An increasing number of public libraries offer free eBooks that can be downloaded 24x7. Almost all offer Kindle formats. The collections include most current and popular books, although as with hard copies, there can be a waiting list for in-demand titles. It works like a hard copy checkout. You get it on your device for whatever the checkout period is - 2 or 3 weeks. At the end of which, it erases itself (just like having to return a physical copy, you don't have it anymore). I believe if you check it out again, it keeps your bookmarks, etc., but I'm not sure of that.

Thanks for the heads up, Nandina. I do get daily emails from several sites with free books, but passed this one by because I didn't think it sounded interesting. But I downloaded it on your recommendation. However, I had already trashed the email, so just went to Amazon and under the "Books" heading, typed in the name. The Kindle version did not come up as free. Then I went to the Kindle store and typed in the book name. This time it came up as free and I snagged it. Just thought I'd share. Don't know why the discrepancy, but make sure you check under the Kindle Store heading, not just books. And sometimes free books aren't even free for a whole day. Sometimes it's just hours. Gotta jump!

Ok, you all have me almost convinced to buy myself the Kindle. I just downloaded the app to my iphone. That's all I've done on it so far! The battery is low so I'll have to play with downloading books on it later. Lindsey, I love the idea of putting knitting patterns on it! I scanned some of my pattern pics with the materials list into the computer and printed them in photos, then put them in "brag books" to take with me to yarn shops so I would have the info to buy yarn, or not duplicate patterns, but I've always carried my knitting bag with a bunch of my favorite patterns in it, and my needles when we traveled. Luckily, we don't fly! When we took the train, I vacuumpacked each skein of yarn seperately for a sweater I was working on, and put them in the suit case. I could take out one at a time, and it would puff back up to it's original shape to work with. I knitted 2/3 of a sweater in 10 days that trip! But that bag is HEAVY! With the kindle, I could just carry that, my needles & accessory kit. Hmmm, guess I'll have to check the ccard balances. Trip to KS for a funeral=4 day weekend, gas, food, room. Trip to S. Ohio for bluegrass festival = room, gas, food, tickets, cd, banjo, music stand, & 3 instrument stands. Have to think about it. Tami

My Kindle arrived on Monday, a day early! It works as advertised. I purchased and downloaded a book more rapidly than I have ever downloaded anything, probably a minute or less. I had already decided on the book, Down River by John Hart, and that decision took a long time because there were so many possibilities. Last night I downloaded one of my previously purchased Audible.com books. To do that requires downloading first to the computer and then to the Kindle via USB. The audio book takes much more space than the printed book but I will only use the Kindle for that purpose in the car on long trips because I don't have a car player for my iPOD. Before the Kindle arrived I was reading a paperback book, which I don't like to do because of having to hold it open without harming the book (my personal problem). Now, with switching back and forth, I find the Kindle is so much easier to read that I am wishing the paperback would be available on the Kindle as well. Reading on the Kindle is better than I even expected. The cover for the Kindle is like a leather-covered hardback book cover. Because it has two sides, like a book, it becomes very easy to forget that I'm only reading on one side of it. I sometimes reach for the page to turn, forgetting that I should touch the "next page" button. The cover also makes it possible to prop the Kindle in front of me while I am eating and that certainly doesn't work with the paperback book. The print looks very much like that in a printed book. It is possible to choose from six font sizes. The reason there are no page numbers is because they would vary depending on the font size. It does give a location instead of page number and there are dots across the bottom of the display to indicate how much of the book has been read. The search feature is very nice and useful, especially in looking for something in the Kindle User Guide, which I do need to consult from time to time. There are other features I haven't checked out yet. So, my initial reaction is that I really, really like the Kindle. Is it worth $400? I have no idea. That is a judgment everyone has to make for themselves. I don't think it will ever totally replace books but it will help me keep from adding nearly as many to my Tottering TBR Towers.