An Ode to the Kindle

Knowing how to use an e-reader can dramatically change your reading life for the better.

I was dead set against Kindles and e-Readers and always said I would never get one. Then, my barely-official new boyfriend (now husband, Joel) surprised me by sending me a Kindle for my first Christmas gift. Home from college on break, I hadn’t even told all my family about him, and here he was sending his ridiculous gift! It felt as extravagant as an engagement ring, so I figured I had to keep it.

That Kindle actually became more and more amazing for my reading life, especially as I went on a 7-week trip overseas the next summer and learned about how and what to read on it.

Now I believe Kindles are absolutely life-changing for a reader.

Yet, I have heard so many people say they could never use one and are still where I was when Joel forced me into them. I need to see where I am in the book and on the page or I like to mark and write notes. I agree and definitely sympathize.

I had to learn that Kindles and other e-readers are only for reading a certain kind of books.

The Only Kind of Books that Work on a Kindle

You can only read a book on a Kindle that you won’t want to flip around in, reference back to, or mark up. For me, that’s books that I will pretty much read straight through like a novel, or story-driven non-fiction book. Over the years, I have gotten better at skimming on the Kindle, so I’ve started reading giant history books on it as well.

I won’t ever read anything technical like theology, anything devotional, or a really practical book that I want to mark and refer back to. You won’t get as much out of reading those books on a Kindle because the physical is very important in reading.

Reasons to Get a Kindle

Our typical suitcase when traveling. My dad always had a suitcase like this when I was growing up. Think how much worse it was without a Kindle!

1. You don’t have to lug a ton of books around when traveling I am always reading lots of books at once, and while our suitcase usually looks like this, it has gotten better with a Kindle.

2. You don’t have to hold huge books up in bed. I have become a very exhausted reader at night. Probably lazy too, but now I find large books tiring to hold up when I’m about to fall asleep when I do the biggest chunk of my reading.

   

   Before I got Joel onto Kindles

3. You can read one-handed, so if you’re holding or feeding a baby, you’re more likely to grab a Kindle rather than scroll your phone.

We have cut back on how many libraries we use….

4. No more library fines, keeping track of all the libraries, and losing books! Well, we still get those, but you can get library books on an e-reader, and they automatically get returned when they are due. It took me way too long to figure this out, but you just look up directions for whatever library and e-reader you have.

   

5. The benefits for older kids are huge. You can let your kids speed through series of books without buying them, control what they read, and let them read in the dark if they share a room with others sleeping.

6. The technology is relatively cheap but lasts. The same Kindle Joel got me 12 years ago still works (though I upgraded) and the batteries hardly ever needs to be charged. You can a good Kindle for $50 or so used and a new one for around $100.

The Kindle is Different Than Reading On Your Phone or Computer

Unlike most modern technologies, the Kindle is surprisingly simple and devoted to keep you reading easily. It keeps you from getting distracted by the internet or games (except for the Kindle Fire which I wouldn’t recommend).

You technically can start searching the web, but it is really difficult, and you never would be tempted to do it unless you need to quickly buy a book. I know some people have gotten really good at reading on their phones which is impressive to me. But I think the distractions and ability to click on something else or respond to a text are way too prevalent.

The screen is totally different than computer/tablet/phone as well. E-readers have an E-ink screen, and while I have no idea what that is, it doesn’t have a glare or blue light or anything that will keep you awake. It is black and white and the battery hardly ever dies.

Need a Place to Start?

If you want to try using an e-reader, try your next novel on it, especially a long one. Some of my best reading experiences have been long ones like Jane Eyre and Anna Karenina, because I had no idea how long those novels were but just got engrossed in the story.

Or if you’re not a fiction reader, try a large history book like Ron Chernow or David McCullough where you can just enjoy the story and not worry about all the facts.

Get one before your next trip, and you won’t be sorry!