The best way to read a novel

Amazon will launch its Kindle's second version. It is called the "Thindle", because is thinner and lighter. It is supposed to be more practical. Its battery will work for longer periods. In brief, it will be better.

Some people think that Amazon won't be as succesful with this gadget as it wishes, because people don't read anymore. However, Amazon sold about half million of units since it launched the Kindle. That has to mean something. People still read as always: not much, but in a stable way. And now, Amazon -and other e-readers makers- wants to reach a broader audience. Kindle's users would be able to download blogs and other popular sites from the Internet, not just newspapers, magazines and books. If Amazon can obtain this kind of readers, it can sell millions of units.

Which is the best way to read, anyway? I think it is a matter of tastes. Most readers (actual readers) prefer the traditional book when they want to get into a novel. Novels are long readings, which need time and space to be enjoyed. Readers usually choose a special spot, select a time, surrounder to the experience. That is why they don't read this kind of reading material in a computer. Screens are very unconfortable. And a laptop's battery does not last enough for a book to be read. Instead, a book is the perfect techonology for its purpose. You don't have to plug it, don't have to buy batteries, your eyes will be confortable with the pages, especially if they are made of good material.

But, you only can carry one or two books at the same time. If they are too thick, maybe just can't take anyone with you. In that case, a good e-reader, with soft screens and sharp images, long-term batteries and light to carry, is the best choice for the reader, even if he or she wants to read a long book.

What is your choice? Do you have to choose? I do not think so. I like to believe that these e-readers are a perfect solution for compulsive readers who need to travel. Sooner or later, the traditional support will desappear, but the book will never.

What am I reading now?

Two books at the same time. For me, it's the only way to read any book at all. Maybe it doesn't seem very logical, but there is a simple reason. If I do not read two books, I would read only one... at the same pace. Then, if I can manage two stories, at least I will finish them in a while at the same time too.

Why do I need to read? Well, it is a simple necesity for me. I cannot allow myself to be without any reading material at hand. Articles or pieces of news do not count. I need stories.

At the present time, I am reading two best sellers. One of them is relatively new: The Broker, by John Grisham. The other one is almost 20 years old: The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet. The first one is a classic thriller in a political environment, where a lawyer (of course!) is pursued by an uncertain number of terrible enemies, who are determined to kill him at any cost, because the poor man knows too much. The protagonist is a man in his fifties, who was very powerful but no more. The reading is entairtaining, but I found it dull in some ways. I have not been able to connect with him or with any other of the characters I already met. Maybe Grisham writes in a cold way that I don't fully appreciate. Or maybe I just need to give the book more time.

The Pillars of the Earth has a similar problem. Most characters are cold for me. I do not like Tom Builder much, nor Ellen. She is too mysterious, too special, but at the same time, to rude. Aliena is too grumpy and William Hamleigh too bad, bad guy. The only character who pleases me is the prior, Philip. I do not know why, but he is the most real for me til now. Maybe the other ones will be more interesting as I continue reading, so I will give them more time too.

Anyway, I will finish reading both books. Then, I will know if they will be convincent enough to be read a second time in the future.