Having lived abroad for several years now, one travel investment that I can honestly say has been worth the expense many times over is my Amazon kindle. Sometimes travelers can get caught up in the myriad travel accessories there are out there on the market. Will these items make your trip better? Easier? Most seasoned backpackers swear by packing their bags with the absolute minimum, so as not to hamper their travels with the extra weight or worry for these items.

At first glance, a kindle can seem a bit expensive. The computerized books begin at US$114 with the newest version costing around $189 with all of the features. For some this is simply as unwanted expense. I would never have considered undertaking the expense, until I was living in the North of France and found that purchasing the occasional English novel or book amounted to a great expense. English literature is not incredibly plentiful in the region, and what books were in stock were shockingly expensive. If I wanted to read in English it was going to be costly.

Now, living in Asia where I do not have the option of reading in the local language, here too English books are more expensive. There are still English books available at the local bookstore, though they have a considerable mark up. Additionally, literature other than the popular novels can be virtually impossible.

Investing in a kindle not only allows me to read English novels more cheaply, it opens up the whole literary spectrum that is otherwise closed off to me where I am living – or only accessible at a ridiculous import price.
If you are planning to live abroad for any significant time, purchasing a kindle may be beneficial to you. If you are planning to be actively on the road, even for a long duration, a kindle might be an unnecessary expense. It may add extra weight and anxiety to your travels by adding an extra expensive appliance to worry about. Plus, it is always fun to pick up random paperbacks from local hostels or guest houses, leaving your finished paperback behind for other travelers who are passing through.

Posted by | Comments (5)  | June 1, 2011
Category: Expat Life, Travel Gear


5 Responses to “”

  1. Matt Krems Says:

    Being able to read English books while travelling is also very valuable to me. Kindle is the obvious choice for this, and I like using the Kindle app on my iPod Touch . It does a million other things besides being able to read Kindle books on it. It really is like a pocket computer. The only problem is that the battery life is much, much shorter, and the backlit screen makes it a bit less pleasant on the eyes. Nonetheless, the pocketability and versatility of it make it a clear choice for me over the actual Kindle.

  2. comedy genius Says:

    Loving mine so much, picked up another for my mom

  3. Liz | Two Weeks to Travel Says:

    Could the Kindle be one of the greatest inventions ever?? My only fear is leaving it in the seatback on the airplane, but bags are so much lighter now without the extra books. I got one for my dad for Christmas and as a frequent business traveler he adores it!

  4. Nancy Says:

    My Kindle broke after 1-1/2 years of frequent use and they replaced it free even though it was out of warranty. Transferring the books was simple because they were archived on Amazon or on my regular computer at home. I have not only put guidebooks on my Kindle but also my detailed itinerary, bus route maps, confirmations for hotel room reservations etc. Any device can break unexpectedly but Amazon’s customer service was fast and pleasant. I don’t like reading misc paperbacks found at hostels because I find myself wondering why I wasted my time with them after reading them. I have found that having something engrossing to read during flights and train trips makes my trip much nicer.