My sweet husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas. I've toyed with the idea from time to time but was never sure enough about how much I'd use it to buy one. He knows me better than I know myself which makes it all the better choice as a gift as I'm loving it. I'd love it more if I could find more time to read but I haven't figured out how to add more hours to the day.
Although the Kindle came with a new Patricia Cornwell book, my first foray into digital reading is far from a mystery. Just before Christmas I discovered a book on the 124th Illinois Regiment with which my great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War. It was written in 1889 so it's one of many historical books Google offers as free downloads since the copyright has long since expired. We wanted to see if it would work on the Kindle and it does. It wouldn't be something I'd ordinarily be interested in but this regiment served most of its time in Vicksburg and Mobile so the places are very familiar to me. And it's based on the diary the author kept during his enlistment so it's has an interesting mix of fact and personal experiences. It's not my ancestor telling these stories but if he had recorded his, I'm sure they'd be much the same.
In addition to the historical book we also downloaded one of the free books Amazon offers, again just to see how it works. Which immediately led to me signing up on BookBub and Pixel of Ink for information on other free and discounted books. Each day emails arrive in my inbox describing a dozen or more books I can download and little or no cost. Obviously, they aren't the newest books or the ones on the current best seller list but there's plenty to pique my interest. And since my local library doesn't offer ebooks, I've come to think of these emails as trips to a virtual library without the pressure of a due date.
I could probably find one or more books in each email that sound interesting enough to read but I've resisted. Well, mostly anyway. I do, however, love to read all the the story synopses. I suppose it's like picking up the book in the library or store and reading the inside jacket or back cover to get a clue as to what the book is about. What I've learned so far is that there are a) a lot of people running from deep secrets in their past and b) a lot more drawn to men/women who are wrong for them. At least that seems to be the recurring themes in the books promoted during my short experience. I don't believe I've chosen from either category yet but my Kindle is barely broken in. There's still time.
I think I hesitated about a digital reader because I was afraid I'd miss the feel of an actual book in my hand. But I don't. The Kindle is about the same size, its page reads just like a book page, and it remembers exactly where I am when I stop reading. And despite the warning to the contrary, I can get just as sleepy reading from it as I do a traditional book.
Now what I need is a plan to fit reading in among all my other hobbies. Or someone to do my housework so I can read during the time I usually devote to that. Let me know if you're interested...we'll work something out. :-)
I'm shocked that your library doesn't offer book downloads. Perhaps there is a library system in a neighboring county that you could join. Our county will give anyone in Ohio a card, for example, and we offer more resources than the neighboring counties, so people come in to get cards. If that doesn't work for you, try searching the Kindle store for $0. It will show yo the current freebies and 99-centers.
Posted by: Jan C | January 19, 2015 at 06:58 AM
I have a Kobo (because I can't use a Kindle with ebooks from the library). I too thought I'd miss "real" books but I do read both now - mostly ebook novels and paper for everything else.
My big problem is that the Kobo doesn't bounce on the floor like a real book when I fall asleep reading! :-D lol! Jude.x
Posted by: Jude | January 19, 2015 at 01:05 PM