Poll - Avid reader because of the Kindle (or other e-reader)?

[Adele]

I am very curious to know the effect the e-reader has had on THE LOVE OF READING.  I suspect it has encouraged MANY to read, who were not avid readers before. 

In my case - The e-reader (Kindle) was responsible for me becoming an avid reader.  I did read books for enjoyment before the Kindle, but few and far between.  I mostly read for educational purposes.

[pomlover2586]

I used to read a lot before- but I read about double [maybe more] a month now, then I did before I had my Kindle!

[mrmeany]

The bad part was before I would have 4 or 5 books going, now it's worse as I have 3 or 4 paper books and 3 or 4 ebooks going at the same time.

[planet_janet]

I have always been an avid reader, ever since I was a child.  I am reading more now than before I received my Kindle, simply because I can read books faster on my Kindle than I can in print. 

[ak rain]

I was an avid reader but life got in the way for a bit now I AM BACK
sylvia



kindle did get me into more and different genres though can also be attributed to kindleboards

[Adele]

Interesting results so far, I thought there would be more "Yes's".

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I have always been an avid reader, ever since I was a child.  I am reading more now than before I received my Kindle, simply because I can read books faster on my Kindle than I can in print. 

That's pretty much my story.  I just have to carve out more time to feed my reading habit because I'm spending too much time here. 

E-readers are an awfully pricey gadget if you're not an avid reader already.  IMHO.

[Kathy]

I have always been an avid reader. The Kindle just made it more enjoyable for me. So much easier to have all my books with me all the time.

[Anne]

I have always been an avid reader. The Kindle just made it more enjoyable for me. So much easier to have all my books with me all the time.

I agree I was always and avid reader. The Kinde has made is more enjoyable and easier for me to have all my books with me all the time

[Ruby296]

No for me....have been an avid reader since pre-school.  The Kindle has just made it a whole lot easier.

[Dana]

I mostly read non fiction and self help before getting my Kindle.  Now that I have my Kindle, I'm reading almost ALL fiction and I'm reading more.

I know I'm reading more because I always have my books with me....  nothing will be misplaced, or loaned out and not returned, or simply forgotten because it's all in one convenient place. 

[Margaret]

I have always been an avid reader.  I have actually spent less money on leisure reading since receiving my Kindle.  Before the Kindle, I would go to the bookstore or onto the Amazon site, browse my favorite authors and buy as the mood hit me.  Now I make it a point to look at the free or very reasonable books before I buy anything.  It makes me think before I pay full price for anything.  So now I have a huge wish list, but also have plenty to read.  I also have fewer piles of books sitting around the bedroom.

[Atunah]

I read as a child, a teenager and some as a young adult. I recent years I almost completely stopped reading. Work, TV, other things took over. Plus I was having trouble reading out of paperbacks. I never could afford hardcover anyway so it was always pb for me.
I also have carpel tunnel and holding a book open for long periods just wasn't pleasant. So I stopped.

Then I got my Kindle. I have now read around 180-190 books since Dec 08.

So yes, I am very much a avid reader because of my Kindle.

[TC Beacham]

I've always been a huge reader and still am - but now I carry fiction, non-fiction and news sources everywhere I go.

Several women who saw my Kindle in public told me they were ordering Kindles in the hopes that their children would want to read more.

[Meemo]

I was an avid reader years ago, then got out of the habit with kids, work, internet, etc.  Now I'm back to being an avid reader.  So my answer would have been that Kindle has turned me BACK into an avid reader. 

[Magenta]

I was an avid reader always... however, because I read faster on the Kindle I am reading more.

[lulucello]

I always read in bed before going to sleep.  In the past few years, I'd found that I could read for shorter and shorter periods before nodding off, and it took ages to finish a book.  (Also, I had trouble keeping the characters straight.)  Now, with my lovely, wonderful Kindle, I can read much longer before the print begins to blur.  I may be sleeping less, but I'm certainly reading more.  Also, I love having a virtually limitless selection of books, so I'm never at a loss for something to read.  Living in Mexico, book options were limited (to mail order or local bookstores) and very expensive.  My Kindle is a life-saver.  And, unlike heavy books, it goes with me everywhere. I never leave home without.  Hence, I'm doing lots more reading and finsihing books way faster than I used to.  The Kindle has really reignited my love of literature.
Judith

[patrisha w.]

I have always been an avid reader. The Kindle just made it more enjoyable for me. So much easier to have all my books with me all the time.

I am the same way. One interesting thing I have noticed is that I find reading on the Kindle so much easier. An example; I am reading Anna Karenina for my book club. I bought a paperback because I didn't think I would like it and I give away all my paperback book club books when I am through with them. I wasn't enjoying the book at all and realized it was because the book was hard to hold and the font was too small. So, I put a copy on my Kindle and I am really enjoying it now!

Patrisha

[loca]

I'm in the third category.  Having books available more increased my reading activity.

[VondaZ]

I was an avid reader when I was single. I still have bookshelves of classics that I can't part with. But when I got married and had kids, I couldn't keep up with everything and I stopped reading for enjoyment - my books were all technical books. However, the fact that the Kindle has made it so convenient for me to acquire books and the fact that so many classics are free or inexpensive has brought the hobby back into my life. So I chose three - even though I am not technically new to reading.

I think you don't see more people choosing option three because those who have never had a taste for reading are not going to feel the need for this device. Many of the three's you do get are from those of us who knew we loved books, we had just lapsed from the hobby for one reason or another.

Vonda

[telracs]

I've always been an avid reader, and one of the reasons I hated staying in the hotel this week was the fact that without my commute, I had no time to read!

[VictoriaP]

E-readers are an awfully pricey gadget if you're not an avid reader already.  IMHO.

Agree with Gertie on this one.  Once e-readers come down further in price, then I think we'll see more people who start out as average readers.  Right now, it's still not an affordable option for many people.

I've always been a rabid reader.  Taught myself to read at age two, and I'll read the back of a cereal box if there's nothing else available.  I don't necessarily read more on the Kindle, I just read more "new" books and do a lot less rereading than I used to.

[Sugar]

For me personally I used to read a lot when I was in school, elementary-high school.
Then I got caught up in life,and I didn't read much at all.
I discovered the Kindle one day,and just knew I wanted one.I figured I had 30 days to send it back if I didn't like it.
Well, needless to say the Kindle was never sent back,and I am reading again.
In my case I think it is safe to say that I am indeed reading again thanks to my Kindles.

[Guido Henkel]

I've always been an avid reader, since I was a kid, and the Kindle hasn't changed the volume of what I read so much as what I am reading. With the Kindle - and thanks to communities such as this and GoodReads, I suddenly discover books and writers I had never heard of before.

[Shastastan]

I was never an avid reader as a kid except for Classics Illustrated.  I read more in college, but mostly because I had no choice.  After that, I read a lot of technical stuff due to my profession.  It seems the only time I read a novel was on vacation.  After I retired, I started reading more fiction, but certainly not at the "avid" level.  The Kindle was like a catalyst for me.  I realize how much more I enjoyed reading than watching at least 85% of what's on tv including movies.  My Kindle is way easier to hold and I like to use larger fonts than the small print in a lot of paperbacks.  It truly is a practical and convenient innovation.