What can I say about Kindle?
"I am in love" That's what.
With all the e-readers out there, I chose the Kindle basic. I am a voracious reader. I also read a lot of different authors. I seriously thought of getting the Kindle Fire, but it really is more than I need.
Which is why I am writing this. I got the Kindle, with special offers and the Acase for about $90.00. Talk about a deal? WOW! Is all I can say. I have around fifty or so books stored on my Kindle but close to two hundred on my account. I also use the Kindle App both for my PC's and my Droid phone.
My husband Steve also got the Kindle, this is one thing he uses a lot. We take them with us when we go out, to the park, to eat, or just to the mall. The only problem I see, is getting the newer books I read onto the Kindle.
You will see, if you check the reviews in Amazon, a lot of people object to the price you pay for a digital book, usually the new ones from publishers like Penquin, Harper, Bantam and Roc; Just to name the ones we have bought. People tend to think that 5.99-14.99 is too much for a digital book. I think they are wrong. I think everyone has a right to their opinions, so I'll give you mine.
Our Borders store here (stating the obvious) closed. If I want a new, just released book, chances are I am going to have to order online or go to Ebay. So here is a bit of reference for you. I am going to use Jim Butcher's latest Harry Dresden book Ghost Story. Yes $14.99 is a lot for a digital book. It is however cheaper than the hardcover and if I wait till the paperback is released in August, 2012; it will probably come down to the same price, the others have. I guess it depends on my patience. I bought the digital of Changes for $14.99, read it on 3 computers and my Droid phone. Took it everywhere. As you can see, it is now the same price as the paperback, $9.99.
I read a lot of Clive Cussler, I love his books and think NUMA is a great organization.Clive's books are published by Bantam and I have not found a Kindle copy of even the oldest ones for less than $9.99. Will that stop me from buying them? No! Do I wish some of them, particularly the oldest ones were cheaper? Yes! The point being, the prices are set by the publisher and I doubt if Clive gets any more money regardless of how I get my fix.
Before someone tears me a new one by jumping up and down and screaming, "I can get that book (fill in any name here) on Amazon or Ebay for less than $5. Let me state this, "I support my authors. I am not all about a cheap read." Sure I know I can get almost any book cheaper by buying it used. I have done that, but there is a big difference between hauling a two pound book in my handbag and a less than half pound reader (with cover) that holds fifty books. Do I think selling a digital copy with no printing, paper, etc for the same price as a paperback wrong? Well I don't think it is quite fair, I think the author should still get same amount of money but at same time, am not sure if the publisher should when they are really not putting out the same amount of work. Then and again, what do I know? I am not a member of the publishing industry so I do not know how that goes. You can read a pretty compelling article on MSN Money that tries to tell you all about it. I am sure he is right. I am not however going to boycott publishers of my favorite authors. I do however think that if all the author is getting is 10% or so from the sales, I do NOT think they get any of that from used books and 10% is better than 0%. That being the opinion of someone who knows what is like to have 0 dollars.
Do I think the publishers are sticking it to Joe Public? I sure do. I am not sure though how to get this to change. As the MSN article said, it's all a money thing. If you follow the money, it's the publishing industry that is making the money, I am just not sure if it would be the authors or the consumers that would be the ones to get it changed, or both. Then and again, when did anyone in this country actually get together to change anything if it wasn't war or religion related? That too is just an opinion.
Just in case I haven't made my position crystal clear, I love e-readers. I am glad I finally got a Kindle, though I still use my computers and my Droid. I will continue to by my favorite authors books even if I have to pay a ridiculous price. I would pay it for a physical book anyway and digital is kinder on my old dreary bones