Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

How reading on a Kindle works for me

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I love to hold a book in my hands and read. It’s like an escape from ordinary life and an adventure into another world. 

But I also sure do love the convenience of my new Kindle Paperwhite. I know, I know, nothing feels or smells like an actual book. But let’s just assume two different things can be good. 

This newest Kindle Paperwhite is about the size of a mass-market paperback but much slimmer. It is easier on my eyes than my iPhone or my Kindle Fire, making it closer to reading a book than a screen. And it’s waterproof, so it can go near and in the pool with me. 

I can adjust the font, letter size, and brightness to make reading on the Paperwhite work best for me. It’s easy to slide in my purse so I can have a big ol’ collection of books awaiting me. 

Plus reading on a Kindle opens up endless shelves of books, some of which are available free or greatly discounted. 

I bought the Paperwhite during Prime Day, and even got $5 from Amazon for trading in my original Kindle from 2010 that was just sitting in a drawer collecting dust and barely holding a charge. If you’re thinking about getting a new Kindle, remember you can trade in an old one for a discount on a newer version of the same model. 

Right after I purchased this new Paperwhite, Elin Hilderbrand released “The Sixth Wedding,” a short story that follows her novel “28 Summers,” which I enjoyed. Catching up with my friends in Nantucket on my new Kindle Paperwhite was fun. I have since read two other Kindle books too: 

  • “The Magic of Found Objects” by Maddie Dawson, which I’d been looking forward to and was pleasantly surprised to get as my free First Reads selection for July. Are you an Amazon Prime member? Don’t miss these free Kindle books each month. They’re typically early releases of novels. 
  • “The Accidental Text” by Becky Monson was a free Kindle Unlimited selection. I have subscribed to and enjoyed Kindle Unlimited before, but I got a free three-month subscription to it with my new Kindle purchase. This is another great way to discover new books and authors.

(Of course, you don’t have to have a Kindle to take advantage of these deals. Kindle books are just ebooks that you can read through the free Kindle app on your phone, laptop, desktop, or tablet. Although, as I’ve already shared, I think the Paperwhite is the best way to go!) 

*****

I bought my new Kindle Paperwhite with my own money. Nobody asked me to review it, but y’all know I always want to share how I incorporate reading into my life. Here are some tips for making time for books and reading more as well as the list of books I’ve read so far this year.

Britfield series continues with adventure

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The following book review is written by my daughter Cate, who has been eagerly awaiting in the second installment in a book series she’s enjoyed. The Britfield books are adventurous tales that include lots of real European landmarks and history geared toward middle school and high school readers.

“Britfield & the Rise of the Lion” was a great sequel to follow the first book in the series. The plot twists are amazing, and constantly keep you guessing on what is going to happen next. While I love, love the plot, I would have liked some more development in the characters. Like any good series, the end of this one made me wish I had the next book. I am very excited about what happens next in this series.

About the book

Now in France six months after the end of “Britfield & the Lost Crown,” Tom and Sarah are trapped on an island fortress, facing an entirely new enemy: a nefarious and clandestine group.

Searching for the truth, Tom and Sarah must navigate the streets of Paris, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and the Eiffel Tower, chased by an assassin determined to remove any potential threat to the British throne.

Aided by old friends and new allies, Tom and Sarah’s fast-paced adventure is filled with twists and turns, unexpected betrayals, and life-changing revelations.

An interactive world of mystery and adventure, culture and education, the Britfield series is about friendship, family, loyalty, and courage with accurate geography and history interwoven throughout each exciting story. This seven- book series will be followed by movies.

“Britfield & the Rise of the Lion” is a 474-paperback book is published by Devonfield Publishing (July 4, 2021). Learn more about this book and series at The World of Britfield.

About the author

Originally from Newport Beach, California, C.R. Stewart has 20 years of experience writing fiction, nonfiction, and movie screenplays. His expertise also includes film and media production, global strategy, and international marketing.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; did post-graduate work at Harvard University; earned an MBA from Boston College; and is pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a Ph.D. in Strategy.

Now based in San Diego, Stewart is a strong supporter of education and the arts. He enjoys world travel, reading, riding, swimming, sailing, tennis, and is passionate about fostering creativity in students of all ages.

*****

Cate received a free paperback copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. These opinions are hers, and she recommends this series to people in real life regularly. Here’s the review of “Britfield & the Lost Crown” from 2019.

Growing slow right here

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This spring felt normal. And normal is welcomed after the grief I walked through in 2019 and the social distancing we experienced in 2020. But normal also means house projects, plans, relationships, and responsibilities are in progress. 

I have to remind myself progress is valuable and is where we spend the bulk of our life. Yes, of course, I’d rather the house be cleaned, all the outside property projects be completed, every conversation in my head to become reality, friendships to be secure, and my to-do list be wiped clean. I had a hint of being caught up in 2020, but only because plans and commitments were canceled, people were distanced, and normal pace was slowed. But 2020 also offered some internal healing for me — and I want to hold on.

I was to keep growing slow in my everyday life, regardless of the external circumstances. 

“We need a way to recover from hurray sickness. Healing will come from the inside out, in our hearts, where Jesus dwells and where wild things grow. This Jesus actually sees us as we grow good things in our families, friendships, and faith journeys.” — Jennifer Dukes Lee in her new book “Growing Slow”

“Growing Slow: Lessons on Unhurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl” is one of the few non-fiction books I’ve read this year and one I can’t get enough of. I got to read an early copy of the first six chapters as part of the launch team, but I’ve been eager for the actual book to show up in my mailbox (which it did yesterday!) so I could read more. I’ve got quotes and notes in my journal and I have no doubt I will have plenty more to add to them. 

Jennifer Dukes Lee writes as if she gets me, because she does. She gets the pressures and expectations that I put on myself and understands there are seasons to grow and change and adapt throughout life. She tells stories and encourages readers as she shares about an entire year on her family’s Iowa farm. 

Here in my life in Kentucky, I’m tempted to miss those days from last year, even though in the midst of them I longed for normal. The grass is always the greener, but all grass has to be mowed eventually. I’m just thankful we have grass that grows right where I am. And I’m trying to remember this season of normal is the rhythm of life right now and is bound to change again, so I might as well enjoy it and grow with it. 

About the book

Jennifer Dukes Lee offers a path to unhurried living by returning to the rhythm of the land and learning the ancient art of Growing Slow. You can live the great life you want, but it’s not the way you think. It isn’t about chasing that life down, it’s about slowing that life down. Hurry says everything is a task to be attacked. Slow says that you get to decide what’s important, and you get to reprioritize life in a way that lines up with what matters most. Start by building the habit of slow into your life, one act at a time.

This book presents a message of encouragement with practical application and journaling prompts. 

“Growing Slow” is a 272-page hardcover book published by Zondervan (May 11, 2021). It’s available most anywhere you buy books, including Amazon. 

About the author

Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn’t believe in Jesus; now he’s her CEO. Find Jennifer at and on Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee.

*****

I did receive an advanced PDF copy of the first six chapters, but I paid for my copy of this book and will buy others as gifts. I truly am thankful for this message from one of my favorite authors.