Last month I sold a little bit of my soul. I only went and bought a Kindle. You know, that e-reading device from wicked old Amazon. When I confessed announced it on Twitter I was braced for a bit of stick from my fellow writers. But then my first response was a cheerful thumbs-up from Erika Robuck, excellent blogger and author of Receive me Falling.
Phew, I thought. But I barely had a minute to bask in her warm approval before the other reactions came. First, from novelist, non-fiction writer and National Academy of Writing (NAW) Director, Richard Beard:
Ew! And a while later another writing chum and NAW graduate Rob Ronsson delivered the killer verdict.
Now I know you guys are only teasing but even so you got right to the heart of my conflict. But I was curious to see what the reading experience would be like and crucially whether I would want to be published on a Kindle. Call it market research.
First impressions (or What do you mean it’s not touch screen?)
When I first turned my Kindle on (after a quick battery charge) I did something that I reckon a lot of people will do. I poked and prodded the screen and then wailed, it’s not working! If, like me, you have a touchscreen phone or use Apple handheld devices then I bet your instinct will be the same. But no, there’s a Qwerty keyboard and various menu buttons to navigate around your Kindle. Even though the device is slim and lightweight, there’s a certain clunkiness about it — you have to give those buttons a firm press, for example. Overall though I rather like its lack of whizz factor. (Not least because it means my kids aren’t forever begging to have a go on it. They think it’s really uncool and can’t wait for mum to hurry up and buy an iPad.) In fact the design and feel of the Kindle reminds me of one of my other favourite gadgets, the NEO (which I rave about in this blog post).
So, what’s it like reading from the Kindle screen? Surprisingly pleasant. The display is sharp and free from the glare you often get on computer screens and some electronic devices. The Kindle uses something called electronic ink. The greatest bonus as a reader is that you can adjust the size of the font (and also choose from the standard range of fonts). You can make your ebook go large in an instant – no fuss.
What can you read on it?
Books from the Kindle Store, obviously. As you’d expect from Amazon the process of buying ebooks on the Kindle is (too) easy and seamless. It’s quite nice to have limited choice at the moment, although their catalogue is expanding exponentially. I can tell you that in just six weeks of owning a Kindle my first thought when buying a new book is, ‘I hope there’s a Kindle edition’ and I’m a little disappointed if there isn’t. Writers, take note. I’ve become addicted to that have-it-now convenience of buying my books. (Told you I’d sold my soul but I’m working on a suitable form of penance.)
Aside from books you can get some newspapers and magazines on the Kindle. Hmm, not sure. I prefer a printed daily paper (The Guardian, as if you couldn’t guess). Ditto magazines, but who knows – never say never.
By the way, I should point out you don’t have to have a Kindle device to shop in the Kindle store. You can download free Kindle reading apps on a range of web-enabled devices: iPads, iPhones, Windows phones, Android phones, BlackBerrys or Windows or Mac computers. If you’re interested in reading habits then have a look at this Wired article on popular ways to read an ebook.
What I’ve learned in the six weeks of owning a Kindle is that it’s a device for readers. Serious book consumers will appreciate a distraction-free reading experience. No web surfing (apart from the Kindle Store – see above) or social networking, just reading.
The question is, is it good for writers? I think it can be if the whole mess of ebook pricing is sorted out. Despite my love hate relationship with Amazon I will definitely publish on a Kindle.
Over to you. Are you a Kindle user? As a reader, what do you like and dislike? Do you read Kindle books on some other device? As a writer, would you like to publish or be published on a Kindle? All comments welcome.
Fiona Joseph
14 Comments
E-books are very useful in academic work, particularly for searching and note taking. Normally I use a codex copy alongside the electronic version because you notice different things when the material features change.
So far I haven’t made the switch in my personal reading. I think I probably will get a Kindle eventually (the iPad doesn’t appeal to me after the neverending glitchiness of my iPod Touch). But I’m interested to see how the offer, as well as the technology, develops. Proprietary formats really put me off.
Mmmm. Interesting post Fiona.
I haven’t gone there yet. Though I have a kindle app on my computer which is useful now and then for free odd (strange) things.
It just seems so limited. And yet not limited enough. I am very particular about formatting. The appearance of the page is really important – so the idea that readers can just weigh in and change the appearance of the page – well it’s annoying. It would be less annoying if it were truly interactive as publications on the iPad are, but it falls between two stools. (I can see your kids’ objection.)
I wonder if it will got he way of the palm-top.
However, these are small points. My big objection is that your power as a reader/ consumer is controlled by Amazon. Isn’t that weird? It is very concerning for all writers. I am also waiting to see how that develops. I have no objection to e-readers or e-pub – in fact I am very excited about the possibilities (viz David Eagleton’s new iPad-only e-book) but this device seems to fall between those stools. I am still waiting for The Device. (…oh and The Dosh.)
Not for me (right now) but I can see the convenience for many. I suppose I want interactive, maxi-platform bells and whistles – *or* foxed pages and dust.
There are a LOT of free books though aren’t there? I have dozens on my phone & I have heard there are HEAPS on the kindle. You can probably read Moby Dick in 17 languages for no money.
Even as an Apple devotee I am seriously thinking of investing in a Kindle. I use the Kindle app on the iPad and iPhone much more than I use iBooks or any other ebook app. I’ve gradually come to the conclusion that a distraction free reading experience is the way forward! Or maybe I just want yet another gadget? Also, the Kindle bridges the gap between Apple’s iOs devices which makes it is more portable and a much more attractive option for reading on buses/trains.
I speak as an ‘early-adopter’ – a sucker for new technology. But Kindle and other e-books just seem plain wrong. I confess there is no logic.
Your blog is very persuasive and I’m sure Kindle is a very handsome piece of kit. But my emotional attachment to books is too strong.
I’ve tried really hard to think of when only a book will do. Most people mention the bath but have you tried to read a book after you’ve dropped it in water?
No, there is only one occasion when your Kindle gives way to my primitive paperback that I can see: when you’re told to turn off all electronic devices for take-off or landing, I can settle even more comfortably into the world of my real book.
I was very interested to see the mixed reviews. I admit, I do feel a little like I’m doing something wrong when I buy a Kindle book, but I ease my conscience by buying physical books, too. I have to limit myself to only buying a book on Kindle I will read immediately because it’s too easy to click, buy, and store.
Here’s what I’ve found: 1) I read more and buy more books. I buy books I wouldn’t have bought before because the lower price makes me more apt to try something new. 2) When I recommend a book to a friend with a Kindle or other ereader, they have to go buy it too. I can’t lend them my Kindle. Because of this, I feel that it might not be such a bad thing for writers. Less book lending. More buying. 3) I love traveling with the Kindle. I like how lightweight it is for reading in bed, or the way it stays flat if I read while I eat. I even have a waterproof case I bought (through M-Edge Accessories) so I can take it on the beach!
But…
I love paper books and will never stop buying them. I love the feel, smell, and interaction. I’m a page marker/dog-ear-er and miss that when I read an ebook. Even with the “Notes” feature, it’s just not the same.
The bottom line, in my opinion, is that there’s room at the table for both Kindle and physical books, even within the same house.
Thanks for the mention in the post! Happy Reading!
Wonderfully eloquent comments from everyone – thanks for contributing to the discussion. It’ll be so interesting to see what developments come in 2011 particularly about the printed book vs. Kindle ebooks vs. book apps for iPad. I’ve found the Kindle reading experience is closer to the printed book than the more interactive, bells-and-whistles apps for the iPad. I have some reservations about those but hey we have different devices and reading experiences to cater for every taste… And that’s definitely worth celebrating. Here’s to reading!
Fiona
Hi Fiona
I asked for, and got, a Kindle for Christmas. I am enjoying it, so far. I like the slightly retro feel of the technology – I appreciate the lack of bells and whistles (as per the iPad) which make for simple focussed reading as opposed to being diverted by other stuff. I wonder how much the iPad will water down people’s ability to concentrate on the written word…but thats another issue. The Kindle will not do that – and its lovely to see how many are being sold –
I have downloaded several poetry collections, a few short story collections, some flash work, and a novel or two. I love the way it saves your page, so when you open the novel next time it opens where you left off, and no turning down the page corners!
I thought I’d find this a difficult thing to do. I’m the daughter of a librarian, and my house both as a child and now, is and always has been full of books. The Kindle is just another ‘book’, eminently easy to carry around. Its got a natty red cover with a light – love that! But having said all that, I doubt very very much if owning a Kindle will stop me buying paper books. I love them too much as objects.
As a writer, I really don’t mind how I’m read. I’m just delighted a reader gifts me their time.
Hi Vanessa, it’s good to hear about your Kindle experience. It certainly is a very book-like device in lots of ways. (Like you I love the fact that it remembers the page you were on – such a simple yet elegant feature!)
“As a writer, I really don’t mind how I’m read. I’m just delighted a reader gifts me their time.” That’s a very quotable quote, Vanessa!
Fiona
Fiona! To prove I’m not a complete Luddite I’ve posted my own brief thoughts on Kindle at http://www.richardbeard.info. However, I feel I ought to defend the honour of bookmarks – a ‘simple and elegant feature of remembering the page you were on’, but more importantly, a manageable present for generations of desperate children with no idea what Dad wants from life. Better than a tie, anyway.
Ha, I can’t wait to read your thoughts on the Kindle. I’ll be over to your blog in a bit.
But yes bookmarks are sweet and lovely things, although (like gloves) I always seem to lose mine.
Fiona
Hey Fiona, happy new year!
I like paper books, with lovely covers and nice thick paper. You can write your name inside the cover, or an inscription to a friend, or notes in the margins. I like bookshops and going to a friend’s house and browsing the shelves. I love everything about paper books, and whilst I can see the advantages of Kindles/e-readers – especially for travelling – I just find them so unromantic. People write whole novels about books, secrets are kept in books, love affairs are conducted by passing notes hidden in slipcovers… I hate it that this is all becoming ‘old fashioned’.
Hi Fiona,
I have recently become turned on to Kindle, though I can’t afford a real one, and use the free software on my laptop instead. But that’s fine. The screen is bigger and I like the way I can enlarge the font, which I find increasingly useful these days! The highlight and notation facilities are ok, and it is easy to skip around the text once you’ve bookmarked the chapters or other bits you want to mark.
For fairly obvious reasons you can’t cut and paste bits or transfer notes to Word, which is a pity if you want to work with the texts at all. But then you can’t do that from books – it just feels to me as if I ought to be able to do so, it all being on screen. I haven’t found a satisfactory replacement for art books, with their big colour plates
There are lots of kindle books that are free or else very cheap. Everything Dickens wrote for a few pence anyone? The cheap stuff tends to be classics, and the range that is available is increasing rapidly. I downloaded Hydrotaphia by Thomas Browne for nothing and Dante’s Inferno for a quid or so – though admitedly not the latest translation. I might not have read those had I not had the kindle gear. Thoreau’s Walden is waiting in the wings alongside the complete Shakespeare including all the apocryphal plays. Together they cost about the price of a pint. And last a bit longer (though admitedly you can’t chat over one).
Kindle has opened up new reading opportunities for me, and for that I’m grateful.
Hi Georgina, I do share your feelings about the romance of real books and love nosing around other people’s bookshelves too. I don’t think we’ll ever lose the printed book, although they might eventually become the preserve of specialist bookshops and be sold as limited or ‘souvenir’ editions — perfect gifts for lovers and friends.
Nick, thanks for dropping by. (Your comment prompted me to download the Kindle for Mac app and it’s great. Love it.) On price however…. I wonder if I’m the only person who actually wants to pay MORE when I buy a Kindle book. I do take issue with Amazon’s determination to drive e-book prices downwards. Interesting times!
Fiona