My favorite digital reader

My introduction to the Kindle Paperwhite:

In 2014, just before I had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, my wonderful children gave me a Kindle Paperwhite reader. At the time I put on a gracious smile (I sure hope it fooled them at that time;-) and thanked them. What I was thinking was “Who gives a librarian, who loves books and all things doing with a library, a digital reader?”.

Well, it did not take me long – not too far into the first book I downloaded in fact (This Is Where I  Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper) that I became hooked. So hooked in fact that I prefer to read on my Kindle rather than read a physical book. I know, this seems like a travesty to book lovers around the globe but believe me when I say the plusses outweigh the minuses as far as I am concerned.

My review:

It is lightweight and can easily fit into a purse, backpack or computer bag

Kindle Paperwhite guides light toward the surface of the display with its built-in front light—unlike back-lit tablets that shine in your eyes—so you can read comfortably for hours without eyestrain. The screen’s brightness can be adjusted for reading in any light. This is one of the best features of a Kindle as far as I am concerned.

I can read it outside in the sun (can’t do that with a tablet). Very important to me is that I can pick it up in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, open it up and not disturb my sleeping so-peacefully husband because I do not have to turn on a light.

The size of the text can be easily changed. If my eyes are particularly tired I can increase the size of the text. I can’t do that with a physical book, although large print books are very nice.

As of this writing, I have 273 books that I have downloaded onto my Kindle. Now before you think wow, that is a lot of money spent on books let me tell you something: The vast majority of the books I have on there I have borrowed from my local public library. My community has a small but excellent library. It is part of a large library network that expands its collection and services.

Download books for free:

One service the library subscribes to is called Media On Demand, which allows library cardholders to remotely borrow eBooks.  I. Use. This. All. The. Time.  I can borrow up to 20 books at a time and can place a hold on an additional 20 books. If they do not carry a book that title can even recommended.  The book will be automatically checked out to me should Media On Demand purchase the title. That is a great library service. I do not even have to step into my library in order to borrow books. 

So you may say that you are a slow reader and don’t always finish a book in 14 days? There is a setting that can be used to get a 21-day checkout. Need even more time?  Here is a little secret I learned: once the book is downloaded, put the Kindle on airplane mode. As long as it is on airplane mode the book cannot be returned (needs wifi to be returned).

If you use a computer or tablet to download the book (which is what I use) it does get returned on time, but you can still read it on your Kindle until you turn the airplane mode off. Pretty cool, right?

The book automatically gets returned at the end of the borrowing period (as long as the Kindle is not in airplane mode). No more overdue fines – Yea! No more books returned before you have finished them – Yea!

Another great feature:

It has a built-in dictionary. You can touch a word you are unfamiliar with. A dictionary pops up, giving the definition of the word. Can’t do that with a physical book without going to a dictionary. You do need to have the wifi on in order to do this.

You can download a few books, then go on vacation and only carry around one Kindle, instead of many books. I see that as a win-win situation!

My recommendation:

Go to Amazon and order a Kindle as soon as you can! Believe me, you will thank me;-)

Have I convinced you yet?

I am on my second Kindle since 2014. Did I tell you I love it?  Ha! There is now a new, waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. I am going to order this one very soon!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This said, I never endorse any product or products that I do not highly recommend. Any payment I receive helps me maintain and keep this site up and running.

All new 10th generation waterproof Kindle Paperwhite

*Do you already have a Kindle? If you are looking for book suggestions then you should visit my blog to read my book reviews!