The Kindle from Amazon

I was reading Entertainment Weekly this week (like I do every week). Once a month, Stephen King writes a column for the magazine. This week’s column has a lot to think about regarding books, technology and reading. EW may not be the most scholarly journal, but take a look. Here’s the link to the column on the web:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20172616,00.html

The first thing I thought about when reading this article was the purpose of books. In the article, Stephen King’s friend suggests that books are a type of furniture. I tend to agree with King’s friend. Books do serve as a type of furniture. I have many books that have spent more time decorating my book shelf then I have spent reading them. In fact, many of the books have not been read at all. Like other furniture, the books we use to decorate our book shelves tell visitors something about ourselves. From the books on the shelf, you can tell who lives in the house, what age they are, their interests, their values and a multitude of other factors. When I go to somebody’s house I always look to see what is on their bookshelves. It’s my equivalent of rummaging through their medicine chest. Furthermore, furniture can serve as a status symbol. Think about the stereotype of the mansion with the huge library filled with expensive volumes of books that haven’t been read but make the owner seem educated and urbane. It’s a very Great Gatsby image. Like King, I think the real value in books lies elsewhere.

In many of his columns King praises the value of books as the most portable and easy to use form of entertainment available. Books are a lot easier to use. Just this semester, I have begun to appreciate the portability of books. With so many readings for all of my classes available n-line I have been tied to my computer to complete the readings. This system, however, does help save me money on course packs and books, so no complaints there. I do, however, enjoy taking a book to a lounge or a café somewhere or in the spring sitting outside and just reading for a couple of hours. Even today with laptops and wireless, a book is still easier. As King says books aren’t going anywhere. Despite changes in technology, books have been around for a long time, and people still enjoy books.

King, however, comes to an excellent conclusion. The medium does not matter as much as the message. I have never used the Kindle, but I can relate to his thoughts about audio books. I used to have a fairly mind-numbing office job. (Most of the time I liked it, but it was a lot of sitting at a desk). To pass the hours, my co-workers and I would listen to audio books. I would say I’ve read these books just as I’d say I’ve read a paperback I held in my hand. The stories were still captivating, and sometimes I learned things, just like when you read a “regular” book. I disagree with King when he says that the story drives the audio book. He downplays the importance of the reader. There are audio books that I could not get through because of the reader, but I quickly read through the paper book. On the other hand, the reader can add a lot to the book. The performance of Jim Dale as he reads the Harry Potter series is as compelling as any of the performance in the movies. Another reader/performer would have handled the material differently. The reader (as well as the listener) interacts with the stories in audio books.

King talks about the monetary saving attached to the Kindle. I question if there is any savings. Sure, each title may cost less than buying a brand new hardcover in the store, but there are a lot of other costs associated with getting Kindle books. Almost all of these costs are related to the technology. You must have a computer, the Kindle, internet access, and other miscellaneous costs. This adds up and ends up more expensive than advertised. Luckily, I know a way to get books for free! Go to your public library! You can read the book with no costs. If you like it, you can read the book as many times as you wish, and while you’re not using it, your friends and neighbors can read it.