Project Kindle, Post #2

Can a writer/book lover read books on a KINDLE...and enjoy it? That's what I'm trying to figure out during PROJECT KINDLE. Every Friday until I do, I'll post a new video on this blog.

This week I talk about three things:

• registering your KINDLE
• form
• function

(Ooh, and oh yeah, you get to find out what book I downloaded first!)

Do you KINDLE? Watch and weigh in.

Comments

[Molly]

Hi Kristin, Thanks again for sharing the experience. It looks like you have the version with the smaller screen. I tested out a friend's and one thing that bothered me was how frequently I had to turn the page. I read fairly fast, but in a book you get two pages without turning, and on the Kindle you get less than one book page before you have to flip it. I only played with it for a few minutes, but I thought this might get on my nerves. The pages reload fast, but do you find this distracting at all?

[Carla]

I've experienced the (what feels like) constant page turning with the Kindle but I got used to it. You may be able to adjust the print size to the smallest font to maximize page content (and experience less page turning). I am glad Amazon tinkered with the design for Gen2 since one thing that is super irritating with Gen1 is that it is way too easy to inadvertantly turn a page (or more) when picking up the Kindle, re-adjusting the grip (as K mentions)or handing the Kindle to someone else for a quick peak. I have also found it challenging to re-locate a prior passage for quick reference while reading -- much easier with a traditional book.

[Kristin Bair O'Keeffe]

Hi Molly & Carla: Yes, I have the smaller screen, and yes, I too am struggling with having to turn the page too frequently.

I tell ya...this is really interesting for me because I'm usually the kind of person who doesn't buy a new gadget until it's been perfected and all the kinks have been worked out. I'm finding it both cool & frustrating to be using something that feels like I bought it off the workperson's bench...mid process. Know what I mean?

[Spencer L Casey]

Two things.

First, you can rotate the text 90 degrees and probably have a much better grip on the kindle.

Second, you really, really must have a kindle cover of some sort. My Kindle, in its little book-like cover looks like a book, feels like a book, even smells a little like a book because of the leather. I don't remember what it cost, but it's totally worth it.

As far as the text and the size of the screen, no problem here. I do push the next button a lot, but I've gotten into a rhythm and I hardly notice it anymore.

Love the video blog. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Cheers,

SLC

[Michelle]

Great idea for a project! I'm just getting into e-books myself after years of resisting because "I NEED TO HOLD THE BOOK." I don't know that I'll ever go exclusively paperless, but I'm off to a good start with my iPod Touch (with Kindle app, of course) :D I think living in a place (southern Italy) where it's hard to get English books--and, then, at a decent price--finally just pushed me...not sure how long it would've taken me if I still lived in the US, but I'm glad I'm on the bandwagon! Loving it!

[Ann Lynch]

Finding you are clicking NEXT too often? Shame on your for being lazy! I'm loving my Kindle and I have read 2 books in 1-1/2 weeks - I was sick last week and couldn't put down the Kindle between naps of course! My next assignment - read the manual! I bought it too!

[KCP]

Hi Kristin!

Regarding the last post, and our conversation about hooking a reader immediately, you are right. If a book does not interest me within the first two or three chapters, I generally walk away from it. For the most part, if it is the story line that is bothering me, I try to give the author the benefit of the doubt and stick with it. On the other hand, if it is the writing style or it is just poorly written, it is harder for me to continue on for too long.

What I find interesting about the Kindle in that regard is that you can download a free sample of a book and the excerpt provided is the publisher's interpretation of what would be appropriate for a sample. In that case, I imagine it might not be the author's fault that a reader is not instantly interested in the material, but rather the publisher's. Since I am not a writer, I do not know what the relationship between author and publisher generally looks like, but perhaps this will be a create new ways for authors to pitch their books to publishers in the future.

As far as this week's post, I am glad you are enjoying the overall reading experience. For me, my hands are too small to really grip the Kindle the way you do, but I find I can hold it easily in one hand and still have a cup of coffee or pet my dog with the other - this is nice when I don't have to disturb my dog to turn the page, just click!

~KCP