Kindle: Stealth Reading

The Kindle brings some unexpected (at least for me) advantages. There is of course delight of instant gratification, and the related joy of receiving a book you pre-ordered the SECOND it is available without having to go to a bookstore.

But there are other things too.

Say for instance that you are a fan of the Mary Russell books and a new one comes out at midnight on Monday (which is actually the first second it is Tuesday, but that confuses poeple). You of course would be good all day on Tuesday. I was. I taught. I went to meetings. I graded. And then I went home just a little early to read. Wednesday it was more difficult. I put the Kindle into my bag telling myself I would only read it during my lunch hour. In the hour between classes and in the afternoon I would grade, of course.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to read and grade 50 discussion questions when your favorite heroine may be in mortal danger? Really, it would be just rude to leave her there, suffering, while you grade. No, the ethical thing would be to read.

Of course colleagues and students did drop by periodically. I put down the Kindle and before they could ask said, "I think Peter Singer's new book might be a good one to use for Intro next year."

They responded with something like, "Peter Singer's book is on the Kindle?"

"Why yes, it is" I answered, and then then of course quickly asked them how I could help them.

So I finished the book during office hours on Wednesday. I read it so quickly that I know I need to go back and re-read it to catch all that I missed.

I'm thinking though that maybe I should read Peter Singer's book first.

You know, in case anyone asks me about it.