Coming away for 7 weeks meant that I needed to think about what I was going to pack for my reading obsession. As I finally caved and got a Kindle for Mother’s Day I had bought a few books and loaded them up. My local library also has a great lending system for e-books. You can have them on your kindle for up to 3 weeks and I can download them from anywhere in the world – so I have read a few on my Kindle that were ‘library loans.’ As there is the 21 day lending period, it spurred me on to get those ones read straight away…and I did.
When we were in UK, I also got a few really cheap paperback books from Charity Shops – and the new releases I wanted to read – I may have slipped a couple of those into my bag for France. I read so many UK reviews of books…. be it from papers or book lovers’ blogs… quote often I WANT those books…. but they are not always available in USA or sometimes ARE released but not until much much later. And on Kindle? Not that often.
We are currently staying in a flat that is owned by an Irish family with kids – they have a few kids’ books here which my crew have taken advantage of – and a few novels have been left behind here….I am more inclined to read these ‘real’ books rather than the ones I have on my Kindle.
I think Hubby sees that I don’t love it. I don’t. I miss the REAL books…. I am far from being a convert despite my acknowledging that for traveling, it makes sense.
It seems that to get UK titles I need to have a Kindle registered just in UK…..which I am tempted to do seeing as we’re there about 3-4 times a year at the moment.
It is very easy to order some of the books to my Kindle, but to sit down and read and touch the screen etc, no matter HOW good the novel, well let’s just say it isn’t floating my boat yet. Not even here in Venice. Any idea how to ‘sway’ me a tad more?
Oh, I am so TOTALLY with you on this! I am thinking of getting a Kindle for my birthday purely for travelling as it makes sense, particularly with budget airlines and carry on luggage etc. But the thought of actually reading a book on the screen just leaves me cold. I do like your pink cover, though!
I just use both! I don’t have a kindle, I have a rather old and battered Sony, which slots nicely in the back pocket of my handbag, so I can always have a book with me if I’m stuck in a queue, or want to read at lunchtime, or just in the car commuting (I don’t usually drive, I promise!). But I have books that I buy because I want to keep them, or because I love the cover (I bought The Hare with the Amber Eyes in hardback because the cover was nicer) or just because they’re not available on my ereader. I use libraries too, if I don’t need to own something, or I’m not sure about it. For me, I think it just depends on the circumstances.
I resisted getting a Kindle for about a year after the husband got his, but as you know I am a big convert! I borrowed my ex-boss’s to take to Italy and found it so light and easy to use I immediately asked for one for my birthday last year and then badgered the husband into letting me have it early. I’ve read more books this year so far than I read in the whole of 2011, I find it so easy to pick up and read and the screen is very easy on the eye as it isn’t backlit. I don’t find it much different to reading a “real” book. The one time I attempted a paperback I found it made my hand hurt! :) I do wish libraries over here would catch on as I think that idea is a fab one. If I’m not sure about a book I download the sample for free and 90% of the time I go on to buy the book.