I read. I read a lot! I've always carried 20 or 30 books around, because I read so much. I read pretty quickly, that means I am always carrying a bunch of already read books along for the ride. I can't bear to throw them away. I'm a pack-rat at heart. I have so many books at home I am essentially out of storage for them! A few years ago, I took a long trip via the airline method. I had 10 books with me for the flights there and back. I had to do some fast-talking to convince them to let me bring that much as carry-on! Nowadays...you can bring even less on board. Never fear, there is a solution (or two!) I switched over to E-books. These are identical to the paper based variety, but the text is on your device's screen. What!?! Does that even work? Can you read it easily?? Read on!
I use my cell phone with a 4.3" screen to read my books. It's very close to the size of a paperback book. I've set the font size to be comfortable to read and the page count is about the same. If you wear glasses to read, you could always enlarge the text till it's legible! Try THAT with a paper based book! You could also switch to a small 7" tablet or even a full sized one. Then magazines and newspapers become comfortable to peruse. To do all this, you have to have the device first (duh.) then you need an application to read the E-book files. There are MANY of those applications available for both Android and Apple devices. On my Android phone and tablets I use one called Moon Reader. I used the free version for a long time, but the paid version is only $4.99. Though, if you use the free one (which works great!) they have a sale many times during a year for 50% off. That's what I waited to do.
My phone has around 10,000 books on it (!) and I never run out of something to read. Of course, being a pack-rat I never delete any of the ones I've already read. Sometimes, I even re-read a series of books when a new one in the series comes out. I have to tell you, reading before bed in the RV with rain coming down outside.....there are few things that are that nice. Before I had to use all sorts of little book-light gizmos, with this style of reading it has its' own backlight! Oh, and its' dimmable too. If you have the time, you can even download books with covers! So you get to see the cool artwork as well.
I a pretty sure I read even more now than I did before. I used to "ration" out the chapters so I wouldn't run out of reading material while traveling. Now that's really never a problem. I do miss having the paper copies around, but not as much as I enjoy reading new books! As an added side benefit, typically E-books are significantly less expensive than their paper counterparts.
Be Seeing You...Down The Road,
Rich "
The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com
Think kindle my dear, then sign up for daily e-mails for books themed to your taste! Have been a kindle-phile for almost 10 years, have not purchased one book! Yes, each email from the following sites includes free books! I have 4 grandchildren ranging in age from 2 thru 8 and I have kindles for each one loading books on all in preparation for their entry into reading. The oldest now gives me booklists for her kindle birthday wants. Sign up at bookgorilla.com, booksends.com, bookbub.com you won't regret it!
ReplyDeleteShamrock,
DeleteKindles are great! You can even get the Kindle as an app for Android. Best of both worlds!
Rich "The Wanderman"
Some of the classic authors' works can be purchased in collections, very cheap. I'm still working through the collected works of Jack London for $1.99. The only real downside is having to remember to recharge the device.
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
DeleteGood Tip! There are also lots of public domain works at various places online. "Project Gutenberg" is a favorite of mine.
Rich "The Wanderman"
Some of us don't or won't read books or the paper on an electronic device. Buy books at yard sales, flea markets or antique malls and donate them to Goodwill or thrift stores when you're done reading them. Its a good boredom relief to stop and browse on a long enough trip.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you James.
DeleteJames,
DeleteI've always had a hard time letting go of anything...books especially. Newspapers i will still read on paper, unless it's a single article.
Thanks!
Rich "The Wanderman"
I love my e-readers and I consider them one if the greatest invention since slice bread! However, I still purchase hard-copies, mostly reference books. And there are times I'll get a book just so I can open it and peruse through the pages and to enjoy the anticipation of what is yet to come as I turn each page. As much as I enjoy my e-reader, I won't be giving up books anytime in the future.
ReplyDeleteI love my paper books, my comics, my manga. But I have always been away of the weight the books added to travelling! Last time my son was deployed I bought him an e-reader, since he is a voracious reader also. I am buying a camper now with limited space, and I asked my husband for a kindle for my birthday present. He bought me a Kmart tablet "they said was just as good". I suppose I will have to try to get it opened up and see what operating system it has...
ReplyDeleteI love both e-books and paper books. Have found that the e-books don't hit you in the nose quite as hard when you go to sleep while reading in bed.
ReplyDeleteFor casual reading, nothing beats having a broad selection at your fingertips. Having to keep track (and care) of MANY books while on the road is something I could do without. Now I get the best of both worlds and no nose smashing as a bonus!
DeleteRich "The Wanderman"