A Poet in My Pocket

You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket.

            -John Adams in a letter to John Quincy Adams (14 May 1781)

Welcome to eBook week. I started reading eBooks a couple years ago on my smartphone. I loved it. I could have a book with me everywhere. When I found myself waiting for something, I could read a few pages. Now, I have switch to an iPod Touch and my reading has only accelerated.

In preparation for this week, I thought I should count up the number of ebooks I have read. I couldn't do it. It is too many. I discovered I have read over 20 books, just since the first of the year. Holy cow! How did that happen? I never would have been able to do it without having them with me wherever I go. It shocked me so much, I decided I needed to get back into the habit of keeping track of the books and writing reviews. After a little research, I settled on Shelfari. You can see my bookshelf here. I am still filling in the list.

I mentioned to my wife's aunt tonight I would rather read a book on my iPod than on paper. The look on her face was of pure shock and disbelief (she is getting a doctorate in literature). It is true, though. I went to the library two weeks ago and picked up a couple books. I was surprised how slowly I slogged through them. The stories were fascinating and I enjoyed them thoroughly. However, I was frustrated at how long it took me to move through the book. I couldn't snatch a page here and there. I had to locate the book and find a place to read.

Now for the $64 question. Do I want a Kindle? I have heard quite a bit about them and for awhile, the Mr. Gadget in me wanted one bad. So bad, I actually started figuring out how to raise the money to get one. I bought an iPod Touch instead and since then, I haven't revisited the question. I like how the iPod fits in my pocket - something a Kindle can't do. The interface of Stanza, is quite good. I love the iPod size - it fits in my pocket. I would probably lay my Kindle down and lose it. 

I am hooked. I find this the best way to read now. I read more. Highly recommended! Finally, I am following Adam's advice perfectly. I have poets, novelists, philosophers, president and business coach in my pocket. I am NEVER alone!

Comments

[Tara Rodden Robinson :: The Productivity Maven]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your excellent post. Well done! I, too, seem to read much faster using my e-reader (whether it's on my iPhone or my Kindle). One drawback, though, is that I feel I don't retain the information quite as well. That may be a function of moving too quickly through the info--a place for improvement for me, for sure.

Thanks again!
Tara

[Andy Schneit]

Hi Dan,

Good to "meet" you. We share several interests -- GTD, reading, pens, and keeping the focus thing on the track. I'm still working on using the iPhone as an e-reader. I practice a Matt Cornell-style of attacking books, and the display isn't agile enough.

Look forward to seeing you around the e-neighborhood.

Andy

[Oogie McGuire]

I have an iPod Touch and a Kindle. The non-emissive e-ink display of the kindle is a whole lot easier to read than the iPhone. It's even less stress on my eyes than a paper book which has a lot of glare. I would never be without my kindle or a similar e-ink device now. If you read a lot you might look at that, at least for me with bifocal contacts plus reading glasses eye strain is a big reason to favor a kindle.