How a Kindle has changed my Christmas

Back in September, a week before I left my apprenticeship role to take up my first permanent position, my colleagues threw me a surprise leaving party.

A corporate style lunch was all laid out, and a healthy gathering of staff and students, who I had come to know and admire over the space of two and-a-half years, came to wish me well for the future. I tried to keep my emotions in check as cards full of lovely messages were handed to me, and made sure that I sufficiently thanked everybody for taking time from their busy schedules to attend.

I was also presented with a leaving gift. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by some of my colleagues that I have a little bit of an obsession with books, and that I spend much of my spare time reading or writing, so they had decided to award me with my very own Amazon Kindle.

This was very appropriate, as just a few days earlier I had become a published Amazon Kindle author, fulfilling a long-term ambition. But I had never seriously considered actually owning one. I have always preferred the feel and sensation of a proper, physical book, but I feel obliged to admit that ever since receiving my Kindle, I have become rather attached to it.

Please don’t hate me for saying that! I haven’t gone over to the dark side just yet – the physical book will always be superior in my mind. However I have found the Kindle to be such a useful addition to my life. It is extremely versatile, and one of those items that I can carry with me anywhere and everywhere. It even prompted me to finally set up an account on Goodreads – better late than never!

The one problem is, some if not all of the books I have read so far on my Kindle would have been on my Christmas list this year, so now I’ve had to think a little bit more outside the box and look out for several other interesting books (both fiction and non-fiction) worthy of gracing my bookcase.

Normally at Christmas my haul of presents is mostly a stack of new books, and the pile gradually whittles down over the following months. Getting a Kindle has meant that this year might turn out a little different, but then again, something forgotten or unexpected may lie in store.