Fuddy-duddies aren’t supposed to like E-readers. And I admit it – I’m a fuddy-duddy. I resisted getting a Blackberry, I still haven’t started to use Internet banking, I like paying bills at a counter and getting back paper receipts – what can I say, I don’t like change. So the idea of using an E-reader just wasn’t a huge draw for me. Until I tried it. And I got hooked immediately. Here’s why.
1. It’s so easy to buy books – let’s face it, most local bookstores are really limited in what they stock, and even the best aren’t superstores. My corner of heaven is going to have a superstore bargain book table, so when I’m faced with a device that with a couple of clicks can instantly deliver to me any book I want, I’m already in heaven – until the credit card bill comes!
2. One device can hold hundreds of books. All the classics you can download for FREE – and a bunch of other books you can buy for as little as a few $US (and anything else you want to buy for plenty $US.) Confession – I’m a bag lady (I couldn’t find a picture of a bag lady who was good-looking and black and had locks, so I went with good-looking!)
. I walk around with four or five books at a time because I like to read several different books at once.
The E-reader is supposed to eliminate that. Unless you then find yourself walking around with the E-reader plus four or five books, in which case I’m, I mean you’re, beyond help.
3. Lighting. They have their own lighting source, so instead of cotching up under a reading lamp at night, you can see to read. This is especially important after you pass one of those landmark birthdays!
4. They cut out the middleman. As an aspiring author, it’s great to know that if for some strange reason, I can’t find anyone willing to publish my M.Phil. thesis with the thrilling and provocative title of “The ecology of Procryptotermes corniceps in the Port Royal mangal, with some reference to Incisitermes schwarzi” (I’m not kidding), now I can put it out there myself and see the big bucks roll in!
So fuddy-duddies of the world, this E-reader thing really isn’t that bad! Give it a try and see!
News and Views by Dionne Jackson Miller 
March 14, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Hey who are you calling a Fuddy Duddy.
I just came back from the Library and I have to say that while I have an e-reader on my laptop and on my smart phone and I love the convenience of downloading (so far mosty free) books and taking several with me without the weight , I really really love libraries and book stores the feel of ‘real’ books the smell of books .
Yes I know that the e-reader is here to stay but like with CDs and music
downloads the Vinyl record as never died and has quiet a niche following . So I will remain faithful to ‘real’ books although I will stray ever so often
March 14, 2012 at 3:46 pm
emmm, that spells fuddy-duddy! Embrace it – I have! lol Dionne Jackson Miller Senior Producer/Presenter Beyond the Headlines Radio Jamaica
________________________________
March 14, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Hey Dionne,
After years of studying with books being shipped, it was almost impossible for me to believe I could download a text I needed in seconds. Okay so I am not a read-six-books-at-once person BUT I enjoy getting my mags and books on demand in the moment!
Dazzel
March 14, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Yeah man! Once you can control the credit card clicks, you’re good! lol
September 10, 2012 at 4:59 pm
DJ, I understand the obsession. I am absolutely in love with my Kindle Fire, which I got because I can send and receive email from my accounts, compose and edit documents, surf the web, play my games online, access Twitter and Facebook and I couldn’t really afford an Ipad, yet. But it is amazing and offers prime membership for Amazon, which means I not only get to buy ebooks, I get to borrow a book every month and read all the amazing new novels practically free, PLUS get all my magazine subscriptions downloaded automatically every month , PLUS, it has an Audible.com app. so I can listen to all my books! I know I probably sound like I work at Amazon, lol, but my Fire is awesome.
March 14, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Yes, I admit it – I am somewhat of a fuddy-duddy too! My family can tell about my efforts to resist technology, beginning with a digital daytimer meant to replace my diary and the Palm Pilot that was eventually relegated to a desk drawer never to be seen again. I was one of the last hold outs when it came to cellphones, and finally embraced the Blackberry revolution last Christmas. But, like you, I love the e-reader. It is the best thing since sliced bread ( and may I say, better than sliced bread) . But I still love my DTBs (dead tree books). I love the covers, the ability to flip back and forth among the pages. What can I say…
March 14, 2012 at 11:01 pm
lol I hadn’t heard that phrase before – dead tree books – but I agree with you, I still enjoy the tactile experience of reading paper books, so I am still buying my magazines in the store!