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The Amazon Kindle: Why It Is a Popular e-book Reading Device

January 4, 2014 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog

The Amazon Kindle is a popular e-book reading device. Why is that?

A number of reasons. Firstly, it is portable. Previously, users depended on their computers to read a digital book. Even those with laptops were at a disadvantage, because they couldn’t curl up with a good book without a bulky laptop in the way. The Amazon Kindle provides users with freedom.

Secondly, there’s its weight. The Amazon Kindle weighs on average 10.3 ounces. This is less than most paperback books and all hardcover novels. It caters comfortably to those who want to curl up with a blanket and a good book. With the device being so light, this is absolutely achievable.

It is wireless. The Amazon Kindle is equipped with Whispernet. It uses Sprint’s data network to connect users to the Amazon Kindle Store on the go. So, not only can owners purchase an e-book at the drop of the hat, they can do so without a computer and connecting cables.

There are many reasons why the Amazon Kindle is not only a popular e-book reader, but a hit. As a writer, you can and should use this popularity to your advantage. Write an e-book, register for a free Amazon.com account, visit the digital text platform, enter in your product description, covert your e-book to digital text, set your selling price, and publish. Within 24 hours, your book should be listed for sale on Amazon.com.

Kindle Blows Away the Competition on Christmas Day

January 3, 2014 Karlene Stewart 1 Comment Blog

Mobile Analytics firm, Flurry Analytics, reported that Amazon activated 24 times more Kindles on Christmas Day than on any other day. This was a much higher number in activations than that of Apple, Samsung and Acer.

So far the trend is showing that people have been giving the Kindle Fire as gifts instead of getting it for themselves. But with the great features that they tend to have it would be a good idea for
people to start getting them for themselves as well.

To start with, Amazon Kindle tablets in general are priced at affordable rates in comparison to tablet devices offered by competitors, which would make sense as a factor that is influencing Kindle sales.

One of the latest tablets to be released is the Kindle Fire HDX, which was released by Amazon in fall of 2013. Among its features is the ability to access more than 300 channels of live television broadcast. This includes currently running and out-of-circulation favorites, as well as instant streaming availability to 5,000 on-demand videos when using the Kindle Fire HDX tablet at home. You can read more on this on Mobile Boom.

Additional features include ultra-fast web browsing, built-in Office Suite, and updated e-mail and calendar support for Gmail, Outlook, over 10,000 apps and more…

As usual, Amazon’s Kindle blows away competition for tablet activations on Christmas

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Kindle Keyboard 3G – Carry over 3500 E-Books on the Go

December 31, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog, Reviews

The Kindle Keyboard 3G is “smaller, lighter and faster”. At only 8.5 ounces and 1/3 of an inch thin, Kindle Keyboard is lighter than a paperback and thinner than a magazine.

It includes built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots anywhere, and even better, includes free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S.

It even has a Read to Me feature, which allows the Kindle Keyboard to read English newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book’s rights holder made that feature unavailable. You have the option to switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can even choose the gender voice you’d lead to hear read to you, and you can adjust the pace between fast and slow. This feature is great if you are cooking or doing other chores around the house, but want to read (or listen) to your book at the same time.

Speaking of listening, there are over 60,000 audible.com audio books that you have the option to download and listen to.

Other amazing features include a public library, where you have the option to check out a book from your local library and read on your Kindle or any Kindle app. And one of the best advantage I’d say is that you get to store up to 3,500 books on your Kindle Keyboard 3G.

Over 30,000 users on Amazon has given the Kindle Keyboard 3G a 4 or 5 star rating. You can see more about the Kindle Keyboard 3G in this video.

Accounting Made Simple

December 29, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog, Reviews

I bought Accounting Made Simple when I was struggling to understand some of the principles for my Accounting Fundamentals exam, and it was extremely helpful. It was even more helpful than Accounting For Dummies, but this is because Accounting Made Simple is written in a manner that is very specific to a particular area of accounting, while Accounting For Dummies gives a more holistic account.

Accounting Made Simple provides acronyms that you can easily memorize to help you remember your debits and credits, and this was most useful for me, because this is an area of accounting where I struggled the most, and if you can’t get past that then you are in serious trouble with understanding other broader areas.

At the time I purchased it for less than $5 on Amazon, Kindle Edition. But it prices for as high as $15.

Over 100 persons have given this book a rating of 5 star or 4 star on Amazon. Only another 16 or so rated it lower. So it’s clearly a helpful book for people struggling with accounting basics.

2014 Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market

December 29, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog, Reviews

The 2014 Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market proved a very useful guide for me when researching the children’s market to find the most appropriate publisher for my new children’s picture book Meet The Imaginative Joe Dreamer. It’s a very comprehensive guide on publishers, their location, international markets and even includes details on who to address your cover letter to directly.

The price is quite affordable as well, especially when purchasing through Kindle. On Kindle you can get it for as low as $9.99, compared to the original price of $29.99. You save 67%.

It is a highly rated guide, not only by me. Of the 16 persons who rated it on Amazon, 15 persons gave it a 5 star rating, while the other person gave it a 4 star rating. I agree with the reviewers that it is truly an “incredible guide.”

Kindle Paper White 3G

December 29, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog, featured, Reviews

Amazon calls the Kindle Paper White 3G “the best device for reading period.” Well I don’t know for sure yet since I haven’t bought the item, but the product review definitely has me curious enough to want to make a purchase. Some of the features include:

* Ability to be easily read in the sunlight with no screen glare.
* WiFi connectivity – you can connect anywhere.
* Battery life of 28 hours (of reading time) depending on the WiFi usage and screen brightness used.
* Touch screen control
* Easy page turning and access to the onboard dictionary, access to Wikipedia and X-Ray.
* Easy to access menu and setup was a breeze
* 25% faster response for loading books and page turning thanks to a faster microprocessor.
* Small, thin and highly portable
* Able to carry 1,100 books

There’s even kid-friendly features. You can create personalized profiles for kids, and give them access to titles from your collection of books. Kids are rewarded with achievement badges when they reach their goals. A progress report keeps parents updated on total time spent reading, number of words looked-up, badges earned and books read.

Over 2,000 persons have given this a 5 star rating on Amazon. Some have even called it revolutionary and said it is was worth the upgrade from the original Kindle Paper White. I totally recommend it and it’s definitely on my wish list.

I’m Dreaming of a Kindle Paper White 3G

December 23, 2013 Karlene Stewart 1 Comment Blog

I absolutely love my Kindle 6 E Ink Wi-Fi, which of course is small, light and perfect for reading, but lately I find my eyes wandering over to the Kindle Paper White 3G.

Maybe it’s how the ads dazzle, and considering that blue is my favourite colour, makes sense that the Amazon banner ads would appeal to me. I think the price is still pretty decent, but it is in fact more than twice the amount I paid for my Kindle 6 E Ink, so maybe it will have to remain on my wish list. Plus I definitely don’t need two kindles. But the ads surely make me go googoo gaga :-).

Although there’s an obvious price difference here, $69 versus $179, it has definitely peaked my curiosity to find out what’s so extra special about the Paper White 3G besides the appealing built-in light.

Well, as it turns out this new version has touch screen, processes 25% faster, has some smart look up dictionary features, which is a highly rated feature for children. Another feature for kids is called ‘FreeTime’ whereby you can personalize profiles for your children and give them access to your collection of books. Kids are rewarded with badges when they reach their goals. A progress report keeps parents updated on total time spent reading, number of words looked-up, badges earned and books read.

You can tap or highlight words and get instant translations into other languages, the battery lasts up to eight weeks. The screen is whiter and text is darker so it’s clearer, crisper text and obviously easier on the eyes to read. And with the next-gen built in front light you can read in the dark, unlike the Kindle 6 E Ink.

You can share with your friends on goodreads, even flip through pages and chapters and skip to the end for a sneak peak without losing the place you’re at in another section of the book.

If you have no wi-Fi set up at home, then the Paper White 3G is a good option because it comes with built-in free 3G connectivity, which uses the same wireless signals that cell phones use. You can download books anywhere without needing to be in a Wi-Fi hotspot.

It all sounds amazing. The reviews on it are also pretty good. Over 2,000 persons have given it a 5 star rating on Amazon. Unfortunately I won’t be upgrading to it at this time, but I’m definitely dreaming of it.

Carried Away by Kindle Deals

December 21, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog

I’m one of those people who will end up buying a book even if it was never my initial intention to do so, just for the sake of taking advantage of a great deal.

Great deal for me is not just based on the percentage, but what the final value works out to. So for example, if a 50% off works out to the end product cost being $200, then I may still walk away from the deal even though I would save 50%. However, if after the sale I’m spending between just $1 and $5 then to me that is just amazing and I find it extremely hard to walk away.

Amazon sent me an email about some “big deal” so naturally I clicked the link to learn more. Seeing 85% off definitely peaked my interest, but then seeing exactly how much 85% off worked out to definitely got me excited.

Some people mistake deals for rip-offs, but seriously, how can you go wrong on books, especially on eBooks?

Yes of course we’ve been there where we’ve bought an inexpensive bag, shirt or shoes, then regretted it later when it’s falling apart, and then the old adage kicks in, “you get what you pay for.” Well, when I see a book that’s on a best seller list with an original cost of almost $25 being sold for under $4 and with a title that’s very catchy and interesting I’m absolutely not walking away. And as if this isn’t a bargain in and of itself, you additionally get the option of taking a look inside. Now what more could you ask for?

As soon as I’m done writing this blog I plan to get my hands on a kindle copy of Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself. Not only is it a huge deal in savings, but it’s also a topic I’m deeply interested in. So it’s a win win situation. Especially now that I am having this cold that makes me so miserable, I would be totally happy to hear of any legal, ethical way in which I can be better without depending on medicine. So I’d love to find out what this author has to say.

I guess my only worry is that these kindle deals are always so good that I keep spending and spending. In fact various online articles have been reporting over the last three years that Kindle eBook sales have overtaken Amazon print sales. I am definitely evidence to that fact. Never before had I bought books in such quick succession. So I’ll have to watch my purse a lot more closely now and make sure I don’t get too carried away on all these super fabulous kindle deals.

Can’t Wait to Digest Gulp

December 18, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog

Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal is on my wish list of books to read. I like the kinds of questions the book explores such as “why doesn’t the stomach digest itself?” “How much can you eat before your stomach bursts?” Sounds like the kinds of questions I’d delve into on my what if blog.

English: An illustration of the alimentary canal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From all the reviews I’ve seen it seems this book is very funny, and in fact the author has been described by the Washington Post as being “America‘s Funniest Science Writer.” Gulp is described as taking readers on a journey through a live stomach where we “observe the fate of a meal.”

Gulp received a 5 star rating by more than 300 reviewers on Amazon and over 100 reviewers gave the book a 4 star rating. In fact back in April this year when Gulp was first published, it was Amazon’s ‘Best Book of the Month’.

I am bearing in mind however, that I might be in for some bits of gory details, as can be expected if one is examining the insides of the stomach, and also just based on some of the reviews. Entertainment Weekly describes the book as being “as engrossing as it is gross.” I think that statement speaks volumes.

The way I imagine the book is summed up in the words of a reviewer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Never before has the process of eating been so very interesting…. After digesting her book, you can’t help but think about what that really means.” This is exactly the kind of thought process I had when I saw the product review on Amazon. I was thinking how clever and interesting of someone to ask these kinds of philosophical-type and humorous questions concerning the stomach. I’m absolutely looking forward to reading the book and it is on my wish-list for the new year.

Kindle Magazine

December 16, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog

For all newbies to kindle and e-books, you may be happy to find out that there’s also Kindle Magazine. That’s right. You can get your favourite magazines via Kindle. And right now is a superb time to get these magazines, especially on Amazon, as you can save as much as over 60% with the sale they’re offering right now.

Apparently you can even try some of the magazines free for 30 days, and after that it’s up to you whether you wish to renew the subscription or not.

As a treat for the kids there’s also Kindle Magazines for kids such as Click Magazine. I love Click because I think it’s such a fun and exciting way to inform kids about nature and their environment, while at the same time getting them acclimatized to a lifestyle of reading.

Either way, whether it’s something for you or something for your kids, you should definitely check out these amazing Kindle Deals.

The Farting Dog…Persistence when Publishers Reject

December 15, 2013 Karlene Stewart Leave a comment Blog

During the course of my research on how to approach getting my book published with a traditional publisher I came across the wonderful story of how an author tried to publish a book named Walter the Farting Dog but had no initial success with that. Then 10 years later managed to get the book accepted by a publisher who didn’t even publish children’s book.

I found the story quite interesting and funny. I also admired the writer’s zeal to pursue getting the book published instead of thinking it was just no good. Additionally, it’s important to note that timing is everything, so while the subject matter may not have been acceptable to publishers when the manuscript was initially written, it certainly didn’t mean that it wouldn’t have been acceptable 10 years later.

I was so surprised when as I walked around a local children’s store today in my Grand Cayman community I saw a copy of Walter the Farting Dog. So naturally I bought a copy. I see it’s also available on Amazon.com. I can’t wait for my son and I to read it!

Walter the Farting Dog

An Early Christmas with Writers Digest

December 14, 2013 Karlene Stewart 2 Comments Blog

Now is a superb time to be a subscriber to the Writers Digest newsletter and/or magazines. Today I managed to capitalize on a huge steal they’re having. I call it an early Christmas sale, but they call it an “Overstock Sale”. I was more than surprised to see books being offered for under $1.50, with the original price being $16 or more. I even purchased a book set for $9, yet the original cost was over $200. I kid you not. You get up to 92 % worth of savings, and who wouldn’t want to save money this Christmas.

I bet you might be thinking these are e-books. No they’re not. These are print books being sold for such low prices, and the information to be gained is invaluable. They include useful information writers will benefit from, such as the craft of business writing, how to write novels and other similarly important topics, and best of all, at minimal cost to you.

For the various books advertised you get a product description and can even read excerpts from the book, so prior to purchasing you get a good basis upon which to judge.

Writer’s Digest Book Shipment (Photo credit: AngelaShupe.com)

The Writers Digest is a powerful tool to have, a gift you may want to give yourself this Christmas, as it literally is the gift that keeps on giving. With all the resources that become available to you, a world of writing and money making opportunity becomes opened up to you.

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