Excitement was not the word. I'd been told on Christmas Day what I was to expect and had whipped myself up into a total frenzy by the time I actually got my grubby mitts on it.
And it's everything I ever dreamed it would be:
1. It can hold 3,500 books. Can you imagine that? That's probably more than I currently own. Not that I'm going to get rid of my collection, but at least we won't be in danger of being buried alive when I bring more into the house.
2. I know nobody has turned the pages of the book I'm reading:
- a. While sitting on the toilet.
- b. In a shop without washing their hands after going to the toilet.
- c. After touching money (probably more germs on money than on a toilet seat).
3. If I want to buy a book, it can be delivered to my Kindle in less than a minute. And, thanks to a WiFi connection and one click ordering, I don't even have to get out of bed to go shopping.
I wasn't entirely convinced, at first, that it was as comfortable to hold as a traditional book. But you can change the orientation - and size - of the text. I have abnormally small hands for my height (fat, but small) and reading landscape is much, much easier. It also took me a while to get used to the fact it wasn't back-lit.
But the aim of the Kindle makers was that it should be invisible once the user was reading. Now that I'm used to it, it does what it says on the tin, and disappears completely and doesn't intrude on the reading experience in the slightest.
And I'm completely in love with it.
The only downside is it's all too easy to spend too much money buying books for it.
Next time: my miracle weight loss plan
28 comments:
It sounds like you're very pleased with your kindle, Suzanne - it sounds so easy to buy new books without traipsing into town!
Hehe, I'm glad you're happy with your kindle. It sounds lovely, I'm not sure I want one, but I might be tempted next christmas...
Ah a miracle weight loss plan, yes please!
Very pleased, Julie - and that's the best bit.
It is lovely, penandpaints - it was a gift, not something I would have thought to buy for myself, but now I've got it I wouldn't be without it.
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I don't have a Kindle, but publishers have begun to offer electronic review copies of books, so I might have to get one.
I have a Kindle app on my phone which is just like the real thing apart from the fact that the screen is smaller.
The great thing is that no matter where I am, I have a number of books in my pocket. There is always time to squeeze a couple of pages in!
I'm glad you are enjoying your Kindle. I still prefer proper books, though.
Hubby and I carry that hand gel around with us when we are out and about because of germs.
I like the sound of your miracle weight loss plan. :O)
I'm very tempted as you're not the only one to rave about the Kindle - but I do love the feel and smell of a brand new book.
And you are so right about how many germs there are on money. If you have any banknotes and coins that are not in uncirculated condition probably the safest thing to do is place them in an envelope using tweezers and then send it to me for safe disposal. It's a service I can also extend to your readers too -its a dirty job but someone has to do it!
Hi Helen - I don't think you'd regret it.
That's a great idea, Adam, after all, you're much more likely to carry your phone around so it will be very useful for those odd unexpected spare moments. Sadly, my phone is way too old and too basic, and the screen way too small for this app :-(
Madeleine, I couldn't live without antibacterial gel - the best invention ever.
Hi Troy, I'm touched you'd put yourself in such danger to save me from germs. Thank you. :0)
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I really should get one since the whole being buried alive thing rings a bell ;) But I'm not sure I should go from staring at a screen all day to reading off of one.
I thought the same thing, Lacey. But, because it isn't backlit, it doesn't strain the eyes in the same way - it's much more like reading a paper book. I don't think it will replace traditional books comptely, but it definitely has advantages.
I think you can even download your wip onto it - and make notes as you check over what you've written (not that I've managed to do it yet).
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I also had a Kindle for Christmas, and I love it to bits!
I was a sceptic when e readers appeared a few years ago, but I am converted. My main gripe with books was hardbacks! I hate them, the weight, the price, and how most authors books seem to go hardback first...now I can download any book. Any time, anywhere.
Its brilliant.
I love ebooks. And I love reading them on my iPad so I can relate to the Kindle love. The one down side is not being able to read them in the bath. :-)
I got a Kindle for my birthday in December, but, would you believe, I haven't downloaded anything yet. I have a pile of *real* books to get through before I can indulge myself. Glad you are enjoying yours though, Suzanne - they are ever-so lovely, aren't they? And I'd never thought of all those germs on books before - thank goodness I'll be going all techno soon! x
Sounds wonderful, Suzanne. I hadn't thought of the advantages as regards cleanliness but that is another point in its favour :-)
And just imagining 3500 books all in one place and not gathering dust .... ooh so tempting!
I'm interested to hear your opinions on the Kindle, as I am such an old dinosaur that I've yet to be convinced it is the gadget for me! I can see the advantages in Kindles, and I fully accept that writers have to embrace the digital age. But I have such an emotional attachment to 'real' books that I don't know if I'd enjoy anything on a Kindle as much as I'd enjoy an actual book. In this house, the jury's still out.
Very jealous of your kindle Suzanne! Happy reading x
Still not convinced to get a Kindle, but after reading your "review" I might be tempted. I think it was the thought of someone previously reading one of my library books whilst having been on the toilet!!!! LOL - Caroline x
Hi Suzanne, thanks for following my blog!
I have an iPad and I couldn't live without it now. I adore ebooks and have no trouble reading on screen, although I know some people do. But it's so easy to download books, and so convenient to carry around. And the germ thing is also a positive, lol, hadn't thought about that! I'd thoroughly recommend an ereader; I think once you get one, you never look back. Ebooks are on the rise, Amazon said so, and they offer a great alternative for us writers, with a quick turnaround of submissions and some beautiful covers.
Kindles are great, Suz!
Love ity and very very keen to read the weight loss plan xx
I got one too,Suz, and its way better than I thought it was going to be (and I thought it was going to be fab!). I'm totally in love with mine. And I have been sending my wip to my kindle to read while I'm in bed, an awful lot easier than wading through sheafs of paper...
I'm still not convinced. Glad to here your present arrived eventually and that you are enjoying it.
I'm still not convinced I'd like one, but I'm glad you're enjoying your Kindle.
I'm just not a fan of the Kindle or e-readers in general, but I don't want to be a party pooper so I'll slink away before you even notice I'm here ...
I adore my Kindle - never thought I would, but it's great.
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It's my birthday this month and I've been dropping hints about a Kindle.
Am very interested to hear about your weight loss plan.
I'm so happy that you like your Kindle. I got one for Christmas and haven't even tried it yet. Now I'm inspired!!!!!
I know, Maria – I felt the same until I actually got mine.
Hi Jackie – definitely not a good idea to take them into the bath :0)
Ooh, Mandy, I admire your restraint. I ignored my tbr pile and started downloading immediately.
That has to be the biggest advantage, Teresa – no dust :0)
I don’t think e readers will ever take over completely, Joanne. I know I’ll never get rid of my real books – and I’ll probably buy keepers in both formats.
Hi Scarlet – and I’m jealous of your two book contract :0) Congratulations again.
I know, Caroline. Nothing worse than the thought someone’s read your library book on the toilet :0)
I agree, Serenity – the convenience of downloading books and then transporting them is brilliant – you can take a whole library on holiday and never be without something to read.
They are great, Kaye.
Hi Auntiegwen – I’m just hoping I’ll be able to keep up the weight plan.
Hi Sally – I haven’t managed to download my wip yet – but I know when I do, it will make redrafts much easier.
Thanks, ...PettyWitter :0)
Thank you, Patsy.
Nooooooo, Karen, you must stay. There’s room for everyone. And I know e readers won’t take over completely. We all still love real books, too.
Glad you agree, Melissa.
Happy Birthday, Anna. Hope you get your Kindle.
I’m sure you’ll love it, Jan.
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