Up until recently I thought I wouldn't like the Kindle. The main reason is that I don't like to spend money on books. Almost everything I read is from the library. The other reason is that I like to be able to lend books that I've enjoyed to friends. But, it turns out that both of these are non-issues. I'll explain.
Here's a few reasons why I love the Kindle:
- I read more often now. The Kindle is so small and lightweight that I always have it with me, just in case I get a free second to read!
- I think I also read more because when I'm done with a book, I can instantaneously start another one. No more waiting on a book to come in the mail or waiting until I get a chance to go by the library.
- I haven't experienced this one yet, but I'm looking forward to it next week: easier travel! I usually load down my suitcase with my Bible, my devotional book, and a few books. Now, I will only have my Kindle, which weighs about the same as my phone! I downloaded the ESV Bible for free (and I can easily highlight while reading it), and I have every other book I could ever want on it!
- I don't like book "clutter." We read a lot of books, and sometimes I feel like they are taking over our house. I understand "building a library," but I really only want to keep around books that I fully intend to read again and/or loan out again and again. Otherwise, what's the point? And when you move a lot like we do (4 homes in 7 years) lugging all of your boxes of books with you each time is no fun!
- And the best part: you can EASILY read most any book you could want for free! You can also loan them out and borrow them from others! I'll explain below.
- Did you know that Amazon has a list of thousands of books (including best sellers and new releases) that Prime members can read for free? You can only browse their Lending Library through your Kindle (not from Amazon's website). You can borrow 1 book a month and you can keep it as long as you like!
- You can borrow books from your library on your Kindle! This is a no-brainer. It takes virtually no effort - you can look up any book you want in their database on your computer (almost everything I've looked up so far has been available!) and download it to your Kindle within seconds. So easy! My library lets you borrow up to 5 at a time.
- You can loan books that you like to your friends! Here is how to do it. You can loan them out for 2 weeks, and then they will automatically be returned to you. While they are loaned out you won't have access to them, just like you wouldn't with regular books.
- My new favorite website: Lendle! It works similarly to loaning and borrowing books with your friends except that you can do it with people you don't know. The database is huge with over 16k books currently available (I found a long list of books I've been wanting to read available for me to borrow immediately!) I can also loan out books I own. And you don't have to have a Kindle - the Kindle app on any other device will work fine. You also earn money for each book you loan, and after you have earned $10 they'll give you a $10 Amazon gift card (to buy more books!). The more I learn about this business, the more I like it - such a great idea!
- You can read any classic for free right from Amazon! Here is a link.
- Although not free, Amazon marks down one book a day to only .99! You can subscribe to their email so you are notified each day what the Kindle Daily Deal is.
- I find out about free or seriously cheap Christian books all the time (Tim Challies always seems to be the first to know about deals). You can currently download Randy Alcorn's Money, Possessions and Eternity for free (which I HIGHLY recommend!), and RC Sproul's The Holiness of God for free also. I've also downloaded What Did you Expect by Paul Tripp, Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp, and Rescuing Ambition by Dave Harvey...all for under $2 each!
*If you decide to use Lendle (it's free), use referral code B1OAYGMG when you sign up...I'll get to borrow 2 extra books:)
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7 comments:
Miller, you always post the most helpful info! I'm excited about Lendler. But of course, I just wasted one of my borrows by accidentally clicking on some scary vampire book. haha It's nice and warm (and rainy) down here in GA. Come on down. Congrats on the baby girl news!
Tiffany, I accidentally wasted one of my borrows too when I signed up! We are coming to GA tomorrow - I can't wait!
Miller,
I'm going to sign up for Linder. I just got the Kindle FIre for my bday and I love it!! I had the first kindle but sold it on craigslist b/c I wanted to the fire. LEt us know if you make it to ATL.
I've had a Kindle for several years now and LOVE it (I upgraded when Joe was born, but already want the new Kindle touch, ha ha)!
I haven't heard about Lendle - will have to check it out! I'm guessing you already know about the Kindle Limited Time Promotional offers (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A2279458011&page=1) and the Kindle 4-for-3 book store (http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Book-Sale/b/ref=pe_113640_20579110_amb_link_353990842_1?ie=UTF8&node=220084011). The Promotional Offers have a lot of junk in there (read: a lot of Harlequin and risque-type reading) that I just pass over, but they also list Christian books, too and cookbooks!
Just signed up for Lendle and used your referral code - thank you!
I just signed up for Lendle using your code! Exciting stuff!
Another reason to love the Kindle...the integrated dictionary...no more "I'm pretty sure I know what this word means from context clues so I won't bother to go look up its precise definition." =) Another site you might want to subscribe to in an RSS reader is Books on the Knob: http://blog.booksontheknob.org/ They list free and cheap books, some of which are only free for a day or a couple hours! One word of caution: They highlight ALL KINDS of books...from Christian books to books you would not want to be caught dead reading. ;) Just be aware to not open the site when little eyes might be looking. =)
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