Sunday, January 16, 2011

Sunday Salon ~ January 16th


I hope everyone has had a great week. Those of us on the East Coast have been recovering from this weeks heavy snowfall. Someone had commented on how efficient the plow crews must be here based on the fact that with 18-20" of snow work was only closed for one day and a (2) hour delay the following day.  I guess, with all of the snow we are use to in the Northeast, they finally have the routine down pat.  The side streets were still pretty messy the day after but main roads were fine.  When I got to work on Thursday I could not believe all the snow on the seating area outside of the library. Even allowing for some drifting, clearly more than 18" fell here:




A week after my SIL's surgery for breast cancer, her follow up visit with her surgeon came with good news. The nodes that were sent to pathology came back clean, so although she still must see an Oncologist next week, possibly for some hormone therapy drugs, it is unlikely that she will need any chemotherapy or radiation therapy after her mastectomy. Whew....we are all breathing easier, and except for a nasty cold, she is doing well for a week after surgery. THANK YOU once again for all the kindness you have showed. I appreciate it.

 

I know there is a lot of disagreement over whether readers prefer eBooks or a real old-fashion book.  I was in the "old-fashion book" camp all along, but have to say that there are a lot of pluses when reading on my Kindle.

Reason #1) -  I love eating lunch at work and only needing one finger to turn the page. Reason #2 - I love having (currently) about 40 books in my pocketbook at one time (all weighing just a few ounces). Reason #3) - Your eyes get tired more easily as you get older, and I can read for longer stints on my Kindle, than I can with a regular book and Reason #4 - I love sunlight, and I can read in the sun with no screen glare.   
Are you an eBook convert? If so, do you have other reasons you sometimes prefer an eBook?

I currently have (3) books going right now, all on different devices, and am loving them all. How often does that happen?
  1. Matterhorn; Karl Marlentes (audio book) (wonderful Vietnam tell all novel written by one who was there)
  2. The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer; Mukherjee - eBook (FASCINATING)
  3. How to Read the Air; Dinaw Mengestu (print book) (beautiful writing; compelling story)
How has your weekend been going?  I'm trying to relax and get over a head cold (it's going around). I have an extra day off with Monday being Martin Luther King Day.  Hope you all have a beautiful week.

56 comments:

  1. So happy about your SIL - my mom had a mastectomy and she never needed any chemo or radiation.

    My husband and I are just in the starting discussion about an e-reader. My teenager thinks we will "lose our souls" if we get one. He is kind of a Luddite (only 18 year old I know who doesn't have a facebook account.

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  2. I enjoy my ereader for how light it is. I do miss the satisfaction of looking at a book and running my hands over the cover while reading. i also hate not being able to truly gauge how far I am.

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  3. Another reason for loving the ereader is that it is great on crowded public transport! You can hold onto the seat or pole and just read one handed!

    Good news about your sister!

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  4. Glad your SIL is doing well.

    I am yet to go for an e-reader. Right now, it is beyond my budget.

    As I had mentioned last week, I have started a weekly feature on Sunday, Sharing Poetry With You, where I would be sharing any poem that has made an impact on me. It could be a classic one or a contemporary one, and anything in between. Do check out what poem I share today by clicking on Sunday Salon: Sharing Poetry With You. You are invited to convey your thoughts on the poem posted. In one word or many words..your choice!

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  5. Its Sunday evening and I have just diaried in my Monday work and have got a headache trying to see how I can fit it all in. The Sunday was good though.

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  6. Great news about your SIL! Hooray!

    I'll add another reason to your list as to why I love my Kindle . . . I think I read faster. Or at least it feels as if I do. With less words on a page (depending on font size, of course), I am 'turning' those pages quicker than I do when reading a book. It makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere. Also, it's easier to read more because the pages are shorter making my common thought "just one more page" easily turn into a chapter. A mind game maybe, but I'm enjoying it. :)

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  7. Diane, such good news about your sister-in-law! Take care of that cold!

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  8. I am the dinosaur, hanging on to my 'real' books..
    actually, I have so many unread books here, I am not going to buy an e-reader and then have to but MORE books.

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  9. I'm so glad your SIL does not need chemo or radiation. What a relief!

    Have a peaceful Sunday and enjoy your upcoming week.

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  10. We got a ton of snow here in the South last Monday and it's still lingering around. When I was out yesterday there were still some icy patches on the road. Of course, we don't really have winter road crews.

    I just read a book on my Kindle for my book club and didn't enjoy it much - the book or the experience. It was an older book, so I assume it had just been scanned in and it was loaded with typos and mistakes - things like 1 for I. It irked me that I paid money for a book that had an error on almost every page.

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  11. I forgot to mention that I'm thrilled to hear the wonderful news about your sister in law!! Thanks for keeping us posted.

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  12. As I said in my post today, I'm still in the early stages of thinking about getting an e-reader. Your point about turning the pages with one finger is a good one. Also, I would be able to keep my book open if I'm eating something that requires two hands!

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  13. I fell in love with my iPad while traveling because I could bring so many books along. I am still considering getting a kindle because it is lighter and you can read in direct sunlight. But then I have those bookshelves to clear . . . .

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  14. I am so glad to hear the good news about your SIL. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

    I feel that I must (perhaps) clarify our need for two snow days with only seven inches of snow :) The second snow day was called due to windchill of -15 degrees and dangerous blowing snow. Wind in the Midwest is quite treacherous.

    I like my Kindle because I can download and have access to hundreds of classic books for FREE.

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  15. Great news about your SIL!

    I really like the reasons you gave about the ereader. They really go to the heart of things that are important to me. Maybe I'll have to give in....

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  16. So happy to hear the good news! The SIL must be thrilled not to have chemotherapy or radiation.

    My son got a Nook for Xmas and loves it! He travels a lot and now he doesn't have to lug a pile of books with him, plus he can read in the dark! I am still a holdout!

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  17. Oh yes, I've been using my Kindle since March this year and loving it. I can read in the sun (hurrah!) and the screen looks like paper. I'm beyond happy with it. :D

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  18. I'm happy to hear the news about your SIL.

    Wow, that snowy photo boggles my mind. It looks gorgeous, but I know that it's got to be a nuisance at times.

    I never thought I'd enjoy an e-reader, and was still sitting on the fence...but then I had to jump off when I received a Kindle for Christmas. I agree with you about the upside...especially the ease of carrying books around in one small device. I also enjoy (and worry!) about the ease of buying new books. Whispernet has stolen my soul!

    I have about ten or so books on mine right now that I haven't read yet; I've finished two. But because I still have a lot of TBR books in piles, I'll also be reading print books for a long time.

    Have a great week.

    Here's my salon:

    (click on my name)

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  19. Oh wow, what great news about your SIL! I'm really happy for you and your family :)

    I think my two main reasons for loving my Sony ereader are the same as your first two : carrying many books at once without the weight, and how easier it is to read and do something else at the same time - in my case it's mostly knitting.

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  20. I'm so happy to hear about your SIL!

    I'll be purchasing an e-reader soon... still trying to make a decision. Do you still read on your iPad or are you using the kindle exclusively?

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  21. I am so relieved to hear that your SIL got good news! I can't believe the snow you're all having (I must admit it's about 75 degrees here this weekend).

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  22. Very glad to hear about your sister-in-law!

    I think I need to get a dedicated e-reader to be a true convert to e-books. I have about 100 e-books on my iPod but it takes up too much juice to read and the screen is too small. I read on it when I'm caught somewhere without a physical book.

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  23. Wow..you certainly got a lot more snow than we did!!!

    Yay for your SIL. I'm sure that has helped with the anxiety. I pray that she gets past this cold really soon and rebounds completely!!

    I'm in love with my son's Kindle so much that I'm getting my own!! I love it when I'm eating lunch too!

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  24. That's great news about your sister in law!

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  25. I look forward to your review of Emperor of Maladies. It sounds really interesting.

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  26. Wonderful news about your sister-in-law! I wish her continued good health.

    That's great that the Kindle doesn't make your eyes get as tired. Continue to enjoy your e-reader!

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  27. I love my e-reader, but I prefer my iPad over my Kindle. Don't know why.

    I cannot wait to read Emperor of Maladies. Good to know you are enjoying this one.

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  28. I'm so happy to hear you had good news for your SIL.

    The first snowfall we had the roads were horrible. This week they were a bit better, but the side streets were still terrible.

    I always swore I'd never bother with an ereader and now I do my majority of reading on my Nook. I love it. There are so many reasons I prefer it to print books. For one, it's great to take 100's of books on vacation with me and they aren't heavy :) I love making the font size larger, it's easier for me to read. Often I put the Nook on my bed or on a table and have my hands free.

    I'm amazed at how much I love my ereader.

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  29. What wonderful news for you SIL!

    I have been hearing great things about Matterhorn, so I checked the audiobook out from the library. I found that I'm just not in the mood for a heavy Vietnam story right now though, so I'm going to turn it in and keep it in mind for later.

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  30. Yay!! I'm jumping up and down for your SIL's recovery!! I'm so thrilled and happy! :)

    I like ebooks for the same reason as you, but I'll always prefer holding an actual book.

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  31. Wow! So much going on this week for you! I am so relieved to hear that your sister is ok. I have been thinking of you guys and wondering what would happen. God is good and prayer works. I also just bought Matterhorn for my Kindle and am listening to the audio version of The Emperor of All Maladies while I am biking during the day. It is a fascinating book. I do like my Kindle, but have to say that it's a bit under utilized. My husband uses it far more than I do, really.
    And you know, I am kind of jealous that everyone got snowed in, and we just got cold. I have never experienced that, and think it would be kind of neat to be all bundled up and reading and eating warm comfort food. I hope that you have a great week ahead and that your sister continues to do well. Let me know what you think of Matterhorn, I am really excited about it!

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  32. Diane, I am SO happy that your SIL is doing okay, honey! That is fantastic news! My grandmother had a mastectomy and never needed any chemo or radiation and she went on to live another 30 year, well into her nineties! So that is great news, indeed. XOXOXO!

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  33. Hooray for your SIL's good news. Northern Vermont did not get much snow in this last storm. I really would like a snow day sometime soon. I've got my fingers crossed.

    I'm getting myself a NOOKcolor soon. What really made my decision to get an e-reader is the ability to make the font bigger. I got a book for Christmas where the font was just too small. I like a NOOK instead of bifocals!

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  34. I know that I will always prefer reading actual books...but I do plan on getting an ereader at some point in the near future :) Good news with your sister in law! Hopefully you both get over your colds soon. Hope you have a great week of reading!

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  35. So so so happy to hear about your sister-in-law!!! That is wonderful news.

    And I love my Kindle ... for all the reasons you mention. And, sadly, I'm kind of liking the font size adjustment a little too much. My eyes are getting worse!

    And, in my book, it is the only way to read a heavy chunkster!

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  36. Oh ... and I'm so curious about The Emperor of All Maladies .. I've heard it is fascinating. I want to read it.

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  37. I've had my Kindle for a month now and while I haven't read a lengthy work on it yet, I have to say that not being able to gage how far I am is a big negative. Also I'm an extensive note writer in my books and it's not as easy (though not impossible) to write a note on the Kindle. But I have to say it is great having in essence a library in my brief case.

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  38. That's wonderful news about your SIL! I know you are relieved!

    I love my Kindle! In some ways I prefer reading on it than reading the print edition (never thought I'd say that!). I love increasing the font size (esp at night when my eyes are tired) and the built-in dictionary. Sampling chapters is also a plus.

    Despite my love for my Kinde, I still enjoy going to the library and book browsing at B&N and Borders. I haven't gone 100% eBook yet and probably will not anytime soon. I have too many unread books on my shelves at the moment.

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  39. PBurt...thanks for sharing about you mom; I appreciate that. I think your son's response to the eReader discussion is too funny. He sounds like a young man who knows what he likes and what he doesn't like as well.

    Amy...I wish the pages were numbered in the same manner as a print book, but I do like the fact it tell the 10% of pages one has read so we get an idea.

    Marg....Public transportation is one I never thought of as I rarely travel in that manner, but a great benefit, I am sure.

    Gautami...Thanks for the thoughts on my SIL, and I just love stopping by to read your wonderful poetry.

    Mystica...so happy your weekend went well.

    Jill....I also think that I read faster on my Kindle; I think it is the larger print?? Thanks for mentioning my SIL.

    Kay...thanks for the well wishes.

    Caite....You go girl....I have plenty of print books to read as well, but I am a gadget girl :)

    Kaye...Thanks for the good thoughts.

    Kathy...that would irk me as well --all those typos. Thanks for thinking of my SIL

    Teresa...the Kindle does have many benefits; perhaps you could try someones and decide :)

    Colleen...I don't have any business with an iPad and Kindle either with 600 unread print books...oh well...

    Molly...That makes sense, I forgot about the midwest wind conditions. Thanks for thinking about my SIL

    Jill and Elisabeth...thanks for thinking of my SIL; it means a lot. I think you would love an eReader once you gave it a try. Maybe you can borrow one; some libraries do loan them out.

    Alice and Laurel...I know what you mean about the ease of the Kindle. It is way to easy to click that "buy with one click" button and have the book in a minute on the device....amazing really. Thanks for the good vibes on my SIL

    Kaye, JoAnn, Helen, Steph and Staci...All your thoughts and prayers helped my SIL; thank you. I love technology and this Kindle is an amazing gadget:) Helen, sometimes I do envy your Santa Barbara weather 75 degrees vs 20" of snow?? hmmmmm which would I really choose?

    Amused and Suko, thank you for all the kindness you have showed regarding my SIL. Have a great week.

    Brenna and Deb...Emperor of All Maladies is fascinating. I am only about 1/3 though and have jotted so many notes.

    Yvonne, Alyce, Aths, Rebecca, Nan, and Heather...thank you for the well wishes on my SIL; it helped and meant a lot to me. Matterhorne and Emperor of All Maladies are fascinating books -- enjoy Heather.

    Samantha, and Manny....eReaders definitely have their benefits but will probably never take the place of all printed works...enjoy

    Shon...me too, love the eReader, but can't give up my library addiction. Thank you for the sweet thoughts on my sister-in-law.

    Hope all of you have a wonderful week.

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  40. Great news on your SIL! I hope she has a speedy recovery from her surgery!

    Very impressive snow picture. Here in the Balto-DC area we have largely escaped the snow storms (very unlike last year which was Snomaggeden for us).

    Happy MLK Day!

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  41. That is such wonderful news about your SIL! So glad to hear it!

    I wrote about this on my blog the other week- despite the fact that I was so AGAINST getting an eReader, I got one for Christmas and I truly love it. I love pretty much everything about it- the touch screen, the user friendliness, the fact that I can store so many books on it without changing the weight! The only drawbacks for me is the fact that I can't read in the tub and no pretty covers!

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  42. It's amazing how high the drifts of snow get! It's good you weren't plowed in.

    I'm sorry to read that your SIL has been dealing with breast cancer. Great news about her nodes. Continued best wishes for her that she continues to get good news and things go well.

    I've always said I am a die-hard book reader but I think I'd enjoy an e-book esp. for trveling around the city and things. I'm glad you are getting use of yours and enjoying it!

    I hope you have anice week!

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  43. Diane, so happy to hear about your SIL! Continued prayers go out her way so she recovers quickly and her follow up treatment will be as easy as possible.

    Still haven't gotten to try the eReader but I do want one :)

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  44. I had to chuckle when I saw your reasons for enjoying your Kindle. I'm with you. I thought an electronic book was some kind of heresy. And then I tried one and it was all love. You are right about the one finger reading and the large print for old eyes. For me the most important is the huge number of books I can carry around with me in my purse. The other truth is that it hasn't slowed down my love of paper books at all.

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  45. I'm seriously considering a Kindle. :)

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  46. Didn't know about your SIL. My white light is sent to her. I am glad she is doing good.

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  47. So glad to hear the good news about your SIL. Thank goodness they took care of the situation quickly.

    I love my Kindle for all the reasons you listed. However, I read the entire Indie Lit Fiction shortlist on my Kindle with very few breaks in between and the Kindle, along with its case gave me a good case of Kindle Elbow. My arms is still out of whack and numb.

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  48. Wow! Look at all that snow!! Congrats on the good news! How scary it must be to wait for the news. I probably won't buy an e-reader just because I have way too many books at home to read and I rarely spend a lot of money on a book. BUT I lovethe ease of using one hand. In bed sometimes I like to curl up but it's a pain holding a real book with two hands. So I'm desperately trying to win an e-reader :)

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  49. good news about your SIL. I am a total e-reader convert! I don't think I'll ever go back to paper. This morning as I laid on the the back massaging table at the chiropracters I read a chapter. The room was dim but that was no problem I just flipped on my built in light and read away. I have tried to do it with a paper book but the book got heavy holding it up in the air and it is difficult to turn the pages. So there is another reason to have an e-reader.

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  50. Oh I forgot to mention, yesterday morning I had a foot of snow in my yard. We had a balmy day--40* and by evening most of the snow was gone and we were left with mud.

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  51. Oh, wonderful news about your SIL! I'm so happy to hear that!

    As for eBooks, I'm with you. I started out kind of set against them, but now that I have one, I love it. eBooks haven't replaced regular books for me, but it's great to be able to carry around a bunch of books without adding any weight or bulk and to be able to read one-handed. I also like being able to easily adjust font size as needed -- sometimes I can handle small font, and sometimes I want it just a little bigger!

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  52. Gosh! The snow :)
    I am so happy to hear about your SIL! God bless her and all of your family!

    I love my iPad. I just find it more comfy than trying to hold a book while feeding the little one :D I know lame, but it is all about lame excuses these days with me :)

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  53. I'm so glad to hear about your SIL!!

    I like my eReader, but often forget to use it. But these days I don't see to read much of anything other than blogs...

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  54. That is great news about your SIL! And on another topic, I love my Kindle because I can read in the bright sunlight too!

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  55. I'm still old fashioned with regular books--still personal for me. I wouldn't know which one is best.?
    My hometown in MT has had up to 64 inches so far, and it's not over, flooding for sure this year.
    Great family news!

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  56. I hope that you're able to dig out with all of that snow! It's cold here in Ohio, we missed the extreme snow. I wasn't blogging much this month and missed your posts about your SIL. I'm so glad to hear the good news!

    I just got a Kindle last week so I enjoyed reading all of the comments!

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