I’ve finally got round to buying a cover for the Kindle I received at Christmas. It’s a bright pink neoprene zip-up sleeve.
I wanted to use the Kindle for a while before deciding whether to go for the book-like cover or the sleeve – but I couldn’t start on the e-books until I’d finished the ‘proper’ book I was already part way through (Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult – not as good as some of her others, I thought).
Before I started using the Kindle I was a bit worried that it wouldn’t feel like a book and I wouldn’t be able to get engrossed in the story. But it was no problem, the page turning becomes automatic and the fact that it’s an electronic device doesn’t reduce the enjoyment. A colleague at work said he was so involved in what he was reading that he totally forgot it wasn’t a book and reached his hand over to turn the page manually.
The only thing I find frustrating is the choice of font sizes. I was hoping to find one that would let me read without wearing my glasses but my ideal size seems to fall in the middle of two choices – so I still put the specs on.
So far I’ve worked my way electronically through A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton, How to Make £10 in 10 Minutes by Linda Lewis and I’ve just started Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (am I the only person never to have seen the film or read the book?).
Now, I’m wondering about downloading Write a Great Synopsis by Nicola Morgan. I think I’m going to need it to stand any chance of getting an entry ready for the Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition – it’s not going too well at the moment! Is anybody else struggling?
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by susanjanejones on February 6, 2012 - 6:06 pm
Hi Sally, the ABC novels by Sue Grafton are brilliant aren’t they? I’ve just finished D is for Deadbeat. If you want it, email me your address and I’ll send it on. Yes I think you must be the only one who hasn’t seen gone with the wind, but I bet the book is better than the film. It’s long. Our daughter loves it, and watches it over and over. I am afraid I couldn’t be converted to a kindle, though I’d have one if I won one, handy for in the handbag, but I’m a book a holic, so books win out for me. Great post, I haven’t seen the G.H. competition, will take a look, but I’m enjoying writing short stories at the moment. Talk soon.
#2 by Sally Jenkins on February 6, 2012 - 7:34 pm
Susan – Yes, Gone with the Wind is long – it’ll take me forever to finish it! It took me a while to come round to the idea of a Kindle but I’m loving it now!
#3 by Diane Fordham on February 8, 2012 - 4:06 am
Hello Sally – I’ve always wondered the same thing about Kindles and not ‘feeling’ like a book and getting engrossed. I’m such a lover of the traditional book. Though after reading your post now I am wondering whether I should give myself a shake and get with the times! Thanks for your post.
#4 by Sally Jenkins on February 8, 2012 - 8:46 am
Diane – I think it’s worth investing in a Kindle, especially for a writer as e-publishing is growing at a rate of knots. Also, my husband is currently packing for a business trip to China & bemoaning the fact that he can’t fit all the books he wants to take into his suitcase – having his own Kindle would solve the problem!
#5 by Anne Harvey on February 9, 2012 - 8:08 pm
Glad to see you’ve joined the Kindle community, Sally. Like one of the commentators, I wanted one so that I could look at the possibility of publishing on Kindle. I don’t find it any different than reading a ‘proper’ book and have tried to buy books by debut authors or similar to help fellow writers.
#6 by Sally Jenkins on February 9, 2012 - 8:40 pm
Hi Anne – that’s a good idea to look out for debut authors. Once I’ve waded through Gone with the Wind I’ll do that.
#7 by Jesper on February 24, 2012 - 6:27 pm
I was also surprised how little I miss reading a real book after buying my Kindle. I can’t say that I regret buying it.
#8 by Sally Jenkins on February 24, 2012 - 8:24 pm
I agree, Jesper – I don’t miss a real book.
#9 by robinnis on April 1, 2012 - 7:49 pm
A couple of years ago I opted for a Sony eReader, thinking it might not be a good idea to get ‘locked’ into Kindle format books. But I think Kindle is probably No1 and the easiest to buy books for etc. I still like to rummage on bookshelves and to read an actual book but eReaders are great technology. I recently published a Kindle eBook (Spain Exposed) which was an interesting experience and so now I am hooked on the weekly sales report.
#10 by Sally Jenkins on April 1, 2012 - 7:58 pm
Rob – Kindle does seem to be the most popular format. Good Look with Spain Exposed. E-publishing does make it so much easier for us to get our work out there.
#11 by adorablesmudgie on May 7, 2012 - 1:14 pm
My human entered the Good Housekeeping competition – despite the fact that his novel is not about a cat.
Apparantly there were 7,000 entries.
#12 by Sally Jenkins on May 7, 2012 - 3:52 pm
Hi Adorable Smudgie – 7,000 entries is phenomenal. There are so many of us would-be authors out here!