Power of the Kindle or Kindle Love

People tend to fall on many sides of the ebook argument. The current ebook market seems bogged down with the DRM controversy or even the Google Book settlement.

I don't have strong opinions on these the way others might, but what I can tell you is that, while the Amazon Kindle could use some improvements, it has done a tremendous amount for my reading habits.

While the device is pricey in comparison to dead tree books, you cannot fully appreciate the intangible value that it brings.

First I read a lot. With the Kindle I read a lot more. There are several reasons for this volume increase.

I live in north east Wisconsin, right I know it's everyone's dream destination (summarized in the question I usually get "Is that near Chicago?"). Let me be the one to break it to you, book selection here is somewhat anemic. To be fair, we have several nearby indie book stores as well as a Barnes and Noble. But I find my taste to be somewhat outside the mainstream, which makes it difficult to get the books I want to read. Shipping, at a cost effect rate (read as free), takes several days and I am afflicted by the modern disease of a strong need for immediate gratification.

These reasons alone would be enough to warrant a Kindle purchase. But wait there is more...

Kindle books are almost always cheaper. Sometimes it is a huge savings, others a more modest savings, but I have never paid the same price as the hardback or paperback copies. I shouldn't pay more either. The cost to produce and sell the book in an ebook form is substantially less.

Another incredible benefit of the Kindle is the ability to get a sample of a book. This gives me the ability to read a large enough section to determine if this is even a book I want to pay $9.99 for.

And if all this wasn't enough, I always have a book with me, even when I don't have the Kindle with me. Amazon has an iPhone Kindle app that allows me to read any book I purchased for the Kindle on my iPhone and keep it in sync with my Kindle.

Let me let you in on a little secret. If the cost of the Kindle is putting you off, just go with the free Kindle app for the iPhone. It doesn't have all the features of the physical Kindle, but it just as nice to read on.

I can't say enough good things about ebooks and the Amazon Kindle.

Publishers, you really need to get on board with ebooks. I understand I am anecdotal evidence, but if most people that read ebooks are like me, you will save your industry before you go the way of the newspaper.