For Father’s Day, my husband got me a Kindle. It was very cute how he broke the news to me. I came home from work and he announces he found the perfect Father’s Day gift. My heart sunk. We have never done Father’s Day. (I should let you know we don’t do any of those type holidays -no Mother’s Day, no Father’s Day, no Valentine’s Day – we both feel they are too commercial.) He patted the seat next to him on the couch and I sat to see what his find was.
It was a Kindle with a pink case. I looked at him and he laughed. No way would he want that, especially with a pink case. He had been talking to me about getting one but I kept saying I have an iPad. I could read my books and magazines on the bus in full color. But truth be told, I didn’t. The bus can be cramped, is always bumpy and after trying to use the iPad once or twice, it just didn’t seem to work. The Kindle would allow me to read on the bus.
Another cute story when it arrived (at least to us). I was in our community pool with our granddaughter, Clara. She asked what was in the box and Cal (Papa) said, Grammie’s Father’s Day gift. She looked at him, put her hand on her hip, tilted her head and declared – “Grammie’s don’t get Father’s Day gifts!” It was very cute. So, I opened it up and took over learning how to turn it on, use the dictionary (very easy), how to highlight, bookmark and load books. In less than an hour I was reading. It is sweet!
Personally, I really did think the iPad was great for reading books and magazines. Gorgeous color, I liked to flip the pages – I enjoyed the whole package. But it was awkward on the bus. This smaller package would work great. The only glitch we found is that our public library’s ebook system, Overdrive, doesn’t support the Kindle. The information page says it will later in 2011, but for now, I would have to purchase books or read public domain books. (I had already tried public domain books, but the titles really didn’t interest me. I enjoy non-fiction or historical fiction – books that read like non-fiction.)
So I purchased one book, Lance: the Making of the World’s Greatest Champion by John Wilcockson. (I highly recommend it – great insight into what makes Lance the athlete he is.) I have also downloaded several samples, which are just teasers – out of seven, only one would I consider not purchasing after reading two chapters in.
So, would I recommend the Kindle? Yes. Would I trade it for my iPad? No. I still love the color features of my iPad. It is perfect for my magazines, for my cookbooks that I purchases. It is also great as a recipe file. However, I love my Kindle also. it is perfect for the bus and to read books with no cover images inserted. I’ve done several plane rides and it is great to use when waiting for the plane or when flying. (Like other electronic devices, you do need to put it away at takeoff and landing.)
I don’t know how I ever lived with out both devices. I am lucky my husband lets me have my cake and eat it too. I have a great husband!
