The immense popularity of Amazon’s Kindle 2 e-reader gives hope to any fan of the printed word. In a world where TV shows, movies and Internet videos are cutting into the sales of novels, newspapers and magazines, the Kindle 2 is making reading cool again.

The Kindle 2 ranks as one of the most popular e-readers on the market. With it, users can download and store an incredible 1,500 electronic books. Then, much like with an iPod, Kindle 2 users can simply dial up the book, magazine, newspaper or blog that they’d like to read.

It’s incredibly simple, and it is changing the way people think about novels, magazines and newspapers. Some even hope that the Kindle 2, which allows users to download just about any book they want from the Amazon Kindle Store, will provide a much-needed boost to the publishing industry. Kindle 2 users can download most bestsellers for just $9.99, and can download several books for free.

The Kindle 2 also boasts an impressively cool look and style. For one thing, the device is extremely thin and lightweight, small enough to fit in a coat pocket. It also features a miniature five-way joystick that is booth cool and makes rotating through the Kindle 2’s many menus an easy task.

The reading experience is also a positive one. The Kindle 2’s screen is amazingly clear for its smallish size. According to Amazon, the Kindle 2’s screen boasts 16 shades of gray. This represents a big improvement over the four grays that the original Kindle featured.

Some Kindle 2 users have complained that pages – whether for books, magazines or newspapers — take too long to turn on the Kindle 2. However, this is a fairly minor complaint regarding a device that many call an engineering marvel. The Kindle 2’s pages turn 20 percent faster than did the pages on the first version, Amazon says.

The Kindle 2 is also a snap to charge. Users can plug the Kindle 2 to any vacant USB port on their computers. They can also connect the device, through the use of an adaptor that comes with the Kindle 2, into a standard wall outlet.

Amazon this summer is unveiling the new Kindle DX, which will include several upgrades over the Kindle 2. But those who want an e-reader now needn’t wait for the new version. The Kindle 2 has features enough for anyone.

Owning a Kindle 2 isn’t quite like discovering new authors at the local bookstore or public library. But it comes close. It truly is the ideal gift for the avid readers in your life.