All posts by Sherry

Kindle vs Book

Journal
Kindle vs “Real” Book

I downloaded a number of books over the years for the Kindle app on my iPad. I read a few of those books while on vacations, but it certainly wasn’t my favourite way to read. The iPad, because it is a first edition, is heavy and not easily read in bed at the end of the day. My preference was always a “real” book.

I received a Kindle for Christmas, along with a generous gift card, and I am loving the convenience of it. It is so light which makes it much easier to carry in my bag and pick up while waiting for appointments or events. It is lovely to read in bed – no need for even a bedside light which is also a bonus if I’m reading during a sleepless night.

I mostly read at the end of the day after I go to bed and I think, with the Kindle, I probably read more than if I were holding a real book. With a real book I set goals (read 25 or 50 pages a night, depending on the length of the book) and with the Kindle I often find myself saying, “I’ll just read until I’m at 25% or 50%” which means I’m reading a quarter of the book a night. I’ll get through the books much faster.

The only time I miss a “real” book is when I’ve finished a book. There is something about closing the cover on a book, setting it aside, and then anticipating the next book (because the next book is generally picked before I’ve finished the current book). Closing the cover on the Kindle doesn’t give me the same sense of closure and I never scroll through my list of books to see what might come next – I just start reading whatever My Library says is next. So far I haven’t run into this on my Kindle but with a “real” book I never finish one book and start a new one on the same day; that would be so easily done with the Kindle.

I still have a number of “real” books on my shelf that I will get to. As I learn more about the eBooks that are available I hope to make better choices. I guess you get what you pay for and so far the Kindle freebies and very cheap eBooks haven’t been all that satisfying.

Agnes Grey

Books

Author: Anne Brontë

There is a reason the “Classics” are classics – they are good no matter what era you are reading them in.

Due to failing family fortunes, Agnes becomes a governess to children of varying ages in a series of wealthy estates. In her last placement she forms an attachment to a young clergyman. When Agnes’ father dies she moves back home where she and her mother start a small school. Eventually the clergyman finds her and, you can imagine, they live happily ever after.

This is the first novel in this huge book; I will get to them all eventually!

Goodreads Rating * * * * *   (Thanks to Dad, I love the classics)

A Mother’s Conviction

Books

Author: Karen Lenfestey

It has often occurred to me that foster parents must struggle with emotions when their foster child is either returned to their home or adopted. With the right set of foster parents and the right child I imagine the emotional links can form quickly.

In this book we are introduced to Bethany, a single parent to her foster child Willow. Willow’s first six years were difficult when she lived with her mother, who is now serving time in jail. Willow had an older half-sister; she lives with her birth father who has had to overcome some difficult circumstances to become the father he wants to be.

Everything ties up quite neatly in the end, perhaps too neatly.

Goodreads Rating * * *

My Husband’s Wives

Books

Author: Faith Hogan

Another book about a cheating husband – or is it really cheating if he marries two other women without ever divorcing his first wife? Although all the wives knew about one another they all assumed they were still married to their husband. If there had never been a divorce then you can see why they would have that impression; although if he actually married the next one in line you would assume he had divorced the previous wife. None of these particular details come to light until Paul dies unexpectedly in a car accident with a pregnant woman who might easily be the next wife-to-be. The women are portrayed as strong characters and it didn’t feel odd that they never knew what was going on, although it seemed odd that no one was bitter.

Howth, Ireland

The book got an extra Goodreads star as it is set in Ireland, Dublin and Howth to be specific. Pat and I spent a wonderful, windy day in Howth when we were in Ireland.

Goodreads Rating * * *