Will The Kindle Get Men to Read More?

[mattlynn]

If you haven’t bough one of the new Kindles yet, I really recommend it. It’s lighter than the old one, which makes it completely portable, but it is just as slickly designed, easy to read, and simple to use.

But I’ve noticed one thing about it. It fits perfectly into inside breast pocket of a man’s jacket. I’m a fairly averaged sized bloke – 42 jacket size if you must know – so I guess that is true for most men.

This is a more important point than most people realise. Men don’t normally have anywhere they can carry a book around. We don’t have handbags. Jacket and coat pockets are two small for printed books (unless you are going for the intellectual look, in which case you might have a copy of Camus stuffed into a big, grey coat). Unlike women, we don’t have anywhere we can slip a book away that we can read on the bus, or waiting for a meeting, or whatever.

On the whole women read more than men – that’s why women’s fiction sells more than men’s fiction. I’m not suggesting the Kindle is a male device – I’ve seen loads of women reading them on the train.

But it might well encourage men to read as much as women – which can only be a good thing.

- Matt Lynn
[Affiliate link removed -MODERATOR]

[GeoffC]

The Kindle is not the only reader available .....

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by mattlynn

This is a more important point than most people realise. Men don’t normally have anywhere they can carry a book around. We don’t have handbags.

Speak for yourself - I always carry around an, ahem, "man-bag" . a leather "messenger bag".

[GoSharks]

Originally Posted by mattlynn

If you haven’t bough one of the new Kindles yet, I really recommend it. It’s lighter than the old one, which makes it completely portable, but it is just as slickly designed, easy to read, and simple to use.

But I’ve noticed one thing about it. It fits perfectly into inside breast pocket of a man’s jacket. I’m a fairly averaged sized bloke – 42 jacket size if you must know – so I guess that is true for most men.

This is a more important point than most people realise. Men don’t normally have anywhere they can carry a book around. We don’t have handbags. Jacket and coat pockets are two small for printed books (unless you are going for the intellectual look, in which case you might have a copy of Camus stuffed into a big, grey coat). Unlike women, we don’t have anywhere we can slip a book away that we can read on the bus, or waiting for a meeting, or whatever.

On the whole women read more than men – that’s why women’s fiction sells more than men’s fiction. I’m not suggesting the Kindle is a male device – I’ve seen loads of women reading them on the train.

But it might well encourage men to read as much as women – which can only be a good thing.

- Matt Lynn
[Affiliate link removed -MODERATOR]

It took a while, but jackets started having cell phone pockets... now they're fairly standard. I wonder how long it will take the clothing industry to make men's jackets with e-reader / small tablet pockets. I know I'd be game!

[HomeInMyShoes]

And the answer is no.

[gastan]

Originally Posted by mattlynn

Men don’t normally have anywhere they can carry a book around.

I use my hands.

[jgaiser]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Speak for yourself - I always carry around an, ahem, "man-bag" . a leather "messenger bag".

- though mines not leather...

[GoSharks]

Originally Posted by gastan

I use my hands.

For what?

[pilotbob]

People that read will buy a kindle or someone will gift it to them.

I don't think a non-reader is going to say to himself... self (that's we he calls himself) I should buy one of those kindles since it will fit in my jacket pocket.

BOb

[HomeInMyShoes]

^They will ask the question that if they can play Call of Duty on it then it's buy, otherwise forget it.

[Apache]

I have always carried a book with me wherever I go. Now is is an electronic book, but it is no different than carrying hard or paperback books.
As said most non readers will not get one just because it fits in a pocket.
Apache

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by mattlynn

But I’ve noticed one thing about it. It fits perfectly into inside breast pocket of a man’s jacket. I’m a fairly averaged sized bloke – 42 jacket size if you must know – so I guess that is true for most men.

If you put your reader in a pocket, be prepared to have it break.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Speak for yourself - I always carry around an, ahem, "man-bag" . a leather "messenger bag".

I have a messenger bag that I've had for a good long time that I am going to be replacing in November with another messenger bag. I use that to carry my 650 when I go out.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Speak for yourself - I always carry around an, ahem, "man-bag" . a leather "messenger bag".

I never saw you as a murse kind of guy.

BOb

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by mattlynn

If you haven’t bough one of the new Kindles yet, I really recommend it. It’s lighter than the old one, which makes it completely portable, but it is just as slickly designed, easy to read, and simple to use.

If you have not bought a new Kindle, take a look at other readers because you may find them better for your needs then a Kindle. The Kindle is not all there is and other readers may do what you want better. For example, if you do not live in the US and want library eBook access, a Kindle is a rather bad choice.

[GoSharks]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you have not bought a new Kindle,..... a Kindle is a rather bad choice.

10.5 sec ...... must be a new record for you, Jon. Always such a ray of sunshine in the morning....