I am awaiting the arrival of my Kindle (Australian version) from Amazon. I spent some time arguing against the introduction of such technology. After all, books are a beautiful thing, not just a practical thing. The reading experience is not just about absorbing information.
But then I realised:
a) I am drowning in books. When we moved out of our old house, where we had bookshelves overflowing with books, we cleared out a lot of them and donated them to Lifeline (who hold a giant book sale every year for fundraising). However, many moved with us and live in plastic crates in the garage. The single bookshelf in the (not so) new apartment is overflowing with books and the stack on my bedside table is about to topple.
b) If only they made them out of edible paper, how much more practical would that be? You could have a double-y enjoyable experience and you wouldn't have mountains of books to trip over.
c) I was sounding like one of those people who argue that albums sound so much better than CDs (and iPods). They talk about the crackle and the "warmth" of the sound. Bollocks. Whatever "warmth" I may be giving up for the convience of having my entire music collection on a gadget as big as half a cigarette packet I am more than happy to sacrifice.
d) In my world convience generally wins over warm and fuzzy philosphical ideals.
Thus the Kindle is about to enter my life and I am so excited. The idea that I can have many books on hand, in my handbag, with me at all times, is mindblowing. Planes, doctor's waiting rooms, the bench at my children's swimming classes, will no longer be places of lost time and boredom. I will be whipping out my Kindle and catching up on all the reading I rarely get to do. Oh, bliss.
Stay tuned for a review: or what happens when reality crashes into my dream landscape.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
*sigh*
I simply ADORE books.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to give them up for a Kindle.
I DO hope you enjoy yours. :)
I'll be very interested to hear how it works out because I'll admit to still being skeptical. I *love* the feel and smell of holding and reading a real, live book but can absolutely see the benefit in 'downloading' one after I've read it and loved it.
I tend to keep books I loved reading in case I ever want to read them again someday, which I never have time to do. Downloading would be a helluva lot more practical and allow me to perhaps even breathe out and stretch in this tiny 2 metre wide study!
Post a Comment