Hands-On Kindle 3rd Generation

My new kindle arrived just yesterday, and came with a surprise: more expenses added to its total cost. I haven't brought anything from outside like this, so i was unaware of the costs involved in the process. As a total, i've paid $262.22, a little overpriced, but for saving me the wait until my next travel, that's ok. In May 23, this year, my previous ebook reader broke, it was a Sony Reader PRS-505 that i've got in my 2008 travel. I loved that device, and i must confess several times the plan was to replace the broken screen for that in the new device. In fact, i still feel the finish of the kindle cheap (it's plastic vs the metallic finish of the reader). After interacting with the software in the kindle, it has several other options that makes it better, so i think i will end up reading in the kindle. There are some advantages of the kindle itself, and some others of the screen. Page turns are faster, attribute -i think- of the eink screen. The integration with dictionary is a must, attribute of the kindle. The ability to create collections, point to the kindle. In some previous review, i read that i had to take care of the usb cable since it was unconventional. I think that by this time, that cable is the most common, since is the same the cellphones are using to connect to a PC or directly to the wall. I've used the cable from my cell phone, connected directly to the wall, and it charged my kindle perfectly. I guess it will be the same with the usb cable connected to the computer (haven't tried it yet). The downloading of the books via whispernet was incredibly fast. They downloaded in less than a minute while a friend of mine was driving back from customs, right after picking up the kindle. It had battery more than enough right out of the box to play with it for all day before getting home to charge it. As for the reading in english, two or three words up to now, and the dictionary always there is something i wouldn't trade at this point. My concern right now is to create a DIY cover, since i forgot to order it along with the kindle. I think i'll try to reuse the case from my late reader, but i don't know still how i'll manage to hand made the hooking pieces. I'll deal with it later this week. For now, it will have to squeeze inside my notes holder, in order to get a little protection.

Let's get this blog started

At this time, this is my second blog. I have started my first blog 4 years ago, devoted to review the books i read, as i read them. My native language is spanish, so my first blog is spanish written, and i was comfortable with that. But this week i've got my new kindle, and more as a challenge to myself, i have decided to read every book in english from now on. So, the reviews will have to be written in english, although my decision by now is to review my most recent book in both languages. Spanish version in my first blog www.librosrecientes.com, and the english version in this blog. I will also manually translate all of my previous reviews, and post them with their original date, but i know that this task will be long and will be happening in the background for a while. Along with my book reviews, i like to shoot a comment once in a while, so, if you enjoy reading, please hook up to this site or enroll with me to comment about books or anything on that lines. This week i'll be reviewing my kindle as it arrives and as i start playing with it.

A Song of Ice and Fire II - A Clash of Kings - George R. R. Martin

Following along with the A Song of Ice and Fire series, i have just finished the second volume in the series, A Clash of Kings. And the title really fits, since as was seen at the end of the previous volume, after death of Robert Baratheon, the realm fractures under different claims. Cersei crowned king his son Joffrey, bastard son of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Renly Baratheon, even younger than Stannis Baratheon, claims himself king. Right before the end of previous volume, Lords of the North claimed Robb Stark the King in the North. Daenerys keep her aspirations to the seven kingdoms throne, at the other side of the narrow sea, pretentions that suffers a great damage with the death of Khal Drogo.

Summary

To the list of kings depicted earlier, joins Stannis Baratheon marching from Dragonstone to seize the iron throne, even with fewer men than his brother. Tyrion rules in King's Landing, in open opposition the regent queen, his own sister Cersei, making every preparation to face the inminent siege to the city from either king. Arya, at end of the first book, was taken home for Yoren, and we follow her along the way to the north, and the destruction caused for the war. Tywin Lannister regroups in Harrenhal after the defeat obtained by Jaime Lannister in Riverrun. Renly march to King's Landing, but is forced to split his army when Stannis Baratheon attacks Storms' End, Renly's castle. Catelyn Tully has been sent by Robert to negotiate an alliance with Renly, so she is present when the first clash of kings occurs. Theon Greyjoy has been sent to Pyke as well, to get support in exchange of a crown for the Iron Islands, but Theon has lost confidence from his father, a clear enemy of the Stark since when his own rebellion against the Iron Thorne was crushed by Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon, so, Balon Greyjoy has his own war plans: attak Winterfell. Beyond the wall, the Night's Watch march to face Mance Rayder, who is also planning to attack Westeros. So, the kings list grows and most of them are marching to attack their rivals in a war of all vs all.