Seriously, Amazon?

The Cod was not feeling Xmassy enough to go to the work holiday luncheon, but tried to work self into holiday spirit w/ some online xmas shopping. Who even knew that duct tape came in so many colors? Anyway, on the list is a copy of the Momofuku cookbook. Weary of the handjob* model of book retailing, I went to the evil Amazon, and found this:

A Kindle edition? So, a cookbook, that is a book you use in the kitchen, and one that has handsome color photos, delivered to your wireless reading device that set you back close to two bills, does not react well to having grapeseed oil spilled on it, and does not do color? As momo mascot John McEnroe might say: 

*A brick and mortar bookstore with very little actual stock, but which tells you cheerfully that they can order books for you that they do not carry is operating on a business model akin to a handjob store, in that they are asking to leave the house (twice) to do something you can take of yourself, at home. 

Comments

[Ann]

I was gonna blame this on the publisher (some are setting prices for Kindle editions now, sometimes for more than Amazon charges for the hardcover) but Clarkson Potter doesn't seem to be one of them.

[Penny Pascal]

Three things:

1. While I agree that pretty cookbooks on Kindle are kinda lame (and pretty much all other books for that matter), having it on Kindle could come in handy if you're, say, attempting to cook something from it while you're in someone else's kitchen without having to lug the entire book with you. Slim chances of that, etc, but still it could come in handy (I resent that the context of this post makes that word all too appropriate). Would you be as mad at this if the book were available in full color/graphic glory on an iPad, out of curiosity?
2. Also, your analogy...gross.
3. Did you learn how to crop in photoshop?! So proud.

[Margaret]

Kindles are ridiculous. Everything digital is ridiculous.

Wait, is this a blog?

Anyway, my entire Xmas shopping this year is being done on the "Store" link for Hyperbole and a Half. Place your order with me now. I mean it.

Love.

[Anna]

I use my Kindle in the kitchen and in the hottub. Ziplocs are a great way to protect it from random splashes...