One Year On... with Kevin Kindle

Smaller... Lighter... Bigger... Brighter...

Newer... Faster... Louder... Cheaper...

And really touchy-feely.

These are just some of the promises I've heard about other e-readers from those desperate to lure me away from my Kindle. You may remember my first love-at-first-sight encounter with Kevin Kindle from last Christmas, followed by Valentine’s Day and our first holidays together.

So, where are we now, after our first year anniversary?

Well, Kevin is reliable. He’s always there for me, although he does occasionally need to take time out to recharge his batteries. There’s only been one occasion when I've felt let down and my trust has been challenged - but I can’t see the point of dredging up old arguments.

We spend a lot of time together. He’s also taught me a lot and introduced me to some new ideas, but I retain my independence and frequently meet up with old friends (aka real books).

Kevin has never been a cheap date and the financial commitment has been considerable. It’s very easy to push that ‘click-to-buy’ button. And his sense of style hasn't improved. He’s still dressed in the same old purple suit - but it’s wearing well - and whether we’re at home or out and about, it means he’s always easy to spot.

I’m still smitten. My sense of loyalty is strong. I'm not tempted to stray or distracted by any of the flashy all-singing, all-dancing multi-media devices and tablets - although if one of them comes up with a way to bring me breakfast in bed every morning, I might change my mind. Until then, Kevin and I are in a long-term relationship. I'm in it for the long haul. I'm ready to commit. I may wait a long time for a proposal, of course, but I'm a patient woman.

Happy New Year! All best wishes for a healthy, happy and successful 2013.

Remember Kevin?

You remember Kevin? My Christmas gifted Kindle and the object of my desire since the moment we met.

Things have moved on. We went on our first holiday - to Taba Heights, on the Red Sea in Egypt. I travelled with a girlfriend - a woman I worked with years ago and have known since our kids were babies - and I had grave doubts about whether to let Kevin tag along. I knew there were advantages, of course - most notably that I wouldn't have to pack a kilo or two of paperbacks in my suitcase and that I could convert my work-in-progress into a pdf file to read and review while I was away from home and without my laptop.

That was actually what I planned to do the evening before we left. But horror of horrors, for the first time ever, I emailed the pdf to my kindle address and it didn't arrive. I tried again - and again - and still, it didn't arrive. I contacted Amazon via live chat and asked what the maximum time could be for a download. They assured me it was usually instantaneous unless the file was humongous. Mine wasn't. I sent it again - and again, with the word 'convert' in the subject line - and aaaaaargh, it still didn't arrive! And then... all five attempts arrived in quick succession. I thanked the 'customer service associate' (yes, really!) and signed off.

I can't read a single word on my Kindle, even with my reading glasses, without changing the font size to somewhere between large and extra large (take note, Kevin - it's the way I usually prefer my men too) so that was my next task. Only it wouldn't work. The option to change the font size was simply not highlighted in the menu. I tried everything, before contacting Amazon again. A second customer service associate tried everything too, but to no avail. Eventually, he took my phone number and said someone would be in touch.

By then, I was practically on the verge of a nervous breakdown, already mentally calculating how many frocks and pairs of shoes I would have to unpack in order to squeeze two weeks' worth of real books into my suitcase - and furious that I was missing the football. Technology, I cursed, reverting to my Luddite roots - you can never, ever rely on it! To their credit, Amazon called me before I had time for a total meltdown - and they did solve the problem, but the whole process took over an hour.

And that wasn't the end of my stress-fest. I was still worried about Kevin getting sand in his suit on the beach and that perhaps he wouldn't function so well after that. I fretted that he might bump into someone else while he chilled out on a sun lounger and I went for a quick dip or to fetch a drink from the bar - and that he might simply move on. But my fears were ill-founded. With Kevin, it was always love at first sight, of course, but after spending so much quality time together - on the plane, on the beach, in bed, and on long coach journeys to visit Petra, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, I think I have fallen even more deeply in love. My breath is bated till the next time...

Kevin and Me

This is an update on my previous post about Kevin.

I am pleased to report that it wasn’t just a one-night stand. Kevin and I have had several dates since we were introduced at Christmas and we’re getting along really well.

He has a new suit – made of lilac faux leather.  I know, I know. It’s a bit out there, but it’s distinctive, protective and, if you ask me, it looks very stylish and smart. It was relatively cheap too, so if either of us has second thoughts about the colour, we can always try something different.

I have sent him lots of free and special offer books and several sample chapters, but I don’t want to give the impression that the two of us are always a cheap date. I’ve bought a few full-price e-books too. To be honest, I haven’t read that much while I’ve been on the move. Most of the bus and train journeys I take are too short for that, but I’m expecting that Kev and I will spend a lot more time together the minute we board a plane and go off on holiday. Fingers crossed!

I’ve also sent Kevin pdf files of my own work. It’s great being able to review and proofread away from the computer screen, but without having to print everything out.  And my agent has downloaded my latest book on to her Kindle. (She loved it!)

Kevin is easy-going and adaptable. He’s happy to perform cartwheels, forward rolls and back-flips so you can view him from different angles and he’s even able to adjust his contrast and size. Now that’s skill!

It’s still early days, of course. We've made it as far as Valentine's Day, but I don’t know if Kevin and I will be settling down together forever... watch this space.

A Kindle is not just for Christmas

OK, I admit it. I’ve gone over to the other side. I’m a convert. A defector.  A traitor. My sons bought me a Kindle for Christmas – although not without some misgivings. Two years ago, they bought me a digital photo frame which sits gathering dust, unused and unloved, and earning me a reputation as a technophobe. And I had – still have – a few doubts of my own, mainly about how much I might miss the smell and feel of real books. But I already love my Kindle so much, I may have to give it a name. Kevin, perhaps.

The Kindle is small and light, the matt silver-grey finish is very touchy-feely and it’s hard to argue with the convenience of being able to slip a couple of thousand books into your handbag. The screen uses ‘reads like paper’ technology which is not backlit and feels very different to reading from a computer screen - and I can finally read children’s and YA books on the train without anyone giving me pitying or disapproving looks!

I suppose most Kindle users are adults, but I think there is real appeal for younger readers and for schools. It’s the book equivalent of an MP3 player with instant downloads, including free sample chapters that you can ‘try before you buy’. There is instant on-screen access to dictionary definitions of unfamiliar words and the variable font size may be useful for struggling or reluctant readers. There is also on-line access to thousands of free classic texts, some of which are used in schools. Kindle texts – including ‘self-published’ pdf books – can also be displayed or printed from computer screens and interactive whiteboards. The device bookmarks your place and you can highlight text and make notes for your own use or to ‘share’ with real and virtual friends via Facebook and Twitter. 

In case I’m starting to sound like an ad campaign, there are some disadvantages. There’s no colour so it’s not great for picture books or graphic novels and there’s no 3G connection (I barely know what that is!) but you can browse and buy e-books using the wi-fi connection or transfer them from your computer, which is my favourite method so far.

So is this thing with Kevin just a fling or something more permanent? I’ll keep you posted...

In the meantime, my books, Skin Deep and Spike and Ali Enson are available in both paperback and as e-books: