Amazon might be able to sell eight million Kindles in 2010. This is a huge number of Kindles, and if Amazon can in fact pull it off before the year is over, they will have accomplished selling more of the Kindle this year by two or three times what it has sold in any year since it was released. Eight million sold would also be as many Amazon Kindles sold as Apple has sold iPads!

The eight million quote is not confirmed by Amazon, but Bloomberg is reporting that it is what “two people who are aware of the company’s sales projections” are predicting could in fact be the final sales number for the year.

Amazon may reach the eight million mark because of the huge popularity of the Kindle. Many are also giving in and purchasing one because of the recent price drop this year, which brought the popular e-reader to only $139 per unit. There are also other e-readers doing well this year, but none has a better price or a better overall platform. If there was ever a good reason to buy one of these devices, it is now.

All that Amazon has said on the matter was posted on December 13, in a Facebook wall post stating that “in just the first 73 days of this holiday quarter, we’ve already sold millions of our all-new Kindles.” Some analysts were guessing that it was around the five million mark. According to Peter Kafka of AllThingsD’s, that might even seem to be bullish.

MSNBC gave Amazon the opportunity to respond to this matter, but they have not yet done so. At some point in the near future, they will have to reveal the actual sales number for the Kindle, but are so far, being mysterious about the actual facts. Will it be five million? Eight million? Ten million? Only Amazon knows, but hopefully they won’t keep us guessing for too much longer.

Can Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Sell 8 Million Kindles in 2010? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The trend continues to show that e-books are continuing to out sell hard cover books and Amazon revealed recently that sales of their Kindle electronic reader continues to develop a loyal band of followers.

Dropping the price has helped increase sales. Since dropping the price from $259 sales of the Kindle have tripled. They have also recently revealed that the new third generation Kindle which is lighter and smaller is priced at $189.

Contrast this with the successful Apple iPad that retails for $499. With the broad price point for e-readers, Amazon is banking on being able to sell millions of Kindles at their new $139 price for the wireless only version.

The electronic reader is slowly replacing hardcover books and since being introduced in 2007 for $359, the Kindle has grown in popularity and as a result the price has dropped. Volume selling of electronic devices usually leads to better manufacturing prices, which in turn drives down retail prices. That is good news for consumers who want to purchase a Kindle.

E-readers download content digitally and the consumer can read books, magazines, and newspapers on an easy to transport and hold tablet. Amazon, in addition to selling the e-reader, has a significant library of books (more than 630,000) that can be purchased by Kindle owners. Each book is separately priced and start at $9.99.

To make them more ‘book like’ manufactures include page turning visuals complete with sound. Buying an e-book is similar to buying any type of book. You buy the book once and then the book is yours to read on most e-type devices such as Kindle, Kindle DX, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC and Blackberry.

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Here are some great examples of things to buy used to still get quality stuff, without the ridiculously high prices:

CDs/DVDs –  With the opportunities growing for using new mediums for music and video such as through the online market, there is little need to purchase new discs for audio and video. There is often a plethora of discs that can be found at yard sales and eBay for very reasonable prices. Instead of buying discs, rent them for free from the library.

Video Games – Much like the CD/DVD options, some libraries often rent the games for free or at a low cost. If you can find a local library where you can get your games, shop at a used game store where you can often trade in used games for different used games for no or low cost.

Books – Again, the library is a great way to save yourself $30 per book. Even small town libraries, like the one I frequent, carry the newest releases; though you may be on a waiting list for the newly released copies. Yard sales and the internet are also a great place to find gently read books for a dramatic savings.

Infant/Toddler Jeans – Little bitty kids who can barely walk or can’t walk at all are often pretty kind to a pair of pants or jeans, unlike older, more active kids who tend to wear out the knees or find different kind of stains to acquire. Shop at thrift stores or yard sales that have baby clothing. Most little kids grow out of great clothes before they have a chance to mess them up. Paying $15 for a pair of jean a little one may wear once is ridiculous, especially if you don’t even pay that much for your own adult-sized jeans.

Family Pets – “Previously Owned” may be a better way to describe this category. Many animal breeders charge top dollar for a dog or even a cat. Instead of going for the top of the line, go straight to the heart and adopt a cat or dog from an overcrowded shelter. The adoption fee is generally under $100 and includes neutering and spaying procedures, shots, and the money you spend goes right back into the local animal shelter.

“Gently Used” Could Save You Bucks Big Time was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

July 21 was acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway’s birthday, where he would have been 109-years-old. Also a Nobel Prize winner, Hemingway is known to have lived in Key West in the 1930′s for a decade and had penned some of his masterpieces seaside in this quaint, tropical location. Key West celebrates its literary history, pirate tales and island lifestyle year-round with different festivals, including the annual Hemingway Days, and through its attractions.

Hemingway Days is the celebration of the legendary author’s work and lifestyle features literary readings, a theatrical premiere, short story competition, fishing tournament, Sloppy Joe’s Annual Papa Look-Alike Contest and a birthday party. During his 10-year residence on the island, Hemingway penned literary classics including “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “To Have and Have Not,” which is about Key West during the Depression.

Festival organizers announced July 21-26 as dates for the 2009 festival.

During a visit to Key West, travelers can visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, located at 907 Whitehead Street. Visitors can partake in other famous Key West attractions that Hemingway himself was known for doing including fishing to the Dry Tortugas in the pursuit of giant tuna and marlin.

Hemingway is not the only claim to literary fame for Key West. Poet Robert Frost also has ties to Key West’s island charms. Visitors can visit the Key West Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage, located at 410 Caroline Street. The 2008 Key West Robert Frost Poetry festival featured poetry and haiku workshops, poetry and haiku readings, art & film events and an international poetry and haiku contests.

Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder, Gloria Swanson, Sally Rand, and other contemporaries also have made their mark on Key West. A couple of contemporary authors who help people escape to the Keys include Stella Cameron with her book titled “Key West,” another book titled “Key West: A Story Sequence” by Jon Michael Miller, and even famous song-writer and singer and author Jimmy Buffett starts his “Where is Joe Merchant“ tale in Key West.

Wanting to plan a trip to Key West to begin writing your own chapter? There are really four routes to Key West: driving down Route 1, otherwise known as the Oversea Highway, over miles of bridges navigating the different keys (about 3 ½ hours from Miami, Florida); flying to Key West via air; arriving via high speed ferry from Ft. Myers, Florida or Miami area; or as a cruise ship passenger.

Key West is famous for its quaint bed and breakfasts for travelers looking for an intimate experience. The Eden House provides a great getaway that is off the beaten path, yet close enough to walk to key attractions and is very cost-effective. For those wanting to stay in the midst of the action, the Duval House is another great option.

Other hotel accommodations near the center of the Key’s happenings include the Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa, Sheraton Suites, Westin Key West Resort & Marina, Ocean Key Resort & Spa, Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa, Sunset Key Guest Cottages (a Westin Resort) and more.

When going to Key West, bring any travel-inspired books with you on your journey to serve as a “travel guide” for you.

What titles have inspired you for your travels?

PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Grizzard, left, of Leesburg, Fla.,  is congratulated by George Burley, right, and other previous winners after he won the 2008 “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar late Saturday, July 19, 2008, in Key West, Fla. Competing for the eighth time, Grizzard, 69, bested 141 other contenders in the contest that was a facet of a Hemingway Days festival that ended Sunday, July 20, and honored the late author’s literary prowess and fun-loving Key West lifestyle in the 1930s. The 109th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth is Monday, July 21. NO SALES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

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Another avenue I take to find good deals on books, especially kid’s books, is at a thrift store, flea market or yard sale. It is not uncommon to find a current novel in great condition for a $1 or less. Kid’s books are usually $.25 and I would buy a book over a toy any day.

When I am done with the book, I simply do not have the space to store even half of the novels I read nor do I feel it is necessary to keep a collection. There are a few books I do keep but I don’t usually feel compelled to read something more than once. I keep a collection in a box and when it gets filled, I head over to the library. I enjoy seeing my donations in the ‘new releases’ section and feel good that other people will have the opportunity to read good books who otherwise may not be able to afford to buy it. I do the same with my child’s books. Once they have been read several times, we donate to them to the community or school library.

I believe in giving the gift of reading and I appreciate that others do the same. It a great feeling to go to the library and see that someone has donated the exact novel you have been wanting to read. It also has taught my child the importance of a library and the joys of reading.

How to Get Books for 1/10th of What Barnes & Noble Would Charge was created by and is property of American Consumer News.