A Techie? Who Me?

Most of you probably know (or have figured out by know), that I'm not the most technologically advanced creature on the planet. I'm not a gadget guru and I tend to like to do things the "old-fashioned way". Well, the times they are a changin'. Recently I've found myself using (and enjoying!) two technological gadgets! Go figure.

It all started at the beginning of July when I realized that the fact that my walking buddy was not available was not a good reason to stop exercising. (Canceling my membership to Curves was not a good excuse, either. Whatever). I had to do something.

From past experience, I know that walking by myself is just too boring. I get about 3 1/2 minutes from home and I'm wondering if I can turn around and still count it as a workout. I considered listening to books while I walk, but I don't have an iPod and even if I did I'm sure I wouldn't be able to figure out how to download books to it. I've tried walking with a CD player in the past and that just doesn't work very well. Too much jostling. Then I discovered the most wonderful new gadget. Playaways! Digital books that can be checked out of the library! How perfect is that. Each Playaway contains one complete book and is about the size of a deck of cards (see image above). Now I can hardly wait to get out there and walk in the mornings. How's that for multitasking - reading and exercising all at the same time. Can't beat it.

And if discovering Playaways wasn't enough, I also think I've fallen in love with my Kindle. I know, I know. I never thought it would happen. When I bought the Kindle last summer to take on vacation I thought I would hate it and was surprised that I didn't. But I still considered it solely a tool for traveling. I used it again on this vacation and decided that I actually do like reading on it. I even downloaded and read a book on it after I got home. Holy moly, what's happening to me? I don't think I will continue to do that, however. I'm not accustomed to paying for books and even with the discounted Kindle price, I can't see myself spending $50-$60 a month to read. I just can't get my mind around that. Maybe I'll use it for really hot new books. Then I won't have to wait to get the book from the library. We'll see. In any case, I'm a little surprised by all this. Who says you can't teach a old dog new tricks?

How about you? Do you prefer to read the old-fashioned way or are you totally techno? Have you tried Playaways? I'd love to hear what you think.

I'm Baack!

I got back from my vacation to "Hotmanistan" on Saturday (more on that later), and I'm finally getting caught up enough to write a post. Why does it always take at least 2 days to get your bearings after a vacation? Frankly, it's exhausting. OK, here is the information all you bookworms have been waiting for. My review of the Kindle. *drumroll please*

In addition to the Kindle 2 I also ordered a leather cover. When they first arrived and I put the Kindle into the cover, I was surprised by how heavy and cumbersome it felt. I'm happy to report, that using the Kindle in the cover was never a problem. It was easy to hold and felt very natural. Once I started using it, I never gave it another thought.

Considering that I'm not all that tech-savvy and I really learn best from written directions - the fact that the 124 page User's Guide comes installed on the Kindle was a bit daunting at first. It's kind of hard to be reading a guide and trying out the features when the guide is inside the unit. Luckily, the Kindle comes with a hard copy of a quick start guide to get you started. Amazon.com also sends a copy of the User's Guide to your e-mail address. Like a cellphone, the Kindle can do a lot of "stuff". I simply did a quick read through of the User's Guide - focusing on the features I was most interested in. I then printed out (from the copy sent to my email) the few pages I thought I might want to refer to while on vacation. Worked like a charm. I was able to highlight passages and save them for furture reference. And with a little bit of trial and error, I was able to figure out how to retrieve them.

Downloading books directly to the Kindle proved to be easy and convenient - as long as you are in the US. Not being able to donwload books while outside the US is a BIG drawback for me. Being a library user, I'm not in the habit of paying for books. So having to download books before I need them kind of irks me. What if I download too many? Now I've wasted money. Sure I can read them later, but more on that in a minute. And if I don't download enough, I'm sunk. This is a not a deal breaker for me, but something to be aware of. Also, even though downloading is pretty straightforward and there is a last minute opportunity to back out of a purchase, I still managed to buy a book in error. Supposedly, it can be "returned" at amazon.com, but I couldn't figure it out. Rookie mistake. One, I probably won't make again. Two features that I found extremely helpful are the built in dictionary and the fact that the Kindle can hold a charge forever and ever and ever. Seriously!

Now for the most important information.... reading on the Kindle. I'm happy to report it felt very natural. I even found myself reaching to turn the pages the first few times I used it!! Now that's saying something!! Would I choose a Kindle over the real thing? No, I wouldn't. Not because I don't like the Kindle- I do. But because I LOVE books. The way they smell and feel. The crinkle of the the library cover. Being able to read the inside book jacket and the author information in the back. Seeing a photo of the author. Enjoying the cover art (remember Shanghai Girls?) And this is the reason why I'm annoyed I have to download books before leaving the US. If I download too many, I'll feel compelled to read them on the Kindle at home. Not a huge disaster, but not my first choice. So the big question is will I use the Kindle for future vacations? Yes, I most definitely will. It beats lugging 5 or 6 books in my luggage. My suitcase was so stuffed on this trip - I couldn't have fit one book let alone 5 or 6. For me, the Kindle is a wonderful tool with a very specific purpose. I can't imagine it will ever replace books for me. But, I've learned my lesson. Never say never.

By the way, if you are thinking of purchasing a Kindle, I received an email from Amazon.com stating that the Kindle is now on sale for $299! Gee, thanks! Anyway, thought maybe one of you could use this information. And remember, if you want to buy one, click through to Amazon from Terra's blog Tales from the Nightstand. Help a fellow blogger out!

Tastes Like Chicken

Today I humbly eat my hat. Why? I bought a Kindle. Oh, you can't hear me. Sorry. I bought a Kindle. Still can't hear me? OK, OK. I bought a Kindle. I know, I know I'm a traitor. *hangs head in shame* Yes, I do remember when I implied I would never, ever, ever buy a Kindle. But, here's my excuse reason.

When we go on vacation I usually take somewhere between 4-6 books (depending on how long we will be gone and how long the plane ride is). That's 4-6 hardcover, library books. Heavy books that I can not simply leave at hotel book exchanges. And not only are they heavy, they take up a lot of room in my suitcase - and airlines are now severely limiting the weight of passengers' luggage. (And I like to take lots of shoes - also fairly heavy). I know what you're thinking, "Yeah, yeah more excuses." Now stay with me here. There's more.

Geoff loves gadgets. He doesn't indulge in many, but he is intrigued by them. He also LOVES to buy books. No library books for him. (He also rarely reads said books. But that's fodder for another post). So, our bookshelves are overflowing with Geoff's unread books. You see where I'm going with this, right? The Kindle is perfect for him. He can continue to buy books (at a reduced cost. See I'm saving us money), my bookshelves will no longer be in danger of collapsing, I can take as many books as I want on vacation without needing any extra luggage AND Geoff can have a new toy to play with. Win-win.

So, I'm not a complete traitor. I'm sure I will hate reading on the Kindle. I'm certain that as soon as I get home, I will pass it on to Geoff and avoid it until our next vacation. I'm not even certain I'll be able to use it on vacation, because I might really hate the thing. (I'm getting it a little early so I can "practice" on it). So please, don't be mad at me for not having any strength in my convictions. I promise I will never, ever, ever give up on books completely.

Oh and by the way, this hat is delicious. It tastes just like chicken!

In all seriousness now, I owe a HUGE apology to Terra from Tales From The Nightstand. Several weeks ago she and I discussed the virtues of a Kindle through a series of email exchanges. (She loves hers, by the way). I mentioned that a friend of mine was seriously thinking about getting one (she eventually decided against it). Anyway, Terra asked me to encourage my friend to buy it through her blog. And I did mention it. And today I remembered that exchange with Terra 10 minutes AFTER I ordered my Kindle directly from Amazon. Terra, I am so sorry! I feel like such a bad bloggy friend. So if anyone else is planning on buying a Kindle (for vacation purposes only, of course), PLEASE go visit Terra and buy it through her blog (there is a button to click on). Thank you!


Image from Google Images