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 If you’re thinking about getting a new Kindle, remember you can trade in an old one for a discount on a newer version of the same model.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!) 

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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.

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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.

‘Satisfied’ is a truly satisfying book

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“Satisfied: Finding Hope, Joy, and Contentment Right Where You Are” by Alyssa Joy Bethke is truly a lovely book inside and out. It’s full of pretty pictures and beautiful Biblical truths. I truly enjoyed holding it in my hands and reading it. 

I saw that it’s available as an ebook, but I don’t recommend that. This is the kind of book you’ll want to hold, read, display, and read again. The chapters are topical essays so you could even read whichever one seems right on any given day. The topics addressed include loneliness, grief, body image, social media, motherhood, anxiety, and fear. But they all come back to the beauty of faithfulness and goodness. 

“Perhaps this life is made up of small miracles. Of looking for all the little ways the Lord loves us and is at work. Of how he is holding all things in his hands, and holds all things together.” — Alyssa Joy Bethke in “Satisfied”

This book points to Jesus, offers practical advice on living out your faith in your ordinary life, encourages women in areas that matter, and ends with some recipes I can’t wait to make. 

About the book

In “Satisfied,” Alyssa Bethke shares a compelling collection of relatable essays that will help you embrace and cultivate beauty in your life. This book will provide you with the knowledge that you are not alone in your fight to be fulfilled. Alyssa shows you the ways in which you are enough — not only for those around you, but for yourself.

The book is divided into three parts and includes these chapters:

  1. Longings Met
  2. Holy Moments
  3. His Love
  4. Griefs Healed
  5. Slow Miracles
  6. Weary Hearts Rejoice
  7. Trap of Comparison
  8. Fighting for Faith
  9. Oh, Hey Body!
  10. Garden of Our Hearts
  11. True Identity
  12. Enough
  13. Small Things
  14. Learning Contentment
  15. Laughter
  16. Thankful Hearts
  17. Joy in the Grind
  18. My People

This 240-page hardcover book is published by Worthy Publishing (June 15). Learn more at the book’s webpage.

About the author

Alyssa Bethke is a mother to three children, Kinsley, Kannon, and Lucy, and a dog named Aslan. She and her husband, Jeff Bethke, live in Maui, and are bloggers, YouTubers, and hosts of The Real-Life podcast. Jeff and Alyssa are the New York Times bestselling authors of Jesus > Religion and It’s Not What You Think and Love That Lasts. They are passionate about encouraging and strengthening families at familyteams.com a program that brings families together with the idea of becoming a team.

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I received a free copy of this book from Hachette Book Group as part of FirstWords Bloggers in exchange for a review, but I truly love it. In fact, I’ve already spent my own money to buy it as a gift for one friend, and I suspect I will buy several more copies to share with friends.