Complex Numbers

Next of Kindle

What is your preferred book reading medium? Kindle, computer screen, audiobook, or good old fashioned paper? How come?

I had one of the first Kindles.

That particular model of Kindle was excellent for me because it didn't have a backlit screen like a computer or tablet, but rather something akin to an LCD display. This made it dependent on ambient lighting conditions - it was nice to have something that I could read in bright light, just like a book, but a lot less bulky. I bought an LED light to handle dimmer situations. This was around the time my vision started to deteriorate from age and I started needing reading glasses - but with the Kindle, if I forgot the glasses, I could change the font size on the fly.

It's since died; it's been a while. And I was never interested in the tablet-style Kindles - those are great in dim situations and crap in bright light, but I can say the same thing about my laptop and I'd rather just use that. I also don't read as much anymore, because even with reading glasses it's become a chore. Mostly I stay on the computer, reading stuff here as well as news stories, and playing video games.

There are books that I need to read, though, and for them I'll get the hardcovers. I would, anyway - mostly I used the Kindle for pulp novels that I'd be embarrassed to have on a bookshelf.

Audiobooks basically put me to sleep.

It's probably about time for me to get a new Kindle, though, and read some more. They still make the non-tablet kind, and they're not very expensive. Some models are even waterproof, which would be great if I ventured into the outdoors. Except that if I'm outside in a place where I need a waterproof Kindle, that means I'm wearing sunscreen. And if I'm wearing sunscreen, that means the Kindle will just slip right out of my greased fingers. Best if I don't go outside at all, least of all under the glare of the accursed daystar.

Maybe if someone bought me a hot tub...