Kindle Followup

When I purchased my Kindle, I wrote up an analysis of the popular e-reader. That was on April 16, the day after the income tax deadline here in the States. I think it's time for a followup report.

Books Purchased

I just received my credit card statement and am aghast at how much I've spent on books last month. My purchases include Kindle editions of course, but I've also spent more on audio books and print books than I normally spend. In fact, I've bought twice as many books as I usually do - and that's saying something!

I find I can read so much more with the Kindle because I carry it in my purse and can take advantage of those odd moments of time that I find myself idling through. Sure, it's great in doctors' reception rooms, but it's also just as handy when standing in line at the time dilation field aka post office or in line to get a refund at Target or Walmart.

Best Use So Far

I wrote before about how convenient it was when reading in bed. I've also found it indispensable when I've been at our weekend house in the Texas Hill Country. No Internet. No TV service. No newspaper. Just golf, fishing, music, wildflowers, and a back porch to watch the wildlife. That's all great, but I miss my newspaper.

With the Kindle, I've subscribed to the Houston Chronicle. No, it's not as good as the print copy (which is saying something considering how small and insignificant the print edition has become the last two years), but it gives me the national, state, and local headline news, the sports, and a bit of the so-called entertainment pages.

Subscription Bargains

I've also subscribed to Reader's Digest and a couple of other newspapers from other geographic areas. Best of all, when you subscribe to a periodical or a blog (both mine are Kindle editions now), you get it free for 14 days. You can cancel in that time if you don't think it's worth the small monthly fee, and you're not billed anything.

Takeaway Truth

A Kindle makes it easier to read more and read more often. If you're a book lover, this is just another way to read.