Saturday 9 October 2010

kindling a fire

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My boyfriend always gets me the best birthday presents, which always leaves me in a complete quandary about what to get him (and I generally fail miserably on this). This year's amazing present (my birthday was earlier this week although I got the present earlier so we could both play with it) was a kindle. Woohoo!

I expect some of you are a little anti-kindle, as I know many people are very pro-book. There is something delightful about the physical presence of a book; it's smell, the experience of turning the pages... On the other hand, consider it from my point of view: I've moved several times in the last few years, frequently to places where English books are hard or expensive to come by. The airlines are cracking down more and more on excess baggage. You can download books onto a computer but then you have to contend with the backlit screen, which destroys my eyes. The kindle solves these problems, and on top of that, I've been able to download most of my academic articles for university onto it this week, and read them on the tube without paying for printing! I love my kindle!

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Outfit:
shorts: oysho
top: smart set

And I never would have believed I'd be saying this, but I kind of miss my orange and yellow living room!

43 comments:

Chaucee said...

You know, I'm still not quite sure what to think of Kindle. On one hand I really love having hard copies of books to physically underline (I know you can do this with the Kindle as well) but on the other hand you can buy books for so cheap with the Kindle!

But either way you make the Kindle look so adorable :D
Have a great weekend m'dear!

ching said...

OMG. you have Kindle? i've always wanted one.
loving your couch..so retro. :D

20 YORK STREET said...

Howdy Em? looks like you've settled in already? Just wanted to say hi and greet you Happy Thanksgiving!

besos,

Win a Banana Republic Statement Necklace at:

20 YORK STREET

Rio said...

I think a Kindle is an awesome present, especially since you move around a lot! Books can be so expensive in other countries, and it's often hard to find anything other than mysteries! Does reading on there hurt your eyes at all? That would be my only fear, since staring at my computer screen sometimes gives me a headache!

SG said...

Happy Birthday Emily. And, many many happy returns of this day.

I am glad your BF presented you with a kindle. Kindle is excellent. But I am partial to iPad.

Ashley said...

What has been your favorite country to live in? Just thought I'd ask. :)

Also, you bring up good points about the kindle, especially for travelers.

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

Happy Birthday, Emily :)

I'm curious about the Kindle. And by curious I suppose I mean that I'm unsure of my exact feelings toward it. At first I was more apt to focus on the cons, but as you and others have pointed out it has so many pros! I guess what really matters most is that, one way or another, people are reading.

What Twain are you working through?

Closet Fashionista said...

Oooh how fun!! Love the photos too!!
(and happy birthday!!!)
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Amrit said...

Oh My God!!! My daughter gave me Kindle as my birthday present. She knows I like to read and travel. It is the best birthday gift one could ask.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and here I was hoping you had found a new place!

I still don't have a kindle, but my 78 year old mother does. I like to physically write in my books too much I guess, but I can certainly see the advantages when one moves around and in terms of the environment, it is a lot better way to go.

Jazzy E (Hivenn) said...

luckkyyyy
x

Jazzy E (Hivenn) said...

p.s happy belated birthday!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Rio: Actually one of the best things about the kindle is that it doesn't hurt your eyes to read from it. There's no light behind the screen, so it's basically just like reading a book (you have to sit under a light in order to see the page).
@SG: I can definitely see that the iPad does more, but it does have a backlit screen, so I didn't want to go that route. I find reading from a screen with a light really murders my eyes.
@Emily: I know, I was torn about it for ages, but I think for me it makes sense. And I'll still be reading real books probably forever, but I hate travelling with them.

k said...

I totally am thinking about getting a Kindle for the same reasons (English books being hard to come by) - even though I LOVE books :) You'll have to let me know how you like it!

Amrit said...

Emily,

Happy Birthday. I did not say that last night. My daughter played a trick on me and then gave me a surprise birthday party and a Kindle that her mother ordered online. She saw me looking at few weeks back.

When people left last night, I was not able to sleep to decided to check on Kindle and found your blog.

C.Elizabeth said...

A kindle is such an ideal present for someone moving around a lot! I certainly wish I'd have one... Especially when I look at all the books in my bookshelves that I'll have to get rid of due to not being able to move them all back to Canada (when I eventually go back...).

Are you in London at the moment?
Haha, yes, you're right about Vancouver! But it makes up by being so gorgeous!

Jenny Morris said...

you are the classiest!

Raquel said...

Happy Birthday Emily!

well I will always prefer books, but the kindle is sure a great option for someone that travels a lot like you, and of course having to study it's pretty handy! I know hoy much I've spent only on photocopies during university! and how bad it is for the environment!

so have you found the perfect apartment now? hope so! :)

also have a nice weekend!

Elaine said...

You look so cute and comfy! and you have a KINDLE!!!!!!!!!!!

CLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog

Karol Duarte said...

i like the photos.
I think it is a very nice present.

xx

augustalolita said...

lovely photos <3 your shorts are so adorable :)

Carys said...

Happy birthday, lovely photos!! I do prefer the feeling of real books, but I think Kindles are a great idea, they're so much easier to carry, and I think they'll encourage people to read more too. Glad you like your present!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

Closet Fashionista said...

(got your request, haha...I had actually tried to do it when you first suggested it but could NOT find a cheaper version...but I'll try again...haha)

milly said...

Belated Birthday Wishes! :-)

... I believe a good book should be read on a cosy sofa and with a glass of wine, so I'm pleased to see that you're not missing out on either of these things whilst reading [on] your new Kindle...!

xox

Paulie Antiques said...

hhahaha ME TOO! ME, too. It's terrible! Love these photos!

Arini Desianti Parawi said...

hi girl..i hope it's not too late to say happy birthday..
love ur floral shorts :))


THE SECRET LIFE OF "D"

in Love&Light
Queen D

Annie Lollapalooza said...

happy birthday! or is it belated birthday? =P

I love these pictures and of course your outfit! so laid back and the colors are wonderful!

Eli said...

that is awesome! Ive been reading books on my iphone and it isnt too bad either, I'm all for convenience. what an awesome gift!

Unknown said...

Those shorts are just adorable!

x

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

Emily, girl, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!! O~~~ (thats a balloon),

You look so cozy in your pictures and are making me want a glass of red wine actually....

xx
MILK TEETHS

Unknown said...

I've been quite intrigued by Kindle for a while too and yes, you're absolutely right - one of my favourite things about books is the smell and deckle edge pages when a book has it. Your little review has convinced me that it has its handy uses. What a great boy you have :)

Tracee said...

looks so relaxing! i bet the kindle is so convenient...it i had the money i would get one!

Anonymous said...

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Anthea said...

That little gadget looks awesome. I was just chatting to my bf last night about I might benefit from a some kind of reader.

Love these pics, they look so retro. I think it's because of the colours. The flowers in the first shot look amazing!

Anthea,
Embracing Style

Louder Than Silence said...

I like these pictures. A lot.

Sally from Louder Than Silence x

ana said...

Happy Birthday Emily!!!

Molly Page said...

You've just made a PERFECT case for Kindle in my book (pun intended... ba duh bump.)

I love your shorts and your burnt orange couch!

Molly Page said...

Oh, and happy belated birthday!!!!!

Leaving the House in THIS?!?!

Gorgeous Clara said...

thanks a lot!

love the dress!

ba.nina said...

Happy belated birthday! I like these pictures!

caitlin said...

i've always been anti-kindle, but i think there are definitely circumstances (like yours) when you really can't live without one. i've shipped boxes and boxes of books cross country more times than i care to admit, and if you're traveling a lot, a kindle makes a lot of sense! (and for academic books, i can definitely see the appeal.) i just love the heaviness of a book in my hand.

raji said...

nice thought on books.yes when u have something better ,why strain ur eyes with the bright lit laptop screen? ur right.

tm said...

seems like it was a cozy nook. i like the orange couch! :)