This post was 95% composed originally as an email to my mother. Then, I realized others may care. So, here ya go:

Okay, after reading the Fictionwise FAQ’s, I think I saw my logic I used in late 2008 ….

Joining the club for one year costs $30

When ya join, ya get one free book up to $10 (a free $10 value)

When ya put $100 into yer account, ya get a 10% bonus (a free $10)

So, right off the bat you’ve gotten $20 of yer $30 back

That leaves you with $10 to make up in their discount pricing.

So, if you save $10 over the course of the one-year membership, you’ve broken even.

Chances are, you’ll save way more than $10, over the course of a year. (of course, you need to know what yer comparing to – other ebooks? real books? softcover hardcover?)

For me, I know my reading would drastically reduce, if I limited it to real books. I would not develop the habit of bringing a book with me into various rooms, various errands, etc. That’s why the iPod Touch and iPhone pretty, portable screens triggered my reading over the last two years.

Having it electronically stimulates me to read more (cause I’m apparently stubbornly wired that way,) but more importantly, the convenience of having it around me more often reminds me to read.

So, you couple potential cost savings AND convenience (at least with MY reading patterns) and it’s no wonder why ebook reading lured me into the hobby.

Since my Fictionwise account expired, and since my mom’s interest in the ereader, I have been monitoring my temptation to read outside my normal reading times (before bed and in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep) — basically, how often am I tempted to read in the living room? Outside? When I’m sick of sitting by the PC or touching a stinkin’ computer. Does it warrant another reader larger than the iPhone? Worth $300?

What I’ve found is that there are enough times I want to read on something other than my iPhone.

Sounds silly, but in bed, in the dark, it’s a smaller intimate setting. Having the iPhone in my face isn’t too bad. Yes, sometimes it’s too bright, but most of the time, it’s fine.

How will an e-ink reader be in the living room and outside, in the these larger, open spaces? I think it’ll fill the void I have in reading the iPhone in those areas. How will the e-ink reader be in the bed, in the middle of the night, using a clip on night light? Don’t know.

Can I read it while laying on my side in bed? Dunno. Will Karen kick me out of bed because of the light? No clue.

Will I read more, overall – in more places, at more times. Definitely.