One word that people have used to describe me in the past is the word “reader”. As a child, I was called a bookworm (“Bennie bookwurm” in particular after a popular Afrikaans TV show character) as I often had my nose in a book. I was a voracious reader and would spent many hours alone in the world that had been created by a range of authors. Now, as an adult, the childhood habit of reading has not changed. A book is always with me, ready to be opened and read. Now, however, my opportunities to read are sandwiched in between the responsibilities I have towards my own family. I read while waiting for the children to finish their swimming lesson. I read while on the bus to work. I read while waiting at a dental or doctor’s office. I snatch time in between household chores; or during my lunch hour. Even now I still enjoy a good read, and an author to take me to new places.
For Mother’s Day, I received a perfect gift from my husband and girls: an iPad mini. My husband decided on this, as opposed to an eReader, so that I could access the internet when I am away from my computer in addition t reading. I have not done much surfing on the internet using my iPad, but I have experienced reading a book electronically. Once I had downloaded the necessary App and figured out how to borrow a book from my local library, I began reading and enjoying the thrill of the eBook.
And what an experience it has been. A quick flick of the finger, and I am on the next page. Pages are easily bookmarked so when I open the App, I am on the page I was busy reading. In addition, my iPad is a lot lighter than a physical book – and takes up a lot less space in my purse or bag. In the time since I have received this gift, not only have I been absorbed by the story I am reading, but also by the experience of reading a book I have borrowed online. All of my browsing and choosing has been done in the comfort of my home sitting on the sofa.
Reading from the iPad does take a little getting used to. Shining lights do reflect on the screen at times requiring me to tilt the gadget a little. Often the pages switch landscape if I tilt the tablet a little too much, making me aware of the way in which I hold whatever it is I am reading. But I am enjoying the lightness, and the ease with which I can read in this format. Will I forgo the physical feel and scent of a real book? I do not think so. There are be certain books I will still want to be able to flip backwards and forwards while I am reading (I am thinking in particular of non-fiction books). However, I am easily converted to reading fiction on my electronic device.
Have you switched to reading books electronically?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
How nice. 🙂 I am using a mini and it is relatively easy to type short messages in.
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I am now blog browsing using it and it is quite comfortable. 🙂
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A gift I would enjoy as well Colline as I do love reading and with some books the text is a bit too small for me to read … old age you know…hehehe. Congrats with the lovely gift hon and enjoy fully. *hugs*
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What is great about the digital way of reading is that you can increase the font size for those aging eyes 🙂
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Exactly! 🙂
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Hey, congratulations on your new gift! If I ever get my hands on the “extra” money I always seem to be waiting for, I’m going to get myself one too.
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This is something I would never have bought for myself, and my husband knows it! I appreciate that he went out and bought it for me 🙂
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Yes, GREAT HUBBY!
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I have been using Kindle software on my laptop & phone for almost 1 year.
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I was unaware you could use the software without buying the reader.
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I love my kindle!! Got it for my birthday nearly 3 years ago.
I do not know if we have virtual libraries here but I have 1800 books on my kindle so I suppose I am my own library
🙂
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Sounds like a library to me 🙂
The Toronto Public library is vast and they are slowly adding to their collection of eBooks.
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Not yet Colline, although I have been meaning to download some books on to my Ipad. Shall try it out when we travel this year. Thanks for sharing your experience. Had no idea there were online libraries!!
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Check out your local library – you may be surprised 🙂
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I have, and I am totally hooked! I love the fact that I can instantly download a new library book as soon as I finish one, (even if it’s Sunday or the middle of the night!) and I find it great for reading in bed as I don’t need to turn on the light.
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I love that too. No more waiting until the next day at 9am 🙂
Haven’t tried reading at night yet with the lights off. Yet another bonus!
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It is great to have that versatility as opposed to a simple reader. I also wish they would come up with something to add the equivalent of flipping – I mean, one can do it on a PDF so it shouldn’t take much technology.
Anyway, I am always delighted to hear that anyone has become a potential customer (however remotely) for my Kindle versions! 🙂
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I now need to figure that out – baby steps 🙂
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Amazon offer a free Kindle app for use with IPad. It is well worth getting it, because the free books on Kindle are amazing – I have just downloaded The Great Gatsby (but not from Amazon who want to charge).
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Thank you for the advice – it is one I will definitely follow 🙂
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I first clicked because of the worm.. He’s so CUTE!! 🙂
Congratulations on your new reading gift!
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That character taught many a South African Afrikaans in my time. I have fond memories of him 🙂
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Thanks for the positive review. I’ve been coveting a mini. For now my phone will have to do. FYI I bought an an anti reflective film for my phone and computer. It really helps. Look on amazon. Happy reading 😎
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Thanks for the tip – I may have to invest in one especially for during the winter when there are more lights on.
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My mother bought me a reader for my birthday last November and I absolutely love it! No more lugging heavy books around – it’s made a huge difference to what I can read 😀
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I have certainly gone through many books in the last 2 weeks. Its lightness has played a role, I am sure 🙂
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Oh, how cute to see Bennie Boekwurm. I loved Liewe Heksie too. Always read it to my classes. It is good to know how easy it is to borrow e books from the library. They have started e books here since the beginning of the year.
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It took me about 2 hours to figure it out (I also had to figure out how to download the app). But now it is so easy to do.
And especially for you : http://youtu.be/XYGmNs6274A
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Awesome, Thank you very much!
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You took me way back, Thank you so much!
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I do both. Just can’t let go of books.;-)
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I think I will be the same as you. My daughter too 🙂
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The gift you received is truly great, Colline! 🙂
Last year I bought a Sony e-reader. I could also have chosen an iPad, but didn’t want to, for the distractions are too many with internet available. The e-reader offers me peace and quiet, and it also has the advantage of e-ink, which lets you read in bright sunlight.
Since I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 – so a big cell phone – I use the Kindle reader on that device too, because it allows me to read books by Amazon. And I like that.
But paper books are my true love, I keep buying them – though less.
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Seems that you have the best of both worlds with the devices that you have. 🙂
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The gift you received is truly great, Colline! 🙂
Last year I bought a Sony e-reader to take with me on our motor bike holidays, and when we travel by plane. I could also have chosen an iPad, but didn’t want to, for the distractions are too many with internet available. The e-reader offers me peace and quiet, and it also has the advantage of e-ink, which lets you read in bright sunlight.
Since I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 – so a big cell phone – I use the Kindle reader on that device too, because it allows me to read books by Amazon. And I like that.
But paper books are my true love, I keep buying them – though less.
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I will never fully forgo paper books – they have so many advantages: the crinkle of the paper, the ability to flip through the pages easily and quickly. So now I read using both mediums. And I am happy 🙂
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Ana and I are in the process of exploring the ipad for book reading purposes as she has arthritis and it may be of an asset to her, we did find on the net where you can have books actually read to you, that was an interesting find. The ipad you mentioned mighyt be great for reading in bed as opposed to holding a large book.
Thanks for some great ideas.
Ian
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I have read with my iPad mini lying down and it worked quite well once I got it in the right position ( I leaned it against my pillow) .
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I have a kindle and I love it. I have problems with tendinitis in my hands and I can’t hold a book to read it for very long, I don’t have that trouble with the kindle, and it is so much easier to read when lying down. I am a convert.
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I am sure it helps that the device is so much lighter to hold. I can say that I am enjoying it too 🙂
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