Posts Tagged ‘Reading’

Dec

My New Toy: Sony Reader

Visits: 90 | Posted by: David in Hobbies, Review

A few weeks ago I got a brand new “gadget” after doing a little online research. It’s an electronic book reader—The Sony PRS-505 (pictured to the left). I started my research with the Amazon Kindle since it’s currently the most popular (thanks to Amazon’s popularity). I even got to see one up close and personal when a guy at work bought one and brought it in to show off.

However, during my research I came across the Sony version. After reading the reviews of both devices and comparing the feature and price I decided on the Sony Reader. I chose the Sony mainly because of the price (especially since I got mine on eBay for much less than even the discounted retail price. The Kindle does have a wireless connection for downloading books, magazines, and newspapers but I didn’t need that functionality for the additional price. The Kindle is also 13 weeks behind in delivery and Amazon is about to come out with a newer version in the beginning of 2009 (that will make some people really happy…nothing like shelling out $400 on a device that is already outdated). There were also several reviews on the Kindle that indicated the design was not exactly up-to-par yet (many who owned it said to wait for the next version…or two).

The more I read about the Sony Reader the more I liked it. It requires a PC connection (USB) to download books, but the interface is very familiar…I swear it was made by the same people who developed iTunes because it is almost identical. The controls are easy to access, the device does not have a keyboard (since you wouldn’t use it anyway) and it has the typical “Sony Style”. The reviews I read on this device were much better than the Kindle (especially since the 505 is Sony’s second generation). The screen on both devices is made by the same company so there is no difference there…and it is nothing short of amazing! It looks just like a printed page…black text on a white background. The eInk technology has come a long way! The device doesn’t use any power while the text is displayed…it only uses power to paint the screen. I purchased and charged mine three weeks ago and it still has half of the battery life left after reading two full-sized novels.

Sony also has a touch screen version of their device (PRS-700) but it is much more expensive and the touchscreen overlay does affect the screen’s image a tad (but only a tad). I expect that the eInk folks are working on the next version of their screen to include both touchscreen and a back-light, but that’s only a guess.

All in all…I absolutely LOVE this device! Is it for everyone? Nope! If you read paperbacks or only read a little bit then this device is certainly overkill and not worth the price. But if you read a lot or are a book-snob like I am (I hate paperbacks…hardbacks all the way) then this is worth every penny (or if you are a gadget hog too). Amazon’s book selection for the Kindle is a little bigger (as you would expect), but Sony’s collection is growing and they have all of the latest stuff (Amazon has some more obscure titles I don’t really care about much anyway).

If you are looking for the “net cool thing” or you read a lot I highly recommend the Sony Reader. You will not be disappointed!

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May

Walking with God

Visits: 151 | Posted by: David in Books, Review, Spiritual Development

I have been reading a new book by John Eldredge called Walking with God for a couple of weeks now. I am only about about 70 pages into the book, but had to write about it before I was anywhere close to being done with it.

Plain and simple: You must read this book…immediately (if not sooner).

This is one of those books that is life changing! It will transform how your think about walking and talking with God. It has challenged me, encouraged me, and brought me to my knees more than once. Eldredge addresses spiritual issues that I have simply either been ignoring or didn’t know how to deal with them.

John is sharing his own struggles and his own walk with God over the course of a year…and it is an encouragement to the reader to see how he deals with daily life and walking with God through the process of life.

Have you ever wondered if (and how) God speaks to us? Ever wished you could have such a close, intimate walk with God that you could have conversations with Him? Ever wondered what it would be like to deal directly with the life wounds you’ve been carrying around for so long you don’t even remember when or where they started?

Then get this book today and start reading it. Don’t read it cover to cover in one sitting…take your time and let God use it to speak to you…and to teach you to listen to His voice. This is almost a money-back-guarantee. If you do buy the book and start reading it, please come back here and share your thoughts and comments on the book and how it is (or isn’t) affecting your spiritual journey.

Here’s the jacket cover description of the book for quick reference:

Walking with God moves through a year in the life of John Eldredge showing and teaching what an intimate relationship with God looks like day to day.

God longs to speak. And it is our right and privilege to hear His voice. Our deepest longings could all find sufficient fulfillment in God’s company. Yet, somehow, the looming discontent of most Christians is a lack of intimacy with God. Walking with God is unlike any book John has written. It moves through a year in his life showing and teaching what conversational intimacy with God can be like. It teaches readers how to make decisions aligning with God’s will, understand barriers and “agreements” keeping them from the life God intends, fight spiritual battles for their own heart and for others, and much more. Ultimately, Walking with God shows readers that walking intimately with Him can be a normal part of the Christian life.

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