Books Vs Kindles

Rush hour on the London Underground at night and there is a young looking businessman sat engaged in his  new novel that he's just downloaded to his Kindle. So is the woman at the side of you, and the woman at the other the side of you. You don't know what they are reading but that single piece of technology is enough to keep owners fully enthralled in the tales of their story. What's my point in telling you this? Well I am sat here reading a paperback book, full of crisp pages that I can flick through so wonderfully with my fingers and colourful illustrations that make me want to pull that book out of my - equally as wonderful - Ted Baker bag.

I love books - and by that I mean real paper/hardback books. They align my empty shelves wonderfully, full of truth, secrets and fantasy that I secretly wish my life was like. The point is, I don't get that same feeling with Kindles. Now, don't misunderstand me - Kindles are a fantastic development in technology that allows us to have the option to carry many books around without the weight in our bags. They also allow access to thousands of new releases within seconds - just click download and there it is at your fingertips. They really do have their perks that make peoples lives - like the businessman on the train - just that little bit easier. But maybe that is the problem; nowadays people want things now and convenience is our number one priority. There is no reason we shouldn't have that choice of ease, however, there is just something so spectacular and special about nipping into a quaint little book shop and spending time being taken in by the quirky book covers and the smell of old books that have been passed through generations. Even visiting W H Smiths, I find interesting. I tend to set up camp in there for at least half an hour, sit on the floor and flick away through the new books placed on the shelf (you don't have to sit on the floor though!). 

Without books we wouldn't have libraries. Granted, they have audio, DVD and Internet sections now but it would not be a library without the paper element. My favourite book can't 'break' - unless I drop it in the bath or something - whereas kindles can. Technology can. Laid in bed at night, do families want to read stories to their children from a kindle or do they want them to interact with colours, words and imagery. If you wish to unwind at evening without the television, then Kindles will restrict your mind from switching off because it's technology based. We work with technology everyday and so, maybe, we need that bit of normality that your paperback book can provide. Laid at the side of the pool on holiday, while your sipping on your umbrella cocktail, it's beautiful to just to unwind with a book - not the Kindle that will end up lurking towards the lower depths of the swimming pool deep end. 

I am not at all saying Kindles aren't fantastic for convenience, for instant access to thousands of novels. If you had the option to download a book within seconds or trek into town in the pouring rain for the latest release, you know what option you are probably going to choose. They also are so simple and sleek that you can pop them in your bag, quickly race to that seat on the Tube and pull out your Kindle. 

I just don't want to see the same thing happen to our book shops, as recent failing retail businesses such as HMV and Blockbuster. 

The most important thing to realise is that we live in the technology age. It is not going to change, in reality technology is going to grow, expand and revolutionise our world. So the best thing we can do is accept the changes and use it to our advantage. What I am trying to say is, though I may not feel the same connection to Kindles, you have to utilize them in terms of efficiency and ease. You can create a special connection with books and really get lost in the story at your fingertips. If that effect can be created with Kindles, then combined, they definitely have the ability to be something wonderful. Until then - I'm going to sit on the Tube with my paperback novel and feel smug that I am having a much more wonderful reading experience than the businessman sat next to me.

Inspiring quote of the day, couldn't agree more! -> 

Two dead after helicopter crashes into a London tower then plunges to the ground

 Two people have died - including the pilot - after a plane plunged into a newly-built tower in central London this morning.

Nine more people were injured as the plane hit the top of The Tower St George Wharf and burst into flames.

It is thought that low visibility conditions caused the plane to crash before plunging into the rush hour traffic below.

Witnesses reported low cloud at the time of the accident, suggesting the pilot may not have seen the crane in the bad weather conditions.

The plane crashed only 20 yards from a Vauxhall station, where eye-witnesses said people were frantically screaming as firefighters attended the scene.

One witness said the helicopter was 'rocking and shaking from side to side' before plunging to the ground.

The new 'smart fork' that can kick those cravings once and for all

WHAT if your fork could tell you when to put the remainder of that chocolate cake down? No, I'm not talking crazy - there is actually a new technological device that now allows this to happen. Introducing the new £60 smart fork.

Now, without the risk of sounding like a cheesy advert, the new gadget that goes on sale in April flashes and vibrates if you are eating too fast. Funded by Kickstarter, the HAPIfork is designed to help you lose weight and - in some cases - reduce digestive problems and acid reflux.

The new technology sends a wireless message to the users phone app that allows them to track their nutritional information after each meal.

Andrew Carton, HAPIIabs' US President said: "Eating too fast, and not chewing long enough leads to poor digestion and poor weight control.

"Most people eat faster than they should and do not realise that eating too fast isn't a healthy behaviour, negatively affecting things like digestion and weight control."

So what do you think? If it helps kick those sugary habits then this could vastly improve peoples health. The question is, are you prepared to pay £60 for a single piece of cutlery.  

Merry Christmas

So, Santa has really treated me this Christmas. I must have been a hard little worker this year because there was my Ted Baker bag sat gracefully under the tree. That aside, I have unwrapped a few great books that I am very excited about digging into. 

Therefore, I will be flicking through them in the next few week and taking my hand at writing a few reviews on here. Hopefully, it will give you a feel of what to spend your granny's Christmas pennies on in the new year. 

Have a fantastic Christmas - I hope you eat all your mince pies, drink all your mulled wine and get happily fat (if there was ever such a thing). 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
 

TAX AVOIDANCE SCHEME SEES FACEBOOK IN THE FIRING LINE

FACEBOOK is under fire after allegations it paid only £200,000 in UK corporation tax, despite earnings of up to £175m.

The social networking site is the latest business in the scandal after Google, Amazon and Starbucks were also exposed for tax avoidance.

Facebook achieved this by channelling a large portion of their sales through its Irish subsidiary.

The media giants also only paid £2.9m overseas revenue from its £800m profit in 2011.

Facebook’s vice president and managing director in Europe, Joanna Shields, defended the company’s actions:  “The reason those companies make those decisions is because of the investment environment and the tax environment.”

Facebook joins a recent group of businesses that have been uncovered for dodging UK corporation tax.

In 2010, eBay attempted to cut its £51m debt by paying only £1m tax on sales of £789m after diverting money through overseas companies.

Ikea paid only £8.1million of corporation tax from £1.2billion earnings in the year 2011.

In November, the Public Accounts Committee saw spokesmen from Amazon, Starbucks and Google grilled by MP’s over the alleged accusations.

Margaret Hodge MP, Chairman of the PAC, said: “We’re not accusing you of being illegal, we are accusing you of being immoral.”

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The Road to Career Success

Recently, I graduated university with a 2.1 degree in BA Journalism. Since then, it has been a constant battle to try and get a job in the industry that excites me. I know that, nowadays, it isn't enough to just plod along to university and carry out your studies. Companies want real life experience in the sector that you are applying within and for you to show that you are devoted to the media industry outside of work. Well that’s what I do.  I have worked at three newspapers, a radio station and the student magazine, as well as, having my own blog and visiting the TV show ‘Question Time.’ Still, this doesn’t seem to be enough. Don’t get me wrong, I know an individual has to be suited to a specific company and I am always looking at new ways to improve my writing, experience and career. I am just waiting for that break, something it seems many students in several career areas are also waiting for. I do question at times whether university prepares you well enough after graduation. I finished in July studying the course that I adored, spending until 10 pm at night in the newsroom that has inspired me to become the tenacious, creative and persistent person that I am today.

Now, I am working in a factory that is run by an agency, making cardboard boxes and putting cake in trays. It is not what I want to do; however, I’ve decided to take a different approach to how I perceive it. If I want to succeed, I need to continue learning and developing skills that are vital to the journalism industry. Therefore, it is pivotal that I understand how my current job creates the opportunity for me to show how incredibly hard I work in a high-pressure environment. Leaving the house at 5 am and returning as late at 10 pm, shows my attitude towards a working life. Performing duties that require heavy lifting and – therefore – discomfort, highlights my persistence and eagerness to work through any hurdles that may occur. Working in a team that would fall apart if one person failed at their role on the machinery, shows how well we must communicate and cooperate with each other.

Therefore, I urge anyone who is still seeking a graduate job to search for the positives in what they are doing on a daily basis, as well as, to think about how it can improve their career path to their desired profession. In this modern day economy, jobs are few and far between. Therefore, I am determined to work harder than I ever have, to keep writing and to practice the trade that I am inspired by every day. When I get there, I know that any other obstacles can always be overcome with a large amount of eagerness and determination. 

UPDATES

Lots of updates to come on here! Sorry that I have been absent, however, work is hectic with the Christmas period coming up. However, I promise to devote full attention to this blog from now on and my love of everything newsy!

Coming up, expect London spectacular 'Rock of Ages' review, why you should choose Costa coffee over Starbucks and I'll also look at whether universities are doing enough to set students up for the work place after graduation.

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