I honestly never thought I’d buy one. It’s not that I have anything against them because I don’t. I’m a huge supporter of anything that gets people to read. I think my lack of interest was more a case of my love of actual physical books. I grew up with them. I know them. They line the walls of my life like silent friends, or perhaps portals into other times and places, and each one is unique. I know there’s a degree of sentimentality attached to them, and I’m entirely OK with that. I like that I like books. It’s something I’m proud of, even if every time I move I pay a lot more to box and ship them all.

So I was surprised at myself when I ordered one. Truly, it’s the closest I’ve had to an out-of-body experience in quite some time. I’m still not entirely sure why I did. I’ve never been a bleeding-edge of technology kind of person, or even a camp follower. I only bought my first cell phone a few years ago, and I’ve had my current Blackberry going on three years. I have a few t-shirts still in rotation I wore in university!

If I had to pick one reason, I think it was the notion that I could carry all these books around with me. I always travel with books, and the extra weight in my carry-on is a burden I’ve shouldered with a certain quiet sanctimoniousness and an aching back for a long time. Now, I’ll have room for more snacks and a little humility.

This could be the start of a very interesting relationship.