It's my Kindle Fire the Evil Twin got me for Christmas! A friend turned me on to a site that offers a handful of free Kindle books every day. I don't always see anything on there that really "grabs" me, but when I do, I download it right away (they're not free for long).
At this point. I've downloaded so much, it's mind boggling.
Unfortunately, I don't have all the time in the world to sit and read - I would LIKE to, but I can't. So, the free books sit on there, mocking me.
Amazon also offers a "Kindle Deal of the Day" where they'll feature a book for .99. I've actually bought a few of those, simply because they're super cheap AND a book I've been wanting to read or a book I know I would enjoy to read.
After all these years of me being a prolific reader, I know my tastes. I will read fiction, but it has to have a plot line or summary that appeals to me. I'm not much on the romance or thrillers or "beach reads". What can I say....I like something with some substance besides just being entertainment.
I also like autobiographies and non-fiction.
I need peace and quiet, so I can concentrate. I can burn through a 600 page tome in about 2 days if the elements line up in my favor. I've been known to stay awake until 4 am because I couldn't put a book down and I just HAD to find out the ending.
I've also read books that bored me to the brink of death. But, ya know what? I won't quit until I get to the end to see if something remarkable happens. Often, it's just a waste of my time devoted to some pathetic waste of paper.
That's one more reason I like my Kindle. And, it's the main reason I thought I wouldn't like it. It's not a book with pages. I have tons of books in this house. I've read them all, but you wouldn't know it by their appearance. I don't bend the spines and I don't dog ear the pages. If it came with a dust jacket, that is pulled off and set in a safe place until I'm finished.
However, I was surprised by how likable the Kindle was. It's the perfect size to put in my purse and with one swipe of a finger, I "turn" the pages. I don't have to worry about getting cheetos or chocolate on a page or accidentally ripping a page.
Apparently, I come by my reverence for books honestly. My biological mom grew up the same way and I've passed it on to my children. "Don't leave books out where the corners will get all wonky." "Don't eat or drink things that might leave the cover looking like someone ate fried chicken off of it." "Don't EVER write in a book." (unless it's a college textbook, and then that's fine...everyone does it.) Besides, you get to sell it back at the end of the semester for approximately 1/50th of the original price - even if it was used before you got it.
There ya have it: I have a love/hate relationship with the Kindle. I love it because it has opened up a whole new way for me to enjoy reading and I don't even have to visit a bookstore. But, I hate it because I can't cradle it lovingly in my hands and spend hours reading.
The kids have an early out today, so I'm gonna hang with them for the afternoon and listen to crazy Pokemon talk. I don't get it, but if they're getting along, I'm all for it.
Happy Wednesday, hooligans!
Love,
I feel the same way about books and love my Nook. Folding the corners of a page totally drives me insane too.
ReplyDeleteI wish Nook had a free download website.
ReplyDeleteSo I am a really bad handler when it comes to books. You'd think that I'd just get a bookmark, but I have this really bad habit of bending the corner to mark my page. I've been reading Larry McMurtry's Texasville for months now because it sits in my "library" next to the john. There are times when I can knock out a chapter or two, but other times I only get 2 or 3 pages.
Perhaps this is TMI. It is a good read though.
I'm so glad to know there are other people who finish reading a crappy book, just in case it suddenly gets good in the last ten pages. Also? keep downloading the free books. There will come a day when you DO have time to read, and you won't want to waste that time shopping for a new book.
ReplyDeleteI skip ahead in crappy book, read the ending, and if I can't figure out how that happened I might go back and read more to backfill. Saves me time and aggravation.
ReplyDeleteI dog-ear. And eat while reading. I write in books. I am, apparently, your worst nightmare when it comes to books. I've gotten better since marrying Biff, as he's more along the 'book reverence' line like you, but it's hard to read a paperback and not crease the spine!
"I don't bend the spines and I don't dog ear the pages. If it came with a dust jacket, that is pulled off and set in a safe place until I'm finished."
ReplyDeleteME EITHER!! We are so alike. I do underline, but I try to do it neatly.
I have a Cruz (from Borders) but since they went out of business, I haven't uploaded any books to it. I liked their free list! Could you send me the link to the site that offers free books every day?
I have a Kindle and my son has a Kindle Fire. Yeah, lucky him! I love to read but rarely have time. My kindle has changed my life. I love that thing! I can have a book in 10 seconds without leaving my house!
ReplyDeleteI have boxes and boxes of books and not enough book shelves. I love that I can take my Kindle with me AND that if I want to read something different I don't have to carry 3 or 4 books along.
Someday I'll have more time to read.