October, 2008, I am watching a Tivo’d episode of Oprah and she seems very excited. She is talking about her favorite new gadget, Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
. I am intrigued by her excitement because I usually share her sentiments. She begins to discuss this nifty new toy with its creator, an Amazon employee. Well, soon enough, we find out that it is an electronic reader. She begins to detail all of its wondrous functions….”Oh, you can download books and magazines and even blogs. You can set up an account on Amazon and with a 1 button feature, you can pay for and zap all desired reading materials to Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
in seconds!” I have perked up and am intently taking it all in. You see, I am an avid reader. One of the folks that gets a little sad as I near the final chapters of a book. I LOVE books and all that they stand for. Anyhoo, I am watching and my interest is growing. By the end of the show, one thing is evident….I NEED Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
. And because Oprah is so benevolent, if you order one and type in OPRAH as the promotional code, $50 will be removed from the rather large price tag of $359. Hmmmmm, how to get it, how to get it….
Rewind a few days before the Oprah episode and my husband is asking what I want for my birthday, coming in November. I say that I have no idea but I’ll let him know. Well, AH HA! I have it now! I WANT THE KINDLE! I tell him and he immediately agrees (gotta love him). So, off I go to the Amazon website with his credit card. I am eagerly awaiting the delivery….Come on Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
, Come on Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
.
What’s that? A box on the porch? From Amazon? YIPPEE!!!!!!! I rip it open and undo the packaging and there it is in all of its literary glory….MY KINDLE. Want to hear something cool? When I turn it on, the screen says, “Nicole’s Kindle.” I am ALREADY in love. So, I am looking at all of the buttons and turning it over and checking it out. It is everything Oprah promised.
Now, it’s time to order a book. I go to Amazon.com and peruse Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
selections. I see one I like and just like Oprah said, the majority of the books (even those hard-backed suckers you’d pay $30 for) are $9.99 or less. I am giddy. I hit the button titled: “One touch ordering” and in seconds, the book’s title appears on the homepage of my Kindle. Oooh, I want to order more. So, I do.
And, I also order samples of books. You see, you can download the first chapter of any book offered in a Kindle edition, for absolutely free, so you can check it out before making the commitment. Love, love, love it.
So, my Kindle and I are together always. I download every one of my monthly book club books to my precious reader and I am loving my new friend. The pages turn by hitting a button on the side (left or right, there is a button on each side). You can mark a page or passage that you want to come back to. I downloaded a book that I have yet to read but it is called something like, “Kindle Secrets–all of the things your Kindle can do that you don’t know about.” The buzz is that you are able to surf the internet and other fun activities. Oh, and don’t let me forget, that there is a way that you can transfer a personal word document to the Kindle so that you could possibly carry around notes for school or work on your Kindle. The possibilities are endless!
Amazon has released a Kindle 2 and I hear it’s doing all kinds of great things for the same $359 price. So, check it out. If you LOVE to read, be sure to grab one or ask for it as a gift. You won’t be sorry!
A review by Amazon Kindle user Nicole Narvaez Manns.
