Kindle and Me: A Love Story

Buoyed by the news of my first book being released in e-format, in November of 2007, I bought a Kindle. I soon learned I’d been “lucky” to get one for the holiday season, that they’d sold out much faster than Amazon expected.


But once I got it opened and downloaded a couple of books, whether I was lucky or not was up for interpretation. I found myself more focused on the e-reader than the books, which seemed to be defeating the entire purpose.

Three years have passed. I’ve downloaded the occasional book, particularly those available only in e-format. I’ve figured out the basics: how to move around, change the font, convert .pdfs, etc. But still, the Kindle would sit quietly for weeks and sometimes months on a shelf. Did I like it? Not really. But I didn’t exactly dislike it, either.

Now, I need to add that I’m a big Sophie Kinsella fan, and her book, Remember Me? was the test-case I had used on my Kindle. But as time has passed, I realized that I barely remembered the story at all, and last month, I decided to power the Kindle up and give that book another go. And was I glad I did. Without focusing on the nuts and bolts of the e-reader, I found the book absolutely charming!

So when I got a call last week that my son had been in a snowboarding accident, in my rush to get to the hospital--and knowing there’d likely be a lot of downtime in my immediate future--I’d had the wherewithal to grab my Kindle.

And right from the first night, while he slept and I tried to stay calm and focused, that Kindle kept me company. I used the internet function to deliver a virtual bookstore to the hospital room. I looked over Top 100 lists, then at different authors’ books, occasionally pushing the “download the first chapter” button.

Over the next week in the hospital, as he grew stronger and my concentration improved, that Kindle stayed with me. During down periods, I read through those first chapters and purchased and read a humorous memoir by Nora Ephron (perhaps best known for penning “When Harry Met Sally” and “You’ve Got Mail”). I texted friends for more recommendations, and checked those out, as well. I re-read a Stephen King novella I’d downloaded early on (which I didn’t remember very well, either.)

The short of it being, when I needed it, the Kindle was there for me. Offering me the best of all distractions: a world of books.

Now we’re home and my son is doing great. While I am threatening to take an ax to his snowboard, I am also thinking of upgrading to the newest Kindle. Because while I know my love will never lessen for paperbound books, having a virtual bookstore at my fingertips in a time of great stress was “just what the doctor” ordered for me!

How about you? Have you "made friends" with your e-reader?

What I’m Reading: My Soul to Take, Rachel Vincent

Tina

Tina Ferraro
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
How to Hook a Hottie
The ABC’s of Kissing Boys
www.tinaferraro.com

Book-to-Movie: THE STAND Stands Tall

I never would have read my favorite-book-turned-into-a-movie if I hadn’t been broke. It was my first apartment, my first experience with making a paycheck last, and the only unread book I had around was a Stephen King novel that a friend had left after visiting me.

Horror was not my genre--especially now that I was living alone. But out of desperation for a new read (that I didn’t have to pay for), I cracked it open. And almost immediately, my world spun off its axis...

Yeah, it was horror...but it was also some of the most vivid, memorable characters and storylines I’d ever read.

It’s a big book--800+ pages--and I took it everywhere until I finished. Almost immediately, I started it again because I couldn’t get the characters out of my mind.

So...years later, when a TV movie was announced, I was filled with trepidation. How could they possibly do my favorite book justice?


Part One came, and I sat down warily. Only to be so totally swept up by the intro scene and the music (“Don’t Fear The Reaper” was a genius choice) that I fell just as hard and fast. The casting and acting was terrific, the story closely followed the book, and some parts gave me even greater insights into the characters and storyline.










So, now? The person who didn’t read horror owns THE STAND in the three book formats (paperback, original hardcover version and unabridged hardcover), and the movie in two (VHS and DVD). As well as most every other book Stephen King has written.

A special shout-out to the friend who left the paperback on my coffee table all those years ago!

What I’m Reading Now: The Celebutantes by Antonio Pagliarulo

Tina
www.tinaferraro.com
Top Ten Uses for An Unworn Prom Dress
How to Hook a Hottie, January, 2008
The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, Spring 2009