As a reward for finishing The Ghost and Christie McFee, I got myself an E-reader, a Kindle. I also got a cover for it from Oberon Design because I’m an Obe. This is what my cover looks like.This particular design is called Creekbed Maple and the colour is called Saddle.
I decided on a Kindle 4. It’s a basic Kindle with E ink and buttons to turn the pages. I’m not a fan of fingerprints, and the buttons allow for one-handed reading.
I had thought about the Kindle Fire, especially for looking at all the pretty book covers, but since most of my time will be spent looking at the text, not book covers, it didn’t seem to matter. The deciding factor was that I did not want to be distracted by the urge to check email or twitter or whatever the web could offer. I want to pretend this is a BOOK and nothing else.
So, I bought the Kindle 4, took it home, made myself a cup of tea, and got ready to open the pretty box.
It really is a pretty box, with ‘kindle’ in simple shiny letters in the upper left. The bottom of the box has a round “Certified Frustration Free Packaging” seal. Interesting . . .
There’s a tear strip at the top, so, OK, I pull that. Then I find a little thumb hold and pull it out. I lift the lid like the arrow says and there it is—my shiny new “book” which holds up to 1400 books. The flap has an arrow, I pull out the instructions — and take a sip of tea because I want to savour this.
This is a really neat box and my hoarder tendency wants to keep it, but that’s another story.
I lift out the Kindle and find the USB cable tucked underneath. Now it’s time to plug it into my computer to charge.
But first, I need to slip on my Oberon cover. And to do this, I need to take the protective cellophane layer off the Kindle screen. This cellophane has a diagram of how to plug in the USB cable. Of course, it’s completely self-explanatory so I pull off the cellophane and—
Holy Crap! The diagram is on the screen of this uncharged device!
I wonder when it goes away . . .
Almost as soon as I plug in the USB, the image fades and I get the Kindle emblem, the tree. The device driver software automatically installs to my computer. Kindle asks me for my language: I get a choice of English UK, English USA as well as Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano and Português.
The big square button at the bottom middle has directional arrows and I soon see that anything black is active. The next screen wants me to connect to my WiFi. Kindle finds my network and then there’s a pictograph showing me which button will bring up the keyboard so I can type in my password. All I have to do is remember my password, and I do.
I choose my existing Amazon account. My Wifi works and I’m registered. Just that easy.
Next, I click the “Learn More” button because I don’t want to miss anything.
This is so exciting. For a year, I have been downloading Kindle books to a free app on my computer. Now I can curl up and read with this Kindle in its beautiful Oberon cover. And hugging the leather Oberon cover is better than a “real” book.
In fact, plain ole paper just doesn’t cut it anymore.
How about you? Are you a diehard fan of traditional paper? Or have you made the move to Electronic?
You go girl – you finally did it! So I hope you test it out Witch in the Wind! 😉 I’ll even gift it to you, if you want, as a reward for finishing your Ghost story.
Suzanne, what a cool story and yay for both finishing the book and the Kindle. I love mine too. I bought the lighted burgundy cover, which is nice when hubby wants to sleep and I still want to read. The light doesn’t affect him.
I still prefer to hold a book, especially if I want to go back and check something. But I love having all those books in one easy, little place.
I’m a fan of both, I guess!
Hey Brenda – I have Witch in the Wind as well as all the other Bandit Creek stories. They are all happy together in their own Bandit Creek folder on my Kindle. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Michelle – I don’t read in bed so I don’t have a book light yet. Might get one, not sure.
And I absolutely love having all this reading with me for airports and flying – something I’m doing a lot of this summer. Thanks for stopping by!
I didn’t think I’d take so handily to ebooks – but it happened almost instantaneously. Since getting my Kobo, I’ve only purchased two paperback books. I do love paperbacks too – but with my ereader I don’t have to leave the house to buy a new book – a HUGE advantage! (And expensive – LOL). 🙂 Enjoy your Kindle!
Right you are, Lorraine. That Amazon “Buy now with 1-click” is dangerous! And so easy…
Oh, I’m jealous, Suzanne, but good for you!
Maybe I should gift myself an Oberon cover as a reward when I finish this draft…
As you know, my fellow Obe, an Oberon cover is an excellent motivator!
I love my Kindle. My daughter gave it to me for Christmas almost 2 years ago in October and I would be lost without it. we have the same one you mentioned (I think). it is so lovely to carry around – lighter than a book and easier to slide into my purse. and if I decide I am not in the mood for ‘this’ book, there are hundreds of other books on my kindle.
welcome to this new world, suzanne. I’ll have to check out the covers you mentioned.
Hi Louise – I never knew what I was missing and I can’t believe I went this long without getting my E reader. I’m like you. I love having my own personal “library” with me.
Congratulations on finishing your book, Suzanne, and what a reward you gave yourself. Good for you!
I love my kindle. I don’t have the Oberon cover, so I guess I can’t join the Obe club.
For reading books, I switch between the kindle and iPad. It’s wonderful not to have the clutter of books around the house. And it’s also great to just buy and read … no going out of the house to shop.
Occasionally, though, I still miss the feel of a book in my hands and I still buy the occasional book. So I will always be a reader of both, although when I travel, I’ll no longer have to pack a half dozen books in my suitcase. 🙂
Hi Sheila–
If you miss the feel of a “real” book in your hands, that’s when you might want to try an Oberon cover. However, you probably don’t want to join the “Obe Club” – if you follow the “Obe” link at the top, you’ll see why :o)
What a GORGEOUS cover!
I’ve got a Kindle, too. Love it.
I love both my ereader and paper books, but for travel and everyday use, the ereader wins. The only books I tend to get in paper now are ones that I want to collect, or ones that aren’t available for my ereader. (surprisingly lots, but then, I read academic works that don’t get the mass-market ebook treatment.) Okay, I will admit to buying paperbacks at the used bookstore too, but those ones more often than not will get returned for more. 🙂
That’s a gorgeous cover, btw!! Wow.
-Alyssa (posting via livejournal because my WordPress id won’t work)
hi Roxy – thanks for stopping by!
Hi Alyssa – I still have a pile of TBR paper books and sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get to them.
It’s that Oberon cover – I just love the feel of the tooled leather. It makes me feel like I’m reading an ancient book…
Maybe my paper TBR will end up at the used bookstore?