It seems as though everywhere we turn nowadays, we’re hearing about the Kindle
Don’t get me wrong – I do think they have their benefits – for instance, they save a lot of space and, therefore, are probably excellent for people who travel a lot. If I won one, I’d probably use it. But I don’t expect to be buying one, and here’s why.
Number one: they’re expensive. Sometimes expensive can be a worthwhile investment. In this instance (and because I don’t travel a lot), I don’t think it would be worth it to me, for several reasons.
1. You still have to buy books for it, and they aren’t especially cheap. (There are a few available free or for low cost, but current books are generally just as expensive in this format.)
2. Most of the books I would want to read probably aren’t available for the Kindle
3. It’s an expensive tool that only accomplishes a single task. If I were going to make the investment in something that would make (some of) my books more portable – and because I would probably not be using it all the time where I need the absolute best tool for the job – I would be more inclined to invest in a tablet-style computer such as an iPad
Number two: I don’t want to use technology when a book will do. I have personal preferences for the tangible, hands-on experience of reading a real, paper-based book. Beyond that, though, I think that the constant use of technology is not healthy. We already hear about negative health effects of cell phone use, the electromagnetic fields of all of our electronic devices, etc. To an extent, that tradeoff is worth it for the benefit we derive from the use of our devices. The internet is a great resource!
But there is a point of diminishing returns. I don’t believe that the tradeoff of a little bit of portability is worth the strain of my eyes staring at a screen (no matter how eye-friendly they try to make that screen), or the effects of carrying yet another electronic device close to my person. I just have this nagging suspicion that reading a real book is much better for one’s health than reading an ebook. I’m not being absolutist here – once in a while is probably not that big a deal; but I don’t want reading on a screen to be the norm for me or my family. (Especially since this would be added to current screen time.)
We’ll just take a break from the technology every now and then, and read a book. 🙂
There really isn’t any eye strain AT ALL with a kindle. There would be with an iPad. There are more than a few books for free as well. There are thousands upon thousands for free. And all old classics are for free. I can load a good 70% of what my kids read for school on the kindle and most of that for free. Plus new books that come out are cheaper on the kindle than paper. And of course, I don’t have a house big enough to store all the books I want. We’d have books wall to wall. The kindle has been amazing! The kindle is much less “techie” than an iPad or even smart phone. You don’t get sucked into apps and graphics. One only sits down to read the kindle when they would sit to read a paper book. In fact it feels almost NOT techy.
I tend to agree with you about reading an actual book. Granted, I tend to be a book snob in that regards and others (such as what I read, whether or not it would qualify as “literature,” etc.) I am fortunate in that I kept all of my literature books from college, so most (if not all) of the books the kids are required to read, I already have. And my mom and I are english teachers, so if I do not have them, she does. But, reading on a screen is hard on my eyes, and aggravates my tension headaches. Plus, I cannot take notes on an e-reader like I can on an actual book. Some habits die hard, I guess, but I still take notes when I read (a holdover from college, I guess). I have an iPad, and I love it, but I do not read much on it other than when I travel. But I have also started reading the books found on “My Blessed Home’s” website which are hard to find without any investment other than the time it takes to download them. Those are on my iPad. Besides, there is something to flipping through the pages of a book and smelling the paper (reminds me of a library)…especially if it is an old book. Nothing like it!! 🙂
I totally agree!! I love the feel of a book between my fingers, especially a library book that’s been read so many times that it’s coffee-stained (promise that it wasn’t me, LOL) and dog-eared. It’s just nice to know that other people have enjoyed those same words. Plus, one of the greatest things that I’ve passed down to my children is that the smell of a brand new book is FABULOUS! “Don’t worry about my girls, guys, they’re just sniffing their new books…” :o)
Great post!
Same here. Something about the feel, even the smell of an old book is just something that can’t be replaced to me. I’m guilty of sitting and looking at cookbooks for hours on end.
I love having a book in print. It’s hard for me to opt for an electronic version if I have access to the paper one! However, I have the Kindle app on my iPod and frequently read books on there, all the free ones they’ve offered, and I’ve been SO blessed by them!!! I still prefer print books, but it IS nice to have the option of reading in the dark bedroom while nursing a baby to sleep and not having to hold a flashlight. 🙂