Book Sharing
Although I was adamant that I would not buy a kindle, could see
no reason why anyone would want to read a novel on a piece of
plastic, or want to hold a hard non pliable contraption when they
settled down to read; I betrayed myself last week and
bought one from Amazon.
Aaaaahhhh gasp. I am still surprised at myself. Not to mention
how rarely I indulge in buying a book unless it is from a charity
shop or with a book token - or library
loan. It doesn't do to think how many wonderful books
I could have treated myself to for the cost of the kindle.
My excuse is a reasonable one - (I tell myself). I love
reading. I need to read. I have not read a book for months, all
through the packing, the move and a month into arrival in our new
home. Almost the first thing my grandaughter asked was
if we could go to the library together, if we had, I would not be
the owner of a kindle.
Wearing my new glasses, dratted bi focals, I stepped out of the
garage and into space, wherupon I learnt very quickly that you
cannot hold your head up when your body is plummeting to the
ground, that eventually you land. Thankfully, it was on all
fours and not flat upon my face. It hurt! I hurt all over. Every
day I discover a new bit that hurts; my knees are all shades
of blue and purple.
The normal aches and pains following a flight like this would not
be so bad but the slipped disc that had so nicely healed, and my
neck injury have been exacerbated. So, being the kind of person
who finds difficulty in making a request directly, I
kind of complained that I did not have anything to read,
and how fed up I was at not bing able to go to the library
etc. ( I wonder how many times I said that wihtout
realsising that I was or that my words were not
heeded). Then I remembered that if I finally bought a kindle
I could download books, whole books, some as cheap as 99p and
some for free - this thought was tanatlizing, like a
eureka moment.
On the morning I oredered the kindle, just after the site said,
'despatched', my loving OH said, 'I can go to the library,
if you think I could choose anything you would like to
read.'
'It's ok, thanks, I have just ordered a Kindle.'
'What a good idea, you should have had one ages ago. Just the
job.'
I was expecting the kindle by first class post next day - I was
as excited as a kid at Christmas. Post arrived, no kindle, nor on
the next day, or the next. I was in Swanage and the Kindle
was in Cambridge. The family in our house were in Scotland, the
Kindle was now back in Peterborough. Avidly, online, I
followed my new gift to myself around the UK. I called the parcel
company and finally it was delivered over a week later to our new
address.
Half an hour later I was sat in the garden with a cup of
tea.....reading the Telegraph, while the Kindle charged
itself.
Then I downloaded the instructions and a book.
So far, I like everything about the kindle, well almost. I like
that when you switch it on and press the button it turns to
the page you were last reading. I liked that I didn't need a
bookmark.
I was chuffed.
I liked that it was tidy, I find being tidy a trial. Then the
grandchildren came and oohed and ahhed - it was nice to be the
one with the latest gadget for a change. (they are too young to
tell me I should have had a touch screen or Sony). Within five
minutes they were downloading samples of stories and discussing
who was the best author.
When I was a child I would not have dared touch anything that
belonged to an adult, but they are so aware and comfortable
with technology and their knowledge is a boon.
All fine so far.....but now,having read the first novel, 'Summer
in Ischea by Penny Feeny, I am disappointed that I cannot pass it
on. Am I expecting too much? I love sharing books that I
read. Now, if my daughter and my mother want to read it I will
have to loan them the kindle, but I can't do that as I am
well in Nietzche and Plato now.
I was going to conclude by saying that I am perfectly happy to do
all my reading on a kindle but last night I missed
the pliable cover of a book, and the way I fiddled
with the bookmark; I simply missed the feel of a book. So,
tonight, after my fish and chips, I will be
reading NeuroLinguistic Programming, How to Ask for What
you Really Want and Get It.
It is a real book, one where I can flip forward and back,
rest my fingers on top of the page unconscioulsy, ready for the
moment I need to turn it over, and later I can pass it
on, or it can sit on my bookshelves - when they, and all my other
books are eventually unpacked.
Oh yes, that was one thing that surprised me - I like
not having to find somewhere to store the books; I never
thought I would say that.
The demerit is that the pages won't absorb tea or coffee or
perfume or sunoil or baby sick; it will never bring back
memories in the same way as an old book might.
But I love my kindle.
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13 Comments
Well dome Bren. An e-pioneer amongst us 'senior' members of the Cloud. Enjoy a speedier recovery with your Kindle.
More importantly, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident, and hope you are already on the mend.
Your 'physical' (as opposed to electronic) NLP book sounds very interesting, by the way.
It could be used for research unless you need the books open at the same time, side by side - I have six books on it already! spoilt for choice - and the lovely part is being able to download samples! Even if I never purchased another book the samples are around two chapters, just long enough to fall asleep to and compare the style of different writers, then, if I am really hooked and if it is a good price I can download it or order it from the library. It has the capability to note-take too. (when I suss that).
I too love books Spangles, with an adoration I do not understand. Would have loved many more as I was growing up - so I am very surprised that I am now attached to my kindle. It is so easy to pop into a bag.
I was encouraged because all my books are behind me in a tall stack of boxes and until we decide how, or if, we are going to extend and decorate, there they will stay.
I will keep you updated on the NLP. I used to use it in lectures but thought I ought to remind myself. The process would benefit children if taught in schools.
Kind of on the mend, thankyou, both.
Kindle Cloud Reader with its integrated touch optimized Kindle Store is available starting today for Safari on iPad, Safari on desktop and Chrome at http://www.amazon.com/cloudreader.
Yes, Bren, I think lots of things would benefit children if taught in schools, including NLP. You buying a Kindle makes perfect sense having read what you say about all your books currently being in boxes. I've been in that situation too - I've even been driven sometimes to buy another copy of a favourite book simply because the original is in one of forty-odd boxes. Sooo frustrating!
I'm glad you've discovered Kindle and it's uses and I'm happy you're enjoying it. Good on you girl for taking that step forward into a new era. :o)
Stephenterry, that sounds useful.
I think I also heard a friend say that you can actually pass books on from kindle to kindle. Not actually copy them over but pass them from one to another.
I don't know many people with kindles, one of my friends (youngster just turned 18) loves his kindle. Living in such a small house a kindle enables him to have as many books as he likes electronically when he doesn't have the space to keep them. He loves his.
I'm still on the fence about them. I neither hate nor love them. I do however own a nintendo ds light and have the 100 classic book collection which I occasionally read. The useful thing about that is that I can read with the bedroom light off. hahaah!
I don't know if I'd have a kindle, simply because I would want an e-reader that shows colour pictures. I have a number of crystal books and reference books, a couple of books on meridians etc and I rather like the pictures to help identify things.
I love reading childrens books (one's I missed when growing up), things like Beatrix Potter and her Tales of Peter Rabbit etc. I would miss the fabulous paintings created and constantly reproduced.
And one of my fave books of the last few years has been Marly and Me. Reading it on Kindle I would miss out on those lovely photos John Grogan has added.
Or, after I've said all this, is someone going to tell me now that there is a colour Kindle available?
Get well soon Bren
:o)
I was disappointed that I could not read in the dark. Having used a ds in the dark I went to bed with new kindle, switched off light, held it up and I was in pitch darkness; shame. But I notice there is a cover with tiny attached light but I won't bother with that - I am not very fond of gadgets and things that demand more fiddling!
No, you click on amazon on the book you wish to purchase and whoosh, like magic it appears on my Kindle. It doesn't even need wires. In fact I was in the front of the house and my grandaughter clicked on the computer in a different room and the book was downloaded in seconds. All too easy......and then the bill needs paying.
My aun'ts bookshelves had been filled with books that had meaning for her. She asked that people who knew her would take some of her books as a memory of her after she died, Few people took up her option. I would like to have written a play about my aunt and her book collection, but this time has now gone. i find rather sad.
I'm sure you'll grow to love your kindle. You can email with it, and download pdf's and other documents and buy any newspaper or magazine that exists in the world. It has been fantastic for me, because I have started getting problems with my fingers, and holding a book was getting difficult. The kindle is a doddle to hold and i can make it self standing with the cover - look no hands. However, I do agree that the only downside is not being able to lend the book to anyone.
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