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Do you like to read? It is one of my most FAVORITE things to do when I have down time. Now I don't have much down-time (LOL) but I do read every night before bed no matter what. The house is quiet, everyone is in bed and no one is needing me....so you can usually find me reading late into the wee hours. I have been known to read a book until 4 am..shhhh..but if its truly a page turner I HAVE to finish it. Books have never ever put me to sleep..instead they keep me awake LOL! I try to read 3-5 books a week...I'm a pretty fast reader and I have a lot of books begging to be read on my Kindle. And I usually have 2 books going on at once...yes I know that's odd but its what I do.
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To me books are like the best on-going movies in your head...you read the story, you picture what they look and sound like and you pretty much get to be the imaginary set designer. You get to visit all these places you might not be able to in real life, envison what the past may have been like to live in, and wonder what the world may be like in the future. I think that's why so many times the movies based on books are not as good...because we've already set up the characters, the sounds, the sets and more in our heads ever so diligently and beautifully right? And with a book there is so much more description of characters and sets, more back story, so much more emotion going on than can ever be displayed on a big screen. Although some book-based movies take on their own flavor and work their own magic like The Help, Fried Green Tomatoes, Charlotte's Web, and Narnia to name a few.
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I am a Kindle addict although I will admit when they hit the market a few years ago I was skeptical. But my husband got me my first Kindle for Christmas that year and I was hooked within hours. Yes there is nothing like the FEEL of a book or the smell of an old book...but there is also nothing like being able to download a book in 5 secs and easily carry 200 books in your purse ;) Ask my mom..she was a slow convert but she's hooked now hahaha! I've graduated from that first Kindle to a Kindle Fire and Alexa has one as well...we both are the readers in our family. My son and husband do not read for pleasure and I always thell them they are so missing out. I also share books with my mom and sister as well, they are linked to my account so I can easily do that. So if you share books with your family you may want to link accounts and there is more info on Amazon Help about that.
Work the System---Free/Discounted Books
SAMPLE a book...if you aren't sure of the author, the way they write or how the story will flow then click on "SEND SAMPLE NOW" and Amazon will send a sample of the book to your Kindle. Usually 1-2 chapters so you can check it out before you purchase.
Lending Library: If you are an Amazon Prime member you can also "borrow/rent" books through Amazon's Lending Library. There is no deadline date for reading it however you can only loan one out at a time. See more info on that HERE.
A lot of Classic novels are offered for free on Amazon and other websites as well. So if you want to read Pride & Prejudice or Call of the Wild you can find them for free or under $3.
Most libraries do loaning of books to those with E-Readers...just check with your local library to see how to sign up and what they have to offer.
FUN TIP: in the Amazon or Barnes & Noble search box type in 0.00 and a list of all free books will come up at once
Some authors do pre-book stories or short stories and offer them for free on Amazon. Lots of times these are lead-in stories for their next book and usually very good. Or they may just be some short stories the author wanted to share. I'm reading Sarah Addison Allen's new book "Lost Lake" which came out a few days ago. But in December she offered a FREE story "Waking Kate" (still free) that was a lead-in to the book I'm reading now. So it gives a bit more back story and prepares you for the book to come.
I do pre-order books from my favorite authors on Amazon..there is something super exciting about getting the book at midnight before its even hit the shelves..its gives me a bit of a thrill. Because I am THAT book geek kinda gal! So if you know your favorite author has a book coming out, check to see if you can pre-order it. Do NOT ask me how much I spend on books and magazines...its not pretty...however it is something I enjoy and something I've always budgeted for.
discounted books daily
lists all the free Kindle books offered up daily
free and discounted books daily
If you've bought ANY hardcover books thru Amazon from 1995 till now, they
offer the E-Reader version heavily discounted if you want to get it for your Kindle.
Free copies of classic books and many others
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GOODREADS & AUTHORS
I list a lot of the books I've read, want to read or am currently reading on Goodreads...if you aren't a member it is free to join and you can follow friends and others to see what they are reading. Its great for new book and author recommendations as well. I have also gotten free books from new authors on that site as long as I review it when I'm done.
If you really love, love, love the author or book you've read go and LIKE them on Facebook so you can keep up with them and any new releases or snippets of new books. They also list any book signings or places they may be to meet them..that's always fun. One of my fave authors who isn't hugely known is Kathryn Wall and her books are all set in Hilton Head, SC (one of our fave vacation places that we visit each year)..she writes mysteries with a woman heroine named Bay Tanner and they are really good, but read them in order..I believe there are 12 so far! She goes to a local restaurant (Jump & Phils) some evenings and signs books and chats with readers...she's a hoot and I so enjoyed meeting her. We were lucky that we were the only ones there that particular night so she joined us for dinner and a nice chat...very memorable!
Most authors are on Twitter as well...if you tweet that is..and I've conversed with many of my fave authors on there. They like to hear from their readers I assure you and its fun to pick their brains a bit as well! :)
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So what's on your Kindle these days? Reading something so good that you have to share?
TELL ME!!! I love to hear new recommendations!
TELL ME!!! I love to hear new recommendations!
I love to read, too, although I haven't made the jump to an e-reader yet. I encourage everyone to browse Amazon books by selecting a genre and just skimming through the available books. People are able to self-publish books on Amazon so you can find a lot of great books by unknown authors that way. I published a book on Amazon and it's a thrill when someone actually buys the Kindle or book edition. There's a lot of good writing out there and it's worth searching for and not just sticking to known authors.
ReplyDeleteYES I've read many self-published books over the years...I so enjoy finding new authors and styles of writing...never a lack of reading that's for sure! I think I read a new author at least once a week...they may never be mainstream or popular but I've certainly enjoyed them and recommend them to my friends that are readers. When you get an e-reader let me know how you feel about it ok, I always like to see what people think about them? Happy reading!
DeleteThank you for sharing all these wonderful resources, Suzanne. I've gotten a ton of books from Pixel of Ink for free including "The Hunger Games." Hubby and I have Kindle Fires and share our Amazon accounts so we can chat about the books that we both read. One of our favorite conversation subjects. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteOh thanks Cathy, hadn't heard of that one..thanks for sharing. I wish my hubby liked to read but he's just not a reader...he says he reads for work LOL..umm not the same ;) Thankfully we share a love of movies & tv shows to talk about instead!
DeleteThanks for the free reading sites. I love to read too, especially suspense book. My fav has to b the jack reacher series by lee child although i was disappointed at the ending of his last book on that series. I also love to read spititual books like td jakes n joel olsteen. Also love any dr phil books. Yep ive had 3 kindle e readers but will read from my iphone too. Liz s
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne, thank you for this post. I am generally reading a couple of books at the same time as well. I have the very first Nook and have heard that B&N is going to discontinue making e-readers. I also have an iPad. Because I don't own a Kindle, but have the kindle app on my iPad, would you happen to know if I can still do the lending library on my iPad? I have purchased e-books on amazon and they show up on my iPad, but I wasn't sure about the lending library. Love both of your blogs. Thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteKim--I don't believe (from what I read on Amazon Help) that you can use the lending library unless you have a Kindle or Fire. It will not work via the app...but I just did a cursory search, that may have changed so you may want to email them and ask.
DeleteGreat post - thanks Suzanne. I just finished "The Luminaries" and loved it. I'm with you on 50 Shades - I've just heard such bad reviews of the writing that I cant' start them.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading "The Piano Teacher" - set in Hong Kong where I live. I'm also reading "The Rosie Project"
I haven't read "The Luminaries" but I've heard good things..will put it on my To-Read list, thx. I read the Piano Teacher a bit ago and it was really really good...it was also one of the first more "adult" books I got my daughter to read and she loved it too.
DeleteSuzanne...love when you blog about books!! Reading is one of my favorite things to do as well. I own a kindle paperwhite and Fire and love them both! I have owned a version of every kindle since they first were released and upgrade when a nicer version comes out. Although I love paper books, I find reading on the kindles so much easier on my eyes. My newest author find is Marie Force. I am currently reading her "Fatal" series and find it hard to put down. When I finish one book I go right to the next one. I love to find new authors as well. So many books, so little time.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Karla...I will check that author out as well! I have friends that have the Paperwhite and tell me how much they love them...I love my old Kindle Fire & being able to adjust the brightness HOWEVER I told the hubs that I'd really love the larger Kindle (size of the Apple mini iPad) and he laughed hahaha! But I sometimes watch shows on my Kindle and it'd be nice to have it be a little bigger...my eyes are aging ya know ;)
DeleteHi Suzanne, I'm a very recent convert to e-readers. My husband bought me a kindle for Christmas. Thanks for the helpful tips. I haven't really looked into the Amazon website fully yet, I've just been enjoying the experience of having books within seconds. I would have to say my favourite author is Nora Roberts. I will finish her books in one sitting!!! I have to tell you something ridiculous I did the other day. I was reading an actual book and went to turn the page. I tapped it!!! OMG. I couldn't stop laughing at myself. My daughter just shook her head. Anyway. thanks again for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Belinda...nothing better than having a new book in 3 secs eh? When we lived in Maryland (Boonsboro) Nora Roberts lived 2 miles from me and her Inn is at the corner of Main Street. She also owns the bookstore in town and was always around, super sweet and always ready to talk to anyone...really nice lady. I love reading her Inn at Boonsboro series because I can pick out who some of the "locals" are LOL! If you haven't read that series I highly recommend it! And you are NOT alone...I have tried to TURN a page on my Kindle a few times as well and I always die laughing when I do it! Happy reading!
DeleteThank you so much for all the free book information. I have now found so many more books to store on my Kindle fire. I downloaded and read Sarah Addison Allen's book "Waking "kate" Loved it. Will be getting more of her books in the future.
ReplyDeleteJane
You are very welcome and glad you enjoyed Sarah Addison Allen's free pre-book...the follow up Lost Lake was very good as well. But my favorite of her's is "Sugar Queen"...so good you will not put it down and you will laugh and not believe the ending...love those kind of books.
Deletei discovered a few good authors this year, jade m phillips mer series, the key by jennifer anne davis, and the spellcaster series by claudia gray are my top 3 most reason loves. I am extra excited about the next mortal instruments book and of course deborah harkness ( all your fault on that one). Lets see who else oh i just started this series but the enchanted bookstore series by marsha a moore. I need to read the book thief and divergent. so much to read so little time.
ReplyDeleteI read two books at one time as well LOL! I just finished "The Good House" by Ann Leary & loved it. For anyone reading these comments, the website Goodreads is great, & if you join, look me up (Cheri) I am always looking for friends to share books with! I would be LOST w/o my Kindle fire, and have it linked to my daughter, granddaughter and son. My next one is the second book in "The Century Trilogy" by Ken Follett........if you have not started these, run don't walk to start! Have a great Wednesday everyone!
ReplyDeleteI read two books @ one time as well, just finished "The Good House" by Ann Leary & loved it. My next project is "The Century Trilogy: Book II" by Ken Follett...........if you have not started these, run do not walk! I downloaded a sample of "50 Shades' and couldn't get up to 50%, it's awful! I NEVER read a book w/o downloading a sample 1st. My Kindle fire is linked to son, daughter & granddaughter...I encourage reading! At 64, I'm afraid I will run out before my wishlist does! If anyone decides to join Goodreads, (https://www.goodreads.com/) please look me up, I am always looking for someone to share a book with! Enjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteYup Ken Follett's series is one of my faves...I cannot wait for the last one to come out later this year..some of the best reading ever. Glad you are enjoying them too! Nothing better than a good book I say :) Hugs!
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