I have a Kindle! I have a Kindle!
Laugh all you want at my excitement. It won’t phase me. I’m too immersed in reading the plethora of books I’ve discovered for my new Kindle. 
This unexpected gift was handed to me last week, just in time for an extended road trip. And just in time to help me achieve my Anti-Procrastination Month goal of reading 4 new novels this month. I knew I needed to read more, fill my creative tank, so to speak and this month seemed the perfect time. I had an extended road trip planned and would have at least half the travel time to read (more if my daughter can’t relax enough to let me drive her car).
Before I even suspected I would receive a Kindle, I’d learned about Amazon’s Kindle for PC, an easily downloadable program that allows you to read Kindle books on your PC. In a few easy steps I had the program loaded and my first (free!) book downloaded. Within days, I’d discovered the Kindle version of several books I’d been wanting to read. They were only $.99! In the two weeks leading up to my vacation, I added more books to my Kindle for PC. I was ready to go. I could read my novels on my computer while we drove all over the US.
Two days before my departure, an elderly relative called and asked me to come see him. When I arrived, he handed me a box. I opened it. It was a Kindle! I have a dear friend who calls me the Queen of Understatement. To say I was thrilled is a huge understatement. I squealed and hugged him and thanked him several times. Then I went home and neglected the multitude of tasks I needed to do to play with my new toy.
As content as I was to read my books on my PC, I’m so thankful to have a Kindle. It is so easy to read! I can even sit in the sun and read, no glare on the screen. And it’s so small, it fits in my purse, available at anytime I might have to redeem otherwise wasted minutes. It holds more books than I could read in years, all a 5 x 8 “book” that weighs less than most paperbacks. I can be read multiple books and my Kindle automatically takes me to the last page I read when I open each book. I love my Kindle.
The definition of kindle is “to ignite or set on fire.” Receiving my Kindle has done just that. I’ve always loved reading. I now love it even more.
My goal for Anti-Procrastination Month was to read 4 novels. I read “Shutter Island” by Dennis Lehane before my road trip, “Rooms” by James L. Rupert in the first few days of the trip and am now reading “The Light Princess” by George MacDonald, “Refuge” by Stephanie Gallentine and “The Word Reclaimed” by Steve Rzasa. I still have 1500 more miles to travel. With a battery that holds a charge for over a week, that’s plenty of time to finish these stories. (Especially if my daughter never wants me to drive. ) I love my Kindle!
Do you think reading novels is as important (and fun!) as writing them? What novels are you reading? Do you have or want an electronic reader? Or do you prefer the experience of paper and ink? What kindles your reading enthusiasm?
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I just got through Shutter Island so I could catch up with the blog you mentioned at http://storyfix.com/. Downloaded it one night from the library and read it on my netbook.
Read with joy! Glad to rejoice with you! And blessings HEAPED on your relative with the giving heart.
As I write I’m waiting impatiently for my own Kindle to arrive (unfortunately my elderly relatives don’t know what a Kindle is, let alone understand why I’d want one, so my hard-earned cash has gone into this).
I have wanted one ever since the day they were launched, but I waited patiently for version 2 (never buy version 1 is a mantra I live by), then waited to see what Apple and Microsoft would come up with. I’m underwhelmed by the iPad, Microsoft’s project has tanked and the other e-readers on the market have failed to woo me, so Kindle it is!
To answer your questions, yes, I think reading novels and just about everything else is crucial to a writer. Right now I’m reading Richard Hack’s Duchess of Death, a biography of Agatha Christie. E-readers are useful for their ability to hold many different books, and for easy highlighting and annotating features. I will still buy paper books, but I intend to use my Kindle constantly. Also, my own WIP, which is approaching its revision date, will go on the Kindle so I can read it and think about it far from the distractions of my desk.
Jane, I hope your Kindle arrives soon. I, too, plan to download my wip to the Kindle. Another writer mentioned that it makes her wip feel more finished and she notices needed changes/corrections quicker by reading it that way. I can’t wait to try that!
Yes, Kathleen, I agree, that man deserves a blessing.
I’ve called him while on my trip to thank him and have sent him an email to tell him (again”) how much I am enjoying it.
I found another use for it. I listened to a book with the text-to-speech feature while driving last night. It helped keep me awake and I got to “read” a book I remembered from 35+ years ago and never could remember the title. I love my Kindle!
Shonna, did you like “Shutter Island”? Wasn’t the ending a surprise? Hope you enjoy the destructuring blogs. He’s doing a story architecture blog/series (not sure which-haven’t had time to read the blog) on short stories. Can’t wait till I have time to read that.
Despite all the conversations I’ve had or heard with people who didn’t like the Kindle and bought something else, I love my Kindle, too! And I LOVE that I can read it outside without getting a headache! And I can read longer on the Kindle than I can on my PC or my iTouch because the gray screen is easier on the eyes than the lighted computer or iTouch screens. Happy sigh… yes, I have gotten MUCH more reading (and highlighting and annotating!) done on my Kindle than I would have without it! I’m currently reading book 7 of the Dresden Files series about the Chicago wizard, Harry Dresden. I love Harry!!
Hi Lauraine Snelling steered me here in a Facebook post,
Hubby wants t buy me an I pad please advise why underwhelmed.
Kindle sounds very attractive.
Also where can I sign up to read this blog.
Your Anti Procrastination month flooded those who did not know of you. I stopped writing for publication 10 years ago after moving into 34 ft bounder I could not keep my momentum going.
This week I wrote 2 stories for Chicken soup, it felt so good to be back in the saddle again,
Appreciate a reply, Thank you, Ellen Bergh
Ellen, I have no idea if the IPad is better than the Kindle. I do know you can get a Kindle app for the IPad. I was just starting my research when my relative gave me my Kindle. I’m not going to bother doing any more research. I’m content with what I have. I’d suggest if someone is offering to buy you something, take it with gratitude.
Stephanie
Ellen, if you want to subscribe to the blog, click on the RSS link and choose your reader or get it sent to you in email. Otherwise, just come here to read it whenever you want. Glad you found us!
Stephanie
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