Thursday, July 5, 2012

Top 5 Advantages of the e-Reader Guest Blog by Kym Grosso




Hi Everyone!  I would like to thank The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom for hosting me today on my virtual book tour for Kade’s Dark Embrace.  I really appreciate the opportunity to stop by and share a guest post with readers.  This post is about is about the benefits of reading on an e-reader.  Everyone has a personal preference for how we like to read our books, both e-readers and paperbacks.  

While I am a huge fan of the Kindle, I still like a paperback book every now and then; there’s just something about the smell of the paper.  How do you like to read your books?  Hardcover?  Paperback?  E-Reader?  Smartphone?   Hope you enjoy my take on the debate as I discuss the benefits of e-readers.

Books are delightful society. If you go into a room and find it full of books – even without taking them from the shelves they seem to speak to you, to bid you welcome. ~William Ewart Gladstone
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Top 5 Advantages of the e-Reader
By Kym Grosso

Once upon a time, I was in love with paperbacks.  The smell of a paperback book teased my olfactory senses, and the touch of the paper added to my anticipation of what would come next.  Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my laptop and other technologies, I just could not imagine reading books on something other than paper. 

A couple of years ago, after searching on Amazon for one of my favorite author’s books, I decided to take the plunge into the ocean of e-books by purchasing a Kindle. Even after I pushed “confirm” on my buy screen, I still was not convinced about whether or not I’d actually like looking at my words on something other than my beloved paper.

Once the Kindle arrived, I was surprised at how smoothly I adjusted to reading books on an e-reader.  The screen looked practically identical to a page of paper; the dreaded glare I was worried about simply did not exist.  Then I soon realized how easy it was to find, purchase or borrow new e-books.  After I finished reading my first e-book, I was unequivocally convinced that the Kindle was the best way for me to read a book.  

Two years later, I readily admit that I am addicted to my e-reader, bringing it just about everywhere with me.  Owning a Kindle completely changed my reading habits. I went from reading a book once a month to reading a couple of books every week. Instead of having to wait days to buy or borrow a book, I instantaneously had access to millions of books at the click of a mouse.  I now have hundreds of books on my Kindle.

Yet as much as I love to read on an e-reader, I learned very quickly as an author, that there is still a strong desire for paperback books.  As soon as I published my novel as an e-book, it seemed everyone I knew was asking for the paperback.  The fact remains that a lot of people simply enjoy the feel of the pages in their fingers and the smell of the paper, insisting the e-reader will never be for them. For those of you who are on the fence in the e-book vs. paperback book debate, there are many good reasons to at least give an e-reader a try.  

Top 5 Advantages of the e-Reader:

1.     Easy Reading.  Ease of reading is my number one reason for why I love the e-reader.  Whether I am at the gym, on the beach, on my sofa or in bed, I can hold the book comfortably and read it.  Even with just one hand, I can easily turn the pages.  And then there is the font issue. Let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger; the small print in paperbacks these days is killing my eyes.  Yet with the Kindle, I can switch to a bigger font within seconds and presto, the book is easier to read. 

2.     Space.  From old college textbooks to novels, my basement is the fine home of many a book.  When we went to sell our home, we were told to stage it. And what that really meant was “make your house look nice and get rid of the clutter”. As a result, many of my books got packed up and moved into the basement. Now there is no denying that books look great when displayed in a beautiful library or a bookshelf, but sometimes, we literally just run out of space in our homes for all those books.  The e-reader solves the space issue.  There is no more worry about where the next book will fit in the shelf when the virtual bookshelf holds hundreds of books and can easily fit into your purse or briefcase.

3.     Affordability.  Many e-readers cost less than a hundred dollars to buy.  Some can even be borrowed from the library at no cost whatsoever.  Our local library loans both e-readers and e-books for free.  And when you look at the cost of buying the e-books, the price is often less than what you’d have to pay for a paperback and is sometimes even free. 

4.     Eco-friendly.  Think of a paperback book, which is made from tree products.  We might read that paperback book for one or several days, and then maybe it’s donated or given to a friend.  But a lot of times, they just sit on a bookshelf or in a box somewhere, unused or wasted.  In my research, I could not find an estimate of how many trees are saved over time by using e-books instead of paper, but it stands to reason that we are saving paper (trees) when you aren’t using any.  And while, it could be argued that there is energy required to run an e-reader, it is minimal.  The Kindle can go a very long time without needing to charge.  And if you really want to go off the grid, there is new Solar Lighted Cover available for the Kindle that will charge it without needing to use electricity.

5.     Access to Latest Books & New Authors.  What many readers may not know is that there are hundreds of books available in e-book that are not available in print.  As the Indie market explodes, wonderful, new e-books are hitting the virtual shelves every single day.  Many authors may only offer these books as e-books.  Some of my favorite authors do offer paperbacks, but they often put their e-books out first, sometimes weeks before the paperback.  If you like to read the latest, greatest books and discover new authors, e-readers are the way to go.

While this list is not exhaustive, the use of an e-reader is terrific option on the continuum of ways to read.  In the end, I do feel there will always be a market for paperback books.  As much as I love my Kindle, and I do love it, I will still buy, borrow, lend and publish paperback books.  But if you see me at the beach, I will have a Kindle in my hands.

I know every book of mine by its smell, and I have but to put my nose between the pages to be reminded of all sorts of things. ~George Robert Gissing

Kade's Dark Embrace
BY Kym Grosso

Blurb:

After a series of girls are ritualistically murdered on the cold streets of Philadelphia, seasoned detective, Sydney Willows, is forced to work with sexy, alpha vampire, Kade Issacson. While working the case, Sydney finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kade, fighting the passion she feels towards him. Kade, determined to solve the case and mete out justice, is captivated by the independent, fiery detective. As he attempts to protect her from a very real murderer, Kade grows concerned that the beautiful, but very human detective, could easily end up dead should she tangle with supernatural forces that are beyond her control.

The investigation leads them into a dark and dangerous world, deep in the heart of New Orleans, where together, they search for the perpetrators of the Voodoo killings. Sydney soon becomes the target of the killer and ends up fighting for her life and love in the Big Easy. If she makes it out alive, will she give into the intoxicating desire she feels for Kade?

74,000 Words, Novel Length, Spicy Romance

book trailer for Kade's Dark Embrace  http://youtu.be/_GsJRUi1fww 

About the Author

Kade's Dark Embrace is my debut paranormal romance novel. I have also written and published several articles about autism. I developed a late interest in writing after my son was diagnosed with autism and started advocating on his behalf. Three years ago, I started my own website, www.AutismInRealLife.com and now blog and write articles for PsychologyToday.com.

I live in Pennsylvania with my husband, two children and our dog, Ace. My hobbies include autism advocacy, reading, tennis, zumba and traveling. New Orleans is one of our favorite places to visit with its rich culture and unique cuisine. But we also love traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow covered mountains.

I love reading mysteries, romances and about all things vampires, werewolves and other supernaturals. I hope readers enjoy Kade's Dark Embrace. I have already started writing the next book in the series, about Luca, due out Fall 2012.


Twitter: @KymGrosso

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