It is as uncomfortable as it sounds.
When I got the kindle, I initially used it much less than anticipated. One can't use it without an external light source, so reading at night/in the car after dark was impossible at first.
Also, I read pretty fast. By the time I found an ebook, used Amazon to convert it to a kindle format, and then transferred it (the process took me a couple of days to do), I was usually done with the book in question.
I really only started using it when it gradually dawned on my mind to load all the books I had intentions of reading, but just never got to the head of my to-read list. (There is always some book I am so excited about that it supercedes my should-read books.
My use of the kindle really took off when I found this little application -
Calibre
An ebook organizer, viewer etc, its main strength lies in its ability to convert any format to any other format - so a html/pdf to a kindle format, for e.g.
how perfect is that?
It even works with the iphone (using an app - Stanza), and on both Macbooks or Windows-based machines.
This software is highly recommended for anyone who reads on a laptop, and especially for anyone that reads via an ebook reader.
And its FREE!
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?
Hi Deepali. I use my Kindle with a headlamp strapped to the cover shining on to the screen when my husband is a sleep and I am not. I also now use the kindle function on my Ipad which I like better than the kindle itself. I synch the two so I can take my Kindle to the gym. The Ipad is too expensive to take to the gym. I appreciate the information on caibre though as a lot of E ARCs cost money to get thru a kindle email.
ReplyDeleteBut I love my Kindle and have it downloaded on all my computers. My husband and I share our account and can share books. Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
I can imagine that e-readers have made your reading experience a lot more comfortable than reading on your laptop now!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried a Kindle or another e-reader but I'm not sure that I would like reading on one, I prefer the paper feel of a book. But maybe I'll try one out in the future :)
Stephanie @ www.bestfriends-books.blogspot.com
I'm sort of looking for an e-reader and a bit torn on what I want. I thought some of the e-readers had a light feature? Maybe I'm crazy.. or maybe it's a different version of the one you have. Anyways, I'm not sure what I'll get yet - I know people who have the Nook and the Kindle and give both rave reviews. Thanks for sharing about the great ebook organizer and viewer!
ReplyDeleteI never considered using the laptop to read in bed, as aside from being as uncomfortable as you described, I don't like reading books on my laptop. But thanks for the funny visual! *L*
ReplyDeleteDon't have a Kindle, but I did just buy a nook and I love it! So much easier to read on an eReader than a laptop! And while the screen isn't backlit, they do sell booklights made specifically for eReaders, so I may buy one of those as well.
Happy eReading! :D
I am soooo close to buying an e-reader. Just have to pick which one I want! :)
ReplyDeleteNever thought of taking my laptop to bed with me - hehe
AH! This is perfect for me. I havent wanted to dole out the money for an ereader so I read on my laptop when it's an ebook. The problem with that is exactly the ones u mentioned, as well as not wanting to even think about transfer issues. Definitely gonna look into this software.
ReplyDelete@Steph-Love how you use your kindle, really liked your site!
ReplyDelete@Stephanie - Congrats on getting to 100+ followers!
@Kristen - Well, both the Nook and the Kindle don't have backlit displays. The alternative is the way more expensive iPad or the Sony eReader, both of which have touchscreens.
@Emily - You know, the Kindle is now at $139, which is such a great deal (and you might not miss the lack of EDGE network)
Oh, and my laptop goes EVERYWHERE - no kidding.
@Bello - I do understand your issue, I still tend to read quite a bit from my macbook.
@Alexia- I do so agree! :)
I haven't used Calibre yet. I have used Adobe Digital Editions, though. I have a Kobo, and I've been using ADE because the actual Kobo software wreaks havoc on the books' formatting (how silly, eh?).
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I never bothered with the Kindle was because of the proprietary format. I didn't realize until recently that you could read other formats on the Kindle after converting them. Still, it seems like a bunch of extra steps, especially when other readers don't require you to convert anything. (Plus, I'm in Canada, so half the Kindle books I wanted weren't available to me.)
I've heard Calibre is a great piece of software. I just haven't needed to use it.