e-reader skeptic betrays her own
I've talked shit about e-readers for a long time... without actually owning one myself. But since the prices of physical books (at least the new ones) are getting officially more expensive than I can handle, I decided to ask for an e-reader for my birthday. Needless to say, since it's in the title, I have betrayed my anti-e-reader brethren and gone to the dark side. And it's pretty awesome over here.
To start with, let's talk price. A functional, small e-reader is going to run you about 90-120 big ones. You really don't need all of the additional cutesy accessories people try to tell you are necessary, so including the cost of a case and nothing more, you're out about $150 or so (you don't want to drop and destroy your shiny new e-reader, do you?). In terms of how many books that costs, one black and white model e-reader costs you the same as buying about 8.5 paperbacks. I've had my e-reader for just over a week and have already completed 4 books on it, so I'm personally well towards my goal of getting my money's worth!
So, if you want to spend the least amount of money possible (especially considering that you just dropped $150), how do you get books on this thing for cheap? Boy, have I got the answer for you. Remember libraries? There's an app called Libby that can connect you with your local library, help you get a card, and then give you access to your local library's e-book database! Infinite free books for your new e-reader! That's how I've been reading all of my books so far, and besides a lengthy wait for some books (you have to place holds and take out loans the same as a regular library), the process is very easy and completely free. You can transfer the books you loan in the app onto your e-reader library relatively easily, which is nice. Currently, I'm loaning Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins and am nearly halfway through! I also like that with Libby, I don't have to feel pressured to get a subscription like Kindle Unlimited (which sucks anyway) or purchase books through the Kindle Store (still expensive) just to be able to read.
So why do I like the e-reader, other than it's cost-effectiveness? Well, I really enjoy being lazy. Sometimes, the best places/times to read aren't always the most convenient. For example, my favorite places to read are on the bus and in bed. If I wanted to read a book on the bus, I'd have to scan my phone when I get on, find my seat, put my bag on my lap, put my phone away, get out my book, and then start reading. Given that most of the books I read are on the chunkier side, that turns into a hassle pretty quickly. Also, I don't always want the stares that come with reading on public transit. With my e-reader, all I have to do is sit down and flip it open. It's so small that it fits in the back pocket of my messenger bag, so it's pretty hassle-free. I appreciate that, unless you're sitting right next to me, it looks like I'm just using a small tablet and nobody can tell what I'm reading because they can't see the cover. The e-reader also alleviates the pressure of deciding what book to bring in my bag for the day. If I pick the wrong one, I won't read at all, so having the e-reader ensures that I have at least 2-3 loaned books at my disposal at all times. I also love reading in bed, but holding a book is hardly the most comfortable position to be in before going to sleep. I have to keep adjusting so my page is lit by my bedside lamp, and I can't really lay on my side because the book is too large. With my e-reader, I can turn off the lights and still read perfectly and in whatever position I like. It's the same weight as my phone, if not lighter, so I don't have to worry about dropping it on my face while changing positions. I find that I get in many more pages on my e-reader in these places than I would with a physical book, as the hassle of reading a physical book takes up the time I could otherwise use to be reading it.
The last thing I love about the e-reader is the simplicity of it. I am a huge advocate for dedicated devices, and have been using them whenever I can (like my iPod, for instance). I always struggled to read e-books on my phone because it's so distracting. I get distracted with the settings, with notifications, and with all the other things I could be doing on my phone. On the e-reader, all I have is a clock and my library. While I'm reading, I can see the time at a glance, so I no longer have to keep checking my phone to know what time it is. The settings on the e-reader are customizable but also simple, so once I messed with them for a few minutes during setup I haven't had to revisit them. I've read four books in the last week with my e-reader, which is faster than I've read this entire year. I am no longer an e-reader skeptic, just a super-fan. I'm still not buying all those stupid extra accessories, though.
You might be wondering why I was so skeptical of e-readers before having one, and it all came down to the physical sensation of books. I love the look of type on paper, the feeling of a book in my hands, and the ability to collect as many bookmarks as I can fit in my house. I love going to the bookstore and picking out something I think I'll really enjoy outside of social media and algorithms. I still feel that way, even with my e-reader. I still support my local bookstore when I can, organize my home library, and keep all those bookmarks where I can see them. But when it comes to the volume of books I read as opposed to how many I can fit in my apartment, the ratio is pretty steep. I find myself donating books I've paid full-price for at least once a year, and it's usually a lot more than 8.5 paperbacks worth. If I can lower my spending by loaning books with Libby, and only purchasing books I see myself gifting to others or rereading again and again, then I consider that a win for both my love of physical books and my frugality.