Sunday, September 30, 2018

My Kindles

I used to read my ebooks on my phone.   I couldn't justify the cost of a kindle when the phone works perfectly well.   Then I saw one in one of my patient's hands.  It was the Paperwhite.   I hadn't realized how much like a book it looked.  I started thinking about getting one.   I ended up receiving one as a gift.  I fell in love.  I got a black and blue waterproof case for it so it traveled with me wherever I went.  Gym, pool, work, bathroom, bed.   I didn't need my reading glasses, either, since I could adjust the print.

I could read whatever I felt like reading.  I always had multiple books going, and now all the books could travel with me.  I discovered Goodreads.  I was able to track what I was reading, what I had read, and what I wanted to read.  I got recommendations from friends.  I found group challenges and the annual challenge.  I signed up for the annual challenge and have been reading up a storm ever since.  I have signed up for a yearly challenge every January ever since.

I discovered bookbub and the fussy librarian.  They both offered me free and discounted books daily. I filled up my Kindle.   I was given a Kindle Fire, but I was used to the anti glare surface of the Paperwhite, so the Fire became the music source for work.  I rarely read on it, unless I'm desperate. 

One day, I noticed a tiny crack on my blue Paperwhite screen.  Even though it was in its case securely, it managed to get a crack in it.  It was still working, but I couldn't read at night because that tiny crack shone brightly, right into my eyes.   I called customer service and there wasn't anything they could do for me, except offer a discount on a replacement.  I took them up on the offer and got my second Paperwhite, this time with a black case.

I got to work filling up that Kindle right away.   I had a difficult time with non reading things, and had to move quickly from where we were living.  I know the kindle went with us, but I managed to misplace it.  I thought I'd lost it at the grocery store, so I put my phone number in the title, hoping someone would find it and return it.   I ended up ordering a refurbished Paperwhite, this time with a black and pink case.

I was mourning the loss of the black Kindle while waiting the arrival of the pink one.  When the pink one arrived, it didn't work quite right.  After quite a while with customer service, we managed to manually push through an update and get it working perfectly.   It became my companion.   It was easier to find in my purse, too, since it wasn't all black.  

After several weeks, I found the black one, sitting in a dark corner at home.   It now has silver writing on it with my phone number.   It's been a backup when the pink one needs to be charged.

One day, I received an email telling me that I could turn in my Paperwhite for a discount on the new Oasis.  I started looking into it.   I could listen to my audiobooks on my Kindle?   Sure!  But, no.  Which Paperwhite could I part with?  None.  They all have sentimental value.   Plus, it was a cost I still couldn't justify, even with the discount.   I put it on my Amazon wishlist, expecting it to stay there.  

I received the Oasis for my birthday.   It was so light that I was afraid to use it until I got a cover for it.   I also had to get headphones for it, since I didn't own Bluetooth ones.  That delayed me a few days.   I did end up subscribing to Kindle Unlimited, since I could get books with the audio portion included.  I am not in love the headphones, so this isn't ideal yet.  Also, I've read that the Oasis isn't as sturdy as the paperwhite, so it's not traveling with me like the Paperwhite does.  It's a work in progress.   Is bigger, so it is easier to read, but it's an at home reader so far. 

My pink Paperwhite is my companion, still.   I am still waiting for the Oasis to convince me.

Whiskey and Gumdrops, by Jean Oram



I never had trouble getting into the book.  I enjoyed it from the moment I started reading it.
Mandy is a loveable character, but indecisive until she decides to follow her dream head on. 
I enjoyed Mandy's journey to find her place in the the business world.  The love story part of the story was rather predictable, though.  The book could have stood alone without the romance part.  Her indecisiveness in her love life was a sharp contrast to how she handled herself in the business world.  

Overcoming Challenges

I participate in Goodreads challenges.   The main one is the annual challenge.  I set my reading goal this year for 62 books.  I am lagging behind a little because of a variety of reasons.  Some issues are easier to fix than others.  I am finding ways to get myself back on track.

The moment I sit down to read, I am joined by a rather large black cat, Inky.  Inky tells me every day when it's naptime, even if it's not.  Inky just wants attention and wants to be up under my chin and cuddling.  Unfortunately, it's difficult to get anything done with a furry, 14 pound, purring creature between me and whatever I'm working on.   We try comprises until she settles down.   A blanket on my lap with her as my book rest occasionally works.  Sometimes her bed next to my pillow works.  Right now, it's a drooling head resting on my arm with my book off to one side so I can still see what I'm doing.  It's still not naptime for me, but I'm not keeping Inky from her nap.

Putting the phone down is another challenge.   Chatting, scheduling, games, etc.  They are all distractions.  I am making a conscious effort to turn off notifications on non essential apps on my phone.  I leave text and phone call notifications on, in case someone really needs to contact me, though.   These are not typical, though.  

I have managed to break myself of most of the tv habit.  I watch one or two hours of tv a week, and only specific shows.  That was a bad habit that was easier to break than I thought it would be.
I get disturbed by family chatting with me, but I just have to deal with it.  I am getting them to learn to know when I'm reading or trying to sleep, and they are respecting my quiet time more now.
I started buddy reads with friends.   Three friends, two different books.   We are supposed to be reading a chapter a night.   We are a little lenient on each other because life gets in the way sometimes.  The three of us who are reading Neverending Story had a little difficulty getting the book into one reader's hands, but we should be underway as soon as her library gets it to her.  Where Nobody Knows Your Name is delayed because my reading buddy has a job far from home and travels Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.   Reading time is limited.  I fully expect to finish both of these books soon.

I am also a member of two real life book clubs.   These give me deadlines to finish books and someone to report to.  I hate showing up at bookclub and having to announce that I haven't finished the book yet.   I have made a list of what book is due next.

Getting organized and getting my distractions out of the way before settling in to read seems to be a lot of the solution.   I am determined to overcome these challenges and finish the rest of the books by the end of the year.

Just getting started

I have always been a reader.  And I work toward fitness goals.   A difficult time for me started a few years ago, and I'm still struggling to find normal.   Reading and the gym have pretty much been my happy places during the search.  I set goals for each and make attempts at reaching the goals daily. 

I plan on starting to put my book reviews here, along with my journey toward my goals.