What I love about my e-reader is that it’s small enough to fit into my purse, but still the size of a smaller novel. I’m never without a book. Never. I can adjust the size of the words (something that’s become more necessary as I get older) and I can read in the dark, without one of those annoying booklights.
So, this month, I came up with a few hacks that might help you get more joy out of your e-reader. Of course, your mileage might vary, depending on what type of reader you use, but for the most part, these hacks work for almost all digital tablets.
If you’d like to read more tips. visit my Story World Blog for a complete list.
HERE WE GO>>>
#1. Do you have a library card? Guess what, by installing Overdrive onto your device, you can rent and read books from your local library. Yes, there are still deadlines, but hey, think of all the free books you can read. If your library is closed right now, too, this might help.
Have you ever gone to the library and the book you wanted was checked out? Happens to me all the time. Here’s an option if it’s a book that you can’t wait for. Another little FYI, did you know that you can recommend your favorite indie author to your librarian? They will take your request seriously.
#2. Read blog posts from your favorite authors. (like yours truly) =) Do you enjoy visiting author websites? Many authors offer extra information about books and characters, along with offering special deals for joining their newsletter groups..
When I read a book that I absolutely love, the first thing I do is look for the author’s website. I want to see what else they have to offer. More books? Character sketches? Obscure facts about their story world? This is one of my favorite things about having a kindle.
#3. Do you like to make notes when reading a book, or your Bible? You can transfer kindle highlights to your computer. Google how to do this on your device. Oh, and if you have something that you want to read on your Kindle (I’m not 100% sure about other readers) you can email that document to your device. Your device has a special email attached to it. You can find this information on Amazon by looking up your kindle manage device and content. If in doubt, again, Google will tell you exactly how to do this.
There you go. Maybe you already knew this, maybe not. One of my favorite features is the dictionary that pops up when you highlight a word by holding your finger on it. No more having to jump out of a great story to track down a heavy dictionary. It’s all there for you.
What about you? Are you an ebook reader or print reader? I know that question gets asked a lot. What’s your favorite feature on your reading device? And again, if you want more hacks, stop by my website by clicking HERE.
I have one last announcement. This will be my last post here at Inspy Romance for at least this next year. As many of you know, I write both romance and fantasy. This year, I’ve decided to put more focus on my fantasy stories because they are what I enjoy writing the most. If you’d like to keep up with what I’m doing, sign up for my newsletter. The links for both my fantasy and romance new blasts can be found on my website.
Thank you all so much for a fun past couple of years. It’s been wonderful getting to know so many of you. I’ll still see you around, I’m sure. Take care, God Bless you all and stay safe out there.
Happy Reading,
J. Castle
Jackie Castle is the author of The White Road Chronicles a fantasy series, The Sentinel Archives for school-age readers, and newly released Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast romance series. She has also published articles and short stories in numerous magazines. She’s enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist, to her bravest quest: teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. Eventually, she settled down to a somewhat safer pursuit of being a Story-weaver. Now she lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins marvelous tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild. She looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she experiences.
I will always prefer reading a hard copy.
A tip I like to share is you can turn your tablet or phone into an eReader by downloading a free app. I know there is one for Kindle and I believe Wal-Mart has one for Kobo.
I also write contemporary romance AND fantasy- A rare combo, I think. I’ll be looking for your books as soon as I finish this comment!
I like both paperbacks and ebooks. It’s so much easier to carry the kindle around to read, especially when you’re almost done with a book, as you always have another one literally at your fingertips! I like holding the physical books, too, though.
I like the convenience of an e-reader since I can adjust the font size, and I have a huge selection from which to choose. That being said, I’ve been known to buy a paperback when I absolutely love the cover of a book, and I want to see it on my bookshelf which is literally centered on the main wall in my living room.
We’ll miss you here, but I know I’ll see you around cyberspace. Have fun writing!
I prefer print, but I read just as much on my Kindle app for Android, because they’re cheaper — I get a lot of free books on there — and because my bookshelves only hold so much. ;)
My favorite feature on my Kindle app is highlighting. I try to review every book I read and include a few of my favorite quotes. My highlights are saved to a notebook. Although I still haven’t figured out where they’re exported to when I’ve tried that, I can at least look at them while typing my review on my laptop.
I love my ereader. I can take so many books with me. I think it’s way easier to hold an ereader than try to keep a print book open. The ereader always takes me back to the page I was reading. I have inadvertently dropped a book and lost my place. No problem with an ereader. I still read print books, but the majority of my books are read on an ereader.
I prefer e-books and audiobooks. Thanks for the giveaway
Those are great tips! Although I love the feel of a real book, I love having many books available at my fingertips.
Wishing you well, and that you come back soon!
I’m a print reader.
I love my paperbacks but I am in love with both my kindle and tablet. I always have a paperback in my bags, but ebooks gives me the freedom to access other reading materials I have stored on my kindle and tablet.
For fiction, I am addicted to the Kindle apps on my tablet and PC. I have a Kindle PaperWhite but I don’t use it. I find the screen is too small and too sluggish. I counted the other day and found that I have over 1400 titles in my Kindle library (I am not a Kindle Unlimited subscriber). Not all of those are fiction but the majority are. When it comes to research and technical reading, I still prefer physical books. You can’t beat a book for being able to flip between multiple sections. Fingers: the original bookmarks! Best wishes for all your writing endeavors and thanks for the e-reader tips.
Hi, Jackie.
Yes, I’ve had a library card since I was about 8. One summer our tv broke & my father refused to fix or replace it. I dived into books – big time! – and never looked back. Still prefer reading to tv, almost any day!
I follow authors on fb , goodreads, Amazon, bookbub & by newsletter (I couldn’t locate your newsletter sign-up).
I keep track of my reading (just this past year) on goodreads, and I use the “Notes” app in my iPad – with alpha lists of (my favorite) authors’ books – the books I’ve read, whether or not I Own a copy (or it was a lib), whether or not I want to Buy, note each time I read it, & a brief synopsis.
I read a number of genres – so I’m curious about your fantasy books (just followed you on fb).
I’m only buying ebooks these days. Hubby is on a downsizing plan – and having helped 1 sister move who Never threw Anything anyway! – and now listening to another sister attempting to downsize & move – I am truly getting on board. It will be very sad to have to give books away. I am converting what I can. :(.
I love getting both free/cheap ebooks and author/series referrals from my favorite authors as a means to discover new-to-me authors. I have discovered great books/authors both ways. Otherwise, I keep an eye out for new-releases from my favorites,
I understand that. I still love print books, too.
Great tip! the free apps are great and work on any device.
Thanks.
Same here. =)
thanks, Kimberly.
You are able to export them. I’m sure Google will offer instructions for your device. Thanks for stopping in.
Yes, yes, and yes. All the reasons I love them too.
Thank you.
Yes, I like non-fiction to be in print form, too.
Thanks for the follows. It is hard to give those books away, isn’t it? They become special for some reason.
thanks for stopping in.
Awesome post! I love my Kindle and do all three of these often (though sadly my library has a very small selection of Christian fiction)
While I’m still a print girl at heart, I also love ebooks and audiobooks. A couple of my favorite things about my Kindle are: 1. That lots of books are lending enabled, I absolutely love being able to lend to and borrow from other readers! 2. Because I love audiobooks it’s awesome that lots of Kindle books offer a discount on the Audible version when you buy the ebook!
Will miss your posts, but all the best with your writing! 🙂💕
I love Overdrive!
Blessings!
I like both physical books and ebooks. I sometimes read both at the same time. I can e read while eating breakfast and lunch. I like that I can highlight on my kindle. It makes it easier to write my review.
On my kindle ( not my ipad) I can also hear most books read for free by a somewhat mechanical voice while I do ironing or crafting.
read kindle and print equally