As you may know, I love a good read. I recently posted about my top ten books from last year and finished off with Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I really loved this book, and although I've seen a fair bit of hype surrounding it since reading, I'm surprised it hasn't been raved about more! I'd really recommend it, and will do a proper review soon. I've now just started reading Cloud Atlas - I've actually found it quite hard to get into, did anyone else find the same? I don't really have any idea what was going on in the first part, but am now onto the next character which seems more interesting. Hoping I get into it soon as have heard so many good things!
Anyway, in my top ten post I discussed where I buy my books from. I tend to stick to charity shops for most books, but then will buy any 'special' reads new/first hand. I like to buy novels by my favourite authors new to add to my bookshelf collection! The problem is, our flat is tiny and we have very little room for... well, anything. Our bookshelf is very nearly full and I'm starting to get concerned about my ever-growing collection of novels.
I know what you're all thinking... what about a Kindle? Well, both my parents have one and I have to admit I'm intrigued. It would mean travelling around would be a whole lot easier (I'm fed up with fraying book corners in my handbag!) and lighter, and would save space in my fit-to-burst bookshelf. I'm just not sure I can let go of good, old-fashioned books. I love that feeling of holding a book, turning the pages and yes, I'm going to be completely ridiculous and say I appreciate a pretty cover. Despite this, I took my Mum's Kindle for a 'test drive'... and have to say I was impressed. Its not like reading from a computer screen at all, which I was afraid of, and is so light it makes reading that new Marian Keyes hardback that little bit easier! I've also been lucky enough to have a go with the new Kindle Fire, and... wow. It is incredible! I've definitely picked up the technology buzz recently and feel the Kindle could be my next purchase... I'll be hitting up Carphone Warehouse very soon I think!
I'd love to know what you think. Do you have a Kindle? Would you recommend it?
The perfect reading spot? All images from Pinterest.
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I hated kindles all the way up until I got one, and now I can't live without it! xo
ReplyDeleteSame as Lauren. I was very anti-Kindle then got a Kindle Fire HD and it completely refuelled my love for reading. I still read proper books though. But find them too heavy to read in bed lying down.
ReplyDeleteI watched Cloud Atlas last weekend and although very long (almost 3 hours) and a bit confusing I really enjoyed it! I bet the book is hard to follow though.
You're really inspiring me to read more, I stupidly never give myself the time to read! I have an iPad and have read a few books on it and it is good, but I'm a little old fashioned and do like the feel of a book. Plus they are cheaper if you get them from places like the charity shop or the library as e-books can be expensive. Looking forward to seeing what you decide!! Off to check out the Jojo Moyes book! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI've always been really against kindles, going on about how people should just read books etc etc etc. My step-mum got one for christmas however, and since then I've started to want one. I love reading actual books but I can't help feel it'd be really handy for travelling and just keeping in your bag. Plus it must be really convenient to be able to just download a book! I'm still torn, but I don't hate them as much as I used to! x
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about Cloud Atlas....I found it really hard to get into. In fact, I gave up reading it...and I hate not finishing books! I'll have to give it another go I think.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I can and still have room on the bookshelf, I'm going to stick to being old fashioned & enjoying reading the actual book. I love picking them up from charity shops & the creases that others have made when reading and loving the books. It makes me sad to think that maybe one day books will be replaced by e-readers? Imagine our children not reading from paper but looking at a screen? Doesn't feel right to me! But then I do see the ease and convenience of a kindle? Such a difficult one! :-) SX
ReplyDeleteI was always against kindles too hun until I won one in a comp my plan was to see what it was like and then sell it. This didn't happen I love my kindle now but I still buy paperbacks too who can beat the smell of a fresh new book.
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Ah a girl after my own heart - someone who loves a book with a good cover! I can echo the earlier comments, I was totally averse to a Kindle (or any other ereader!), for me part of the joy of reading is going into a book shop and browsing the selection. I love the way bookshops and books smell, the feel of a book in my hand, turning those new crisp papers, picking up a book because I am drawn to the cover, the colour of it and the font, Oh God now I sound like a total weirdo! But I know book lovers will understand! BUT, I, like you, am running out of space for new books, plus I wanted something which was handbag/travel friendly so I asked for a Kindle for Christmas, which the bloke kindly got me. I wanted as simple an ereader as possible and one that had the 'look' of the pages of a book so I went for their standard version (was concerned the fire/hd would be too much like reading a computer screen) and I have to say I love it. I can devour books and sate my need for reading without filling my house to hoarder proportions of paperbacks. That said, I will still buy the occasional book from our local independent bookshop (gotta keep it independent in my book - no pun intended!) and from the local charity shops. I think a mix of having a Kindle for just reading and then buying books you really really want in book format is a great blend to have.
ReplyDeleteI love my kindle, I have a huge bookcase that is full to brim of books but I couldn't live without my kindle. It's so convienent. You can have as many book as you like on it, buy on the go and if you pre order a book it's there waiting for you when you turn it in on the day it comes out. X
ReplyDeleteI had a Kindle, but the screen broke, so now I'm Kindle-less. I'd downloaded a ton of classics which were free and I was working through, but now I'm back to books until I can get it fixed or enough money to get a new one (which is going to take forever!). Where I live there are tons of books to work through but I worry about taking them on my daily commute, having enough room in my bag etc. Plus my Kindle had 3G so I could go online on it too!
ReplyDeleteI got a Kindle Fire HD for Christmas and it's so wonderful. Like you I didn't want to let go of good old books but my compromise is that anything my favourite authors publish I'll buy in book form and then anything else, I'll get on the Kindle. I hate fraying edges when you've had a book in your bag a long time so the Kindle is so easy and convenient and protects my lovely books from being ruined! With the Kindle Fire HD, you can also watch things like BBC iPlayer and LoveFilm which is really handy, as well as getting onto the internet and there's loads of apps (Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are all on there).
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely recommend it for the convenience, and the HD picture is awesome!
I have a tablet with a Kobo reading app on and I love it, definitely easier than lugging around massive books!
ReplyDeleteMaria xxx
I thought I would hate the Kindle, as I loved the feel/smell of a book. But I absolutely love it! It saves my arms from carrying heavy books, my library is with me at all times, and it has introduced me to so many new authors due to the free books, and kindle daily deal. I would definately recommend getting one!
ReplyDeleteI flipping love my kindle, but I also love books. It does my head when people are all up in my face saying that I'm killing books. No, no I'm not. If I like it on kindle, I'll buy it in hard copy. Definitely take the plunge, the fire is awesome, you can do so much on it! They're just so much easier to carry around and more room in my bag is never a bad thing!
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I don't have one but I'm getting a kindle fire for my birthday, very exciting :) x
ReplyDeleteI love my Kindle but I do still pick up actual books as well, I always think its strange when people assume that because you have a Kindle you'll not be buying any books anymore! I never buy full price Kindle books though as I think they're so expensive for something virtual, I just keep titles I'd like in my wishlist and when they are on offer I buy them and save them for later. In the meantime if I see one of those books in a charity shop or something I'll just pick it up there instead x
ReplyDeleteI got a kindle last christmas and absolutely love it. Like you I love proper books and the feeling of them but my word, the kindle really is great it's so so handy! I buy most of my books on kindle now, it's just so much easier. One click and they're there! It's easy to pop out on the train and makes reading in bed much easier too. I do still like to get out a book every now and then though, but when I do it just makes the experience more enjoyable as it doesn't happen so often (sound weird? i don't know haha). But yes, go for a kindle and don't be scared about going off books because whilst it's very much more convenient you can always still buy books too! xx
ReplyDeleteI do love holding a real book, but I'm sure if I had a kindle it would get loads of use, I guess its the future! Can't beat a good book though x
ReplyDeleteI have thought about getting a Kindle but I like actually having a proper book!
ReplyDeleteMe before you is so lovely! One of my favourite girly books ever! Would recommend to anyone :)
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I got an ipad and read my books there, I miss actual books though, I still buy some paper books x
ReplyDeleteI do like to read paper books, but I've never tried a kindle. I've only ever read one book through Google reader but that was on my phone, so the screen was too small.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with Cloud Atlas and I'm still not 100% sure I could tell you what happened! But I enjoyed the parts which were easier to understand (I especially stuggled with the robot section I think.) I really like Black Swan Green by David Mitchell though and would like to read his other books.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved reading and it's worse now I work in a library, I bring home new books after evey shift... I don't really 'get' Kindles but I think Surrey libraries (where I work) lend e-books as well? So if you did get one it could be worth looking into with your local library.
I don't have a Kindle, but I do have the first edition Nook. I love it. It has opened up a whole new world of books to me that I wouldn't have run out to get the paperback of. They are usually cheaper than the physical copy, so I don't mind paying a few less dollars for a book I'm just curious about.
ReplyDeleteI eventually caved and got a kindle last year and I have to say it is so much easier. Don't get me wrong, nothing beats the excitement of buying a new book, the atmosphere of browsing a book shop and the smell and feel of a book. Plus the sight of a satisfyingly full bookshelf. BUT kindle books are often cheaper, can be downloaded in seconds without having to leave the house, light and easy to carry around AND (this is the big plus point for me)they are so much easier to read in bed. I do still buy "special" books as proper books though. All in all, the practical part of me loves the kindle, but the sentimental bookworm within will always love the printed word x
ReplyDeleteI love real books too, but I got a kindle last summer, and I like it very much. Of course, real books are still the loveliest, but I can use both.
ReplyDeleteTo me the best about a kindle is that in the space and wheight of a small book, you can have hundreds of them. When travelling it's super convenient. Also, when you go on holidays. I never lave for holidays without taking at least two books (who always happen to be thick). Although in the end, the few days that I'm away I don't read much and do other things instead, I ALWAYS take books with me. But they wheigh quite a bit, and I worry they'll get wrinkled or something. But with a kindle, you can always have lots of books with you, not only on vacations, but anytime you leave home, and read whatever you like while commuting. Its also very convenient for me because they give us lots of PDFs to read at university, and this way I don't have to print them, or ruin my eyes with the computer screen.
[But still what I like the most is knowing that I am always carring around A LOT of books with me<3]
Something to consider though, is what you want, an e-reader or a tablet? With a tablet (like Kindle fire), you can do almost as many things as with your computer (I think?), and that's very nice. With an e-reader (like kindle), you can only read, but the e-ink screen won't tire your eyes. So if you plan to spend lots of time reading on it, instead of doing other things, it would be better for your eyes and wallet to get an e-reader. If you want to take advantage of technology and use it for lots of other things, then probably a tablet will suit you best.
Happy reading!
I have a nook and i am so in love with it. My fiend has a kindle, but I prefer my nook way more. I think they are both good- you should get one!
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I always said I'd never get a Kindle because I buy a lot of cheap books from charity shops, and I like the feel of a book etc... But I keep playing with my friends' Kindles and I have to say the idea is quite appealing, especially for when I'm on the move (which is quite a lot of the time!). Also, I guess that just because I get a Kindle, that doesn't mean I can never buy a real book ever again. xx
ReplyDeleteI have an iPad. For some reason I am able to fly through reading books on the iPad, than an actual book; it takes me agessss to read. Yes, it's an expensive gadget to have, but I jus find it really good for reading. :)
ReplyDeleteI want to stick with books forever! I take ones I have read back to the charity shop or pass them along to a friend to read. I keep ones that I really liked though, and once the shelf gets full I do a purge. Kindles are snazzy and I'm not against tech, but...books are better.
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