Why I Use an EReader

As you know, given the focus of this blog, I am a Fanciful Reader. I read a lot of books, and I am also trying to expand my reading horizons with different genres. I also have several health issues, and I rent an apartment. Where am I going with this? Well, all of these things impact on my reading life quite a bit, and the way that I read.

I use an eReader, is what I am getting at. More specifically, I use a Kindle Paperwhite named The Fanciful Library. That’s not to say I don’t read print books. I have a shelf in my reading nook that I am very proud of. But if I were to rely 100% on print books, I wouldn’t do nearly as much reading as I am able now.

I was hesitant at first, as I am sure many readers are, to buy an eReader. But as we rent, I just don’t have the space for lots of bookshelves, and if you’ve ever tried to move a large amount of books, you’ll believe me when I say that they are ridiculously heavy. So, I bought my Paperwhite. It took me no time at all to fall in love with it.

As I said, I have health issues that impact on every aspect of my life, including reading. Sometimes I can’t hold a book open without getting a wrist cramp. Sometimes I can’t even hold a book for an extended period. The Paperwhite is lightweight, and obviously I don’t need to keep it open, so those problems are taken care of. I have crippling insomnia and do a lot of my reading at night. The Paperwhite is backlit so I can comfortably do that without keeping my husband awake. I have agoraphobia, so being able to buy new books from home is an amazing power.

I have been trying to read many different books and genres, some of which may be hard to find in print, or mightn’t even exist in that format. The Paperwhite allows me to explore an amazingly wide range of authors and genres that might otherwise be difficult. I also tend to read very fast. Being able to buy new books, often cheaper than print, right on the eReader is very useful.

Of course there are some drawbacks. I can’t lend my eBooks to others if I want them to read them, or if they are interested. Flicking back to find information can be difficult as I can’t physically peruse the pages (though I make a lot of highlights and notes, so this is less of an issue for me, as I can search through those).

For me though, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks, and I have found myself reading more than I ever had before I bought my first Paperwhite in 2016. Many new book related opportunities have opened up to me. I am happier and more satisfied in my reading life. I evolved into The Fanciful Reader you see before you.