My Kindle Died!!!

Okay – maybe not dead, but for thirty minutes it did not work at all. I’ve been judging my RITA entries so I’ve gone back to reading actual books in paper form and in the three weeks of not charging my Kindle it lost all power. So when I went to pick it up last night and it wouldn’t turn on I let out a cry of despair.

Which makes me realize how much my reading experience has changed. I know some people will say they will always want to read paper books. I know some people will say that they enjoy the feel of the book in their hand. That it’s just not the same on an eReader. And I hear all of you. I thought I was one of you.

Until I became… a Kindle junkie.

Having to read actual physical books again was not fun and in many cases even though I had been given a free book to read I considered putting the money out to download them. Maybe that’s something RWA can consider - having authors provide Amazon/B&N gift cards for the price of the book rather than the book itself. Although I’m sure logistically that would be a nightmare, but you know where I’m going. Some “e” alternative.

All I know is that I hate opening a book to a page and not having it stay where I want it. I hate needing two hands to read a book. I hate stiff trade books that don’t easily fit into my purse. I hate not having my convenient light on my reader case to illuminate the page when I need it. I hate not having the anonymity of people not knowing what I'm reading.

I eat out a lot at restaurants and like to read at the bar as I’m eating my meal. (A Kindle you can rest against a water glass and still read while using two hands to cut your food – genius.) Since my Kindle I could be reading anything and no one can tell. Not that I ever back away from being a hardcore romance reader, but there have been plenty of times when someone (usually a gentleman) will remark that I’m reading, (some see this as highly unusual - not sure why), ask what it is, and then go on about how silly or ridiculous romance novels are. It usually gets awkward when I tell them I write them as well.

Guys, I just want to eat and read my book. I don’t need commentary on my reading choice. Then wouldn't you know it, in my packet of Rita books there was a cover that was… shall we say… racier than most. Now normally I really don’t care, but I realized since having my Kindle how nice it was not worry if people were checking to see what I was reading and not having to hear anything from the peanut gallery.

So that’s it. I’m here to confess it. I no longer care for books. That hurts me just writing that sentence but it's true. I only want my Kindle… fully charged.