Kindling

     What's the definition of kindling?  It's a noun and a verb.  Most people immediately think of the noun, a bunch of dried sticks used to start a fire.  The verb to kindle could mean to set something ablaze (like a fire), or to make something glow (like eyes), or to arouse something (like hope or passion).  In the animal world, a kindling is a litter of rabbits or cats.  To kindle is to give birth or produce offspring, especially in terms of lagomorphs.  I have my own definition of kindling.  It's lying awake until the wee hours of the morning burning out your eyeballs reading from a Kindle device. Like Google, tech noun becomes tech verb.
     I got my Kindle for Christmas.  At first, it was just a source of frustration.  Since I refuse to purchase books when libraries loan them out for free, Amazon wouldn't profit from providing my Kindle.  The ladies at the library's adult circulation desk weren't much help in getting me on a borrowing program.  They recommended a class in Kindle operation, but I would have to wait for a few weeks.  I wanted instant gratification, so I was on my own to figure it out.
     That's where "googling" saved the day.  If you search "how to borrow library books with Kindle," you will find that Amazon quite generously tells you how to get library books on their device.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000718231

On the Kindle Fire HD, you'll have to install an application called Overdrive, and you'll have to have a valid library card.  

http://www.overdrive.com/

http://help.overdrive.com/kindle-apps

     E-books are in demand.  The library has thousands of them, but there is a waiting list for almost every book.  I have holds on a half dozen publications.  While waiting, I've grabbed a bunch of books because nobody wants them right now.  Here are some mini-reviews:

Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart - Memoir of a Russian Jewish immigrant.  Interesting and humorous.

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northrup - Good to read before seeing the movie.  What's that you say?  Everybody has seen the movie.  Okay, good to read after seeing the movie.

The Telling Room by Michael Paterniti - I lost interest and didn't finish.

The Astonaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel - Really liked it.  Didn't know those astronauts, our childhood heroes, were such cads.

Unsinkable by Debbie Reynolds - Debbie Reynolds' memoir since her last memoir, Debbie: My Life.  So-so.

Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison - A memoir by an adult with Asperger's syndrome.  Very interesting.

The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Sophia Al-Maria - The true story of a bi-cultural woman, half American middle class, half Bedouin.  Now that's a strange childhood.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by Davis Sedaris - Just too funny.  A collection of short stories.  The title refers to Mr. Sedaris' attempts to master French.

     So, get yourself a Kindle or a Nook.  It will pay for itself in gas saved by not having to drive to your local library.  You also won't have any overdue charges since the books disappear the the end of the loan period (14 days).  If you read all night and finish a book before it's due, you can return it early with a few taps.
     Now you know why Happy in Hainesport has been silent.  I've been kindle-ated.