Amazon Kindle 5: My new BFF

I must admit that I am a bookworm, but not a collector. Four years ago, when I was still working at SPi Global (a BPO publishing company at Laguna), I saw a Kindle DX held by our supervisor, who told us that whatever we do, it's the device that students use to read them. Since then, I told myself that I will buy the same thing so I can also read every book I want to without having a massive collection of hardbound or paperback books on shelves. Then I learned about Amazon and how I can purchase a Kindle for myself. But there's one problem: the budget and the shipping cost plus the tax. I was about to lose hope when I got the news that my cousins from Arizona and Australia will be celebrating their Christmas here in the Philippines. So I hurriedly asked Maycee to purchase one for me so I could save some money for the shipping cost. I was so excited when she agreed and told me that by December, I can have my Kindle. Yay!

It was mid-October when we started choosing which one I should purchase. I carefully read reviews and compared other Kindles to see which one is super useful to me but not so expensive at all. At first, I jot down all necessary things I wanted with my Kindle. 

1. Inexpensive. All I really wanted was a reading app, nothing more, nothing less. Saves battery and gadget life.
2. Handy that I can bring it anywhere without bringing a huge bag.
3. Connects with wifi for downloading books.
4. User-friendly.

I could have chosen a Kindle Fire, which costs $169, because it has apps already, is colored, and works like a tablet already. But, it won't divert me to my reading habits and instead just waste my time logging on Facebook. LOL. Plus it's too expensive, and I can't afford to buy it at that cost. From reviews, the battery doesn't last long, maybe a day or two at the longest. And then there's the Kindle Paperwhite, which costs $119, the newly released addition to the e-ink models of Kindle. It has a built-in light, a touch screen, 2-point multi-touch, and a battery that lasts up to 8 weeks long. Still, I don't settle for it because I still need to buy other Kindle accessories like a case and an adapter. Then, finally, Kindle 5 is the remodeled Kindle 4 but much lighter, faster, and smaller. 

Amazon's 6" E Ink Pearl display with optimized font technology, 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale (graphite)

• Model: Kindle 5 Wi-Fi, 6" Display 
• Size: 6.5" x 4.5" x 0.34" (165.75 mm x 114.5 mm x 8.7 mm)
• Color: Graphite (you can also have black color, as graphite is limited only)
• Storage: On device: 2 GB internal (approximately 1.25 GB available for user content). Holds up to 1,400 books. Free cloud storage for all Amazon content
• Battery Life: 8 weeks wireless off
• Price: $69
• Kindle Accessories included: USB 2.0 charging cable (that's why I add up a power adapter so I can also charge it via sockets) and an Amazon Leather case for protection since it doesn't have to have a screen protector.

This Kindle doesn't have a built-in light, but it's fine with me because I usually read books during the daytime, and at night, lights are always on, so I don't have to worry about that part. The fast turning of pages is what makes this Kindle superb compared to the Kindle 4. You can read other buyers' reviews on the Amazon website for further details about the product. I also like the free books I can purchase at the Amazon store using wifi, and I can even add my personal books to the library via USB transfer. 
  
What's so special about this Kindle? Instead of paying for it from my own savings, my husband paid for it and gave it to me as a gift last Christmas 2012! But still, thanks to Maycee for purchasing this gadget through the Amazon store. :)

Watch out for my post on purchasing books from Amazon to your Kindle device.