Recently on a subway trip downtown, I watched a lady seated one row up from us reading from her Kindle. From her concentration, she was an engrossed reader.

She didn't seem intimidated or miffed at her reading experience from using a digital device. I had to wonder at the Kindle's reliability. Every laptop or PC I've ever used had fried on me.

I'd hate to be somewhere reading along and the device quits working for whatever reason. Or it loses its charge. Bummer. On the other hand, a paperback doesn't break or run out of juice. Plus if I drop it (except maybe in a pool of rain water), it is still readable.

Anyway, when we reached the art gallery, I saw a man seated on a bench reading from his digital device. So they're catching on, it seems, like the Internet did all those years ago.

Here's the thing for me. After staring at a laptop all day, I'm not ready to continue it in the evening when I like to read. My eyes rebel. My brain screams in protest. One of the digital devices is built so you can feel as if you're turning the page. Knowing me, I'd be wet-thumbing to turn the page.

Even if, I'm changing. I can feel it coming.

Ed Lynskey
@edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles and Quiet Anchorage