To Kindle or not?

Yesterday I posted an innocent question on my Facebook Wall: "I'm starting to think seriously about getting a Kindle. Anyone want to convince me (or dissuade me)?" This post drew more feedback than any single status update I've ever made on FB. First off, to those who responded - thanks very much for the feedback, I really appreciate it! 


The feedback could be grouped in three rough categories:

1. Buy one - they're great!
2. Buy an iPad!
3. Oh my god, another useless electronic toy - paper books are so nice!

(I'm simplifying here, and I don't want to disparage anyone's response!)

I can deal with group 2 (the iPad group) fairly easily. I'm not seriously considering getting an iPad right now for a variety of reasons:

1. It's too expensive
2. I already have an iPod Touch, buying an iPad would remove a large part of its justification for existence (though I couldn't imagine using an iPad as a music player while jogging).
3. It's too expensive

Note that I'm not even considering the merits of the iPad as an eBook reader compared to a Kindle (or other eBook readers). The iPad is just out for me. Sorry, rabid Apple fans!

Group 1 also includes those using other eBook devices, such as Sony's. I hadn't really seriously considered other devices since I'm such a devoted Amazon customer, but maybe I should.

I have a number of reasons for finally considering buying one of these things and leaving Group 3, where I was happily domiciled until now. First, let me say, I love paper (aka "real") books. I have many, many of them. There are always several stacked on my nightstand. I usually bring a couple with me on any vacation. Some of them have been my friends since my childhood. They are precious.

But the "many, many" aspect is a problem. I'm an apartment dweller, and will likely be one until my warranty expires. I hate throwing books away, even books I know I'll never read again. My dream has always been to have a room (a large room) with books on all four walls, ceiling to floor. This dream is not likely to be realized though. So I'm forced to prune my book collection at least once a year. It hurts.

The books I usually buy fall into a few general categories. A big category is "the classics". This is probably about a third of my current book population, and I never throw them away. Dickens, Hugo, Shakespeare, Austen, Trollope, Gaskell - these are books I read many times. I've already read Les Misérables three times (sorry to brag, just had to work that in, hélas!). Another big category is history. I never throw these away, either. I don't know if I think the Battle of Gettysburg might turn out differently the next time I read about it, or if Nixon might drop the Watergate cover up the next time. I could imagine reading these electronically, though. Another big category is contemporary politics and other current events books. I rarely read these things more than once, but since I read them when they're new, they're usually in the form of bulky, expensive hardcover books. I see a strong advantage in only buying them electronically.

I have some experience with reading books electronically already - I have the Kindle application on my Android phone and on my iPod. The Android app is quite handy - at the moment I'm reading Trollope's Barchester Towers on it. I always have my phone with me, so if I find myself in the subway for 10 minutes without anything to read I can join Septimus Harding and Dr. Grantly for a time. It drains the battery pretty fast though, and the screen is smallish.

Some of the interesting thoughts in this thread on my Facebook Wall (I hope no one minds that I quote them, but I won't use any names here):

• "If you're on the beach and a wave washes across your paperback, you put it on a bench to dry and it's fine. If you misplace a paperback on a train in Central Eastern Europe it's not a big deal. If you want to carry on a running dialogue with your book, you underline, write in the margins and bend pages."

 This is a pretty standard argument - I've never had a wave wash across my paperback, or misplaced a paperback on a train (or anywhere else). And I'm not a big underliner or page-bender. Even if I were, I understand I can do something like that with most eBooks.

• "I think the concept is sound. But it might be better to go with whoever might ultimately have access to the best library. You'd want to be able to transfer content to future devices. Can a Kindle file be moved to an ipad or vice-versa?"

A good point. I think the Kindle uses a proprietary format, which might be a reason to consider other devices (if they're available in Germany). Of course, the Kindle's format might become the standard format...

• "One of the things I am curious about is how the "digital rights management" stuff works with electronic books. For instance, if I buy a good old fashioned book, I can lend it to you. I know I can't copy it, but I can let someone else use it. Can you do that with an electronic book? By the way, I do not think I ever returned the copy of Jack Nicklaus's Golf my Way you lent me in 1976."

Gee, I'd forgotten about the Jack Nicklaus book (thought I think that was a joke)! An interesting point with DRM and eBooks. But it's not a real frequent use case for me.

• "We've been having the same discussion in our house. I'm curious about what happens when you travel with a Kindle or iPad overseas - either stateside or in Europe. With the Kindle there may be extra charges on downloads if you're roaming, even using the wifi connection."

WiFi never carries roaming charges (as long as the WiFi itself is free). The 3G connection would of course incur extra charges, but I suspect it simply doesn't work in countries other than the one you bought the Kindle for. If I buy a Kindle for Germany, 3G usage is free in Germany but probably not in Italy. Means I have to download my books before I go on vacation.

• "Some think e-books are crass. But there's reason to think they're more enlightened than heirloom leatherbounds. Better use of resources, especially space ... and unostentatious. Also more mentally-stimulating, if they increase the total amount of worthwhile reading."

They're unlikely to increase the amount of my reading, but I like the idea of using fewer resources (especially space). Heirloom leatherbouonds feel pretty cool, though (don't have any of those).

• "We don't need a larger amount of worthwhile reading: we need more CAREFUL reading of ESSENTIAL stuff. Techne reigns. Read Heidegger. Read Nieztche on aphoristic reading. You're in Germany for gawd's sake. Just sayin'. (Think of Tommy Howells!)"

(Tommy Howells was a legendary Whitman English professor, for those not in the know). I agree with careful reading of essential stuff. But just as you can enjoy a well-cooked gourmet Italian meal and yet eat a bag of Cheetos, reading has its fast food as well, and I think it's completely justified. Haven't got around to reading Heidegger or Nietzsche yet, don't know if I will (I do need and want to get around to reading Thomas Mann though).

My conclusion: none yet, I'm going to explore the alternatives available Germany. Being able to download books over 3G is not really a killer feature for me, since WiFi is generally available. There's little German content available now on any platform. I'm not going to buy an iPad in the near future. I'll let you all know if I buy one!