so, i decided NOT to use the Kindle app on my tablet. even when not using it, it was being active and bogging down my interface a bit. not extremely, but enough to make me go "eh, why is this so sluggish?" blew away the app and tablet is much more responsive.
dunno if it's just my hardware or the app itself, but i think Kindle is a no-go for me unless i get a Kindle eink device.
thanks all!