Tuesday Thoughts About...

...electronic books. Before I get in to the books, I have to post a picture of the Bethlehem Star.

Butch found us the perfect place for viewing. We drove over to this huge church on Concord Rd. As it turned out, we weren't the only ones with that idea. This was the gorgeous sunset before the big event.

I cannot take credit for this photo, but we did see it. There's no way I could get a good picture with my iPhone, so I stopped trying. We had binoculars, so we had a really nice view of a once in a lifetime event. Stephanie and Jordan ended up meeting us because they didn't have binoculars. After about an hour, we started for home. Butch surprised me by stopping in a couple neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights. That was a fun thing to do. We haven't done much else!

Now on to my thoughts about electronic books.

Remember about---oh, I don't know---10 years ago when Kindles came out? Electronic books were so cheap. That was the whole point of it. You didn't have to spend a fortune on hardback books and then store them. I actually have a dedicated library in my house. Most people don't, so books can soon overtake you---well, if you are a reader like me, that is.

When I got my first Kindle---probably about 7 or 8 years ago, the books were around $10.00. I purchased my electronic books from Amazon for 3 or 4 years before making the switch to the library. Once I did that, I kept track of the money I was saving. Still do. That report will come sometime in January. 

Honestly, the only books I actually purchase anymore are the ones I need for book club. There's usually not enough time for me to wait to get them from the library. The library is getting busier and busier. I usually have to wait at least 6 months to get a particular book--especially if it's new or very popular. That's okay, I don't mind waiting. Luckily, there are thousands of books available at any time, so you never are without reading material. 

Last week, Sandy recommended a book that she wants me to read. It's one of those that you want to discuss with someone. I immediately went to the library and found I could get it pretty quickly. I went to Amazon to see how much the Kindle book cost so I could add that to my list. Here's what I found:

OMGosh! You can actually buy the hardback book cheaper than the electronic version! When did that happen? I thought the whole point of electronic books was because they were cheaper and more convenient. I had no idea that they had grown more expensive than real books!  

Somehow, now I feel like I'm being ripped off if I have to buy an electronic book. I might just have to go back to a hardback book! Actually, I'm not sure I can do it. I love, love, love my Kindle. Still, I might just give it a try---just to rebel against this travesty! I just might!