Yes! The new e-reader is here and by the looks of it, everything I wanted. I purchased a book from the Kobo bookstore that has been on hold at the library for 27 weeks (half a year!) and got it for 50% cheaper than Amazon. In case you are wondering, the cat is a sarcastic metaphor1
I was able to synchronize the reader to my Pocket “read-it-later” account so any article from the web I want to save for later can be synced to the device.
Successfully added .txt documents, .pdf books and installed .epub books from a variety of sources like Gutenberg Press, Standard E-books and Global Grey Ebooks all titles are generally classics and in the public domain.
The ability to highlight text and make notations was great as those sync to my personal FoxOS database for references. W00t!
I will make lists of books I want to read for the upcoming year as a guide and promptly ignore it in favor of following wherever my heart and brain take me instead.
The books on the nightstand and shelf will eventually be read, if only I stop adding to them. But I know I won’t stop adding to them.
Reading does not make me superior.
Reading, instead, makes me feel inferior as I have much to learn and sort out how to apply.
Bookstores, libraries, junk shops are labyrinths for the mind I plan on getting lost in every time.
I will make time for reading, in the same way I make time for food
I will read whatever I find interesting including novels, short stories, blog posts, essays, biographies, magazines, etc.
I will try not to prejudge or set expectations before read something.
I will practice marginalia by highlighting and notating sentences and paragraphs that reach out to me.
I will re-read books just like I would have songs on a playlist or re-watch movies.
I will make lists of books I want to read for the upcoming year as a guide and promptly ignore it in favor of following wherever my heart and brain take me instead.
I will try to bring a book with me at all times. (E-books are great for this)
I will read whatever I feel like without hesitation or guilt.
I will read whatever I find interesting including novels, short stories, blog posts, essays, biographies, magazines, etc.
I will not allow an author to waste my time and allow myself to label a read as “did not finish”
It’s okay to put a book down and go off to do something physical. The book will be there when I get back.
Do I want to read more biographies? Will I learn something or is it propaganda?
I have a smile on my face after finishing a book and immediately pick up the next one with the same energy.
When I find a book that I enjoy, I will make an effort to read other titles by the same author. Maybe even try to discover their influences and read those too.
I will turn off notifications and distractions
I will not finish books “just because”
I have to accept that is impossible to read everything I want to.
I enjoy book reviews and discussions of books if done correctly. I will download and skim samples of a book, including the Table of Contents before deciding to purchase.
I will follow up on what people suggest after I ask them what they are reading.
I will keep, document, and share what I am reading and maybe even explain why.
For those of us who are embedded inside the Apple hardware and ecosystem, we are past due for a dedicated e-reader with an Apple logo on it.
Look, I enjoy my Amazon Kindle and think it is a fantastic device, but I detest having an Amazon account and giving them money in order to read and/or purchase a license to read a book.
Apple has the resources to build a competing device and the software chops to make it compelling to read. Apple currently has the “Books” software application which doubles as a reading app and a bookstore all in one. Why are they not taking advantage of a missed opportunity for a new, dedicated hardware device? I’ll come back to this.
Yes, it is true book readers can read a book on their iDevices but it is not a pleasant experience. Yes, you can read a book with their software on an iPhone, an iPad or a MacBook, but these non-dedicated book reading devices are cumbersome. An iPad is heavy, unwieldy and has way too much glare on its screen. A dedicated e-reader using the best e-ink technology is a more enjoyable format. A dedicated reading device with an Apple logo on it must not, can not, have a way of disrupting the reading experience with distracting notifications such as a phone, call, text, or email alerts. The temptation to stop reading a book and switch to a social media site instead is too tempting more most users. No, eliminate the chance for these distractions.
About ten years ago, Apple took a hit against Amazon over price-fixing electronic books and has yet to fully recover, allowing Amazon to be the dominant force in e-books. Even today, yes, you can read a book from Amazon in the Kindle app installed on your iPad but you are not permitted to purchase anything inside that iOS Kindle app. You have to go to the Amazon website, purchase and send the book to the Kindle app. What a time-consuming and frustrating experience!
Currently, Apple has no option to connect with the local library reading app called Libby. Sure, you can use the Libby app on iOS but that library loan is sent to either A Kindle or a Kobo reading device, not Apple. Why? What a missed opportunity to foster reading and books sales!
Let’s be honest, the Apple Books reading experience is horrible. The user interface looks and feels cheap, almost as an afterthought.
Apple can also gain huge market share by allowing easier access for authors to submit their own books and promote these authors into the community. Take it a step further and create a haven for readers to comment, share and promote books in a social book club or commentary system.
As I mentioned previously, there is a missed opportunity for Apple to create a dedicated e-reader device with no distractions, the best hardware/software experience and then partner with Libby and local libraries to foster more reading. Beef up their UI and book store shopping experience for more sales and create a community where book lovers can discuss and share. All of this is a huge opportunity to focus on the book reading experience. Your move, Apple.
For those of us who are embedded inside the Apple hardware and ecosystem, we are past due for a dedicated e-reader with an Apple logo on it.
Look, I enjoy my Amazon Kindle and think it is a fantastic device, but I detest having an Amazon account and giving them money in order to read and/or purchase a license to read a book.
Apple has the resources to build a competing device and the software chops to make it compelling to read. Apple currently has the “Books” software application which doubles as a reading app and a bookstore all in one. Why are they not taking advantage of a missed opportunity for a new, dedicated hardware device? I’ll come back to this.
Yes, it is true book readers can read a book on their iDevices but it is not a pleasant experience. Yes, you can read a book with their software on an iPhone, an iPad or a MacBook, but these non-dedicated book reading devices are cumbersome. An iPad is heavy, unwieldy and has way too much glare on its screen. A dedicated e-reader using the best e-ink technology is a more enjoyable format. A dedicated reading device with an Apple logo on it must not, can not, have a way of disrupting the reading experience with distracting notifications such as a phone, call, text, or email alerts. The temptation to stop reading a book and switch to a social media site instead is too tempting more most users. No, eliminate the chance for these distractions.
About ten years ago, Apple took a hit against Amazon over price-fixing electronic books and has yet to fully recover, allowing Amazon to be the dominant force in e-books. Even today, yes, you can read a book from Amazon in the Kindle app installed on your iPad but you are not permitted to purchase anything inside that iOS Kindle app. You have to go to the Amazon website, purchase and send the book to the Kindle app. What a time-consuming and frustrating experience!
Currently, Apple has no option to connect with the local library reading app called Libby. Sure, you can use the Libby app on iOS but that library loan is sent to either A Kindle or a Kobo reading device, not Apple. Why? What a missed opportunity to foster reading and books sales!
Let’s be honest, the Apple Books reading experience is horrible. The user interface looks and feels cheap, almost as an afterthought.
Apple can also gain huge market share by allowing easier access for authors to submit their own books and promote these authors into the community. Take it a step further and create a haven for readers to comment, share and promote books in a social book club or commentary system.
As I mentioned previously, there is a missed opportunity for Apple to create a dedicated e-reader device with no distractions, the best hardware/software experience and then partner with Libby and local libraries to foster more reading. Beef up their UI and book store shopping experience for more sales and create a community where book lovers can discuss and share. All of this is a huge opportunity to focus on the book reading experience. Your move, Apple.
Meandering through a bookstore is inspirational to me. The thrill of discovering a new title can lead someone down a large literary rabbit hole. But there is something to be said about browsing the eye-catching cover art. Sometimes the cover is the best part of a book. when other times, a profound cover can make or break a book sale.
I find that the more artistic, brilliantly designed titles are the ones who have been well written, whereas if the artwork looks cheap, than the book is a bomb. Over the decades it gets easer to discern. See for yourself.
While perusing the bookshelves I began to notice different patterns of artwork on the covers and snapped a few, knowing I would probably never read them. I also get into a habit where i snap book covers to remember which ones I want to read in the near future.
Side note: It was great while it lasted but the free access to the Brooklyn Library membership has expired. Thanks to my intrepid mother who discovered options to temporarily add other library systems so I now have access to the Houston, San Jose and Tulsa public libraries.
Side note II: This article was originally published on 2023/10/09 from my old website.
Meandering through a bookstore is inspirational to me. The thrill of discovering a new title can lead someone down a large literary rabbit hole. But there is something to be said about browsing the eye-catching cover art. Sometimes the cover is the best part of a book. when other times, a profound cover can make or break a book sale.
I find that the more artistic, brilliantly designed titles are the ones who have been well written, whereas if the artwork looks cheap, than the book is a bomb. Over the decades it gets easer to discern. See for yourself.
While perusing the bookshelves I began to notice different patterns of artwork on the covers and snapped a few, knowing I would probably never read them. I also get into a habit where i snap book covers to remember which ones I want to read in the near future.
Side note: It was great while it lasted but the free access to the Brooklyn Library membership has expired. Thanks to my intrepid mother who discovered options to temporarily add other library systems so I now have access to the Houston, San Jose and Tulsa public libraries.
Side note II: This article was originally published on 2023/10/09 from my old website.
Let’s ignore the fact that I already plotted which novels I am going to read in 2024 and have more than enough, but what if some of those picks were duds and I wanted more?
Well Amazon made me an offer I did not refuse and that was 3 months of Unlimited reading for $0.99USD. Right away I snagged three titles and added them to the list. It didn’t help that I received a paperback book 1 in the murderbot series, “All Systems Red” for Christmas and KU has the rest of the series listed there so consider that money well saved when I do get around to starting/finishing the series?
So many books and not enough time is a blessing/curse!
Every year I set goals on how many books I want to read in a year and end up exceeding them. In the upcoming 2024 new year, I am going to slow the pace down to savor and appreciate what I am reading.
The titles are already chosen with a more than a few backups for a total of 21 books. As book readers know, there are times you devour it quickly, others are cast aside because it just wasn’t worth your time invested into it. There is also a very real possibility that one book lends itself to another, completely different book not on your list but you feel compelled to follow that path and acquire it. I love it when that happens.
All titles subject to change based on nothing but a whim
I reinstalled the Book Tracker app and added the titles I want to read and then I will update the progress accordingly. Because without it, I consume too much and forget what I’ve read previously. I also signed up for a relatively new social book site called Literal to help track reading goals and discover new titles socially.
The Libby software app requires a library card to download e-books which will help download desired titles and can also be transferred to the Kindle e-reader.
The Future
The Divine Comedy, or Dante’s Inferno
I, Robot
Foundation & Empire
The Rest of the Robots
Gold
Pines
The Paleontologist
Exadelic
Dr. No
The Paradox Hotel
Dune
XX
The Age of Spiritual Machines
Rabbits
The Quiet Room
1Q84
The Conservative Futurist
Lost In Time
Starter Villian
Alice In Wonderland
Also, the Bookshelf page of this website has been neglected so that too will change and get updated with current read and previous books read.
Every year I set goals on how many books I want to read in a year and end up exceeding them. In the upcoming 2024 new year, I am going to slow the pace down to savor and appreciate what I am reading.
The titles are already chosen with a more than a few backups for a total of 21 books. As book readers know, there are times you devour it quickly, others are cast aside because it just wasn’t worth your time invested into it. There is also a very real possibility that one book lends itself to another, completely different book not on your list but you feel compelled to follow that path and acquire it. I love it when that happens.
I reinstalled the Book Tracker app and added the titles I want to read and then I will update the progress accordingly. Because without it, I consume too much and forget what I’ve read previously. I also signed up for a relatively new social book site called Literal to help track reading goals and discover new titles socially.
The Libby software app requires a library card to download e-books which will help download desired titles and can also be transferred to the Kindle e-reader.
The Future
The Divine Comedy, or Dante’s Inferno
I, Robot
Foundation & Empire
The Rest of the Robots
Gold
Pines
The Paleontologist
Exadelic
Dr. No
The Paradox Hotel
Dune
XX
The Age of Spiritual Machines
Rabbits
The Quiet Room
1Q84
The Conservative Futurist
Lost In Time
Starter Villian
Alice In Wonderland
Also, the Library page of this website has been neglected so that too will change and get updated with current read and previous reads.
One of the biggest mistakes readers make is assuming that all books should be read from the first page to the last page in an unbroken sequence. For non-fiction books, learning is non-linear. Non-fiction books are for thinking, not reading, and context is king. Break out the highlighter and pen to take notes in the marginalia. Argue with the author. Fiction should be read linearly while non-fiction benefits from non-linear reading. Finally, it’s important to engage with ideas messily and unpredictably, rather than assuming you need to have a rigid note-taking workflow.
RSS, or, Really Simple Syndication, is having a comeback moment for many people. I’ve used this invaluable web tool since 2005 to hack my reading workflow and highly suggest others pick this up. It’s a web feed that allows users and applications to access updates to websites in a standardized, computer-readable format. It’s an easy way for you to keep up with news and information that’s important to you, and helps you avoid the conventional methods of browsing or searching for information on websites.
My feed reader of choice: Feedbin
The benefits of using RSS include the ability to stay up-to-date with the latest news and information from your favorite websites without having to visit each site individually. It also helps you avoid the clutter of email newsletters and other notifications, and allows you to easily organize and filter the content you receive.
RSS was originally introduced in 1999 by Netscape Communications Corp., for use with its MyNetscape portal. After Netscape abandoned the standard, software maker UserLand picked up development. Although RSS formats have evolved from as early as March 1999, it was between 2005 and 2006 when RSS gained widespread use, and the (“”) icon was decided upon by several major web browsers. RSS feed data is presented to users using software called a news aggregator and the passing of content is called web syndication
All that to say, is that most of your web reading sources come to you, as opposed to visiting each website to browse their content feed. I’ve subscribed to hundreds of websites, blogs, tweets, YouTube videos, newsletters over the years and all without leaving my RSS feed reader. You can then save an article to read for later use. Read what you want, when you want. Brilliant.
Enter Readwise Reader- One tool to benefit, or hack your reading experience. With the content I consume via RSS feeds, I can then highlight and annotate notes inside the app. Some other benefits they offer:
Annotation, tagging & highlighting text are the killer features of digital reading.
Ghostreader is a GPT-3 companion for reading. It will analyze the text and then format a summary for you, ask questions, define terms and simplify complex language.
Text-to-speech- listen to any document narrated with the lifelike voice of a human.
Integrated with your favorite tools- Your annotations can flow effortlessly from your reading app into your writing tools. Instead of wasting hours of reformatting, reorganizing, and repeating, Reader eliminates the hassle. Export to Readwise, LogSeq, Obsidian, Roam etc.
Read anywhere, anytime. Online, offline. iPhone, iPad, MacBook or the web.
Screenshots of Readwise on the web, iPad and iPhone.
Readwise is a companion app to Readwise Reader. When I consume books on my Kindle , I can highlight and annotate notes in that device. Those notes are then synchronized into Readwise and then automagically imported into my personal knowledge database for later. The same occurs when I use Apple Books. Neato.
Conclusion
The purpose of note taking isn’t to remember- it is having the freedom to forget and reference for later.
Think of all this as taking a pencil and highlighter to writing in the margins of a physical book to take notes on and review later. But digitized.
Readwise is $8.99/mo. Matter, an alternative to Readwise, but needs more development in my mind, is also $8/mo. To be clear, this is not a piad sponsorship. But I wouldn’t turn down a gratis subscription either.
