E-reader Note Taking Novels & Stories

Not while he took his coat off and put his bread bag in the bin and washed his hands at the kitchen sink with the methodical thoroughness he applied to things when his mind was elsewhere. Ethan caught my eye across the kitchen. I shook my head slightly. Give him time. Ethan put the kettle on. I sat at the table. Noah sat across from me. He opened the notebook to the question page and read back through it slowly, the way he reviewed things he had collected, checking the record against the memory of the morning, making sure both versions matched. He added a small note at the bottom of the page. Put the pen down. Closed the notebook.

He read it like he had mouth paralysis. I can't tell if it's from my handwriting or from the way he pronounced the words. But I later figured out my notes are hard for adults to read smoothly. That's how I got this second one—a bigger and more fancy one, with picture frames to insert in it. I have a lot of fun alone writing in it.

In the next few days, her life is going to change forever. As she rips off the wrapping paper, I tell her, “It’s fully charged, and I uploaded your favorite version.” A smile spreads across her face when she realizes what it is. Shannen enjoys reading so much. But her electronic book is so old I am surprised it still works. “Not only is it the latest model, but it also has a back-light for reading in the dark.” I brag. She turns on the e-reader and I go to close the curtains. I sat next to her to show her how it works. She squeals with delight as the device lights up. I could see Shannen’s beaming smile. I knew then I had chosen a perfect present for her.

Grabbing a pencil, he jotted a note on the calendar blotter. Shelby made a mental note to go ahead and order more calendars for next year. He was already scribbling his notes in March, and it was not even December. It didn’t matter how many notepads or sticky pads that she bought him, he preferred to make his notes on the desk blotter. She bought him a blank blotter once but then he didn’t know where any of his notes were. Muting the desk phone, Neo pulled out a tube of lotion. “Back must be itching by now.”

Unfortunately, there were too many of those sorts in both the legal and political realm. The fire warmed the room nicely. She opened her MacBook Pro and connected it to the ship’s WiFi. No messages or new emails to distract her. She connected her braille display, knowing she would need it for editing later. Her screen reader was good, but it wasn’t the most efficient means for proofing her work. She used her computer so often, she had the command sequences embedded into her muscle memory. With a few taps, she had the Scrivener program open and her latest article ready for editing.

It was like they had known each other forever. Kate was also thrilled by the little notes (not SMS) that Ecto wrote her whenever. With typical Ecto magic, he had hijacked the Notes app of her phone. Her jealous friends teased her non-stop for “texting” her college sophomore boyfriend and grinning like a kid on Christmas Day all the time. Ecto’s notes were simple reminders not to forget lunch or dinner, beautiful photos of travel destinations in and out of the country, or a beautiful word Ecto learned on the web and wanted to share with her such as “petrichor,” “serendipity,” “wanderlust,” “soliloquy” and “nychthemeron”.

His chest rose and fell with the deep, even rhythm of sleep. The coffee table in front of him was covered with thick textbooks laid open with pages marked by sticky notes in different colors. His tablet was propped up on its stand, displaying what looked like calculus problems, alongside several notebooks filled with his neat handwriting, highlighters, pens, and an empty can of Monster energy drink.

It was an apology, an explanation, and her book. He transferred the book file to his e-reader and he made himself comfortable in his armchair and he read. He read with the intention of finding those tell-tale signs to prove he was right, except he got so engrossed in the story that he forgot to look for them. He read for hours.

He didn't seem to notice my surprise. We actually had to take written notes in a notebook during the lecture. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed my own penmanship and made a mental note to find prettier pens at the bookstore later that afternoon. Colin took a few notes but mostly listened to the professor, looking pensive. I admired people who could just absorb information like that; I didn't trust my own brain enough.

“Tell me about it. Okay?” She pressed her lips and shook her head. “Take your time, baby.” He said softly. “Take your time.” He took his tablet and showed it to her. “I bought this because I think I needed it. Then, I got busy with work and I have a working tablet. I wanted to read novels from here and bring them everywhere but it didn’t happen.” He told her as she giggled. He showed her a lot of novels that he bought through an ebook. She looked happy as she couldn’t wait to start reading.