Kindle Killers

I have noticed something the last few weeks of school. When you mention a Kindle to an English major, he or she glares at you like you were the one to shoot Bambi’s mother. Not even kidding. So I decided to dedicate this week’s blog to:

Why This English Major Decided to Get A Kindle

1. Free books— The day I got my Kindle, I downloaded 22 books for $1.95. Why is that? Twenty of them were free. Yes, isn’t that wonderful? Most of the classics are either free or relatively cheap, which will definitely help when you have that B.A. in English and living near poverty level.

2. Multiple books—I pretty much accepted early on in life that I was going to have back problems like my mom because of all the books I carry around. During school, I am usually reading at least three novels at once, more out of necessity than need. I’ll go to work with one novel then really wish I brought one of the other ones instead. With the Kindle, I can carry around a hundred books and not break my back.

3. Borders closing—Along with Uno’s and Blockbuster, Borders has joined among the ranks of things I love and died during the recession. The one near my house is closing, thus making the next closest one in a different state. And I refuse to go to the Barnes and Noble. Now, I can download books without getting shipping charges from Amazon.

4. I hate small print—Yes, I will admit. You all feel the same way. When you read a novel and there is small print, it becomes associated with difficulty, or at least it comes across as really condensed. I like my font the same size as Times New Roman size 12 font at least. It makes it easier to read and thus more enjoyable.

The Kindle is not a death to books, but just makes books more accessible. I promise, owning one won’t kill books, maybe just kill less trees.

Wait! Let Me Get to the Next Chapter!!!

So, I have started this blog because I am a reading/ writing fanatic and, as so, I feel like this first entry is appropriate.

Have you ever been in the middle of a really, really, REALLY good book and all you want to do is read it? Screw the messy dishes in the sink, the fact that the dog needs to go out and that you've needed to pee for the last hour and a half, I NEED to get to the next chapter? I'm in the middle of one of those right now, which isn't surprising because I have two five page papers due next week and all I want to do is read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in peace.

This seems to happen to most of the college students I know-- you are in the middle of a paper and/or finals warfare and all you want to do is read something completely non-school related. Scientific fact, college students procrastinate. Another fact, they choose non-school related to attach to before looking at the clock at four in the morning and thinking, oops, should have started that paper on Jane Eyre eight hours ago when I sat down to start writing it instead of watching The Little Mermaid for the 500th time.

I feel like this obsession with books isn't procrastination related...Okay, maybe a little. But I really do want to know what's going to happen. I'm in the middle of a 37-year-old murder mystery with interruptions from going to class, going to work, showering. All things that won't help me get to the end of the book.

My solution? A long, long vacation with nothing but the book, me and possibly my dog Romeo (who, despite his namesake, does not appreciate literature in the way I would like him to) so I can get to the end of that book. That's right, I'm locking the door and conquering the nearly 600 page monstrous book...Too bad Thanksgiving break is 3 weeks away.

Here's till next time.