And I thought about it, but there wasn't really anything "pretty" I wanted. I mean, I'm out of space for shoes in my closet, and I just got a new purse. What else do I need?
A few weeks before that, a bee friend published a book. I downloaded the Kindle version thinking I could read it on Ye Olde iPad if I downloaded the Kindle app. Which was mistake #1. Ye Olde iPad is SO olde that the Kindle app isn't even compatible with it anymore.
Which left my phone. Mistake #2. I downloaded the Kindle app and then cursed myself for the entirety of the reading experience. The book was great, but reading a book on a phone is HARD. It's hard on your eyes because of the backlight, and because the text isn't big enough (and if it is big enough, you're constantly turning "pages" like, every 10 words).
So when I finally had the option to name my price for being nice through grad school, I asked for a Kindle. After years of being adamantly anti-digital-reading, the book-on-phone experience showed me the undeniable value of having one, and I was tired of fighting it.
When Matt got home from his graduation ceremony, he presented me with a giant pink bag with pink polka-dot tissue paper (does he know me or what!), and a shiny new Kindle Paperwhite.
I made my own case so that it wouldn't get scratched while in my purse. I followed this Allie-proof tutorial for sewing padded gadget cases and used some fabric my sister left at my house years and years ago.
And you know what? I love it. I usually read more than one book at a time, so it's nice being able to carry around a lot of books with me. It's nice being able to carry books in my purse without lugging the weight. It's nice being able to read at night without the light on, without hurting my eyes. I like being able to "highlight" things so I can flip back and forth for reference. I LOVE being able to look up words I don't know instantly, and translate phrases in languages I don't understand.
I've subscribed to BookBub (thanks Madison!) so I can download free e-books all the time, and I can get free downloads from my local libraries, too. I don't intend to use the Kindle as a replacement for books; I don't know that I could ever give up paper books. But if it can supplement my reading obsession? I'm on board. One can never have too many books!
What are you reading right now? Do you have an e-reader? And is there anything that "everyone else" is doing that you've been resisting too?