I Bought a Kindle
How an e-reader (sort of) changed the way I consume media
I can’t stop talking about it — and I hate to break it to you — but I will continue to talk about my Kindle until I am no longer obsessed (if that day ever comes). In 2007, the original Kindle retailed for $399 and sold out within six hours. The device remained out of stock for nearly six months, and demand for the new e-reader continued to climb. Although I was only six years old when the first Kindle came out, I was always fascinated with the newest technologies and became aware of the e-reader sometime in elementary school.
Growing up, I LOVED to read, especially fantasy and sci-fi novels. Fantasy always appealed to me because it satisfied my vivid imagination and allowed me to transcend the mundane in a way that my mind alone could not. A crucial part of reading for me was the physical and sensory realities of the experience.
The earthy smell, the fluttering sound of the pages, and the distinct feeling of the book in your hands. The books themselves — specifically the covers — are also beautiful, and often help you imagine the world in which you are about to enter.
Needless to say, my young, bibliophilic and technology-loving self did not appreciate this specific merger of my interests; I told myself no matter how popular — or unpopular — e-readers become, I would never buy one.
I appreciated the reading experience too much to let a lifeless plastic screen take the place of my alluring books.
My younger self is turning in his book-filled grave, but if I could tell him one thing, it would be that he was wrong. Dead wrong (pun intended).
Environment
Sustainability is always on my mind. It is becoming increasingly essential for people to advocate for stronger environmental regulations and protections and do their part in reducing their carbon footprint. There are many variables to consider when performing a cost-benefit analysis regarding greenhouse gas emissions of a Kindle versus paper books.
It is impacted by the number of books one reads, whether they ship books to their house or buy them at the store, the type of paper the book is printed on, how long one keeps their Kindle, and more.
In my case, buying a Kindle will effectively reduce my carbon footprint. I’m not going to walk you through every scenario to help you decide whether purchasing one makes sense for you, but I hope that in explaining my situation and breaking it down strictly in terms of carbon emissions, I will give you a clearer idea of the potential environmental benefits.
According to a 2009 study by Cleantech Group, a Kindle produces approximately 168kg of CO2 throughout its life-cycle. A book — on average — produces roughly 7.5kg of CO2 emissions. This equates to about 23 books.
I have dozens of books on my shelf, and I would definitely be in the green (ha, punny) if I had bought a Kindle earlier. Larger books — especially textbooks — will produce more emissions, and Amazon has an incredible selection of books to choose from (more on that later). Many of my social work textbooks are available on the Kindle.
If you are someone that reads frequently and likes to buy new books, then it makes sense from an environmental standpoint to switch to an e-reader. If you are someone who only reads when you have a gun pointed to your head, then don’t buy a Kindle.
The same study by Cleantech Group also found that between 2009 and 2012, Kindle’s displaced approximately 9.9 billion kg of CO2 when accounting for the average number of e-books purchased compared to physical book purchases. This does not include other brands of e-readers, so the number is likely much greater when taking all devices and platforms into account.
Aesthetics
I’m not going to try and tell you that a Kindle is more attractive than a book, but it’s pretty damn cute. It’s pleasing to hold and has a smooth textured backing that feels nice in the hand. The Kindle Paperwhite — the version I own — has flat bezels that make the device look sleek and uniform, and the e-ink display is pleasant to the touch. It’s not as satisfying as a finger to paper, but it’s still nice, nonetheless. You can also get a case that showcases your personality. I like this one.
Access
One of the driving forces behind my purchase was the accessibility the Kindle offers. Currently, amidst the global pandemic, my local library is closed. I’m finished with finals and there is nothing I want to do more than to catch up on my reading. You can browse the Kindle store right on your device, or use your phone or laptop. As of March 2018, the platform had approximately 6 million titles available, and I would expect that number to have grown by at least a million. Chances are, you’ll be able to find whatever you’re looking for — and more.
Amazon also offers a subscription called Kindle Unlimited, and for $10 a month, you have access to millions of e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and more. You can “check-out” ten titles at a time, and then you return them when you’re finished. It is important to note that you won’t find all of the bestsellers on Kindle Unlimited — in fact, when compared to the entirety of the store’s offerings, it is actually fairly limited — but there is no denying the value and selection that you get for $10 a month.
I have a three-month free trial, so I will most likely cancel it when the summer ends because I don’t have a ton of free reading time during school. I’m also broke. There are plenty of lesser-known titles out there waiting to be discovered, and Kindle Unlimited allows you to do that. If you do not have Kindle Unlimited but have Amazon Prime, there is a monthly rotating free book list where you can read select titles.
Many libraries also have comprehensive e-book selections available. You can check out library books from your device, and then it gets “returned” to your library after the rental period. Kindles also offer access to people living in rural areas where libraries are not commonplace, and as long as you have an internet connection, you will be able to download virtually any title due to the small file sizes of e-books.
Features
This is where the Kindle really shines. I am going to keep this part relatively short because if you want a full-blown review of the device, there are plenty of hardware and feature-specific pieces out there. One of my favorite parts about the Kindle is how light and portable it is. It is far lighter than a book, and it is compact enough to fit in any sized bag or even a (large) pocket. My backpack would have been much lighter if I had a Kindle at the start of the year.
The e-ink display is perfectly readable in direct sunlight and is extremely energy efficient, which gives the Kindle a battery life of over a month; it is also scratch and shatter-resistant. The device is waterproof, so you can read in the bathtub or at the beach without fear of dropping your beloved reading companion.
All of the Kindles have WiFi, which can be used to browse the store, download titles, and look things up while you’re reading. For example, I am currently reading How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Barrett, and she uses the word “schadenfreude”. Schadenfreude is a German emotional concept that means gaining pleasure from someone else’s distress.
If, like me, you do not have a background in German, you would have been able to highlight the word and instantly discover its meaning. Some prefer to read on airplane mode to save battery, but I keep it off so I can actively look up information that is new to me. You can also take notes on the information you highlight, although I wouldn’t recommend more than a sentence or two due to the limited digital keyboard and smaller screen.
I bet by this point, you’re having trouble containing your excitement. You might be on Amazon right now, buying yourself a Kindle and counting down the seconds until it arrives at your doorstep. Or not. Either way, I hope I gave you some insight into how e-readers can potentially change the way you consume media.
I understand that e-readers are a small niche, and may eventually be replaced by iPads and other devices that have access to the Kindle store, but there is something to be said about a standalone device that is solely used for reading.
There are no distractions, no iMessage notifications popping up from the ex you thought you blocked, and no spam phone calls to disturb you. Granted, a book doesn’t have these distractions either, but it is worth mentioning. I find myself reading more with my Kindle than I would have otherwise, and I feel like I am learning and retaining more information with the ability to instantly look things up and make small notes.
An e-reader may never replace the joys of reading an old-fashioned book, but it isn’t meant to. Let’s stop judging books — and e-ink displays — by their covers.
