Classic Immortals

Anna Karenina returns

I’m reading more with the Kindle (helps with sanity).  I was expecting this because of the mobility and ease of making last minute decisions on what to read.  What I was not expecting is the selection of books I’ve been reading recently-classics I’ve read in high school.   Flaubert, Hesse and now Tolstoy.  One of my first Kindle books was Goethe (Sorrows of Young Werther)-expected since it is one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors.  But then for some odd reason I decided to read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse again (classics from Kindle are free).  A completely different experience this time around.  I don’t even remember he had a little boy or how a fateful circle was referenced.   I got so much more out of the book than I did a long time ago.  So I’m going to reread Flaubert’s Madame Bovary and Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.  I’m sure I will get a different perspective for these books.  Thanks to the free classics on Kindle, I get to read books that I most likely would not have even purchased.   For people who love to read, I highly recommend rereading some classics (and they are free).

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I completed reading a book!

It has been a long time since I actually completed reading a book.  I’m always too busy and never have time to read.  I’m still busy and the Kindle didn’t miraculously add more time to my day.  It is the convenient features (see previous blog) of the Kindle that enabled me to read more frequently and finally complete this book.

For the first book, I chose Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.  The last time I read this book I was 17.  Reading it at this age was a completely different experience. With the Kindle I was able to highlight and share these notes on facebook (or just reflect after).

If I didn’t have a Kindle I wouldn’t even have read this book since it wasn’t new to me.   But the free classic download (many classics on Kindle are free to download…even Tolstoy) led me to read it.

Prior to owning a Kindle  I didn’t completely get it.   I’m so glad I have one and I can start to enjoy reading again!

Now what do I do with the two hard cover books in progress?  They do look good on a bookshelf

Contents are protected by the U.S. Copyright act and may not be duplicated or redistributed.  All contents are owned by BlogToTheNextOne ©2011

One handed reading on my new Kindle

Yes, I broke down and bought one:

Much like my 12 year son, I seem to be more productive if there is a technology gadget involved.

But this is not just a gadget.  I’ve only had a Kindle for three days and I am finally reading again. I have read more in the past three days than I have all year (yes sad).  Why?

Portability:  If I’m relaxing I don’t have to preplan what I will read and bring the books.  Instead, on a whim, I can decide what to read.

One handed reading:  I can hold the Kindle in one hand, drink coffee/tea  or even pet my dogs with the other hand while I’m reading.  Great for my ‘multi tasking’ nature.  The iPad is so much heavier.

Contrast:  The Kindle is easy to read-much easier than some cheaper paperbacks or even some hard cover books.  Reading the Kindle is not an exercise in eye strain.

Highlight phrases:  I love being able to highlight phrases that are relevant to me.  Then being able to post these excerpts on Facebook is an added bonus.

Price of books:  This is related to the spontaneous factor again.  If I want to read a book – in a matter of minutes I can start reading it (free, real cheap or cheaper than the book).  I am in the process of reading three books right now.  Who knows, tonight that might turn into five books in a matter of hours.

There are still many features I haven’t discovered, but so far I love the Kindle. 

I have hardcover books to finish and I’m very tempted to just buy them for the Kindle because I don’t even want to pick them up.

Contents are protected by the U.S. Copyright act and may not be duplicated or redistributed.  All contents are owned by BlogToTheNextOne ©2011