Google Books on Kindle

In case you have also been taken in by Google's stories about how you can't read Google Books on Kindle, I have great news for you: it's simply not true. For some weird reason, I kept believing Google's claims and never checked it out for myself. Now, I finally decided to look into it and discovered that Google lies like a college administrator. Converting Google Books that come in e-pub format to Kindle's MOBI format is extremely easy and completely free. 

All you need to do is download Calibre (for free) from here, install it, and it will convert all your e-pub Google Books to the Kindle format in the matter of minutes. Then, you can either have the program send the converted books to your Kindle by e-mail, or just download them to the Kindle yourself via your USB cord. It's beyond simple, people.

I just downloaded three XIXth century Spanish novels that my library couldn't get for me for love or money. Did I mention how I adore my Kindle?

Ads on Kindle

Amazon has now released a cheaper version of the Kindle. The reason why it's cheaper is that it features ads. I can just imagine what reading will soon be turned into for those who decide to save a few bucks this way.

"And Don Quijote said to Sancho, "Remember, Sancho, that . . . the new Cottonelle ultra is not only extremely soft but absorbs liquids at a much higher rate than other brands of toilet paper."

"Anna Karenina wept when she realized that. . . Black & Decker household appliances are innovatively designed to not only make your life easier, but to match your unique style all around your home."

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by me. . . Campbell's Soups are heartier, healthier, and lower in sodium as testified by the American Heart Association."

Anti-Kindlers

Sarcozona sent me a link to the following story titled "Why I Don't Have a Kindle":

Yesterday, as I was exiting the bathroom I heard a large splash and realized my new book had slid into the toilet. Although the toilet was empty, I was grossed out enough that I had to go buy a new copy. If I had a Kindle, I thought, I could just download the book again and I wouldn't have to buy a new copy. Then I thought, if I had a Kindle, I would no longer have one that works.

Anti-Kindlers truly are a weird bunch. If we follow this line of reasoning we could say, "Sheesh, it's a good thing that I don't have a baby. Because if I'd dropped the baby into the toilet, then I wouldn't have one any more. And I'd probably face criminal charges."

One could also say, "A friend was going to work yesterday, tripped and broke her leg. It's a good thing I don't have a job!"

Or, "It's a good thing that nobody gave me a check for $1,000,000. Because if I'd dropped it in the toilet, I wouldn't have $1,000,000 any more."

Of course, the entire issue could be avoided if one tried not to wave babies, Kindles, books, checks or hand grenades around the toilet bowl, but who cares about easy solutions like that.

And yes, I realize that the piece was supposed to be humorous. I just don't have any sense of humor when it comes to the Kindle.