A non-technical Kindle Fire review from someone who loves vintage books.

My Kindle and really old books

I truly love the feel of an old book in my hands.  It’s like I’m holding a small piece of each person who has previously read and loved that book.  That an author can put words to paper that have the ability to change lives or the ability to transport the reader to another world is something that will always amaze me.  That I can hold the same volume that an ancestor, long gone from this world, also held with their own hands is equally amazing.  If I feel the need for a little peace in my life, just walking up to my dusty book shelves and reading the well-loved titles has a calming effect.  

 

But guess what?  I’m now the owner of a Kindle Fire!  Now that I’ve used my new little device for several weeks now, I thought I’d share some thoughts on it.  (Yes, it was supposed to be my Christmas gift, but I just couldn’t wait to open it!)  

This review has absolutely nothing to do with the Kindle’s features, how well it works, or the many apps available.  I only wish to share some positive feelings about an e-reader from a person who will always love the beaten and battered paper copy of books.  

• ·         I can carry around many, many books in a thin, 5.5 inch by 8 inch device.  If I’m headed out the door, I don’t need to think about which book I’m in the mood for.  I can grab dozens at once.

• ·         When I can’t sleep in the middle of the night and need to read for a while, all I have to do is turn on my Kindle and the whole page is brilliantly lit up without having to turn on a lamp.

• ·         If I’m not sure of the meaning of a word or want to know more about a geographical location in a story, I can just lightly touch a word and immediately get the information I’m looking for.

• ·         If I’m in the kitchen preparing a meal or eating by myself at the table, there is no need to figure out how to prop a book open.  The Kindle just sits there on an open page and a quick swipe of a finger will take me to the next page.

• ·         Sometimes while reading I’ll think of an idea – perhaps something I may want to write about for a blog post or a book review.  All I have to do is hold my finger on a word, give a swipe, then type in a note to myself.  It will be saved for when I need it.

• ·         I can still check out books for free from my Public Library and access them on my Kindle!

Again, I don’t want e-readers to replace books, nor do I believe they will, at least not in my lifetime.  I could come up with a list of the cons of my Kindle too.  For instance, one joy of reading involves longing to share a great book with someone else.    A digital copy is much more difficult to pass around to family and friends!  Still, as an avid reader, the Kindle has proven to be a convenient tool.  It may look out of place on my dusty shelf, but so far it hasn’t been away from my hands long enough to get there!

Parsifal Rides the Time Wave

By Nell Chenault

Pictures by Vee Guthrie

Copyright 1962

Parsifal is a Poddley.  At the start of this book, he is seen rushing to an emergency job he has been entrusted with. 

“A Poddley’s job is a very interesting one indeed.  It is being a friend to a lonely or unhappy child until that child’s problem is solved.  Then the Poddley moves on to a new case.”

Poddleys are magical little green creatures, about a foot high, able to appear and disappear at will, with the ability to travel on the time waves that travel around the world.

Parsifal is rushing to be at Colin’s bedside in the hospital.  Poor Colin is recovering from an accident, but his injuries are much more that physical.  Colin’s dear dog, Lad, died in that accident.  Colin is showing no interest in eating or getting better and is not looking forward to going home, knowing Lad will not be waiting for him.

A Poddley takes his job very seriously, and so Parsifal gets to work helping to heal Colin’s pain.  He uses his magical powers to take Colin on a time wave, six hundred years in the past, to see Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, in action.  The excitement of the adventure, along with learning about Robert’s own beloved dog, comforts Colin and gives him renewed interest in life.

Parsifal has done his job well, and is even awarded Poddley of the Year!

So many children right now are in need of their very own Poddley.  While I don’t believe that little green foot-tall magical creatures will appear at their sides, I do see countless loving, selfless people surrounding those hurting children, some even giving their very lives.  That type of love has a magic all its own, and I can only hope and pray that those children still with us will find comfort and healing in those who care so much about them.

Little House on the Prairie – Santa Claus

By Laura Ingalls Wilder

Illustrations by Garth Williams

This edition published in 1953

Picture two young girls on Christmas Eve.  See the disappointment in their eyes because the creek is flooded and they realize Santa Claus won’t be able to get to their house.  Still, they know they are lucky little girls to be in their warm house with Pa and Ma with a turkey dinner to look forward to.  

Imagine their delight and surprise when through the door bursts Mr. Edwards, their closest neighbor, soaking wet and shivering after making his way through the swollen creek, just so he can bring two little girls their gifts from Santa.  Santa, he claims, is too old and fat to cross the creek.  After running into Santa in town,  young, spry Mr. Edwards offered to deliver the gifts himself.  Pa and Ma understand the risk their neighbor took, but Mary and Laura are just overcome with delight.

And what are the gifts?

“Something was shining bright in the top of Laura’s stocking.  She squealed and jumped out of bed.  So did Mary, but Laura beat her to the fireplace.  And the shining thing was a glittering new tin cup.

Mary had one exactly like it.

These new tin cups were their very own.  Now they each had a cup      

to drink out of of."

That wasn’t all, though.  Each girl also found a candy cane and little cake made of white flour with actual white sugar sprinkled on top.

“Laura and Mary never would have looked into their stockings again.  The cups and the cakes and the candy were almost too much.  They were too happy to speak.  But Ma asked if they were sure the stockings were empty.

Then they put their arms down inside them, to make sure.

And in the very toe of each stocking was a shining bright, new penny!  They had never even thought of such a thing as having a penny.”

This chapter from Little House on the Prairie has long been my favorite Christmas story. (Besides the original Christmas story, of course!)

When I was very young, I was astonished at how thrilled Mary and Laura were to receive what I saw as very humble gifts.  Reading Laura Ingalls Wilder’s account of her Christmas memories was the first time I remember realizing how very little some people had, and still have, as far as material goods. 

What impressed me was not only their utter joy at receiving, but also their spirit of thankfulness.  As I go about my preparations for a modern American suburban Christmas, I need to keep this long ago Prairie Christmas in mind!

“Every heart tells a story” ornament

It might seem like a strange hobby for a book-lover, but I’ve been enjoying cutting up old, unwanted books in order to make something new.  I like to purchase books that my library is selling after their circulating days are over.  I get to reuse materials and support the library at the same time! 

This year, an idea for a simple Christmas ornament came to mind, and I’d like to share it with you. 

First, I cut small hearts from scraps of paper.  For each ornament, I used 3 book page hearts sandwiched between two patterned paper hearts.  I happened to have a heart punch to make the job easier, but you could just use a heart stencil, scissors, and a steady hand.  

On the plain white side of one of the patterned pieces, I printed out the phrase “Every heart tells a story” several times.  Then, I made sure the phrase was in the center of a cut-out heart.  

After making my heart sandwich with the printing on the top, I simply ran it through my sewing machine, leaving six inches or so of thread on either end.

After tying a bead or charm onto the bottom of the heart, tying a loop onto the top, and spreading open the pages, my book page heart ornaments are ready for gifting! 

And how true it is: every heart does tell a story!