Portable eBook Reader – Does The Kindle Measure Up?

I happened to be watching the Oprah Winfrey show last October when she was enthusiastically introducing her audience to the Amazon Kindle.  Her guest that day was Jeff Bezos, Founder & CEO of Amazon and they both explained the features of the Kindle.  I was so impressed with this portable eBook reader and its ability to make reading so enjoyable and convenient no matter where you are.

My husband, George, is an avid reader and I thought he would really enjoy receiving a Kindle.  It then became my choice of a Christmas gift for him.  I ordered the Kindle immediately after the show and was so glad I did because in no time Amazon was running out of stock.

There was such a demand for the Kindle.

It was so simple and convenient to order.  I just clicked onto Amazon.com and placed my order.  I couldn’t wait to give George his Christmas gift.  I really felt it was one of the best gifts I could give him.  He has agreed to add his comments on how he feels about the Kindle.

George’s comments:

My first reaction to the Kindle Christmas gift was one of reluctant glee.  Was this going to be another technical device in which I needed an advisor from Mumbai to assist me to interpret pages of instructions written by a 20 year old techie, who never got passed high school English?  With much trepidation I opened the box (only took about 20 minutes) to view this weird looking device that reminded me of the Etch-a-Sketch I bought for the kids many moons ago.

But lo and behold via the miracle of wireless technology, I was able to purchase a new book from Amazon and it arrived on my Kindle within 15 seconds at a discounted price to beat, without the infamous “handling fees”.  I can flip through the pages with finger-tip control with either hand, take notes, make a bookmark, get word definitions from a built-in dictionary that I choose, and play music at the same time I read.  All this with no frantic calls to tech support!

portable ebook reader

No more cumbersome books in my attaché case, or hundreds piling up on shelves or in the closets.  I can store as many books as are in the NY Public Library in this little Etch-a-Sketch device and double spacing to boot (for you senior types). As you can see the illustration shows the size of the Kindle compared to a typical 600 page book and I have already stored 4 books of comparable size in my Kindle.

Amazon provides several very useful accessories for the Kindle, for example, an attractive protective cover which permits better grip and has attachments for a night light, writing pad, pen and business card holders.  I ordered the light for late night bedside reading or for a darkened airplane flight.  You can find more details about these accessories on Kindle: Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device.  Also, you get periodic updates from Amazon on new books available on the Kindle as well as older books that become available, along with the typical Amazon reviews.  Another feature is daily newspaper subscriptions for major papers in most cities of the U.S. and a selection of magazines as well.

Be advised that there is a waiting period of 5-7 weeks to get your Kindle due to the heavy demand.  Now you can take your entire library wherever you go, check old books you read, go to your clip notes, find quotes or information you want to use in business presentations or meetings.  Fantastic!

You can access all the information you need to purchase books, a guide to use your Kindle, and get technical support on your Kindle as well as going to your computer.  Just click on to www.amazon.com/manageyourkindle and get all the help and information you need.  Can’t beat the service.

Thank you, thank you, Mary, for your insight and always being ahead of the curve.  Not bad for a cutie that can cook and has a blog so I can tell her how much I love her”.

8 Responses to “Portable eBook Reader – Does The Kindle Measure Up?”

  1. Alan Bachers says:

    The entire Kindle inventory at Amazon was wiped out by one mention by Oprah that it was on her list of most interesting Christmas gifts. Now they’re having a tough time getting caught up. this sounds like a wonderful gizmo, and for a book-a-holic like myself, there will surely be one in my future.

  2. Robin Shaw says:

    I have never heard of the kindle before but, after reading this I believe it is something I too would enjoy having. I love my books!!

  3. Mary says:

    @Robin,@Alan

    George enjoys the Kindle so much and has read several books in a short time since it is so easy to read on the Kindle. I have therefore ordered my own Kindle and because of the demand I am on a waiting list.

  4. I was very exited about Kindle long before I bought it and when I ordered it, I was afraid it will fall below my expecations upon receiving it…wow, no….it is really an amazing piece. I am a book and PC addict and Kindle combined both for me…very pleasant experience…

  5. Mary says:

    Hi James:

    Thanks for your comment and I am so happy to know you are enjoying your Kindle. I have always been a book addict and I find I am reading even more books since I have a Kindle. Happy Reads to You!

  6. I really am enjoying your weblog I observed it via google yesterday.

  7. […] food, family, friends and life. Read the full story about how she surprised her husband with an Amazon Kindle Portable eBook Reader at her blog […]

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