Once upon a time, a girl disdained e-readers. She looked at them sideways, wondering how could an e-reader ever replace the feeling of holding a new book on her hands. Many years later, an e-reader became her best friend.I've been wanting to discuss the reasons why I love my e-reader for a very long time. Due to recent circumstances, where I find myself spending a lot of time at home (due to the pandemic outbreak everything has been postponed, job hunting is on hold because they are no jobs to apply to, and it seems I'm part of a risk group), I'm valuing my e-reader a lot more. Over the years, I've piled hundreds of unread e-books that will make me company through these next few weeks.
First things first: there's still a lot of prejudice regarding e-readers and as someone who once couldn't accept these little destroyers of the printed book (I've always been overly dramatic), I decided that it is time to tell the world why I love my e-Reader aka my very old Kobo that goes everywhere with me.💛
Indeed, e-readers will never replace the happiness that comes with opening a book, the new book smell, and flipping through its pages. Nevertheless, my back, my indecisiveness, and my bank account always feel a lot happier at the end of the day. These days I prefer buying e-books, even if it means I won't experience the little happiness that a new physical book brings.
I'm a very indecisive person when it comes to reading. It's true that I mostly read YA fantasy, but sometimes I want to read epic fantasy, while other times I wish to read some urban fantasy. Some days I find myself wanting to read tales set in the past. Sometimes I want to read contemporary tales with a twist of magic or stories about otherworldly places. Once in a blue moon, I want to fall into a mystery as Stalking Jack the Ripper or get my hands on NA/Adult fantasy book such as The Bridge Kingdom. My e-reader always comes to the rescue when I'm not sure about what I want to read. Or when I feel like reading one hundred books at the same time.
It's easier to run out of shelf space than e-reader storage space (although I fear I'll be running out of space very soon). I bought my e-reader seven-eight years ago (I still have the purchase receipt and I could verify the date, but I'm feeling too lazy) and it still has storage space, even though it has more than four hundred books. My bookshelf? If I put one more book on it, I fear I will end up shelf-less...
Not only e-books cost a lot less than physical books (okay, sometimes for some strange reason the price is the same or only a few cents less. This makes me wonder who the heck though that an e-book should cost the same as a physical book, since the production cost is completely different), but you can also get a lot of freebies. It's is true that some of these are self-published books that do need lots of polishing, but you can find many hidden gems. Also, you can find books from The Big Five at reduced prices. Just a few weeks ago, I got my hands on Geekerella and I Love You So Mochi for less than two euros.
How long will it take me to read this book at my reading pace? How long will it take me to complete this chapter? How many hours did I spend reading this book? How many hours did I spend reading on my Kobo? These are some of the questions that my e-reader's statistics and trackers answer to. I never realized how much I enjoy these! The progress trackers are based on one's reading habits. If you are like me and don't have the patience to write a reading diary, these trackers are perfect for you. Okay, I do have the patience. However, I'm just a little bit too perfectionist andI'm aware that if I misspell a word or the drawn doesn't end up as I envisioned, I will have to rip the page and start all over again.
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| We have all done it. 😋 |
All the books in a tiny rectangle
I'm a very indecisive person when it comes to reading. It's true that I mostly read YA fantasy, but sometimes I want to read epic fantasy, while other times I wish to read some urban fantasy. Some days I find myself wanting to read tales set in the past. Sometimes I want to read contemporary tales with a twist of magic or stories about otherworldly places. Once in a blue moon, I want to fall into a mystery as Stalking Jack the Ripper or get my hands on NA/Adult fantasy book such as The Bridge Kingdom. My e-reader always comes to the rescue when I'm not sure about what I want to read. Or when I feel like reading one hundred books at the same time.
Lots and lots of storage
It's easier to run out of shelf space than e-reader storage space (although I fear I'll be running out of space very soon). I bought my e-reader seven-eight years ago (I still have the purchase receipt and I could verify the date, but I'm feeling too lazy) and it still has storage space, even though it has more than four hundred books. My bookshelf? If I put one more book on it, I fear I will end up shelf-less...
Free books!
Not only e-books cost a lot less than physical books (okay, sometimes for some strange reason the price is the same or only a few cents less. This makes me wonder who the heck though that an e-book should cost the same as a physical book, since the production cost is completely different), but you can also get a lot of freebies. It's is true that some of these are self-published books that do need lots of polishing, but you can find many hidden gems. Also, you can find books from The Big Five at reduced prices. Just a few weeks ago, I got my hands on Geekerella and I Love You So Mochi for less than two euros.
Progress trackers
How long will it take me to read this book at my reading pace? How long will it take me to complete this chapter? How many hours did I spend reading this book? How many hours did I spend reading on my Kobo? These are some of the questions that my e-reader's statistics and trackers answer to. I never realized how much I enjoy these! The progress trackers are based on one's reading habits. If you are like me and don't have the patience to write a reading diary, these trackers are perfect for you. Okay, I do have the patience. However, I'm just a little bit too perfectionist andI'm aware that if I misspell a word or the drawn doesn't end up as I envisioned, I will have to rip the page and start all over again.
Look at those pretty e-ARCs
Without an e-reader, I would not be able to get my hands on e-ARCs (reading on the computer give me headaches and tires my vision). As an international blogger, I do not have access to physical ARCs and this is the only way to help to promote new releases (and sometimes I can't even help like this because international readers have limited access to e-ARCs). Also, having access to e-ARCs helps to keep my bank account happy. This doesn't mean that I don't end up pre-ordering the physical book and supporting the author. *staring at my pretty copies of Spin the Dawn and House of Salt and Sorrows* 😍
Easy on the Eyes
Save the planet!
I'm just kidding. Or maybe I'm not. 😋 I dislike when people act all high and mighty because they read e-books and that means they are saving trees and producing less pollution because of the lack of dislocations from planes and/or cars to get the physical book to someone's mailbox. That kind of argument just creates discord among the bookish community and that's something we don't need in a community that sometimes gets a little bit toxic. But even if I'm not fond of these commentaries, I sometimes feel that they are probably right about all the trees that one can save by reading e-books. E-books are eco-friendly.
Do you have an e-reader? Do you love yours as much as I love mine? In your opinion, what are the advantages of an e-reader?
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Most of these are the same reason I love my eReader (of which I have four). The number one reason I love it is because of my garbage eyes and arthritis. Even holding my Oasis, which is really light, causes cramping in my hands. The print in some books is so small, and I hate wearing my reading glasses. I crank that font on my Kindle, so, no problem. It's also easier for me, since I do a lot of my reading during my commute, and like you said, there are so many books on it. When I finish, I can just start another, and not have to worry about carrying multiple books with me. Storage is a huge thing for me too. I don't have the space for endless book, but I have over 2000 on my kindle.
ReplyDeleteOh I love e-readers too. And honestly I find them more comfortable than physical books these days. I read more and faster when I am on e copies.
ReplyDeleteGayathri @ Elgee Writes
I totally agree with you. I used to dislike e-readers, and told everyone I couldn't imagine getting an e-reader myself. Nowadays, although I still think real books are the best, my e-reader is everything. I love it so much. And yes.. because all of your reasons. LOL!
ReplyDeleteStay safe and happy reading.
I actually do prefer physical copies over an e-reader but it does have its uses! I use mine for library books, hard to find books, and ARCs! For some reason I tend to read more quickly on them too.
ReplyDeleteIt was love at first sight with me and e-readers. My digital book hoarding has no limits and I love how they're more cost effective. It doesn't mean I dislike print books but my reading is about 80% ebooks, 10% audiobooks and 10% print.
ReplyDeleteI love my e-reader for all of these reasons too, especially because it's so easy on the eyes. I love being able to adjust the font, brighness, and warmth of the screen to keep my eyes from bothering me.
ReplyDeleteI am so torn on this topic because YES I love my Kindle but I also love physical books and I cannot choose! But I mean, the new Paperwhite lets me read in the bathtub so it might slightly win? And back when work was a thing, I could sync up the ol' Kindle App and read when bored (shh don;t tell them 😂). But Ugh, I LOVE looking at books, and hoarding (erm collecting?) them. But I will begrudgingly concede that my ereader probably has more merits. And that I use it more often (because of those eARCs you mentioned!), so. I feel you, is what I am saying!
ReplyDelete