I’m still a little buzzed from my trip to the library this weekend. I decided to have my son join because I finally got the Kindle I’ve been lusting after for ages. I won one in a competition, but let’s say it still hasn’t turned up since February.
Since I got my clammy nibs on the Kindle, I’ve bought a couple of novels for my son, which he read in a jiffy. Now, he’s asking about the next story in the Priscilla the Great series, which isn’t out yet. Seeing as how this kindle-book-buying thing can get expensive on a small island pocket, I decided on the visit to the library. The array of children’s books wasn’t impressive, but they do have stuff that will keep him occupied for a bit.
I decided to join too and was pleasantly surprised by the range of books in the adult section. I don’t know why I was so surprised, considering my first job was with the Jamaica Library Service. Those were very pleasant days when I was never out of reading material. So much of what I know about certain things eg, Apartheid, I learned while I was supposed to be cataloguing books and magazines.
Anyhow, I got two books, Gingerbread Man and the Book of Night Women, which I’ve been dying to read. The latter has received great reviews; however, when the book first came out, I passed on spending over two thousand Jamaican dollars on it. I’m sure you’ve picked up by now that our dollar doesn’t have much value, one of the realities of life in a third world country.
Anyhow, I got two books, Gingerbread Man and the Book of Night Women, which I’ve been dying to read. The latter has received great reviews; however, when the book first came out, I passed on spending over two thousand Jamaican dollars on it. I’m sure you’ve picked up by now that our dollar doesn’t have much value, one of the realities of life in a third world country.
Anyhow, for those of you interested in vampire and werewolves, I’m giving away two books I won (Hex Hall and Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins) in a competition. The giveaway is at The Readers’ Suite, so drop in if you like that sort of stuff. My reviews of the two books are also listed there. I’ve also included a copy of Doralynn Kennedy’s Sleeping with Skeletons for those not into paranormal adventures. Romantic Suspense addicts that one’s for you. There are also links to over 200 other blog owners that are giving away books.
To update you on the other giveaway I ran, I've mailed out to the winners, but our mail is notoriously slow, so keep that in mind. This week, I’ll be busy with editing Hardware, which I’ve had for over a week already and need to get back to the publisher. Not sure how much writing I’ll get done, but all that I’m supposed to accomplish will be completed, time permitting.
A warm welcome to my new followers. I'll be around to return the favour.
Have yourselves a great week!
I'm so grateful my local library is fabulous. On a small pocketbook, the library is definitely the way to go. =D
ReplyDeleteLike some other readers, I'm a little shy when it comes to the Kindle and the Nook. Nothing beats the smell or touch of a real novel. Then again, I still don't own a cell phone. I'm guessing at some point I'll have to 'bite the bullet' as they say and succumb to the masses. Is the Kindle easy on the eyes? I find staring at my computer screen can give me a headache if I do it for too long...
ReplyDeleteI sound like a whiny old lady and I'm only 33...lol.
Donna,
ReplyDeleteYou can say that again. I'm glad I've rediscovered the library.
Nina,
I gave in and got the Kindle as it's faster not to mention cheaper to buy off Amazon. Books cost a heap of money here, but I do love the feel of a book in my hand. And yes, the Kindle is lots easier on the eyes, the same as reading a book. I get an eye ache from looking at the screen too long.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteWhen you finally get your mitts on your Kindle, you'll be sold on the cheapness of some of the e-books to be had. Also, there's an extensive free library of classics. I love mine: instant reading within seconds of downloads. ;)
best
F
I've had my Kindle about a month now and I LOVE it. So easy on my eyes by making the text bigger. And I love the audio feature, even though it has a robot voice and mispronounces a lot of words, but it's great if I'm having trouble sleeping. I just put the audio on and fall asleep to a story, then go back and reread the part fell asleep to the next day. It's especially helpful for reading a book the second time and analyzing it.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, the costs get expensive, so thanks for sharing your library experience. I'll head over to mine this week and see what they've got!
Francine, yes, there's the danger of wanting to buy everything simply because there are so many cheap books. In my neck of the woods, the classics cost $2 to download. Still, there are those I would download cause they're more than worth the cost.
ReplyDeleteLyn, the Kindle does make for a different reading experience and the ability to increase the font size is a plus. Yep, a library visit is definitely worth the time.
You won a Kindle in a contest? Now I'm jealous. I played around with my sister's Kindle this weekend, but I found I accidentally clicked on the buy button a couple of times. Almost ran up my sister's credit card. She would not have been pleased.
ReplyDeleteYes, I won a Kindle in a contest, but no, it still hasn't turned up yet, so I had to buy one.
ReplyDeleteI don't mess around on the kindle, I do that at the amazon site. That one click buying button on there is dangerous. :)
Yay for books and reading! I'm trying to work through all my TBR stacks...
ReplyDeleteBut the more we read, the higher that TBR pile climbs. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely blog. Do visit my blog and leave your footprints by posting comments
ReplyDeletehttp://parentingworkshop.blogspot.com/
http://fun-with-mails.blogspot.com/
I know! There's no end in sight :-)
ReplyDeleteVery very nice to get a bit of detail about you joy. The library is quite interesting these days I must say. I've also been impressed by recent trips. Anyway, hi _ its been a bit too long. I just had to drop by before I go on my blog break.
ReplyDeleteHurray for libraries! I love our local library and will spend hours and hours in there whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteNilofer, thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteWendy, hope you enjoy the break. Thanks for dropping by. I always enjoy your visits.
Cynthia, I have a feeling I'll be doing the same. I want to get my son into the habit.
Oohh! I love me some giveaways. and i hear you on the whole 3rd world country currency sucks thing. (I came from the Philippines myself and I could barely afford to buy myself a harry potter book!)I'm glad your library has good selections. its important for writers to be supplied constantly with books--otherwise we get cranky. :D
ReplyDeletenutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
True, nutschell,
ReplyDeleteI've spent waaaaaay too much on books over the years. Dunno why I haven't visited the library before now.
I also support my local library by visiting it all the time, but I also donate my already read books to it.
ReplyDeleteAnd recently I also bowed down and got the Kindle. Then I had to get the cover. I agree the ebooks are not that expensive but I haven't so far found the free ebooks everybody keeps talking about!
Congrats on the Kindle. I want either a Kindle or a Nook. Can't decide and still don't have one. Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteNas, hadn't thought about giving away my books to the library, but I should do that to make some space. I have scads of books I'll probably never read. Just bought them because they were cheap.
ReplyDeleteYes, I need to get a cover too. :) The free books are the Classics. Unfortunately for me, I dunno how to get them on my Kindle. I'd downloaded the Kindle for pc and 3-4 books are sitting there and probably won't be read.
Could be because of where you live. I went it search of the freebies too, but they all $2.00 to download because of my location. The same might apply to you.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteThe Kindle does make buying books a lot cheaper. If I could have afforded it, I'd have gone with the Nook, simply for the colour. :)
I made a trip to the library recently. It helps balance the outrageous amount of money I spend during book-buying sprees.
ReplyDeleteIt is too easy and addictive to buy books on a Kindle.
True, Medeia,
ReplyDeleteI have to make conscious decisions as to what I buy on Kindle. I've started with the authors who've supported me by buying my book. I think that's only fair. Good thing all the other stuff I'm buying is in the region of 99 cents. :)
Since getting an ereader I've become obsessed with downloading books. It's a good job I don't have to literally carry them all around! Enjoy yours.
ReplyDeleteDoes your library have an online library? Borrowing books online with an e-reader is way cool.
ReplyDeleteI have such great memories of going to the library when I was a kid, and your son will too. I love book stores and, and I know cyber books are the thing of the future (well, one of the things of the future), but there is something special about a library. Just walking in, browsing, picking, and taking a book home without having to buy it. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca.
ReplyDeleteLiz, we're behind on the technological revolution here in Jamaica, so we don't have the ability to borrow books electronically. Matter of fact, I'm only one of two people I know with an e-reader. It'll be a while yet before we get there. Congrats again on landing that sale!
Elizabeth, yes, the ability to search books and not think about pulling out money to pay has lots of merit.
I love the library. Especially for my kiddos. The read a book once and then never pick it up again, such a waste. This way, we are all happy.
ReplyDeleteI love my Kindle. It can get rather expensive so I have to be selective, but I enjoy it. I hope you enjoy yours too.
I'll have to check out the giveaways (I love giveaways--oh, and the book I won from you has been wonderful).
I tagged you over at my blog. So Tag! You're it.
Same here, Angela. I try to make wise choices. Had a peek at the tag. Will do it anon.
ReplyDeleteI love my local library - I feel so lucky to have such a great resource so close. I do love my Kindle, too!
ReplyDeleteTalli, I'll definitely be paying more visits to the library and yes, the Kindle is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDelete