A Song of Fire and Ice

[lblanchard]

So I'm probably the last person on my f'list to be reading this series, or playing the associated games. I happened on the first book in the series as I was exploring the Kindle app on my new little Droid that replaced my drowned Blackberry. "Buy with one-click", it said -- and I wondered what would be involved in setting up the one-click on the Droid, so I clicked, and it said "starting download." Whoa!

So now I'm reading A Game of Thrones on a screen the size of an index card, flicking pages at the rate of approx one every seven seconds. It's an interesting experience. I think my focus on the story is better for my eyes not being able to wander fore and aft very far. But I do get tired of the steady flick - flick - flick.

Perhaps there may be a proper Kindle in my future -- I'm not sure yet. The Kindle Fire entices, because of the possibility that it could become my tablet as well, and for a lot less than an iPad.

But I digress. How nice to find that George R. R. Martin is otherwise known as grrm so I can follow him here. Apparently he does not yet do Teh Facebooks.

There is something very familiar about Martin's characters; the only new fiction I've read recently is by Sharon Kay Penman, who wrote the (as yet unsurpassed) definitive modern historical novel about Richard III and who has moved back to the Angevins, and whose characters always have a strong bond with their dogs (as does Sharon herself, who has a sideline in helping to facilitate rescue of white German Shepherds and who is kind enough to write me occasionally condoling with me for the loss of Mr. D. and suggesting, slyly, that it may be time for me to let another shepherd into my life). So I felt quite at home in Winterfell, and wasn't at all surprised when I read somewhere that one of Martin's models was the Wars of the Roses.

But I think this may be the last new novel I ever read on an index card. If I need to read on the train using my Droid, Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice, of which I have multiple real copies, will do nicely.

(Looks like Fire and Ice is going to be my temporary short-term focus. I hope I don't run screaming from the series when a certain melancholy event takes place.)

Comments

[momomom.livejournal.com]

Interesting point about the phone reader helping to keep you focused by not skipping around.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of liking that part.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

I haven't read Game of Thrones, if that makes you feel any better.

I agree with you about retaining more from the Kindle app--at least, that's how I feel about my Kindle. It's really a remarkable difference.

I also agree with you about the annoyance of the flick-flick-flick. I tend to read with the smallest print possible, but when I'm not reading with the naked eye, I really like being able to enlarge the print. (And that's when I am much more aware of turning pages.)

I really do adore my Kindle. One of the things I like best is that I don't have to depend on wireless, and I don't have to pay for a data plan.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't get a plain old Kindle. I want a multi-function machine. Sounds like the Kindle Fire might be it -- browser, USD port. I could take notes at meetings, look stuff up, and look at my Flickr pictures.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

My Kindle has a browser; I read gmail and look at Facebook on it all the time, and occasionally look up stuff while I'm reading (though it has a built-in dictionary for most things). I take notes at meetings with a 99 cent app. I have read books with photos, and they are surprisingly viewable, but in B&W.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. I thought it was a one-trick pony.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

Nope. It's not a full-featured backlit color pony, but I don't need one most of the time. (Bear in mind that I used my Asus eee as my main computer for a year or so. I may have lower requirements than most people.)

[clindau.livejournal.com]

I also haven't read Game of Thrones, if that makes you feel any*more* better. ;-)

I have reservations about the Kindle--to me it seems like One More Electronic Thingy to misplace, break or have stolen. I can see where enlarging the print would be a good thing, but I still prefer paper and book glue.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Ditto on the single purpose Kindle, but see my comment to Karen about the potential of the Kindle Fire.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

The Kindle has pretty much replaced my MP3 player, so it's really one LESS electronic thing. Buying a cover for it is essential to protect it from breaking. I followed Sue Lemcke's rec of buying the cover with a light, and I'm really glad I did--I love reading in bed.

I find books heavy and awkward any more, but I still use them.

[pameladean]

I haven't read it either! It has certainly made a huge splash in my genre from the beginning, but various remarks persuaded me that it was too dark for me. I also don't really like most epic fantasy very much.

P.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

It's pretty dark, but then so was the Wars of the Roses period.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Well, I finished it and I conclude that I wuz robbed. The ending let me down with a resounding thump. I am not mollified by finding out that GRRM was persuaded to chop off the last 1/4 of the book and turn it into the introduction to the second book. I did another post on my disgruntlement. GRRM will not be getting any more of my money for the foreseeable future.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

Do make sure that you try a Fire before you buy one (unless you can return them easily--I've no idea). I didn't like the backlighting on the iPad for reading, which is what I wanted the Kindle for. The multifunctionality is a bonus, but it's really a reading machine for me.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I'm looking to find a netbook/tablet that can replace the Asus eeePC, which My Son the Geek still has so that he can clean and press it. The Fire isn't available at all until November 15. I imagine I can return it easily by shipping it back to Amazon. This big laptop feels about as portable as the old Kaypro.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

I feel you.