Do you usually read Kindle or print books? I am a lifelong book person. I have worked in bookstores, I sell vintage children's books, and I was very sure I never wanted a Kindle. Then, a few years ago, one of my friends got a Kindle. He showed it to me, with the categories you can make for your books, how easy it is to instantly download books, and I started to rethink my reservations. That year I got a Kindle for Christmas. I have to say I love it! Things I particularly love about reading via Kindle:
- I read a lot of big books, like family sagas and historical fiction, and the Kindle is so light and easy.
- It's easy to make your own categories and organize your books on the Kindle. I love this feature! I can look at all my mysteries, historical fiction, classics, etc. easily this way.
- Downloading Kindle books from Amazon is so easy. I get newsletters with Kindle deals (my blog post with websites here) and the Kindle Deal of the Day books are wonderful. I've gotten many favorites, like Wicked, The Great Gatsby, The Thorn Birds for $1.99 or less that way.
- The Kindle holds a LOT of books. This is wonderful for those of us with overflowing bookshelves.
- It's a natural for reading on a trip or in any situation where you want a variety of reading materials (without carrying around a stack of books).
- I love having longtime favorites on one little device, ready to read at a moment's notice. I am slowly but surely adding the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace and the Jalna family saga by Mazo de la Roche to my Kindle. A re-reader's dream!
- Your Amazon purchases are held in the cloud, so if you switch Kindles or want to read via iPad or tablet, you can download them there easily as well.
- Overdrive is a dream! This is the free library program to check out books digitally in Kindle format (my blog post here). I have found some newer, popular books on Overdrive that I really didn't want to purchase ... and with a shorter wait than one would have for the print editions at the library.
This isn't to say, of course, that I don't love print books as well. I love vintage children's books, and will always enjoy having those in print editions. I also am a great fan of nostalgic, highly visual books, like the Images of America series ... and those just translate better in print.
When I review books, I read about 50/50 print and Kindle editions. It's all great because it's all reading.
What do YOU prefer - Kindle or print? I would love to hear from you in the comments section, below.
Happy Friday!
If you love books, I have a great app for you today. It is available for: iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, Windows computer, Mac, Kindle, or Nook.
This free app lets you access the digital collection from your library to download books in eBook format (i.e. Kindle) or audiobook.
I have used this on my computer, Kindle, and iPad, and I really love it. I often listen to audiobooks via Overdrive when I am working here.
Here's how it works: You go to the Overdrive link (just click here!). On the right side of the page you can type in your zip code and see if Overdrive is available at your local library system. If it is, you can download the app for your computer or device of choice. Then you log into Overdrive with your library card and download audiobooks or eBooks to your heart's content! The books have a lending period similar to what you will find at a traditional library (i.e. 2 - 3 weeks) and you check them out online and return them online as well.
I am a great fan of eBooks (Kindle) and also enjoy audiobooks when I am working. I cannot recommend this app highly enough for book lovers.
This is not vintage related, but possibly of interest to other book lovers! I put together a listing of newsletters for free or cheap e-books. These are in addition to the Amazon Kindle Deal of the Day mailing, which is a MUST for Kindle fans. If I am missing any good ones, please let me know!
Hundred Zeros:
Bargain Booksy
Book Basset
Book Gorilla
Bookperk
EReaderNews Today
Feed Your Reader
Free Booksy
More for Less Online
Pixel of Ink
Sweet Free Books
