Thing: What gadgets does your family own? We have an iPad, iTouch & Nook (older reader). If I had to choose one gadget it would be the iPad as it offers the most functions.

I own all the apple portables iPhone, iPad, iPod, iTouch. I also have a Kindle. If you are new to gadgets and you are looking at a reader I think there are plenty of positives with a reader. I happen to be hooked on Amazon. I can shop for gifts at holidays and shop for books in one easy area. I still use my Kindle even though I have my i devices with a Kindle app. My Kindle is now several years old. It has a hard keyboard and no light. But that works for me reading at the beach or in the car. My i devices with the back light and glare or no visibility through polarized shades just make me find other places to sit and read. As for living without - YIKES! I don't want to do that. I follow social networks for friends and news. I get my emails in my hand no matter where I am. I can schedule a meeting, take notes at the meeting and send them all before I leave the meeting. I have a shopper app to keep track of my grocery list. That is how I manage my life. I need to keep my down time truely down time! These are all great tools that as a wife, mother, volunteer, and friend I can't do without to manage my busy schedule.