Now, I have conceded. I still own over 1000 DTBs, and my absolute favorites are falling apart at the spine because I have loved re-reading them so often. I would love to have an ereader for a variety of reasons, the least of which is that I will not have to see my cherished book fall apart. (Handy, that.) Also, storing my books is getting to be a problem. Having a lot of books is not a bad thing; storing over 1000 is quite often an exercise in futility. Much to my dismay, I am in a position of having to give up my DTBs just because I no longer have the space. While I gave most of them to a local Children’s Hospital, I still mourn the loss. With an ereader, storage is not as much of an issue. Granted, the space is still finite, but not on the same scale. Ereaders can be carried everywhere, and most will store hundreds of books in the same amount of space as a magazine.

There is also a case of buying the books on paper. Here in Poland they are just too expensive. Being a poor student I simply cannot afford them. At least not as often as I would like to. As it is, my shelves are already full and new books after I read them have to go behind the bed – what a pity! I feel guilty for letting them lay in such a place. My owning an e-reader will put an end to the growth of my behind-the-bed-pile. New books will be neatly stored in it. Or not so neatly, judging from the files in my laptop. But nevertheless neater than they are today.

The next thing is my languages learning attempts. It is about five years now that I have started reading books in English (mostly e-books on my laptop or mobile to the endless suffering of my eyes and the batteries – another reason for an e-reader), and I have decided it is high time I return to studying German. I have had four-year break from it now and the first books read in this language is yet before me. I am sure I will not manage reading it in any other form than in ink (or e-ink, as it is). And the studying to be successful cannot end at just one book. Do you know how hard (and expensive) it is to come by a German book in Poland? Amazingly so.

Moreover, the e-reader will be so much easier to carry with me everywhere I go. I move around in the wheelchair and the weight of my bag must be kept to minimum. Being a bookaholic I have this urge to have a book I am currently reading with me all the time. One never knows when and where one will have a minute or two to have a break for a quick or a less quick read. Lately I was reading ‘North and South’ by Elizabeth Gaskell and I had to leave it home when going out – it was simply too heavy.

I hope I didn’t bore you to death with my essay (for me it looks like an essay, but my talkativeness got the better of me) and you will award me with and e-reader. I just want it so much!

Greetings from Poland,
Jadzia

There are actually several reasons I’d really love and appreciate a new ereader. I won’t say that mine are better than any other reader via-ing for one. I had a kindle that finally an on its last leg end of the year… it was shared between myself, son, and mom so I think probably just couldn’t stand the stress of literally being powered on about 15 hrs a day .

I had planned on getting one for my mom and son for Xmas this past year but the company I was doing design work for downsized suddenly and their design budget – as well as my lively hood – was the first to be cut, so we had a very small Christmas (but was still good not complaining we were together and safe). Shortly after, I got really sick bills got behind etc. Things turned up got a new job in Feb, but PC went out in April. I am just now getting to get things back on track with a new pc, job – and designing book covers etc. for authors – so hoping for a great rest of the year.

I can live with reading on my PC and digging through book piles to find my dresser, tv, small dog… I’d like it most for my mom who has poor eye site and carpal tunnel syndrome which make reading print books difficult. Also for my son (13) who had just started developing a true/consistent love for reading and has been withdrawn a bit since he no longer is able to use one (by that I mean he was more talkative, more excited, shared his thoughts on the books and came up with scenarios of his own). He also relied on it for part of his schoolwork. He is homeschooled so we depend a ton on books… with the income change it is a blessing to be able to get ebooks to utlize.

Thanks so much for the chance to win and wishing you and the others a ton of new followers/readers!

Pam S

Anyway, my best friend is an avid reader and has to travel frequently for work. She works in IT and is normally all about having the latest in technology or a new gadget, but for some reason she has been extremely hesitant to move to reading on an ereader. I know her well enough to know that once she picks up and tries it, she will be in love! (I have watched her fight with her paperback many times on the treadmill at the gym). I would LOVE to win this for her and bring her over to “the dark side”. We are good enough friends that I will even be able to tell her “I told you so”.

Thank again!