* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
#WDYTWed: when you read a book someone you know recommended to you
In the almost ten years that I’ve been writing this blog (the first post was August 28, 2009), one of my favorite things has been interacting with the readers.
That used to happen a lot more. When I started out, I averaged 1,000 new words a day, but in more recent times, I just haven’t been able to do that. I’ve been trying to write more narratives again, but without that, the blog doesn’t tend to provoke many comments…and I miss that. I think my long time readers do, too.
One of those long time readers and amongst my most frequent commenters is Lady Galaxy, who recently suggested that I write something once a week with the intent of increasing interaction.
It’s a good idea. 🙂
I think the best way to do that is to do one or more polls (which I’ve done throughout the past decade).
I’ve decided to name this series #WDYTWed. WDYT is an internet abbreviation for “What Do You Think?”, and I’m going to do them on Wednesdays. Hopefully, every Wednesday, but we’ll see how that goes.
For this third one, I want to talk about what you do when you read a book someone you know recommended to you. I’m using “know” pretty loosely, here. I just mean someone with whom you have conversations, and that you will run into them again after you’ve started the book.
For example, as I wrote about a week ago, I ran into an author in the dog park. That author didn’t say, “Please read my book”, but it came up, and I did start reading it. I’m enjoying it so far. My Significant Other has also started reading it.
The odds are high that I’ll run into the author again…so what happens then?
When I’m reading a book like that, I look for certain details that I can use to “prove” I read the book. 🙂 I’m a trainer as my day job, and that’s a trainer thing: we can spot what’s important in material when we prepare to teach a class. It makes us great bluffers, sometimes unintentionally.
One time, someone told me that they were going to surf competitively. I said, “Longboard?” Well, the surfer then launched into a detailed outline of the plan, and I had to say, “Wait, that’s all I know!” 😉 Just somewhere, at some point, I had run across the fact that longboard or not longboard was an important choice (at least, I think it is), and retained that.
In the case of Driftwood, one thing I thought I might reference was a quirky, family way of making decisions. We have something like that. I made a CD out of a whole bunch of soundclips from
We called the CD the “Magic Clip Ball”. Just for fun, if you were undecided about something, you would ask the question…and then have the CD player randomize a clip.
Sometimes, the clip seemed to directly apply, and in others, it required interpretation…just like many oracles of old.
If I run into the author again, I might bring that up…yes, partially to demonstrate that I read the book.
Why do I care?
Recommending a book to someone is a gift: showing you read it is a thank you.
Certainly, when I’ve loaned people books, or given them to them (I used to buy inexpensive copies of the first Doc Savage book, The Man of Bronze, when I would see them at used bookstores, so I could give them away), I’ve wanted to know that somebody read them.
Of course, the best thing would be to hear, “Wow, that book changed my life! Thank you so much!” I don’t need that, though. Honestly, I’d never ask somebody what they thought of a book I recommended. I don’t want to put them on the spot. Believe, me I know that what I like isn’t what everybody else wants. My Significant Other got me a t-shirt that said, “NOBODY’S TARGET MARKET”. 🙂 I get that. I’m okay with that. I’ve done okay with predicting what will be popular in the mainstream, but I don’t need my friends to love what I love.
I would like to know that they did read it, or at least tried it.
That’s how I feel about it…now let’s find out what you think!
What else to you think about this? Do you like it when people recommend books to you? Do you then feel obligated to read them? What’s the best book someone ever recommended to you? Do you have someone where you regularly exchange recommendations? While this post is about people you know, does it make a difference to you when a celebrity recommends a book? How about a book club? Feel free to let me and my readers know what you think by commenting on this post.
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
For the past few years, I’ve been predicting that Amazon was going to release something so we could watch Prime Video in virtual reality.
I know that’s probably still not a really big market (although I’m sure it’s been growing), but I watch TV and movies in VR quite often. In fact, that is my favorite way to watch video…it’s better than a TV, better than a movie theatre.
One place I do it is during lunch at work. I usually exercise, doing floor work. I typically watch Netflix…I’ll explain why later. I also watch Hulu.
However, I’ve pointed out before that, since there wasn’t an easy way to watch Prime Video in VR, it meant I watched a lot less Prime. I did find a way to watch it in a VR browser, but that just doesn’t work as well.
Amazon has now released an “experience” (that’s what we call “apps” for VAM…virtual/augmented/mixed/merged reality) for Prime Video!
It works on Oculus and Samsung Gear VR, which is Oculus based (Gear is what I use).
I checked it out today: it looked good, although it’s pretty basic.
You start out in a cartoon sort of town and select what you want to watch: VR specific, Prime Video movies, Prime Video TV, and videos you’ve bought from them.
When you select a Prime Video (and it was good about knowing what I had already been watching), you are in a movie theatre.
There’s no one else in it…that’s standard with these apps.
Controls were basic.
It certainly worked, and that’s a good thing. That means I’ll probably try watching The Boys…that’s not a show my Significant Other would want to watch, which means I’d be unlikely to watch it at home. Besides, I don’t like to be in VR when my SO is here…that’s not very social. 😉
The Netflix app is the best one, and Hulu has more options than PVVR.
Why?
Netflix allows the screen to go perpendicular to the floor. If I’m doing leg lifts on my side (I have a chronic medical situation which was greatly improved earlier this year, but floor work still helps), I can have a Netflix video oriented the way my eyes are…I can’t do that with PVVR or Hulu.
Netflix also has a “travel mode”, where it will follow me (slowly) as I move my head. That’s also quite nice.
Hulu does a good job with allowing you to be in different environments, not just one movie theatre.
Hulu also has a lot of VR content.
Prime Video VR’s VR content seemed like they were basically 360 movies (and fewer than ten of them). No games.
They have a Chernobyl piece…but I’ve been to Chernobyl several times in VR in an experience, and that’s amazing! Amazon’s “Return to Chernobyl” didn’t appear to be self-directed.
Oh, for those who don’t know: the experience is like watching a movie…if you are watching, say, Spaceballs, you can’t walk behind Dark Helmet. Why do I like it, then? I’m obviously really focused, and with just my earbuds for my phone, the sound is good.
I think Amazon may add some things to it over time. For example, a family room setting when you choose a TV show. I’d love the social option, so I can watch with someone else. I’d like 360 games and environments, and the ability to watch my personal videos (and listen to audio files).
Overall, though, good job!
Now, I’m still waiting for them to give me something specifically designed to let me read my Kindle books in VAM…especially in augmented reality. Yes, I want to read Lost Horizon sitting on a mountain, but it would also be great to be able to see my current real environment, but also see any of my books in my hands, with the ability to flip pages using gestures. Maybe some day…and that doesn’t take away from this.
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
This post by Bufo Calvin originally appeared in the I Love My Kindle blog. To support this or other blogs/organizations, buy Amazon Gift Cards from a link on the site, then use those to buy your items. There will be no cost to you, and a benefit to them.
* I am linking to the same thing at the regular Amazon site, and at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, half a percent of your purchase price on eligible items goes to a non-profit you choose. It will feel just like shopping at Amazon: you’ll be using your same account. The one thing for you that is different is that you pick a non-profit the first time you go (which you can change whenever you want)…and the good feeling you’ll get. Shop ’til you help!
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