I love my Kindle…mostly

I’ve had my Kindle for a while now. Mostly, it’s been sunshine and roses, but there’s been the odd occasion when the clouds came over and I questioned our relationship.
Like the time I charged the Kindle on my laptop, not realising it wasn’t plugged in. The battery drained and I couldn’t get it to start again. (After much googling and searching Amazon Help, I finally worked out what to do and all was soon right with the world again).

Then there was the time last week when my Whispernet wi-fi connection inexplicably stopped working. My panic only subsided when I worked out I could still buy online and upload from laptop to the Kindle. (The wi-fi kicked back in two days late, also inexplicable. But I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth).

Of the books I read, around 40 per cent are on the Kindle. I still love the feel of a hard cover or paperpack book and will always buy a “real” version of books I love.

So, anyway, here are my pros and cons of owning an e-reader (in no particular order).

Pros
–       I always have at least three unread books in my handbag at any one time (not to mention dozens I may want to read again), with the capacity to have 3,000.
–       My Kindle is so slim it takes up virtually no room – in any bag.
–       Ebooks are an inexpensive way to discover new authors.
–       I can read novels with daggy covers and not be self conscious in public (I love paranormal stories, but even the best can have dodgy covers).
–       I can take as many books away with me as I want without having to negotiate suitcase space with my husband.
–       I can hear about a book and have it at my fingertips in less than two minutes.
–       I read in the sun without glare on the screen (not sure if all e-readers have this, but Kindle definitely does).
–       I can buy books not available yet in Australia.
Cons
–       You can’t use an e-reader on a plane during take off/landing.
–       Mild panic sets in when the wireless connection doesn’t work…or the battery has gone flat.
–       I can’t flick to the end and skim pages to check if a certain character is still around/alive
–       I can’t appreciate beautiful covers, or keep referencing the cover for mood or the back for clues about the story.
–       I can’t lend ebooks to my friends.
–       I don’t get the buzz of going into a book store.
–       I can hear about a book and have it at my fingertips in less than two minutes (Much like using social media, ebook buying should be avoided after more than two glasses of wine.)

Anyone else have thoughts on the subject of e-readers?

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About Me

I’m the author of the Rephaim series and The Undercurrent.

For my day job, I’m a writer-journalist-professional communicator, where my writing involves a lot less profanity.

I grew up in regional South Australia and now live in the Scenic Rim with my husband and a retired greyhound.

If you’re interested in how I came to land a publishing deal, you can read the short version in this post from August 2011. There’s a longer version (in a guest post) here.

Paula Weston

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