Sunday, October 3, 2010

Excuse me...What are you reading?

This morning, while waiting for a friend and reading my Kindle, I was reminded that there is one major downside to e-readers— you can not see what others are reading.  If you’re an avid reader, such as I, this is very annoying.

I like to know what others are reading.  If it’s a book of which I’ve heard, I may even ask them how they like it.  Intrusive, I know, but there you are.

I love and understand the importance of marketing (I am looking for a job).  I also believe there are no problems, only solutions waiting to be found.  So, in my own, humble, personal way, I decided to launch a “Show-others-what-you’re-reading” campaign.

I have the original Kindle in a case from M-Edge with an inside pocket.  I downloaded an image of the book’s cover into “Paint”, copied it into Word and re-sized it so it would fit on a sheet of paper inserted into the inside pocket of my Kindle case with a notation at the top of “CURRENTLY READING.”  With a looped strip of tape on the back at the top, the sheet will remain upright.   As I always read with the cover folded back, the sheet will always remain visible.

My vow is to do this for each book I read on my Kindle, and I invite others to join my campaign.  If you have an e-reader, find a way to display your current read to others.  Promote that book you are reading and encourage others to do the same.  

Is this a perfect solution?  No.  However, it is fun and may prompt other e-book readers to follow suit. Perhaps publishers/authors will issue cards to slip into various e-reader cases.  Perhaps authors will make up cards to hand out at signings.  I know it's challenging as each e-reader cover is different.  But don't let that stop you.  Who knows where this may go?   Just remember, I thought of it first (as far as I know).

Happy reading,
LJ

12 comments:

  1. One way to tell what books are being read most is to go to the Kindle Store. The books that are being downloaded the most are at the top of the list in each category. If someone asks me what I am reading I have to give them a list. I am so addicted to reading I am reading more than one book at a time.

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  2. I think this is a perfectly brilliant idea! Everyone should do it :)

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  3. Ooo! [clackety sound of brain working] I love the idea of cards to hand out at signings! I wonder if bookmarks could be jiggered to work....

    Marian Allen

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  4. The trick is for the card to be large enough for others to see from a distance.

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  5. I keep looking for a cover that holds a picture on the front. That way I can print the cover of the book and put where the photo is supposed to go. I found them once, but they were sold out. :-(

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  6. I thought of that, but I always fold back the cover, so it wouldn't be seen. That's why I went with one that would slip in the pocket.

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  7. Yes, let's lobby for a way to display book covers on our Kindles. Of course, "What are you reading?" is a great conversation starter.

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  8. Love your blog! That's why I'm giving you a One Lovely Blog Award. :) Just go to http://www.marianallen.com/2010/10/passing-it-on/ and download the award picture, upload it to your site and pass it on.

    I'm going to be very picky about Kindle covers, looking for the best way to display what I'm reading.

    Marian Allen

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  9. Thank you, Marian, I am honored. Unfortunately, I don't follow that many blogs, but I am flattered, nonetheless.

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  10. My daughter and I spent an entire flight trying to figure out what a woman was reading. She spent the entire flight reading with the book either on her lap or on her lap table. We were both frustrated by the end of the flight. We would have asked but she didn't seem approachable at all and we are both shy....

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  11. LOL; I should have been with you as I would have asked. It is frustrating, though. My favorite story is when I was reading a book in BART and had it in a cloth cover. A man leaned over and said, "I'll bet your reading a bodice-ripper romance." I loved being able to open to the cover page to show him while I said, "No, actually it's "Why I am Not a Christian and other Essays" by philosopher Bertrand Russell." He was definitely embarrassed.

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