My new Kindle DX
I received my Kindle DX (available here at Amazon for $480-eek!) about three weeks ago. In a short amount of time, my interaction with books and the written word has radically changed. And for the better.
I read more. Have you seen anyone on the subway staring at their kindle totally oblivious to their surroundings? That’s me. I find that I am reading more often for a few reasons: 1. its easier to carry my kindle with me than a book... so I have good material always hand; 2. I can carry dozens of great books with me all the time and therefore always have access to something I'd like to read; 3. it’s easier to hold than a real book; 4. I can read on the treadmill or elliptical (you can increase the font size so it’s no problem to read while jogging); and 5. I read faster on my Kindle; by altering the spacing and font size, you can optimize your reading speed. And, not turning pages is also a big help.
I read better books. I pickup book suggestions all the time; sometimes from book reviews, from friends, or via Amazon’s suggestion engine. I used to search for the book on Amazon and add it to my “wish list” or, even worse, my shopping cart. Then I “splurge” and purchase a few books per month. However, since I rarely do the due diligence on the book, I often find myself frustrated after the first chapter or two of reading it. Then I place it on my shelf, only to be packed up by movers every 12 months or so. The Kindle has totally changed this experience. The Kindle lets you download (for free and in 10 seconds) the first chapter of any book. Often these serve as a wonderful essay overview of the topic at hand and are worth reading in their own right; moreover, they always help me determine if I want to read the rest of the book. So now, I get a book recommendation, immediately go to Amazon, search for it, and click "send a preview to my Kindle." Then I read the first chapter of that book on my commute home. Brilliant.