A Penny For Your Books

For a long time I was anti-Kindle. I loved the feel of a book and its pages in my hands, the distinct smell it gave off, and the ability to watch myself progress through its bulk. These are the things that kept me from even giving e-readers a chance. The thought of modernizing reading felt like I was cheating on myself and the history of physically bound books.

Luckily this feeling dissipated as soon as I bought the Kindle Paperwhite. I finally caved after having spent way more money on physical books than I was able to spend. Although some Kindle books can still be a little pricey, they certainly won’t build up costs as immensely as the physical versions. Additionally, for those of us without extensive bookshelves and storage space, the Kindle provides digital storage with access to your favorite reads without the cost of larger living spaces.

I think my favorite part of the Paperwhite is the lack of a backlight. Instead this e-reader uses electronic ink and a transparent light guide with gentle corner LEDs. This way, there is none of the typical eye strain associated with tablet reading. That’s a huge win for the Paperwhite over other e-readers. I’ve sustained multiple concussions in my teenage years, and have struggled with extensive screen time since. However, the Paperwhite specifically allows me to read on an e-reader without the impending headaches and foggy brain usually associated with screen time.

After using the Kindle, I no longer feel as though I’m cheating on myself and the history of literature. I believe the Paperwhite increases access to reading for those who don’t have the budget to buy all their favorite books or the space to keep them, and those who struggle with screen time.

Don’t get me wrong-I’ll still buy the physical copies of my most treasured reads, and nothing will ever replace the feeling of holding and reading a physical book. But now I can purchase them on my own time, and after I’ve decided which novels I truly enjoy the most. The Kindle is now a cherished piece of equipment in my everyday life and I look forward to the additional book-buying options I now possess. And, though the Kindle is also helping me save money, I’ve truly enjoyed supporting a small business and buying an adorable case from a wonderful Etsy shop.

Please note that this post only addresses the purchase of Kindle and physical books, not the borrowing. I will take time to write about the benefits of libraries and other borrowing methods in the future. I will also discuss audiobooks and their advantages in the future as well.