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Have I betrayed my books?  Don't be silly.

10/15/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
I enjoy reading.  We've covered this ground before.  Today, I want to tell you about reading on the Amazon Kindle.  Just the picture here (that's actually my Kindle) and reading those words causes some to shudder - the very notion of an electronic book is repulsive.  How could you even consider reading a book that has no cover or pages?  Rest assured, that I still love a physical book and have in my study a wall of bookcases with "real" books that I still read.  I think the talk of e-readers making books obsolete is overblown.  And the notion that somehow I am less of a book purist by owning and reading on a Kindle is ridiculous.  Just ask any of my paper and ink books if they feel betrayed.  They don't.  (Books don't have feelings.)
I believe reading can and should be beneficial to the Christian's growth in grace.  This of course starts with reading the Bible, but continues with reading trusted Christian authors who help us understand and apply the scriptures to our lives.  It involves reading broadly to understand more of the world that God has made and the good things he has given us to enjoy in that world.
So let me give you a few reasons why I enjoy my e-reader.  Just a note - I have the Kindle Touch, which is no longer available from Amazon.  It has been replaced with the new and theoretically improved Kindle Paperwhite.  
  • Convenience - This thing is small, lightweight, and easy to take on vacation, to soccer practice, the reading room, or to bed to read a few pages before drifting off to sleep.
  • Reading Experience - It's a lot like reading, well, a book.  Unlike a back lit tablet or or computer screen, the Kindle utilizes e-ink technology.  You can read it inside or outside in bright sunlight without a glare.  (One drawback - you can't read it in the dark with out an external light source; I have a cover with a light.  The new Paperwhite has a front lit screen.)
  • I read more than I used to.  I'm not sure if it is the convenience factor or what, but I am reading more - some leisure reading, some theology, helpful stuff on Christian living, even a book on how to read.
  • I can get World Magazine at a discount off the print subscription price.  (You can get lots of magazines and newspapers.)
  • The Deals!  You can find lots of books for free or at steeply discounted prices, and there are often specials that pop up for a temporary time.  For example today, I picked up Tim Keller's book on marriage for $3.20.  You can get the ESV Bible for free.
  • No waiting for the book to be shipped.  When I buy a physical book online, it takes a few days to arrive at my front door.  When I buy an e-book, it can be on my Kindle in 1 minute.
  • Crazy long battery life - unlike my phone which has to be charged pretty much every day, this thing will go 2 months on one charge.  It's awesome.
One drawback - I can't easily tell how far I am from the end of a chapter (you know...just a few more pages).  The new Paperwhite apparently has a feature to help with this.
What do you think? Sacrilegious?  Have an e-reader yourself and love it?  What pros or cons have I left off of the list?
As with most any technology, this could be used for your benefit as a follower of Jesus or to your detriment.  Read well and use your time well!  

3 Comments
    When I quote Scripture In this blog, unless otherwise indicated, the quotations are usually from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.

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