I never thought I would end up being a convert to the ebook form, but having purchased a Kindle Fire shortly after Christmas, I've found it a good substitute when I just don't have the time (or space) to turn pages or find another spot in a pile for a book.
I've got enough traditional form books to stock a small library for the public, and just so much shelf space. I'm also one of those who can't ever seem to part with a book unless I have duplicates or the book just really is a bad one. Another flaw: I donate books to various sources (usually the area public libraries) but when they have their book sales, guess who comes home with at least one box full of different books than the ones donated? Right. Guilty.
So, after much reading about the pros and cons of electronic reading devices (the biggest "con" being that as an electronic device, you have to recharge them periodically--something you don't have to do with the traditional book form.) There are other things to research about e-books, especially if you're trying to decide between a Barnes & Noble sponsored Nook, or Amazon's Kindle Fire.
But my years long membership with Amazon caused me to try the newest Kindle incarnation, the Kindle Fire. When I started buying from Amazon years ago (a few months after it started up, much to the understandable dismay of small bookshops) I became one of those who found it easier to get a book ordered online and delivered to my home, than to go to my local library, put my name on an often long waiting list (if the book was popular) or have to rely on Inter-Library Loans because the local library didn't have the book I was looking for at the time.I do I understand library budgets and the need to cater to the masses who don't normally go for odd subjects--or sometimes controversial ones) having worked in three different libraries, all of which provided services to different populations specific to the needs of those populations.
I still support my local library and libraries everywhere. But now, I'm using them to find ebooks. It's a new era. Though I don't expect the traditional book format to go away any time soon, I do find that I'll have fewer books piled up on my tables, overflowing my bookcases, and less guilt related to giving away a book I've come to love.
One last thing....I purchased a Nook Tablet from Barnes & Noble for my upcoming birthday.
