I've been trying to decide whether or not I should buy a Kindle to take to Honduras.
Pros:
-Very light-weight compared to paper books
-Wide selection of books available
-Affordability of books (after initial cost of the Kindle itself)
-Quicker to get new books as opposed to traveling to a bookstore or mail
-Conversation starter?
Cons:
-Risk of theft or getting lost/broken
-It would be something that many Hondurans don't have (I don't want to own a lot of stuff that separates me from the people in my community-- I'm not even sure I want to take my laptop)
-I'd have to worry about maintaining it/keeping it safe
-Access to/dependability of electricity in my house may be questionable
I like books and want access to both technical/academic books and books for pleasure while I'm serving in the Peace Corps. The other option to the Kindle is of course bringing a few paper books with me, then buying more while I'm there or having them shipped to me. Though I know that mailing things is expensive and takes forever, especially things that weigh as much as books. Also, I'm not sure what to expect in terms of selection of books at librerias in Honduras.
Pros:
-Very light-weight compared to paper books
-Wide selection of books available
-Affordability of books (after initial cost of the Kindle itself)
-Quicker to get new books as opposed to traveling to a bookstore or mail
-Conversation starter?
Cons:
-Risk of theft or getting lost/broken
-It would be something that many Hondurans don't have (I don't want to own a lot of stuff that separates me from the people in my community-- I'm not even sure I want to take my laptop)
-I'd have to worry about maintaining it/keeping it safe
-Access to/dependability of electricity in my house may be questionable
I like books and want access to both technical/academic books and books for pleasure while I'm serving in the Peace Corps. The other option to the Kindle is of course bringing a few paper books with me, then buying more while I'm there or having them shipped to me. Though I know that mailing things is expensive and takes forever, especially things that weigh as much as books. Also, I'm not sure what to expect in terms of selection of books at librerias in Honduras.
