What are the benefits of modern e-book readers?
This is a question we honestly don’t get very often, in part because the benefits seem obvious. Obviously, you can consolidate several full shelves into one small electronic device. That’s the obvious benefit, but until you’ve had one, there are some benefits you may not have considered.
Most e-readers contain a number of features that make reading more enjoyable. Increasing the font size at the click of a button can be very helpful if you’ve forgotten your reading glasses, or even if your eyes are getting tired. The screen of e-readers is not backlit like LCD monitors, and e-ink is much easier on the eyes.
Have you ever noticed how you feel tied to a paper book? You can’t just put it down while you have a drink, or leave it on the counter without a marker, which I always lose. With an e-reader, you can put it down at any time, then pick it up and continue reading where you left off.
Maybe you want to read two books instead of reading a whole book. With an e-reader, you have access to an entire library of books without having to lug around an entire library of books. That will really save your back when you move to a new house. Or maybe you get caught up in a conversation and want to share a quote from your favorite writer. Instead of flipping through page after page, you can use the “search” feature and search for certain phrases or keywords. If you plan a bit ahead of time, you can go right there with as many bookmarks, highlights, and notes as you like.
Saving your spot is nothing compared to the money you save. Ebooks are usually much less expensive than the real thing, and they won’t fade, yellow, or tear over time, no matter how often you read them. In fact, your license is stored online, so you’ll never lose your book. And hey, you save some trees from turning to paper while saving the green paper guy.
Maybe you think you don’t read enough to justify buying an e-reader. First of all, what a shame for you! Did you know that people who read more books are more successful at work and earn more money? It is true. Readers are also more active in attending events, be they recreational, charity-related, etc. People who read real books are more independent and innovative in their thinking. The point is that reading more is good for your brain. Oh, and readers are less likely to develop some brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. Yes, I have sources for this on the original page. Complaints about reading aside, you could read more if it was more convenient for you.
If you’re not one to read books (pity!), you can also read blogs, newspapers, articles, and more from your Kindle. You can also take a quote from anywhere and post it directly to your Twitter or Facebook page with e-readers like Kindle. I know there have been many times when I wanted to share what I was reading with friends, but I rarely show them a quote from a book.
In case you’re a poor reader (in which case you need to improve your reading skills with an e-reader!), here’s the bottom line: e-books are
1) portable,
2) affordable,
3) searchable,
4) legible, and
5) packed with features that make them absurdly convenient.