The Kindle ebook reader by Amazon, with its free global Whispernet wireless ( less several selected countries like Singapore ) revolutionised  reading,  and leisure travellers the world over were able to pack a fortnight’s worth of chick-lit into a little electronic device little bigger than your regular magazine. And its power efficiency meant you could squeeze more pool-site deck-chair reading out on a single charge. Kindle versions of books also tended to be cheaper than the regular versions, hard or softcover, but that seems to be changing with publishers out to protect and increase their profit margins, despite the fact that the overhead costs of an electronic book is far lower than the printing and shipping costs of a paper version. Also, if you live outside the USA, chances are you may have a far smaller selection of ebooks to choose from. Now with the Ipad out, Amazon has increased the functions of the Kindle reader, and that can only be a good thing.

Still, for any serious ebook reader, the Kindle is a choice that cannot be overlooked.