WARNING: This post is not a hardcore ereader investigation but merely a lighthearted analysis of the merits of being an online bookster with bumbling directions on how you might be able to make a start in becoming part of the cool club.

Okay, fess up those who still read ‘old school’ and have never read an online book?

Funnily enough, it was my husband who introduced me to the virtual literary world and it blew me away. Like, literally, because one moment I was sitting down unwrapping my birthday present and smirking because of the shoddy wrapping paper (which I only do because present wrapping is something I excel at) when it was almost like the smirk was smacked off my face by my brand new shiny iPad. The force propelled me across the room and into the comfort of my bed where I speedily downloaded the Kindle App and my library went forth and multiplied like rabbits.

What is the Kindle App I hear you old schoolers ask?

Why it’s an App designed to read books electronically (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000490441). Yep, that’s all it is, so don’t be afraid. If you don’t want the App, you can purchase an actual Kindle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Kindle) or you can even buy other ereaders or other reading apps but I’ve chosen to focus on Kindle because frankly that’s all I know (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20009738-1/kindle-vs-nook-vs-ipad-which-e-book-reader-should-you-buy/)

Why the Kindle App I hear you ask again?

Well, I have to bullet point this because it’s all just so exciting that I might either pee my pants or waffle on (warning, it seems even bullet points can’t stop the waffle):

* Instant bookage! I can go to my online store and with a press of a button, buy a book. Yay! No more hanging out at bookstores at 8.50am waiting for the store to open and eyeballing the shop assistant inside as she scurries around, throwing me panicked glances and pretending to fill the shelves before the hordes that is me, busts down the door to sally forth and spend money.

* Sample Reading. I can download a sample of the book I find rather interesting and read a couple of chapters before I press the snazzy button that says ‘buy me now bitch or die’ (well it doesn’t really but sometimes I feel it says this).

* Price! Yippee! This should have been my first bullet point. Online books can be so much cheaper – or even free! Join a book blog. You’ll find people providing lots of advice on freebies or great cheap reads. Sometimes you might find me lurking around in one, spouting off random books that I find worthy of my hard earned (snort!) dollar. Don’t know of any book blogs? Try Maryse, she rocks!

https://www.facebook.com/MarysesBookBlog?fref=ts

* Late night reading. Read into the early hours without all the lights blazing and without your husband shouting at you to go to bloody sleep, because your ereader is backlit and non-irritating. You can even dim the lights on it so it doesn’t strain your eyeballs.

* Save the environment and 1.3 billion trees per book (give or take). All you old schoolers will be looked down upon one day, as forest killers.

I am sure there are more advantages but I have kids who are screaming at me to feed them and my ears hurt.

How do I get this Kindle App?

Go to your App store (mine was the Apple App Store on my iPhone and iPad), search for Kindle and click download. Even me, a computer boob, can understand it’s simple processes. Once downloaded, setup your account on say, Amazon, and start buying! You can buy these online books at places like Smashwords, Amazon, iBooks etc (you can use the iBooks app for that one). Try this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771 which explains more than I can, and in a much snazzier fashion.

Want to know more from a friendly ear? Email me. I have a contact tab. It works real good

PS If this post has been in no way helpful, then stop reading at this point to save yourself.