How Do You Read?
Many years ago, when reading on a kindle first came a thing. I remember being horrified. I loved my ‘real’ books, and there was no way I would ever read a book on a device. When starting to think about books vs kindle, I did a google search, and found that the kindle first came into being in 2007. So, that means, I have resisted for about fifteen years. Over that time, I have dipped in and out of ebooks, very occasionally. I found them to be quite handy when on holidays, but I wasn’t impressed really, and generally stuck with my ‘real’ books.
Earlier this year, I realised I needed to clear out the books on my bookshelf, so I could fit a big pile of books recently purchased on a weekend away. My bookshelves really were a cluttered mess. As well as nicely stacked books, there were books piled on top of each other, books on their sides, and books that were shoved in every which way. Any books that had been read had to go. As I was spending time giving them away, it occurred to me, that this decluttering wouldn’t be necessary, if I had been reading ebooks. Finally, I was won over to the idea of ebooks, but wasn’t too sure how I’d cope with them. I did love my paper books, as I said.
Since then, I’ve discovered that I’m really enjoying reading ebooks. Perhaps it’s something to do with ageing. I find these days, that it’s a lovely bonus having the words back lit, especially when reading at night. This means I don’t have to strain when reading late at night. I can also now read in bed on those many nights that I don’t sleep. I don’t read paper books in bed due to the disturbance of the lamp. I also love that I can press on a word and the meaning instantly comes up for me. I love that! I just have to get my mind around not being able to hold a book and flick through it.
Recently I read I book that I gave five stars. I absolutely loved it. When I read the last word on the last page, I just wanted to pick up the book and turn it over in my hands, and generally examine it. This book had a beautiful cover, which was crying out to be touched. Other than missing the tactile experience, I’m loving reading electronically, and knowing that I’m not bringing clutter into the house. We have a fantastic library in my town, so I can always go the library for a real book and take it back when it’s read.
52 Week Book Challenge
Banjo Patterson by Grantlee Kieza: The story of Banjo Patterson, Australia’s greatest story teller and poet. I was really surprised to see how much more there was to his life than his writing.
The Long, Long Afternoon by Inga Vesper: A crime scene is found on the kitchen floor of a house in a leafy, well to do suburb on a summer’s day in 1959. Missing is Joyce who lives in the house. She left behind two small children which made it more evident that a serious crime had occurred. This book is more than a mystery. It’s also the a study into the way the lives of women in the 1950s were diminished and silenced. This was an interesting read, especially in the times we are living in today.
A Book Of Voyages by Patrick O’Brian: Writings by various travellers in the 18th and 19th centuries, introduced by Patrick O’Brian. These authors were writng about their travel adventures, from all around the world. I couldn’t help think how exotic these stories must have seemed in the times that they were published. Some of the writings in this book could be considered very dry, but it’s a subject that I love, so I found it very interesting and a great read. There is also heaps of fun in the stories.
Escape To Curlew Cottage by Joanne Tracey: Claire, the host of a popular reality TV show is very much loved until something from her past causes everything to change. As her career is being destroyed, Claire escapes to Brookford, where she grew up. There is so much to love about this story – lovable characters, great location, food and reality TV. Not to mention a really great storyline. The author says she writes books with happy endings. What more could we want from a book in these times of covid, wars, and high fuel prices. It was a delight to take time out from the worries of the world and immerse myself in this book.
A Few More Books
Good Dogs Don’t Make It To the South Pole by Hans-Olav Thyvold (See BBB) re-read 4 star
Translated into English from Norwegian. This books loses nothing at all in translation. Good Dogs is narrated by a grumpy, but very lovable dog, Tassen, who was the last puppy in the litter. The one who wasn’t chosen by anyone. However, it’s more than a lightweight story about a dog. This story touches on themes of ageing, death, friendship and love. IF only we could see the world as Tassen sees it! I wrote a review about this fabulous book, after I read it for the first time. This was my third reading of this wonderful book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You Need To Know by Nicola Moriarty #audiobook
There is a paragraph in this book that gives an idea of what it’s about “The email had arrived three days ago. It had taken her a few minutes, but eventually she had recognised the sender’s name. It was a name that gave her a nasty feeling in the pit of her stomach. And it was highly unusual that she would be writing to her. Then she’d read the subject line: ‘You Need to Know’. Her skin prickled with irritation. What on earth could this woman have to say that Jill apparently needed to know? The presumptious tone annoyed her, so she’d closed the app and ignored it.” A book about families and secrets with many twists and turns.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Island – Ragnar Jonasson Book 2: This is the second book in the trilogy called Hidden Iceland. Translated from Icelandic, The Island is a crime story with many unexpected twists and turns, set on Ellioacy, an Icelandic Island. As often occurs in a novel set in Iceland, it is very dark and atmospheric. As well as being a great crime story, the novel is the personal story of Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdottir who really does add much to this story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 Sisters Detective Agency is the latest book from the collaboration of James Patterson and Australian author, Candice Fox. I’m a fan of Candice Fox, and have enjoyed each of her collaborations with James Patterson, but I do prefer the novels she has written solo. This novel has a really great story line, starting of course, with a crime, and followed by many twists and turns. There are two interesting and very strong female characters in the story, who are quite different and very entertaining. The book ends in such a way, that it’s left open to be a series. I’m hoping there is a book 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Star Rating
Please note that my star rating system isn’t at all based on literary merit, but is based on my enjoyment for the book. For me a book that gets five stars, is a book that I really enjoyed and found difficult to put down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ Unputdownable. Would read it again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fantastic read. Not to be missed
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyable. Would recommend it.
⭐️⭐️ Wouldn’t read it again.
⭐️ Don’t recommend this book at all.
How about you? What’s your reading preference – books or ebooks? Have you read any great books this month. I’d love to hear from you and promise to reply to all comments.
This post is linked to the monthly #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge linkup hosted by bloggers Deb,Sue, Donna, and Jo. Click on the previous links to check out what they’ve been reading.
Also linking to Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
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I concur Jennifer. Until Covid came along I was a purist who only read “real ” paper books. I now love my eBooks most of which I borrow from three local libraries using the Libby and IndyReads app.
I may join you in The 52 Book Club Challenge – looks like fun. Although I’m doing another challenge I think I can squeeze in one more!!
If only there was more time to read and enjoy your recommendations!
I didn’t know about the IndyReads app Jill, so will check it out. It would be great if you joined in the challenge. You would have much to offer. More time! Isn’t that the catch cry of all genealogists and readers. Thanks for visiting Jill.
Thank you from the bottom of my little pollyanna heart for the shout-out! I was converted to kindle when I was travelling for work & didn’t have the suitcase space for books. My kindle saved my sanity. These days I usually have a paperback on the go as well as something I’m reading on my kindle and something I’m listening to on audiobooks. Thanks so much for linking up.
My absolute please Jo. I can seem myself combining ebooks and library books. At the moment I have 3 books on the go – paper book, ebook and audio book.
Hi, Jennifer – “Books piled on top of each other, books on their sides, and books shoved every which way” sounds wonderful to me! That’s my favourite things about old bookshops — I can never get enough of this!
I love reading in every possible form. Being a devout library borrower, most of the books that I read are still in paper form. But I also love reading on my phone, kindle and listening to audiobooks. I agree with you about the convenience of ereaders especially when traveling and reading at night.
Thanks for poppin in Donna. I also love to lose myself in a crowded second hand bookshop. One of life’s greatest pleasures.
Hi Jen, great to have you join us for another What’s On Your Bookshelf?Link party and again you have given me more books to consider for my TBR pile. Mike and I changed over to e-books a few years ago, mainly when we were travelling. We could load up several books onto the reader and that saved so much space in our luggage! I do love the smell and feel of books but as time goes on, we collected so many books, some of which we won’t read again and we just don’t have the space. I was dubious about audio books but recently took the plunge and I really enjoy listening to my books when I drive to and from Brisbane. Enjoy reading in March and I look forward to seeing you at next month’s link party. xx
It’s the clutter of books that’s becoming a problem for me. Never thought I’d say that but I just don’t want clutter around now.
Hi Sue, I’m slowly getting won over to ebooks, mainly due to the clutter that quickly builds up on the book shelf. I do love audio books. They make cleaning more enjoyable! v
I am on my 6th Kindle and while I do LOVE taking it on vacation so I have a stack of books to pick from without having to pack a pile of books and I enjoy reading on it when in bed or in the dark, I still read most of my books as books. I try not to buy them anymore though; I get all my books through the library because I do read a good 10 or so books each month and just can not find room for them all in the house. Sounds like you read some really great books this month!
Thanks Joanne. At the moment I’m reading on the kindle app. I must check out if the Kindle is a better reading experience.
I love reading real books and I still own plenty of books I haven’t read yet (I hope to get back to reading this year) but I really appreciate the possibility to read on a device. I often read on my phone or ipad, and the books are very cheap with Apple Books too. With a small house and too much stuff already, I prefer to not buy more physical books.
Hi Susanne, it seems that many of us are in declutter mode. I’m definitely going to try not to buy physical books. I’m sure I will be given them as gifts so hopefully
that’s enough for my paper book fix.
Jennifer, I’ve been reading e-books exclusively since the pandemic started. It’s unlikely that I’ll go back to physical books unless it’s a book that I really want to read and it isn’t available in e-book format. Thank you for sharing your recent reading with #weekendcoffeeshare.
Thanks for popping in again Natalie. I appreciate your support.
I read yours and others’ posts to see what you are up to and enjoy seeing the passion and enjoyment of reading.
I have some books on Kindle and do enjoy being able to highlight what I want to remember. I am listening to Brene Brown narrate her Atlas of the Heart (actual book!) as I turn the pages. Liked doing this too for Trent Dalton’s first book and Rick Morton’s.
In 2 weeks time I will be at Newcastle Writers festival…all things being well and will see Jane Caro speak about her first adult fiction book The Mother. THIS I am nearly finished..Jane has kept me enthralled.
Denyse #weekendcoffeeshare
I have Brene Brown’s book on my list to read Denyse. I’ve heard only good things about Newcastle Writers Festival. My daughter was a guest a few years ago. We have our
writers festival in May. I’m very interested to read Jane Caro’s book.
I use to have similar reservations about the paper back versus the kindle. I love holding the book in my hands, turning the pages, smelling the paper… Over time I have developed a system of paper back versus kindle and it has helped me keep my book shelf filled with my favourites and my kindle with some great titles too.
Thanks for the virtual coffee.
It seems like keen readers are slowly coming around to ebooks. “Smelling the paper” – yes one of the best things about paper books for sure.
I’m so glad you found a new-to-you alternative that feels good! Much like you, the tactile experience of printed books is such an important factor for me, but I’ve recently “surrendered” to audio books. The key, for me, is a good narrator. I recently started the Outlander series and am loving it so much I have also purchased the print books. I know that goes against your purpose of de-cluttering, but while I’m enjoying listening during the day while I farm and do house chores, I wanted this series in my hands at night in bed as well. I found a good little night-light reader that clips onto my books so I can read late and not disturb my partner.
Hi Melissa, I love audio books. I listen to them in the car, the garden, while walking, and while doing housework. I couldn’t live without them. Thanks for popping in.
I’ve been reading paper books and ebooks and listening to audiobooks for years. Each has advantages and disadvantages. My favorite thing about ebooks is that I always have a book with me, because I have the Kindle app on my phone. So if I have a few minutes here and there throughout the day, I can read–in the grocery store checkout line, the doctor’s office, etc.
I always have a book with me too Janet. I’m loving that I can now have more than one with me. The portability of ebooks are a huge advantage
Hi Jen, so much to love here! I read books, listen to books, borrow books from the library, use BorrowBox for library ebooks, use my kindle – so many ways to enjoy reading! I appreciate your honesty in coming to terms with reading ebooks.
I also enjoyed the 2 Sister Detective agency and agree, I like the collaborations with Patterson but l prefer the books Fox writes on her own. Are you watching Troppo, an adaptation of Crimson lake on ABC?
I’m keen to try the Ragnar Jonasson books too! Happy reading to you and thanks for joining us for our What’s on Your Bookshelf this month. I also love the way you’re reading for the 52 week book club challenge 🙂
I loved Troppo Deb, but I did prefer the books I have to say. It does annoy me the title of Crimson Lake has now been changed to Troppo. Just me being old and grumpy.
Hi Jennifer – I used to only read “real” books. Our daughter gave me a Kindle Paperwhite and it sat unused for quite a long time. Then along came covid and our library closed and I was forced to look around for other ways to read. I discovered an amazing free download site that has every novel I’ve ever wanted to read (not the more “indy” authors though) and it has every new release too (I used to wait several weeks for those with the library). Since then my Kindle has become my best friend and I’ve never gone back to books – it fits in my handbag and I can take it to doctor/dentist/hairdresser appts (they don’t have magazines anymore) and on holidays etc and a new book is only a couple of clicks away – bliss!
I’m quickly becoming converted Leanne, for all the reasons you mentioned.
These sound great….I have read a few of Joanne’s books. I love both paper and ebooks. E-books are great for travel. But I do read them all the time. I’m a sucker for free books so I have more than I’ll probably ever read. With the Goodreads challenge, I’m making myself read through my ebooks more. Not near as much as other people but more than I typically read. I don’t usually read a fiction book more than once so I donate them once I’m done. Non-fiction I’ll keep.
Ooh yes Kirstin I love the free ebooks. I have quite a few sitting there waiting to be read.