adorn my bookcase.
Bonus: For all of you people who have the habit of folding the edges of a page to mark where you stopped reading, and those who like to underline/mark relevant lines/paragraphs, Kindle has both these features.
This e-reader is the perfect travel companion as well. A slim, lightweight device nestled in your purse/bag/backpack holding the promised treasure of hundreds of books (mine currently has 195 books, out of which 145 are waiting to be read).
No more lugging around books. No more Book Anxiety: The fear of what I will do once the book I am reading ends and I don’t have another book waiting for me.
My e-reader has been my loyal companion in waiting rooms, queues, sleepless nights, and long journeys. It has also saved me from many painful talkative co-passengers.
The Kindle has been upgraded frequently since I bought mine, and sleeker, easier-to-use, and easier-to-handle devices are now available. Mine is practically a Stone Age model compared to the newer ones, but I love it just the same and won’t part with it till it dies on me one day.
A Kindle is not a book, a Kindle is books! Share on X‘Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators – Stephen Fry, Writer, Actor, Comedian, Presenter and Activist
I am participating in The Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Blogging Challenge.
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Mayuri, your post happened to me at the right time. Myson, one who is a voracious reader, is after me to gift him a Kindle for his birthday! And believe me, I was not sure of fulfilling his birthday request… for the reasons that you have already chronicled!
After reading this post, however, I feel the boy will get his fulfilled!
Thanks for that!
– Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
Glad reading this helped you to make a decision, Anagha. A Kindle makes for a great gift!:)
This is just the right article I wanted to read early in the morning. Yes kindle has its own plus and minus points. And I am still in confusion that even is I buy it one day I will still not stop buying books. But your post has given me a purpose now.
Go for a Kindle, I’d say!:))) Thanks for reading, Geethica.
What a line by Stephen Fry! I am amongst the adjusting ones, I can say. Meaning that I love books and don’t hate the Kindle either. My brother, a voracious reader, has been using one for more than 2 yrs now and has been telling me to try it out. Till now I haven’t, but soon may be. The comfort and weight factor cannot be ignored.
I so agree with you, Varsha. A Kindle is a book lovers delight!:)
I too have a decade old model but the crazy thing is it still works so well (the color model Fire HD) which is so rare for any electronic device. And yes, while my buying of real books has reduced, I still do but them as well. As you said, the main advantage is the choice of carrying 100s of books while traveling and moving around.
Yes, the longevity of the Kindle was a pleasant surprise to me as well. Thanks for reading, Doc 🙂
Agree with you that kindle doesn’t stop us buying physical copies. But the reason i prefer print is that it seems like less stress on my eyes.
The Kindle is no stress on the eyes either, Ramya:)
Looks like we have same versions of Kindle. Mine is also over 5 years old and I had bought it through Croma just when it had started to ship in India. It is the non-touch, grey background, side button one. And I love it more than anything. I have also bought more books since owning a Kindle as I discovered many new authors through Kindle. I also began reading wider genres. So, Kindle just aided my reading instead of hampering.
Yes, Lata. I agree with you. Kindle has me reading more too!:)
Haha.. this is amazing, Mayuri. You actually mentioned my tweets here (from our thread).
Though, I am not against kindle, i’m afraid once I start using it I might not buy books. Reasons being- the price of books on kindle is almost half(which is definitely tempting), we get to carry a room full of books everywhere with us(superb), and we help save the environment too (less print). Yet, I will surely move over to kindle too, cuz I am missing on ebooks. So, my purpose solved- buy books in print and ebooks on kindle. Cheers!
This was a long pending post, Rashi 🙂 I wrote it after our Twitter convo though. Glad you’ll be going for the Kindle:)
I have the kindle app on my ipad and iphone – oh so handy. e-books rock. And I never thought I would ever say that.
I second you, Suzy!:)
I am considering buying one! My little one is very little now, but soon she will be the first one to flip my books around! To save the books from her sweet little hands, I am planning to buy one. I had the same thoughts running on my mind and told the same to friends who tried to change my mind. I guess, my mind now accepts the reality and is eagerly waiting to buy it! Good post, Mayuri. Thanks a lot for this one.
True, I am a proud Kindle user myself for last 4 years. It is very reader-friendly and I second the fact it does not put an end to book buying. My overflowing bookshelf is a testament to that. 😀
Though Kindle is tempting but I prefer print books. I just want to lessen my screen time. 🙂
It is a coincidence that your post should have come at this time. My sister gifted me a kindle just two weeks back and I am already two books down on it. I couldn’t agree more with every word in your post. I loved your done that said that, biting my own words quote. Lot of love! hope I’m not becoming a pile on 🙂
I am guilty of taking the side of books manytimes but I realized my mistake of giving the Kindle a step-motherly treatment on my trip to Thailand.It is so handy!
I am a total Kindle convert and this is when I was pretty apprehensive of picking it up initially and truly believed in old school thought of book reading. But now I am madly and deeply in love with my Kindle. In fact, if I have the physical book and a Kindle version, without a doubt I will read that book on Kindle. With Kindle, I am reading more and at a faster pace as well. I still love my books and am proud of my collection, but I LOVE my Kindle a LOT too!!
That’s something I have come to accept now, after having used the Kindle for some months. I did enjoy reading books on the K. And sometimes, when I switch to real books, each time I stumble upon a new word, my fingers automatically touch the said word in the hope that the meaning will pop up, as also font size could be changed and a page book marked!
I like my K so much so that no one at home is permitted to touch it. And, in spite of the books I have, my K is also my saviour!
This is a good post! Liked all your points! Though I don’t own a Kindle now, it’s certainly there in my plan.
Though Kindle is tempting but I prefer print books. I just want to lessen my screen time
I do read a lot on mobile or laptop. But, personally the charm of buying new books is still the same. Kindle is not yet ready for me as a customer. 😀
Kindle is a boon for book lovers, I recently purchased it and now have your strong points to support my buy 🙂
Cheers
MeenalSonal from AuraOfThoughts
I am yet to gift a Kindle to myself, and I agree that Kindle is books and not book.
This is the post I wanted to read to know the LOVE of books & introduction of Kindle. Thank you for sharing your insights Mayuri, must get myself a kindle now 🙂
I almost missed this, Mayuri. Go for it. It’s a decision you won’t regret. I’m onto my second Kindle now (the second one is a Paperwhite) and it’s been about 6 years. I love how I can travel with so many books at a time and the flexibility of switching between books.
I am also a tarot card reader and writer!
And I also luuurve my Kindle!
I could totally relate to this post 🙂
I had always been skeptic of buying a kindle and this year I got it as a rakhi gift. I am still getting used to it and this was what drew me to this post. And now I think, my kindle and I, we are liking each others company.
Mayuri. You have raised the million dollar question i keep putting to myself!!!
Should i go for a kindle or not!
I think you’ve just convinced me!!
Please carry it further by suggesting if theres anything i need to look out for before buying one!!
Loved the way you’ve written this piece by the way!!
does anybody still uses Kindle ??