Books #15 Reading Chats!

[Just here to say]

I just have a quarter of XOXO left on audio. Hmmm it is quite different than I expected. I don't want to say boring but.... It seems like this is definitely more for teenagers and I think audiobook hell to make the pacing better. I think if I read it physically I'd probably DNF. Sorry

I finished 12 lessons for 21st century on radio too and gave 3 stars. Not everything worked for me but the listening experience was good and always made me think about things that I'd normally not think about. The main issues were the title - a bit misleading and the topics, because of the nature of their complexity the author couldn't go in depth. So I basically listened to 12h of things that I already knew about also the philosophy... It was too much. As a historian he should just stick to history and estimations for the future. None of that religious philosophy please, there's not time

 

[SaintLeo]

I am really ashamed when I check my online banking and see all the 99p payments to Amazon

Finished The Housemaid yesterday. It was ok, preferred the start to the ending.

Have made a start with A Little Life. Only 2% in so a very long way to go!

Tell me about it! Those 99p buys don’t feel like so much of a bargains when your realise there are 70+ of them sitting unread on your Kindle!

 

[disneys]

Hello all !

I’ve been lurking on here for a while and wanted to drop in and say hi . I’ve recently been picking up books again after a year where I read 1 book (I did have a baby and a toddler so forgive me !) and I’ve been unwell with a stomach bug the last few days and honestly reading is all that’s kept me sane . I thought I’d drop in here for recommendations .

My most recent reads have been the I Am Lucy Barton series , I read all three of those in quick succession . My husband bought me a kindle for my birthday and I’ve been loving it , especially if I’m awake and he’s asleep I can read without disturbing him with a light . I’ve just finished Lucy By The Sea and I’m looking for recommendations of books of a similar ilk - character-driven , relationship-driven , well written and thought Provoking . Grateful for your recs ! Assume I’ve read nothing recent

I have some audible questions … I think I may get more “reading” done if I have audio books as an option . Just to have on while I clean the house , sort the washing out , go on walks with the buggy while my son is at nursery , etc . It’s £9.99 a month … do you just get one credit for that ? Is there a way to get more credits , or pay for books individually ? £9.99 seems a lot for just one book a month !

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

So Im a big Audible user, Ive never paid more than £7.99 per month though.

I buy books in the £2.99 sales and 2 for 1 credit sales. You can also buy 3 credits for £24 I think. You also get access to the audible plus catalogue for free.

Its worth it to me but Scribd might be a better option if you listen to lots because its a monthly fee for the whole catalogue they have.

 

[lizziebrooks1235]

I know paperbacks take up too much space, however I love them I like kindles, but I don’t like how bright the screens are, and I don’t like staring at screens for a long time. I’ve tried audiobooks but I find I can’t concentrate as much; but I totally get why people like them.
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Hello all !

I’ve been lurking on here for a while and wanted to drop in and say hi . I’ve recently been picking up books again after a year where I read 1 book (I did have a baby and a toddler so forgive me !) and I’ve been unwell with a stomach bug the last few days and honestly reading is all that’s kept me sane . I thought I’d drop in here for recommendations .

My most recent reads have been the I Am Lucy Barton series , I read all three of those in quick succession . My husband bought me a kindle for my birthday and I’ve been loving it , especially if I’m awake and he’s asleep I can read without disturbing him with a light . I’ve just finished Lucy By The Sea and I’m looking for recommendations of books of a similar ilk - character-driven , relationship-driven , well written and thought Provoking . Grateful for your recs ! Assume I’ve read nothing recent

I have some audible questions … I think I may get more “reading” done if I have audio books as an option . Just to have on while I clean the house , sort the washing out , go on walks with the buggy while my son is at nursery , etc . It’s £9.99 a month … do you just get one credit for that ? Is there a way to get more credits , or pay for books individually ? £9.99 seems a lot for just one book a month !

Is the Lucy Barton series good? I keep thinking of reading them

 

[AllieBee]

I know paperbacks take up too much space, however I love them I like kindles, but I don’t like how bright the screens are, and I don’t like staring at screens for a long time. I’ve tried audiobooks but I find I can’t concentrate as much; but I totally get why people like them.
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Is the Lucy Barton series good? I keep thinking of reading them

I have a basic kindle with a backlight. I'm like you, I like to feel I'm reading a real book and my kindle does feel the most like that. The light is also adjustable, I dont usually have it on at all unless its dark around me. That said I was at the shops today bought 2 from Waterstones, 1 from a charity shop and borrowed.2 from the library so that's more space taken up. But today I have sorted out a huge pile of books, ones my husband buys me which are really too inconsequential and fluffy to bother with and they will go to the charity shop. He doesn't get my taste!

 

[Carapop]

Ah I love the Lucy Barton series but I’m still holding out for the final instalment to go on sale. I don’t love it enough to spend e11 on it!

For the audible debater, have you looked into BorrowBox to borrow digital audiobooks from local library? It’s freeeeeeee.

I finally finished Bel Canto. It’s beautiful but too long and I thought it would never end.

I then went straight into Foster by Claire Keegan which I read in an hour - it’s a novella - a gorgeous little read.

 

[Katykatykaty]

I know paperbacks take up too much space, however I love them I like kindles, but I don’t like how bright the screens are, and I don’t like staring at screens for a long time. I’ve tried audiobooks but I find I can’t concentrate as much; but I totally get why people like them.

I always completely dismissed Kindles and couldn’t imagine not reading proper books but I bought a Kindle Paperwhite on a whim last year (completely influenced by this thread) and I am obsessed with it! I ALWAYS have it in dark mode with the brightness right down (usually between 4-6 out of a possible 25) and I love it. I find most screens too bright and I’m forever turning the brightness down on my phone but the dark mode on the Kindle makes it so much more accessible. Can totally recommend.

I always loved the idea of having a library in my house and built up quite a collection of books. Nowadays I probably only have about 15 paperbacks (though what feels like about 1000 picture books in my son’s room) as I just use my Kindle. I feel so less cluttered and have actually read so much more in the last couple years since I moved to a Kindle than I ever have!

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I always completely dismissed Kindles and couldn’t imagine not reading proper books but I bought a Kindle Paperwhite on a whim last year (completely influenced by this thread) and I am obsessed with it! I ALWAYS have it in dark mode with the brightness right down (usually between 4-6 out of a possible 25) and I love it. I find most screens too bright and I’m forever turning the brightness down on my phone but the dark mode on the Kindle makes it so much more accessible. Can totally recommend.

I always loved the idea of having a library in my house and built up quite a collection of books. Nowadays I probably only have about 15 paperbacks (though what feels like about 1000 picture books in my son’s room) as I just use my Kindle. I feel so less cluttered and have actually read so much more in the last couple years since I moved to a Kindle than I ever have!

Same I resisted for years and then got an amazon fire. I now love it. One of my favourite features is the fact that I can look up words I don't know.

I still love to read an actual book but when I do I'm always miffed that I can't look up a word instantly

 

[nbt]

I love the look of bookcases and a good set of books. I have perhaps about 15 on mine, but I very rarely read actual books.

Although I do have Reputation by Sarah Vaughan as mentioned on here earlier. I won’t bother saying I’ll make it my next read, as I have so many more I actually need to read beforehand!

 

[LaBlonde]

i don’t own a kindle and have never read a book on one purely physical books for me (with at least one bookcase in most rooms of my house) but i can accept the benefits of a kindle for making space more than anything!

i’ve just started a town called solace by mary lawson and am really loving it so far. if you like anne patchett or anne tyler i would hugely recommend.

 

[StephenTJackson]

i don’t own a kindle and have never read a book on one purely physical books for me (with at least one bookcase in most rooms of my house) but i can accept the benefits of a kindle for making space more than anything!

i’ve just started a town called solace by mary lawson and am really loving it so far. if you like anne patchett or anne tyler i would hugely recommend.

Same, I just can't get on board with e-books, I just want to hold the book in my hand. And other things can be got rid of to make more space for books. Always room for more books. Other things don't matter as much as books.

 

[justonemorepage]

I'm a physical book girl too and I love that my walls are lined with hundreds of books but I appreciate that not everyone has the space.

 

[Mamacita]

I also like the kindle cause I can read it with the lights off if my boyfriend wants to sleep

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

I owned one of the first ever kindles and was always v nothing will beat a physical book but the convenience is just too much for me to resist.

 

[tam]

I know paperbacks take up too much space, however I love them I like kindles, but I don’t like how bright the screens are, and I don’t like staring at screens for a long time. I’ve tried audiobooks but I find I can’t concentrate as much; but I totally get why people like them.
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Is the Lucy Barton series good? I keep thinking of reading them

I really like them. Lucy is such a lovely character.

 

[vanilla cupcakes]

I haven’t read a single physical book since I got my kindle last year 🫣 never thought I’d use it as much as I do!

 

[disneys]

I know paperbacks take up too much space, however I love them I like kindles, but I don’t like how bright the screens are, and I don’t like staring at screens for a long time. I’ve tried audiobooks but I find I can’t concentrate as much; but I totally get why people like them.
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Is the Lucy Barton series good? I keep thinking of reading them

Yes I absolutely loved them ! I was given My Name Is Lucy Barton for Christmas and read it in a few days , then bought the next 2 instalments (Oh William! And Lucy by the sea) on my kindle . Really adored Lucy as a character . Out of them all , I think Lucy by the sea was my fav . Sooo worth a read and they’re nice and short too !!

Thanks all for your tips on audiobooks ! I’m a member of my library so might investigate borrowbox as an option before I commit to audible

 

[ordinaryjelly]

I read a mix, always a physical book at home. But I always carry my Kindle with me to hospital and given I have spent 481 days of the last 599 in hospital the Kindle has been used a lot. I'd need my own bookcase beside my NHS bed otherwise and not sure they are approved!

I do prefer a physical book, the whole act of going and buying a book (which is a different past-time to actually reading a book,) the feel of the pages, the creaky spine, turning the pages... and the smell. Nothing compares to a paperback.

Room for both in my world.

 

[justonemorepage]

I also like the kindle cause I can read it with the lights off if my boyfriend wants to sleep

This reminded me of the time I was asleep and my boyfriend was reading in bed next to me and I subconsciously turned the light off in my sleep and woke to him saying "well, I guess I'm no longer reading then"