While You’re Here

by: admin - Filed under: General Add Comment

In this delightfully realistic romance written with the older reader in mind, we meet Evie and James, two sixty somethings who have very little in common…Evie is a vital, loving Mother and Grandmother who has been widowed for a few years, while James appears to be an arrogant, miserable old man who hates everyone, especially Evie’s grandchildren.

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Prices are accurate as of less than 12 hours ago. Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.
 The sparks that fly between these two start out over the grandchildren, but end up igniting a fire that is seldom found in books written for the older reader.

If you’re an older reader, you’ll love this spicy tale of two stubborn seniors who form an unexpected friendship that turns into much, much more…but will it last?

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Do You Have to Buy All the Books for eReaders?

by: admin - Filed under: eReader News & Updates

You know, one of the greatest advantages of owning an eReader is actually one that most eReader companies don’t mention in their sales literature… it’s the sheer number of free books available for download.  Since I bought my very first Kindle several years ago, I doubt that I have spent $50.00 on books.  That’s right, less than $50.00.  Back when I was reading traditional books, it was nothing for me to drop $50.00 every time I visited a traditional bookstore.  Now, it’s rare for me to spend even $10.00 on books for my Kindle Fire.  Why?  Because there are so many books available for FREE.  (And, those that aren’t free can cost anywhere from $.99 up to $12.99 or so.)

It’s so easy to find good reading material for your eReader…regardless of who you buy it from.  Every manufacturer provides access to some kind of online bookstore, whether you own a Nook, an iPad, or you’re like me, and own a Kindle Fire.

Kindle PaperwhiteWith Amazon, you just go to the Kindle bookstore, and you can scroll through thousands of books…of every genre, and a lot of them are free.  Anything from reprints of the classics to new authors who offer books simply to introduce you to their works.

And now, even your local library is getting into the act – most offer the option to “check out” eBooks online now…so you don’t even have to visit the library at all, but you can still take advantage of the many thousands of titles available at the touch of a button. Honestly, if I didn’t love my eReader for the portability, I would definitely love it simply for the availability of books!

And like I said before – most companies that sell eReaders don’t really sell you on the fact that you can get so many books for free, but the truth is, free books is probably the single biggest advantage to owning an eReader. Take it from a serious reader!

Oh, and by the way, if you know someone who loves to read… a Kindle makes the perfect gift!

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Kindle Fire, Three Months Later

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle

So, it’s been three months since my Kindle Fire arrived at my doorstep…do I regret the purchase?  

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Absolutely not! So far, my Kindle Fire has been an endless source of entertainment.  With my  Amazon Prime membership, I’ve been able to watch literally hours of streaming video, and borrow books from the Amazon Owner’s Lending Library.  Since purchasing my Kindle Fire, I have bought three books, at a total of less than $10.00 for all three.

One thing with any version of the Kindle that I really like, is the Amazon bookstore.  Not only are all of the new releases by the biggest authors available, but there are also lots of free books, and books that sell for anywhere from $.99 to $3.99 by lesser know authors.  And, don’t make the mistake of thinking these are all duds…some of these authors have genuine talent and write very well!  I’ve been impressed with many of the free or nearly free books!  (And, honestly, there have been a few that I didn’t finish, but that is to be expected with ANY book, especially if you’re a voracious reader like I am.)

And, I use my Kindle Fire for more than just reading.  I use it to surf the web, update my Facebook status, read my email, and play games, too.  Especially when I am away from home, my Kindle Fire is invaluable to me.  I can just jump on any WiFi, and I’m in business!

Did I accessorize my Kindle Fire?  Yes – I bought a black leather case, a stylus, and a decent set of headphones, all for less than $50.00, and these three things have increased my enjoyment of the Kindle three fold.  While you can get by without the accessories, you’ll be amazed at how handy they actually come in.

 

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Best eReader for Textbooks?

by: admin - Filed under: General 1 Comment

What’s the best eReader for Textbooks?  One of the best things about the introduction of eReaders and tablet computers over the past couple of years has been that they can be used to read electronic versions of textbooks!  So, instead of your high school or college student having to buy a bunch of books each semester, he or she might actually be able to buy the electronic version (or eBook) and download it to a laptop, tablet computer, or an eReader. 

[easyazon-image-link asin="B0051VVOB2" alt="Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Xx9W8gdRL.jpg" align="left" width="350" height="350"]In the past, the Apple iPad was actually the best eReader for textbooks, however, the cost ($400-$800) was prohibitive.  Now, with the introduction of Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet, your student can have an excellent eReader/tablet combination for under $200!   The price alone brings tablet computing and color eReaders financially within reach of literally any student.

Plus, the Kindle Fire comes with an excellent color PDF viewer, and it supports lots of file formats, so more than likely, your student’s textbook, if it is available electronically, will be supported by the Kindle Fire.  Read our exclusive review of the Kindle Fire here!

Honestly, at this price, the possibilities for use in the classroom are endless!  And, we predict it won’t be long before electronic books replace textbooks at all grade levels…that heavy backpack your grade school child is lugging around may soon be gone forever.

Order your student a Kindle Fire today!

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Peanie: Footsteps of the Father

by: admin - Filed under: Apocalypse Fiction, Interesting Reads

If you like apacolypse fiction, which I do, then you’ll find Peanie: Footsteps of the Father an interesting read.  Unlike other popular books on the subject, the electromagnetic pulse doesn’t immediately wipe out the entire country, thereby leaving Peanie, the main character, time to gather his family and head towards the family “farm”, a 2400 acre spread of land that was primarily used for hunting. 

At the “farm,” Peanie teaches his grown children and grandchildren the “old ways” of doing things, educating them in the ways of survival in a post electricity world.  Although he is, at times, a gruff old man, who never seemed to really care for his children, the story inevitably unfolds so that his true love for family and friends comes through. 

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Prices are accurate as of less than 12 hours ago. Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.

Note:  This book is available only in Kindle format.

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A Turn in the Road

by: admin - Filed under: Interesting Reads, Romance
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The other day, I downloaded one of Debbie Macomber’s newest books, A Turn in the Road, and even though I have been a fan of her Cedar Cove series for years, this book is a refreshing change from the normal books that she writes. 

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Prices are accurate as of less than 12 hours ago. Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.
The book’s main character, Bethanne, is a divorced forty-something mother, who sets out cross country with her former mother-in-law, and twenty-ish daughter, to attend the mother-in-law’s 50 year class reunion.  Along the way, the threesome find adventure at every turn, from skinny dipping in a cold lake to the casinos in Vegas, all the way to Florida for the reunion. 

A Turn in the Road is a journey filled with fun, emotion, and life changing experiences for all three women…one that I am thoroughly enjoying, and that I am sure you will too!

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Kindle Samples

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, eReader News & Updates, Interesting Reads

How many times have you bought a book that looked or sounded good, only to find that you had to “wade” through the book because you didn’t like the author’s style of writing, or because the storyline was not the way that it sounded on the cover?  Or even because you just didn’t like the pace or tone of the story?

Price Disclaimer
Prices are accurate as of less than 12 hours ago. Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availablility information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of any products.
One of the best things that comes with your Amazon Kindle and the access to the Kindle store is the ability to download samples of nearly all the books!  I don’t know if you’re like me, but when I find a new author, or hear about a new book, that intrigues me, I like to actually look at the book before I buy it.  With my Kindle, I can not only look inside the book, but I can also download the first chapter or two and actually read a portion of the book before I buy it.

For me, this especially works well when I find a new author that I am interested in reading, but I’m just not sure yet that I will like the author’s writing style, or even the storyline itself.  If I do, then I buy the book, if not…then I haven’t wasted my money!

After all, it’s true that you can’t judge a book by what’s written on the cover!

Visit the Kindle store now to see how you can sample ALL your books before you buy ‘em.

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1022 Evergreen Place

by: admin - Filed under: Interesting Reads, Romance

1022 Evergreen Place, Cedar Cove Series, Debbie MacomberIf you’re a big fan of the Cedar Cove series of books by Debbie Macomber, you’ll undoubtedly like the latest installment in the series, but to be brutually honest, you may not love it.   

The major storyline in 1022 Evergreen Place centers on the relationship between Mary Jo Wyse and Mack MacAfee, which begun at Christmas when Mack delivered Mary Jo’s child.  Now living side by side in a duplex, Mary Jo finds letters and a diary from a World War II couple, and how Mack and Mary Jo attempt to track the couple down.

There are also a couple of minor plotlines going with other characters that will obviously develop into other installments in the series, and Ms. Macomber catches the reader up on the original characters, as well. 

Unfortunately, as an avid Cedar Cove series fan, this book was a bit of a disappointment for me.  The characterization of Mack and Mary Jo was shallower than in previous books, and the story itself was somewhat weak, and poorly detailed, in my opinion. 

However, if you are a Cedar Cove series reader, you will not want to miss this installment, even though you may have to struggle, at times, to get through it.   While I love the Cedar Cove series, and Debbie Macomber’s books, the mass production of this series (and the next two books have already been announced) appears to be reducing the overall quality of the individual books themselves.  I personally would much rather wait a full year to read a can’t put it down installment in the series than to read two mediocre installments per year. (And that doesn’t include the annual Christmas in Cedar Cove book!)

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Tablet or eReader?

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, General, Motorola Xoom, Tablet Computers

eReader or tabletConsidering purchasing an eReader?  Confused about the difference between tablet computers and eReaders?  Not sure which one you should buy? 

With the introduction of the iPad last year, many predicted the quick demise of the eReader, since the newest device could function as both a computer and an electronic book reader.  However, several significant differences between the two continue to make both eReaders and tablet computers excellent, but equally different, personal electronic devices.  Here’s the rundown:

eReaders are devices that are essentially dedicated to reading.  While they do have the capability to surf the internet, the best use of the device is and will continue to be reading your favorite books without the distractions that you will find on other devices not specifically designed for reading.

  • The best eReaders use E-Ink technology, which means that the page that you are reading on your eReader will appear more like a real book, and less like the “computer screen” you will be reading on a tablet computer.  E-Ink technology also makes it easy to read in places that a tablet computer just won’t do, like outside in bright sunlight. Currently the best eReader, the Amazon Kindle, uses the E-Ink technology, and continues not to include color enhancement, simply due to the fact that current technology, in color, actually provides a distracting reading experience that can result in eye strain. If you are an avid reader, this is NOT a negative feature for the device, since 95% of what you read in a traditional novel is not in color.  
  • eReaders make it easy to go to your favorite eBookstore, browse the selection of eBooks, purchase them, and quickly download them to your device.  
  • Many eReaders come with free 3G service for the lifespan of the device.  This includes purchasing books, surfing the internet, checking your email, and other online activities that you can do with the device.
  • Nearly all eReaders come with other functions, such as internet browsers, MP3 players, games, WIFI capability, document readers that enable you to carry your own documents with you, and much more.
  • The battery life on an eReader can be anywhere from one week to over a month, since the power required to operate the device is far less than a tablet computer.
  • An eReader is light, typically weighing about eight ounces, usually less than an half inch thick, and  sized comfortably, just like your favorite books.
  • The best eReaders typically sell for hundreds of dollars less than the least powerful tablet computer, and can more justifiably be replaced as the technology advances.

Tablet computers are devices that are designed to function like personal computers. Not only can they read books, but they can do so much more that the eReader function in a tablet computer is almost like an afterthought.

  • Tablet computers use LCD technology, which means that the page you will read is “backlit,” and while they definitely provide an excellent visual experience for all of the other functions of the device, they can also be extremely distracting or cause eye strain when you are reading for long periods.  
  • Tablet computers also make it easy to go to your favorite eBookstore, browse the selection of eBooks, and easily purchase and download them to your device.
  • Tablet computers do not come with free 3G service.  In order to utilize 3G with a tablet computer, you will be forced to purchase the device (and a cellular service contract) from one of your local cellular service providers, and certain devices are specific to certain service providers.  
  • Tablet computers are available with WIFI, meaning that you can connect to existing wireless networks free of charge, and surf the internet, download books, etc.
  • The battery life for a tablet computer is limited, at best, to a few hours, so you’ll need to charge your device daily, or even multiple times daily, if you are a heavy user.
  • A tablet computer typically weighs three times what an eReader weighs and can be somewhat uncomfortable to hold for longer periods of time.  
  • Depending on the specific model you choose, many tablets can record HD video and take high-quality photos. And, tablet computers can display and play any type of media, including music, movies, and games. They have fully functioning web browsers, email capabilities, and you can manage your calendar and your contacts just like you can on your smart phone.
  • Unlike eReaders, tablet computers cost hundreds of dollars, and for me, cannot be justifiably replaced as quickly as my $189 Kindle when the technology changes (and believe me, it will).

As you can see, there are significant differences in the devices, and your choice should definitely be based on the intended use. 

As an avid reader, I chose to purchase both an eReader and a tablet computer. And, this is a decision that I do not regret in the least. For the best true reading experience, no device matches the Amazon Kindle, and for the best computing experience, no device matches the Motorola Xoom. And, my advice to you is to choose the best device for your needs…and, if you find you need to, get both devices!  You won’t be sorry!

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Is It Hard to Download Books to an eReader?

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, eReader Questions

Is it Hard to Download Books to an eReader?

Amazon Kindle eReaderSo, you’re not the most technologically inclined person, but still think you might like to have an eReader?  But, you’re wondering just how hard it is to download eBooks to an eReader, and just exactly what you’d need to do that.  First of all, relax!  Even the biggest technophobe can handle this one!

There are three different ways to download your favorite books to any eReader on the market:

Plug in to Your Computer via USB Cable:  Nearly every electronic reader on the market comes with a USB cable that conveniently plugs into both your eReader and any computer with an internet connection. Once you’re plugged in, it’s just a simple matter of navigating to the menu selection on your eReader that connects you to the eBook store for your eReader, or with some eReaders, whichever eBook store you prefer.

WIFI:  WIFI refers to a wireless internet connection and does not require a USB cable that is connected to a computer.  Most homes with more than one computer already have a wireless network with a high speed internet connection, as well as dozens of other places, like coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, hotels, libraries, and more.  Connecting your eReader to a wireless network is, again, as easy as locating the “Turn Wireless On/Off” setting on your eReader and ensuring that it’s on.  From there, you simply select the option to either surf the internet to go to your favorite bookstore, or select the one that automatically connects you to your preferred eBookstore.

3G:  3G refers to a built in cellular internet connection that works just like your smartphone, automatically connecting to your eBookstore, the internet, your email, and more, depending upon the eReader that you purchase.  Most eReaders, like the Amazon Kindle, offer the 3G connection for free, however, if your eReader is also a tablet computer, your 3G connection may be part of a service package that’s required to use the 3G service. 

If you travel frequently, and often find yourself sitting in airports, hotel rooms, and other areas without an Internet connection, an eReader with 3G is almost a necessity for you. And, if you’re the type that is technologically-impaired, an eReader with 3G makes purchasing your ebooks easy for you because you don’t need a computer!

So, go ahead, order your eReader and start downloading your favorite books!

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