A Handy Tool for Reading Pleasure

MODERN TECHNOLOGY has made it possible for an individual to carry a large number of books, magazines, newspapers, and other reading materials in a bundle about the size of one paperback. This handy tool for reading pleasure is called an electronic reader.

While there is more than one brand of these devices, I am most familiar with the Kindle which is available through Amazon. In fact, thanks to a recent gift from my son, I am now the proud owner of this amazing gadget.

Simply put, almost anything a person would want to read can be delivered to the Kindle from Amazon.com in under 60 seconds - and without the need for a personal computer. And, books written by well-known authors can be purchased for a real bargain. For example, New York Times' best-sellers - and other new releases with hundreds of pages - are available for the Kindle at $9.99 or less. In a bookstore, these hard-bound volumes usually sell in the range of $25 to $35 each. Perhaps best of all, there are no monthly wireless bills for Kindle owners.

The Kindle is lightweight, slim, and wireless. It has a paper-like display on a screen about the size of a typical page in a hand-held book. Pages can be turned by simply touching a button. And, the size of the text can easily be adjusted. Readers can make electronic notes as they read and place bookmarks where they stop. The device also organizes material into a table of contents. The battery for the device fully charges in about four hours. Once charged, the Kindle has a long battery life. It may be used for days before re-charging.

Kindle owners can literally carry a personal library in one hand and read "on the go" anywhere they choose. The electronic reader holds over 1500 books. The Kindle Store has a huge selection of over 350,000 books from which to make selections. Included in the vast range of choices are biographies, classics, mysteries, science fiction, and thrillers. Newspapers from the U.S. and several international cities, a variety of magazines, and even some blogs are available for Kindle readers.

Regarding leisure activity which is quiet and personal in nature, reading is at the top of the list in the mind of most people. And, without a doubt, most Kindle owners would agree that their electronic reader is a handy tool for reading pleasure. Be assured, I am in that group!