A few metaphors to make sense of my current situation:
I am...
-The movie snob who takes secret delight in Transformers 3
-The union soldier who names his son Robert Lee
-The football jock who misses practice to watch Oprah
-The "go-local" enthusiast who secretly buys Starbucks
In short, I...
I...
I'm considering buying a Kindle.
There. I said it.
You don't know how hard of a confession this is. I have raved against the perils of e-reader technology, that oil-powered bulldozer ravaging the luscious, unspoilt vineyards of my youth. I saw a Kindle sitting sleek and savvy on a desk, and my mind filled with the flames that burned down the library at Alexandria.
But I've had a change of heart. ("Yes," my literary conscience berates, "you've traded your heart for a contraption made of steel, powered by Jane Austen's tears! You crooked son of a-" But I digress.) The first temptation came when I found out that, with the Kindle, most classics are free. In the beginning I steeled myself against this Siren, but later as I was perusing some classics at Borders ("Behold, the saintly colossus, technology's sword still protruding from its parchment skin! Fiends! You would partner with these mother-" My literary conscience again. What a mouth on that thing!)
Anyway, I was at Borders, when I saw some classics I desperately wanted to read but could not afford. And I suddenly realized that my refusal to buy a Kindle had hampered my access to quality literature.
The second surprise came today I was reading a book by a respected Wheaton professor, Dr. Alan Jacobs. Out of nowhere, he suddenly begins lauding the Kindle, which somehow rescued his anemic literary soul from its torpor.
So it seems that the Kindle can in fact be an aid to those of the literary breed. An inexpensive one, at that. ("For sixty-nine dollars, you would betray me, dear Josh?")
But there are further moral dilemmas involved, not least of which was a vow I distinctly remember making six years ago: "I will NEVER buy a Kindle!" If you have read Ecclesiastes, you know the penalty of rash vows. "Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake." How much worse a premeditated vow, as this one was?
Quite the dilemma. I need a little help from commentors (all two of you). If you have any insight to give, please do!
You know what's even cheaper than a Kindle?
ReplyDeletehttp://educhoices.org/articles/Online_Libraries_-_25_Places_to_Read_Free_Books_Online.html
Anyway, I can relate to your dilemma. About a Kindle (my sister works for Barnes and Noble, so I'd have to get a Nook if I even want an e-reader, which I don't think I do because of obvious reasons you seem to already get) and about Twitter and Google+. Normally I wouldn't even be that tempted by those last two, but you don't understand-- I don't get Facebook here! There have been so many one-liners I just wanted to throw into the world but I have no outlet!
I have complained at length about Twitter, but I mean, it's like Facebook with only status updates, and status updates is one of the best parts anyway, and as of late has been the exact part I miss the most. Minus knowing which pictures of me people are commenting on, because I can see the comment but not the photo, and it's weird.
Good luck making your choice, my friend.
Also, this is Karin.
Well, I have no e-reader of any sort (though I'm a bit suspicious of them, mostly because you can't crack an e-reader open and stick your nose against it and breathe in wonderful book-smells like you can with real print and paper). But methinks buying a Kindle wouldn't have to mean a 180 degree turn to the dark side. You could consider it an addition to your real, nice-smelling books, and if it didn't serve its intended purpose, you could sell it or give it away and buy a large cup of delicious coffee to placate your literary conscience.
ReplyDeleteBuy it!
ReplyDeleteDM
Buy it. Try it. I will tell you that I've tried to do some reading on my iPad and it's fun and convenient at times, however it will never be a permanent replacement. I just love the feel of real paper pages too much.
ReplyDeleteI just found out that you can now check out library books with a Kindle! That was the one thing I was jealous about with Kev's e-reader. And now we are on an even playing field.
ReplyDeleteI think you should do it. It's obviously not going to replace you're awesome book collection. =D
I say "go for it"! My nurse mentioned that as a book reviewer you should be able to have the manuscripts sent to your kindle instead and can then use it as a write off come tax season! Interesting thought. And....Christmas time is just around the corner..... ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, well. I think I am going to ask for a Kindle for Christmas. Then I put the dilemma in others' hands (much the same as I did by writing this blog entry), while keeping my vow of never buying a Kindle. I think God will appreciate how clever my loophole is and decide to forgo punishment. Just kidding...
ReplyDeleteKarin: I understand completely. I would be hesitant with twitter if it weren't you. But since I know that you appreciate others' words as much as your own (often writing them down even) I think you avoid the greatest Twitter dangers. (And thank God you put your name at the end of your post, or I would have been confused)
Becca: Agreed. The smell is a huuuge consideration. I think your judgment is correct.
Too late to post a real comment, but post one anyway I will.
ReplyDeleteI think Kindles are the literary equivalent of TV dinners. Not good exclusively, but as occasional, convenient, non-fussy sustenance? Okay. I hope you receive it. (Specifically from someone with an ironic gleam in their eye. Probably Anna.)