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The Kindle - is it for you?

By Debbie Walsh

Real Estate Agent with SHAHAR Management

January 21, 2010 10:28 AM

I recently got a Kindle as a gift, and as someone who never goes anywhere without ereader a book, I absolutely love it! For those who aren't too familiar with them they are 1/3 of an inch and weigh 10 ounces. They can hold up to 1500 books at any one time and receive them wirelessly in approximately 60 seconds. You have the option of turning the wireless off and on so it doesn't drain your battery. By keeping the wireless off you can read up to a week on one battery charge. How amazing is that? Perfect for someone who likes to go camping or boating or somewhere where you might not have access to electricity on a day to day basis.

books One of the best features is you can sample a book before you buy it. If you see a book you think you might want you can get a few chapters for FREE, yes for FREE and after you read them if you decide the book is not for you there is no obligation to purchase the book. If you do like it you just make the purchase. The average book cost or should I say the average maximum cost is $9.99. There are a few here and there that are $14.99 but most are $9.99 and many that are much lower and ALL OF THE CLASSICS ARE FREE. There is even a list updated daily that has many free books on it.

You may also receive magazines, newspapers and blogs via your kindle. I have actually learned quite a bit since getting my Kindle but I am barely scratching the surface so far. As I find more and more out I will try and update with a blog post.

What I like most is the Kindle is smaller and lighter than your average paperback. When I used to head off to a Dr. appointment I would grab my current paperback and read while I waited. Now I grab my Kindle and when I sit to wait and read-I have the choice of many different books to read rather than just the paperback that I brought, like before. There are so many reasons to invest in a Kindle and so many reasons you will love it.

Here are two sites to find free books:

Kindle Best Seller List-Updated Hourly - This list contains many free books as well
Free Kindle Books

When looking at a book list sort the list (on the right side on Amazon) from low to high and that will show you the books that are free.

If you are an avid reader or even a part time reader this might be the new gadget for you!

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Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Debra, I thought I'd give my two cents. I will never buy one of these. I am one of those people who love the touch and feel of a book and like to keep them. But I do think this is an amazing gadget especially for those who are avid readers. I buy my books at Costco where they are almost 50% less expensive.

Jan 21, 2010 11:45 AM

Sallie Williams

Keller Williams Realty RED STICK PARTNERS - Baton Rouge, LA

REALTOR - MBA, Baton Rouge

Debra, I have always enjoyed keeping my books, too. Now I have huge collections of books on real estate, investing, health, etc. etc. My husband is now retired, and he is creating his own collection of WWII books. My adult daughter lives at home and her collection is taking over her bedroom and the dining room. Yesterday I took bags of books to Friends of the Library. I just don't have room for any more books!!

Jan 21, 2010 11:49 AM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Debra, The Kindle really does sound like a nifty gadget. So far, I am still stuck with "books' but I love to read. I can imagine I would read even more with a Kindle!

Jan 21, 2010 12:38 PM

Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528

Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY

Real Estate Salesperson

Debra - hope you're enjoying your kindle. It sounds like a great gadget to have, but I too am one of those that like the feel of a book in my hands and the kindle couldn't substitute for that. I can see enjoying it when traveling or on vacation - to save lugging along a library with you and I imagine that for students and for research it must be grand. Can you also take notes on it?

Jan 21, 2010 01:09 PM

Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer

Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

It's going to be a sad day when newspapers, magazines, and books are only available electronically. I'm going to miss the feel of paper in my hand.

I get nice discounts on books and magazines, so I'm not going to go electronic until publishers quit publishing the real thing and force me to go electronic. Quite frankly, I hope I die before then.

Jan 21, 2010 02:24 PM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Debra,

I had considered buying the Kindle and I also reviewed the Sony book reader. I wrote a post about the (hopeful) Apple Tablet with reader included. Being a Mac user, I am holding out for that one. I showed a demo of the books and magazine reader aspects. The pages turn with a slight sound , much like flipping through photos with a whisk of the finger. Too few people read enough and too many watch TV for entertainment. I think these devices will encourage more to use often wasted time waiting for things and use it for reading.

Thank you for the invite and I will try and be a good contribute here to your group.

Jan 21, 2010 02:28 PM

Debi Boucher

Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO

"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Hi Deb - I'm a huge fan of reading, and i love the feel of a book in my hand. But anymore, I only read at night, before going to sleep, so I hadn't thought of buying one. I have a friend that loves hers!

Debi

Jan 21, 2010 02:37 PM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Debra, I like to read in bed. Can you cuddle up with a kindle? We got one for our son for Christmas but for some reason he didn't like it and decided to send it back. I'm a huge reader and have wondered if I would like it.

Jan 21, 2010 02:39 PM

Mike Saunders

Retired - Athens, GA

Dwebra - I have heard good things about the Kindle. Being an Amazon product it appears to have an edge right now but there are some competitors out there. I am looking for the standard to fall out, kind of like the wars between VHS and Beta, or Blue Ray and DVD.

Jan 21, 2010 02:59 PM

Sam Miller

RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH

Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

The Kindle is a neat product but I am waiting to see if Apple releases the Tablet that is combined with an e-reader and iTunes.

Jan 22, 2010 12:42 AM

Holly Weatherwax

Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA

A Great Real Estate Experience

I have found an interesting link between scheduling a vacation and my business going crazy.

I recently received a Kindle for Christmas and while on vacation I read the introductory material. You can load .jpg files on to it! Imagine being able to carry a copy of a contract with you without taking your computer (I have a Blackberry for emergency emails) and a hard copy contract? I am intrigued....

Jan 22, 2010 03:15 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Debra, it sounds like a great product with definite advantages. I'm not sure that I'm ready to give up books...I've carried box's and box's of books around from one house to another for years and have grown attached to them and as others have said, the smell and feel of a book in my hand.

Debra, I'd love to join your group, but I'm not sure that I could provide any content of substance...not having first hand knowledge of the Kindle. I think I will check out the Kindle in the next few days and return with my own thoughts on it.

Jan 22, 2010 04:41 AM

John Thomas

E3 Green HOMES - Boulder, CO

EcoBroker, MSEE, MBA

Hi Debra...Thanks for the invite. I have Kindle for the PC but I don't have the hand-held version. I love to read and generally have several books going at any given time. I like to highlight and I also like the touch and feel of a good book. I'll probably get one eventually but my main reading material is likely to remain hard copy.

Jan 23, 2010 11:25 AM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Craig-They are not that expensive compared to when they first came out. They are now down to $249. I think you will like it alot. Alot of the books are free so that helps too!

Mary-I was too, you can make the font as big as you need it to be so it is very easy to see. Some days I make it bigger than others!

Rick-Wow thank you so much for the sights! I might put them in a blog for everyone to see. I can't wait to go look! If you enjoy reading you will definitely enjoy an e-reader.

June-I think it is a great gift idea-especially for someone who is hard to buy for. Since it gets newspapers, blogs, books...it can be used by anyone.

Sandy-I am an avid reader myself and I have adapted quite nicely! It really doesn't feel much different. I think if you try it you will be hooked! And think of the variety at your fingertips!

Stephen-I prefer the Kindle because it has the text to speech feature. This way if you are driving, walking or your hands are busy (cooking etc...) you can hit the feature and it will verbalize the words so you don't have to read them which makes it very handy!

Haris-I am very pro books but for someone like me and us actually who always have tons of things to carry and wind up waiting unexpectedly here and there the Kindle comes in handy in so many ways.

Jan 24, 2010 03:51 AM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Wallace-Well said!!

Susan-I couldn't have said it better myself. I agree 100% with everything you said. I also have a library wall of books and wouldn't give them up either!

Sallie-Well what a coinky dink! You will love it!

Mary-I had wanted one for the longest time but just never did anything about it. I am so happy to finally have one.

Leah-Yes you can take notes on it. Personally I think you would love it! The feel of the book is still there and you have so much more at your fingertips. Valentines Day is coming! Mention it to your sweetie!

Russel-Oh come on Russel-I still read all of my local papers on the table in front of me as they are-in the full paper fashion. This is just for stuff that is not readily available my dear!

William-I am a very avid reader and when I was younger less busy I would read 2 or 3 books at a time with little trouble keeping them apart. Now that I am older so much busier that is alittle harder to do but it is nice to have the Kindle and have such a wide selection at my fingertips at all times.

Debi-I read alot at night too and I find I like it so much better. One of the main reasons is the turning side to side. You know your one wrist gets tired of holding your head up while the other one is the page turner? Or something like that? Now I can lay on my back and just hit the turn button or even on my side on my pillow (no hands!) and it is so much easier to read. You might want to think about it.......! LOL

Marchel-Read what I just wrote above for Debi. I find I like to read much better in bed for the above reasons. It is sooo much easier!

Mike-I chose the Kindle because it has features that no one else has like the text to speech which is a great feature that can be used in many ways for many reasons.

Sam-That does sound like it will be a big sellar. But it will probably also be big $$$$$ and much bigger in size than the Kindle.

Holly-Yes I have seen that. You can browse websites too.

Nick-First of all you wouldn't have to "give up your books" to have a Kindle. As you can see by my statements I have tons and will never give them up nor will Susan Emo. LOL This group is not just for Kindle owners, it is for anyone who reads and wants to contribute anything related to it so you are very much welcome. ;-D

John-I am amazed at all the people saying they are hooked on the feel of a book. I am too but still love the Kindle or would probably love an e-reader because it gives you access to so much. You are still welcome to participate here any time you choose!

Jan 24, 2010 04:35 AM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Sallie-That is funny about all the books. I am in a book swapping group and there are always large amounts of books here going back and forth between all of my friends.

Jan 24, 2010 04:43 AM

Gene Allen

Fathom Realty - Cary, NC

Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

My wife wants one. Maybe the birthday coming up will work for her.

Jan 25, 2010 11:25 AM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Gene-I got mine for my birthday and I am thrilled with it! There are so many things to do with it.

Jan 25, 2010 11:38 AM

Retired from ActiveRain

Baker, OR

Debra, I came across one more website with downloadable public domain books - http://www.feedbooks.com/publicdomain. How many books have you read on your Kindle so far?

Jan 28, 2010 05:43 AM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Rick-Thank you! Only about 5 so far because I am so crazy busy but I am downloading them like crazy for future use. You can store over 1000 so I don't worry that I am going to fill up anytime soon. Plus when I am done I delete them and they go over to my Amazon account for future reference if I need them again. (or to my computer)

Jan 28, 2010 07:29 AM