For years, I’ve been a loyal paper book devotee. The weight of the book in my hands, the satisfaction of turning the pages nothing else compared. So when e-readers started gaining popularity, I dismissed them without a second thought. Why trade a physical book for a cold, digital screen?
Honestly, I even eye rolled at the idea of a Kindle. I feared that having another digital device would only lead to more screen time and more distractions—things I’ve been consciously trying to reduce. The thought of reading on a device felt, frankly, unnatural to me. But recently, I decided to give the Kindle a try, mostly out of curiosity and the ease of packing for a vacation without 10 pounds of books weighing me down. And I’ll admit: I was wrong. Very wrong.
Let’s talk about the convenience. Carrying around a 700-page book in your purse? Not exactly practical. But carrying around the same book on a Kindle that’s lightweight and fits snugly in my bag? Game-changing. I can read anywhere, anytime—whether I’m waiting for an appointment, lounging on the couch, or even lying in bed at night without disturbing anyone.
Then there’s the reading experience itself. The Kindle’s screen is remarkably easy on the eyes, even in bright sunlight I’ve found myself reading more than ever. I’ve also discovered that having access to an enormous library of books through Kindle Unlimited or our local library through Libby is like having a bookstore in my pocket.
But the biggest surprise? I’m checking my phone less. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media during downtime, I’ve been reaching for my Kindle. It’s been a refreshing change that has not only reduced my screen fatigue but also rekindled (pun intended) my love for reading.
So here I am, eating my words and publicly apologizing for all the unkind things I said about Kindles in the past. This little device has made me a believer. We invested in kindles for 2 of our kids and they love it as much as I do! No more collecting library books to return and they can easily download and return books themselves.
I’m still a paper book lover at heart, but now, I’ve embraced a new way to enjoy reading. And I have to say—it feels pretty great.
