All posts in category eBooks

8 Months with my Paperwhite: The Good and the Bad

Screen shot 2013-05-10 at 3.08.29 PMWhen the very first Kindle was made available back in 2007, it was much too pricey for my budget. (In spite of its cost of $399, it sold out in 3 1/2 hours.) I longed to be among those early adopters, but at those prices, it wasn’t possible. So, I started a shoebox-bank and gradually built a good amount of $, and by the time the Kindle 2 hit the price point of $259, I was financially ready to jump in….. and it changed my reading life.

The Kindle Keyboard came next, and I still own that model. I primarily use it in the bathtub, because it is easy to turn pages with the keys while the kindle is protected in a zip-lock plastic bag.

I ordered the Touch when it came out about 2 years ago, anxious to try out the new touch screen, but I didn’t keep it a full week. That model was awful. I was constantly losing my place as the ‘touch’ was too sensitive, and it consistently landed me in places that I didn’t want to be. Finding my way back to my last-read spot was ridiculously time consuming. I quickly sent that one back to Amazon. (Their return policy is quite generous… you have 30 days to send back a Kindle.)

And now … the Paperwhite. I bought this model last September and I’ve used it every day since. I’ve traveled with it. Used it outdoors and inside. And at night …. every night.

So what do I think?

Verdict: Best Kindle EVER.

When I originally posted my thoughts about this model, I lamented the lack of hard keys to click the pages. I don’t miss them anymore. The Paperwhite is so responsive to touch that a simple touch with my thumb turns the page instantly.

And to my delight, the touch sensitivity has been completely accurate. It has never skipped pages or jumped oddly in any way. It has been perfect.

I do not miss the physical keyboard at all (but I never rarely type anything on my Kindle).

Highlighting is now a new favorite activity of mine. I LOVE to highlight on the Paperwhite. A simple touch and slide over the area you wish to save, and *poof* the job is done. (In contrast, since I am still using the Keyboard occasionally (in the bathtub), I went to highlight something the other day and touched the Keyboard screen out of habit. Silly me. I then remembered that I had to do it the ‘old’ way, with the cursor button. Humpf! That was too much work :) The Paperwhite’s touch ability to highlight is much, much better (easier!) than ever before).

Checking on the definition of a word is also an easy happy task on the Paperwhite. I never thought it was a chore on the Keyboard, but it certainly is when compared to the ease of the Paperwhite. Just touch the word and there it (the definition) is.

I’ve used the Paperwhite in all kinds of light, from the bright sun of a Caribbean beach to the darkness of my bedroom (I read every night before going to sleep). The Paperwhite is perfect in ALL of these conditions. Remember ….. you cannot see an iPad screen or a Kindle Fire screen in bright sunlight. Those are backlit screens and they wash out.

But the Paperwhite screen is made of e-ink. Reading in the sun is like reading on paper. The brighter, the better. And then, at night, the built in light is awesome. This light is completely adjustable. When set to it’s fullest brightness, the screen resembles a back-lit screen. (Remember… even though at full brightness it looks like a back-lit screen of a computer or tablet, it is NOT a back-lit screen. This is important. An e-ink screen is much easier on your eyes and does not interfere with sleep.) With the dimmer, you can soften the light so that it is just perfect for your comfort as you rest before sleep. Not too bright…just right.

The size is wonderful. Small enough to carry in a purse and not even notice that it is there until you want it.

Battery life is awesome. I use it a LOT and I probably plug it in for a charge maybe once every OTHER week or even more. I rarely think about it. AND… I could probably extend that if I turned off the wireless.

The Bad? I have only one objection, and that is how the “Award Winning Books” gallery appears on the bottom of the home screen. While I don’t think anyone would actually buy a book in error, I just don’t appreciate the ‘push’ of merchandise, there. I would rather the homescreen just showed books that I personally own and are available to me on my Kindle.

There had been a lot of flack about the light and a few smudge spots at the bottom of the screen on the Paperwhite. Seriously… in my opinion this is much ado about nothing. I don’t even notice it.

I truly am a huge fan of this e-reader. I could go on about the x-ray, fonts, etc, but if you have stuck with my ramblings for this long, I’m sure your patience has come to an end.

The Paperwhite is great. Nuff said.

21 Comments
by sharechair on May 10, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in eBooks, Kindle, My Thoughts About Things
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Posted by sharechair on May 10, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/8-months-with-my-paperwhite-the-good-and-the-bad/

What Exactly IS the “Book Smell” that People Miss with eReaders?

When comparing paper books with eReaders, one thing that is always on the “miss” list is the smell of old books.

What exactly is this smell and why is it so important to many?

This video will answer all your book-olfactory questions :) :

Screen shot 2013-03-06 at 7.27.02 PM

26 Comments
by sharechair on April 24, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in eBooks, Kindle
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Posted by sharechair on April 24, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/what-exactly-is-the-book-smell-that-people-miss-with-ereaders/

Hey, Kindle Readers: View All Your Highlights in One Place

Screen shot 2013-03-27 at 7.19.26 PMWhen you read, are you a highlighter? This is a new habit for me. In the past … the very-long-ago-past …. I would highlight in textbooks for courses of study (yes, they had big heavy textbooks back in the stone age :) ). That was really all the highlighting I ever did….solely for the purpose of going back to study those important bright yellow parts.

But today, when you read a Kindle book, you often run into passages that have been highlighted by other readers of the book. This made me think about doing some highlighting of my own.

And highlight I did. It’s so easy…. just touch the text on a Kindle Paperwhite and slide your finger. Poof! You have just highlighted a passage!

Now here comes the super cool part: You can now go to the Amazon website and see ALL of your highlights (from any and all of the books you’ve highlighted) all in one place.

(If you haven’t highlighted anything on a kindle book, perhaps you should make a few, and then come back to this post.)

Just go to https://amazon.kindle.com/

Look across the TOP of the screen, and you will see this:

Screen shot 2013-03-27 at 6.34.05 PM

Notice the words “My Highlights”? Click on that. (You will probably be asked for your Amazon password at this point).

You will now find yourself on the page of highlights. Your highlights.

I’m really enjoying looking back at all the passages that I particularly felt worthy of remembering, all laid out for me to remember. This is truly a wonderful feature that I am just beginning to use, but one that I know will become a regular go-to for me.

p.s.
(There are several other really great features on this page, and I’ll be sure to cover these in future posts.)

18 Comments
by sharechair on March 27, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in eBooks, How to's, Kindle, Kindle Fire, Organization
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Posted by sharechair on March 27, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/hey-kindle-readers-view-all-your-highlights-in-one-place/

How to Lock the View Mode in your Kindle App on your iPhone

Screen shot 2013-03-11 at 5.06.49 PMIt is so wonderfully handy to be able to pick up my iPhone and read. So many times, I find myself waiting (unexpectedly) and it is less painful when I can whip out the iPhone and read the time away. With the Kindle app, it automatically puts me on the page where I left off the night before on my regular Kindle.

You can view the text of your book in either portrait or in landscape mode, merely by rotating your iPhone.

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The tricky part comes when you recline or find yourself turning in some way. The text bounces back and forth. Landscape, portrait. Portrait, landscape.

It is easy to LOCK the screen so the text does not shift.

Here is how you lock the screen on your iPhone:

Hold the phone in the manner that you would like to read.

Then tap on the lower right corner of the screen. This can be on any page in your book. You won’t SEE a lock, but tap anyway … and….

Poof! A lock appears. Tap on that lock icon to lock or unlock your favorite view mode.

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16 Comments
by sharechair on March 11, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, eBooks, How to's, iPhone, Kindle
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Posted by sharechair on March 11, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/how-to-lock-the-view-mode-in-your-kindle-app-on-your-iphone/

Weekend Distraction: iPoe – the Interactive and Illustrated Edgar Allan Poe Collection FREE for a limited time

Screen shot 2013-03-08 at 4.55.03 PM This is a winner. How could it not be? Edgar Allan Poe + great illustrations + spooky soundtrack + interactive elements + FREE = a great deal.

This app contains The Oval Portrait, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death and Annabel Lee. You can choose to read the stories in English, Spanish, or French.

I remember enjoying the suspense of Edgar Allan Poe many many years ago. I’ll admit I haven’t read any of his tales for a very long while. But this interactive book puts a fun spin on these old classics, and since it is currently free, I downloaded the book just for the enjoyment of an interactive book.

The illustrations are engaging, and the book looks wonderful on the iPad. Snowflakes falling, flames flickering, music and more  (it is suggested to listen with earphones to enhance the sound effects).

This short video will give you a real flavor of what you will get with app. (Caution: this interactive book is not for children)

The iPoe Collection is free for a limited time and will work on both the iPad and the iPhone.

5 Comments
by sharechair on March 8, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, eBooks, iPad, iPhone, My Thoughts About Things, Weekend Distraction
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Posted by sharechair on March 8, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/weekend-distraction-ipoe-the-interactive-and-illustrated-edgar-allan-poe-collection-free-for-a-limited-time/

Kindle Jokes to Tickle your Funny Bone

Screen shot 2013-03-06 at 7.22.22 PMThese are all over the internet, and I just grabbed a few. (I’m not including any credits, because they turn up everywhere, slightly different, but basically the same, putting a Kindle twist on old jokes.)

Screen shot 2013-03-06 at 7.27.02 PM

Grumpy old man to his Kindle-reading wife: “Haven’t you finished that Kindle yet? You’ve been reading it for months!”

Screen shot 2013-03-06 at 7.27.02 PM

Question: How do you charge a Kindle?
Answer: Call Amazon, they take Visa, Mastercard and Discover

Screen shot 2013-03-06 at 7.27.02 PM

Blonde: I could barely squeeze two books into my luggage. How did you do?

Brunette: Won’t be a problem. My Kindle is small but can hold over three thousand books.

Blonde: Maybe it will fit in your suitcase but how are you going to LIFT it?

Screen shot 2013-03-06 at 7.27.02 PM

12 Comments
by sharechair on March 6, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in eBooks, Kindle
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Posted by sharechair on March 6, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/kindle-jokes-to-tickle-your-funny-bone/

Celebrate Dr Seuss’ Birthday with App Sales

Screen shot 2013-03-01 at 6.01.24 PMMarch 2 is the birthday of Theodor Geisel best known to the world as Dr. Seuss.

Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated 44 children’s books. Fox in Socks was a favorite in our house, along with Dr. Seuss’ ABC, Hop on Pop, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

(They really stick with you, don’t they? It’s been 25 years, and I think I can still recite these all by heart :) )

Oceanhouse media has put all their Dr. Seuss book apps on sale for this weekend for 30 – 75% off, and you can find the entire list, here. (Android apps are also on sale. Look in your favorite Android store for Oceanhouse Media, and these apps should be on sale there, as well.)

Screen shot 2013-03-01 at 6.51.01 PM

21 Comments
by sharechair on March 1, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, eBooks, iPad, iPhone, Kindle Fire
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Posted by sharechair on March 1, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/celebrate-dr-seuss-birthday-with-app-sales/

I Got Stung by the Kindle Bug. Ouch.

Screen shot 2013-02-28 at 6.32.11 PMIt is important to keep your apps updated. Developers keep fine-tuning their apps, adding new things, or improving the old stuff.

If you are new to your iPhone or iPad, or if you need a refresher, you can read “How to Update the Apps on Your iPhone and iPad”.

Since I practice what I preach, I update. I probably push the update button every 3 or 4 days.

Unfortunately, this time my habit led to me being stung by a bug. Ouch. If I had delayed, even by just one day, I’d be fine. But no. I updated at just the wrong moment.

I use my Kindle app ALL the time. It is on both my iPhone and my iPad. If you are not familiar with it, please read more about it, here and here. (Remember, you don’t need a Kindle to read Kindle books. The Kindle app on your device is all that is necessary.)

Here is what happened:

The other day, I pushed the update button on my iPhone. Never gave it another thought.

The next day, when I went to open my Kindle App on my iPhone, I was met with a “register this app” screen. This was odd, because obviously I had registered it a long long time ago. This was my first signal that something was not right.

I registered (again) and it treated me as though I was a new user. In other words, there were no books on my iPhone. My on-phone library had been wiped clean. (I always keep about a half-dozen books on it.)

Now … this really and truly is not a big deal. All of your Kindle books are kept in the Cloud, and it is only a matter of tapping them to have them download back onto the phone. So this was absolutely nothing to be upset about. But it wasn’t right. An error. A mistake. A bug.

As soon as Amazon realized the bug, they quickly corrected it and put out a new update.

And so, I’m sharing this information with you for 2 reasons.

1. Just in case you updated your Kindle app during the “bug hours”, you’ll understand what happened and know there is no need for any hair-pulling.

2. Know that even when ‘stuff’ happens in an app, a responsible company will usually fix it quickly, and so a “wait and see” approach is often all that is needed on your part. No troubleshooting, just wait.

I updated my iPad after this fix was done (not during the bug hours), and I experienced no problems, whatsoever. So all is well, once again, in the world of the Kindle app. If you didn’t update during that short window of time, you’ll never know that something was amiss. :)

20 Comments
by sharechair on February 28, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Apps, Beginners, eBooks, iPad, iPhone, Kindle
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Posted by sharechair on February 28, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/i-got-stung-by-the-kindle-bug-ouch/

E-Ink or Backlit Screen? What’s the Difference?

I’ve noticed a bit of confusion lately about e-ink vs backlit screens. So let’s fix that.

Simply explained:

Looking at a backlit screen is like looking into a light bulb. A backlit screen is bright, even in a dark room. Your computer screen is a backlit screen.

An e-ink screen is not lit. Just like a piece of paper, the only way YOU can see it is if you shine light ON it. You can read an e-ink screen in a well lit room, but if you were sitting in the dark you would not be able to see it without some other light source. .

That’s it. It’s that simple.

Backlit = bright. E-ink = not bright.

Now for a few other points about each:

Backlit screens

Backlit screens are found on desktop computers, laptops and tablets (like the iPad and the Kindle Fire).

Backlit screens wash out in bright sunlight.

The use of backlit screens before bed (like with a tablet) makes sleep difficult for many people.

Some people complain of eye strain with extended use of backlit screens.

E-ink screens

E-ink screens are clear and sharp in bright sunlight, making them the #1 choice for outdoor (beach) reading.

To read in a dark room, (bedtime reading), you need a light. A clip on book light works great for most e-readers.

The Paperwhite Kindle has an e-ink screen. It is unique in that it has a built in light that covers the whole screen. The light reflects, it does NOT come from within. If you turn the light up, the screen looks bright, but that is light that is layered on TOP of the e-ink. If you turn the light down, you will see the standard plain old e-ink screen. So the Paperwhite is just an e-ink device with a fancy light.

One more piece of confusion to clear up: Kindles come in both backlit AND e-ink screens. Kindle Fire Tablets have backlit screens. Kindle e-readers have e-ink screens.

34 Comments
by sharechair on February 6, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Beginners, eBooks, iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Kindle Fire
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Posted by sharechair on February 6, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/e-ink-or-backlit-screen-whats-the-difference/

Find the Free Kindle Books You Want with Free Books Sifter

Screen shot 2013-01-31 at 9.06.00 AMA few days ago I confessed that I had far too many books in my Amazon Cloud. It was crowded with dozens of free books that I grabbed over time. I needed to permanently delete books, and I showed you how to do that, here.

But now that I discovered the BEST free book sorter I have ever seen, well, my Cloud is filling up again!

With Free Book Sifter, you have the ability to dig down through the genres that YOU want.

Along with the title of the book, you are also presented with the number of reviews and the number of stars that the book has acquired on Amazon. (remember .. you don’t have to have a Kindle to read Kindle books. There is a wonderful, free, Kindle App for your iPhone and iPad.)

And the sorting goes deep … once you choose a category, you are presented with sub-categories.

A Browsing Bonanza!

Click on a book and you are taken directly to Amazon where you can learn more about it, read the reviews and make your choice.

Just BEWARE … you will probably loose track of time as you frolic in all the free-ness. :)

Have fun with Free Book Sifter

12 Comments
by sharechair on January 31, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Beginners, eBooks, iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Kindle Fire
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Posted by sharechair on January 31, 2013

http://sharechair.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/find-the-free-kindle-books-you-want-with-free-books-sifter/

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