Are eReaders Worth It?📚 ( Daniel V. Kindle )

I take on a Kindle as a "hater" of eReaders! Big thank you to Wraithmarked for doing this massive charity project: / over_700_books_free_or...
My books
Neon Ghosts: amzn.to/3Y2N1QI (digital)
Neon Ghosts: Physical: tinyurl.com/NGPreOrder
Breach of Peace: tinyurl.com/BoPTLT
Rebels Creed: tinyurl.com/RCTLTDG
merch: www.danielbgreene.com
Patreon: / danielbgreene
Join the Discord here: / discord
All the Me Social Links: linktr.ee/DanielGreene

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

CORRECTION! I said KU was about $30 a month. WRONG. It’s 11.99 in the U.S. and I thought I ordered a paper white but nope! It’s just a a kindle. :) Big thank you to Wraithmarked for sponsoring todays video: www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/18r94ge/over_700_books_free_or_099_more_than_200/

[@pemryjanes5789]

E-readers have their advantages and disadvantages. I do have to admit that my own kobo reader can be finicky sometimes to start and to turn the page, but it's an old one by now.

[@rcm024]

Just an additional fyi, you can pay (I think $20) to permanently disable the lockscreen ads as well

[@Glokta4]

How much did it cost you to get to the top of the /r/fantasy spreadsheet?

[@JustXavier]

I have a job and a Paperwhite - the Paperwhite is leaps and bounds better.

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

@@rcm024this is some donkey ass right there.

[@doctorbob6791]

Something your experiment didn't consider: For some of us, an ereader is what ALLOWS us to read. My vision is bad enough that unless it's a very bright room I can't read a physical book. An ereader lets me adjust the lighting and font size....so I love mine.

[@lamaface]

Right? When my dad started reading less I got him a Kindle and loaded all his faves on it - he had the font so big it was only about a paragraph per page but he was so happy! I'm a big proponent of ereaders as accessibility aids

[@josie8997]

I have no visual impairments myself, but I have pretty bad dyslexia and changing fonts and font sizes has been SUCH a gamechanger for my reading as well.

[@TheCrazyCanuck420]

FYI if the kindle doesn't cut it later down the road some people put the app on their android TV/streaming device so that they can read the text on a big TV.

[@jenniferm.2142]

Yup. Same.

[@princeofjinhae]

I got my kindle back in November i have definitely read more books than before😍

[@srbm123.]

Knowing how long it will take for me to finish a chapter and planning accordingly is a game changer. I still love my physical books, but 90% of my reading is still on my kindle

[@jonevansauthor]

Agreed. I mostly use Kindle on my phone, but have also used the physical Kindle, and used it on PC desktop. Being able to carry an entire library of books with me, is much better. Plus, no luggage handler can damage by book when I'm going on holiday.

[@Cloudy222]

Lol I'm sorry but how are you not able to do the same with a physical book ? There is still page numbers in between chapters can you not just count 😂

[@srbm123.]

@@Cloudy222 Kindle gives a precise estimation in minutes based on how long I usually take to turn the page. It does so automatically. I *could* do it with a physical book, but that would involve me having to search for the end of each chapter and guess how long it would take me. I don’t have much free time and mostly read before sleeping, so knowing how much time I would have to invest in a chapter is quite nice. I’m not saying it is impossible to do on a physical book, I’m just saying it’s easy and nice 🤷

[@Cloudy222]

@dyrgsmp123 ahh okay see that's pretty dope. I do not own a kindle I was unaware it tracked how long it takes you to read, I'm used to eReader apps that just tell you percentage of the chapter or book you are threw. That's a nice feature to have I must say

[@seanduncan1284]

@@Cloudy222 what they’re describing is glancing down to the bottom of the kindle screen and immediately seeing an accurate estimate in minutes of how long it will take them to finish the chapter. This figure is automatically calculated based on the individual’s reading speed and is updated with every page turn. What you’re describing is a person pausing to flick through their book, count the number of pages until the chapter finishes, and then guess how long they have to finish based on their best estimate of how many pages per minute they read. These aren’t really comparable. If someone likes the feature of knowing at a glance how much longer they have left in a chapter, then the first option is clearly a massive benefit. The second option is slow, tedious and inaccurate.

[@ThomasRogan19]

As a 27 year old man, purchasing my Kobo Clara 2E completely changed my life. The first book I ever finished was in early 2023 and now at the end of the year, I have read 8 books and its entirely because of my ereader. I have always struggled with my attention span and being able to read at night, in complete darkness with a screen that doesn't strain my eyes is a game changer. This device opened a whole new world to me and its been a joy.

[@rocioiribe5841]

That was my experience as well! I was an avid reader as a child but fell off as an adult until I got my Kindle Paperwhite, mainly b/c i can read in the dark 😅

[@Florfilm]

I also have Kobo after trying diffrent brands. They are easily the best imo. Also I use the KOReader alternative software, which is highly customizable and has no adds at all. Of course you have to install that youself, but it's well worth the hassle.

[@isitlina]

that’s so amazing omg!!!!

[@BasedHyperborean]

You never finished an entire book period in 26 years of life? What?

[@alexispalacios5436]

@@BasedHyperborean for me personally, it’s very hard when struggling with undiagnosed adhd. Too many distractions to want to sit there and finish a book.

[@athompson41]

It just makes reading SO much more inclusive. Larger fonts, different fonts, brighter pages are just so useful to individuals with different issues (eye sight, dyslexia, etc). I also almost only utilize a computer for the store and syncing rather than using the UI in the kindle. I also think it's worth mentioning that the libby app that links with your local USA library can also loan out ebooks to load to your kindle.

[@DanielBrain]

Yeah, totally agree on the "computer/app for the store" part. The comments on the OS confused me because the only time I see anything other than a book is pressing home and tapping another book to read and little things like changing brightness. Finding books on the eReader itself is horrible but I guess nice to have if you're in a bind.

[@lukeconley308]

Most public libraries have Libby which let's you borrow ebooks to your kindle! All the convenience without having to support Amazon!

[@papapaburu1226]

This is the way

[@jo_aspen]

I would be absolutely lost without my Libby app, good shout out

[@alphabah49]

The only inconvenience is that depending on the amount of copies, you might have to wait a while before you get the book. Also, the selection could be very limited if your library isn’t a large library system like the NYPL or the BPL.

[@boomerbyll3004]

@@alphabah49my wife is a librarian and has showed me how to get library cards from every legal source in my area. I place holds in about 5 different systems and haven’t had to wait more than a couple of weeks to get books. It takes some management to repost holds but there is always something for me to read available now. I’ve become use to picking from a few books I want to read instead of getting a specific title on demand.

[@TheLizardKing752]

Wait I need to check this out. Literally.

[@GDI1Firetalker]

One of the best features that I don't think was mentioned is having a dictionary downloaded on it. You simply highlight a word and it gives you the dictionary definition immediately. Since reading on e-readers I've learned the actual definition to lots of words I had learned through context clues reading physical books. I was subtly off on many of them.

[@DmGray]

Totally agreed ^^ I sometimes find myself reaching to touch a word in a physical book bc it's become SO ingrained. I've always had a pretty good vocabulary, but this habit strengthened by understanding so much bc, as you say so much of my understanding came from context and I was subtly off on so many uncommon words. I can be EVEN MORE of a pedant now :P

[@senorbe]

And at least on the Kindle I have - you can also get it to translate from different languages. As Daniel said, the UI integration was terrible, but being able to understand untranslated sections in non-English books is a big deal.

[@IzzysTravelDiaries]

I read a book where the writer was very into using nautical terms. Ugh.

[@ciannacoleman5125]

​@@DmGray😂 I have done the same thing with art: I've done so much art on my iPad I will sometimes try to pinch zoom a physical painting!

[@jenniferm.2142]

Oo yes! This! I forgot to add this to my review. I use the dictionary feature all the time. To the point where if I ever do read a physical book, I find myself pushing on the words to define them. 😂

[@AlfredoMateus]

I live in Brazil and I only read fantasy and SF in English... not having to pay for the shipping of the book and having it right away instead of waiting a month is amazing. Now I only read in my kindle, and yes, I ended up reading much more of the kindle unlimited selection than other books... but I am reading dozens of books a year, so it is a great deal. My kindle is older and has no ads, fortunately, it shows the cover of the book.

[@PhreakPhantom]

Concordo. Sem falar que no Kindle você pode baixar gratuitamente o primeiro capítulo de qualquer livro para ler antes de comprar.

[@angelolima8984]

Eu estou pensando em comprar um Kindle para futuras leituras, venho pesquisando sobre faz dois dias. Apesar de eu não ler tanto, eu acho que vai me ajudar muito pq os preços me lascam eu só estudo. Comecei a ler livros somente aos 18 anos (tenho 20), nesse período acho que só li uns 15. Gosto de fantasia e ficção científica tbm. Qual Kindle você você possui ?

[@AlfredoMateus]

@@angelolima8984meu kindle é o mais simples, e já tem uns 6 anos. Eu leio quase tudo em inglês e consegui fazer uma conta na amazon americana. O kindle unlimited da amazon brasileira não tem tanta coisa assim, pra mim não valeria a pena.

[@jeanlucas2592]

To me, the Kindle was an absolutely game changer. Even when I buy the physical copy of a book I end up reading it on the device

[@85NickT]

I went from "I'll never use one" to "actually, this is ok" when I got the original Kindle to "I can't live without it" when I first got a Paperwhite. Reading in bed with the backlight dimmed is the best thing that ever happened. And I can confirm it's pretty tough. I often wake up with it under me, or on the floor beside the bed and it hasn't done it any harm.

[@DmGray]

Same. I love a physical book, and I still routinely buy them... but I do 90% of my reading on my kindle. The convenience of having a library in my pocket means I never run out of book while I'm out. I ALSO absolutely love the dictionary feature. When I come across an unusual word I can just touch it to see a definition (typically I'm just checking my prior understanding, but my vocabulary as undoubtedly improved, as has my understanding of many words that I'd only ever learned through context and so wasn't EXACTLY correct about) I used to keep notes on odd words to try and look up later :P And the backlight means I don't disturb anyone when I'm reading in the dark. Which is a lot. Genuinely could not imagine life without an e-reader now >

[@1957DLT]

I made the switch about 15 years ago and have never looked back, to be honest. I was running out of valuable house real estate for all my 'have to keep' novels. My books were a combination of hard cover and paperback. I detested the dusting. I detested the decaying smell that paperbacks give off after many years. I suffered with dust allergies, and all I really wanted was to read. I thought I might miss the physicality of holding 'real' book in my hands, but, nope, never once has that happened. I have upgraded my Kindle over the years, my library is enormous, and it travels with me everywhere.

[@rosssims7224]

Finding my kindle in my bed the next morning is the best feeling 😂

[@Daiarthaine65]

The fact that my Kobo can sync wirelessly with my Calibre library is amazing. I can annotate my books guilt-free (and I do so liberally). I love physical books, sure, but, as a digital hoarder, having my entire e-book library with me at all times is second to none. With e-ink display technology as good as it is now, I do not understand the hate for e-readers.

[@datAero]

Wireless calibre sync ? H U H ?

[@sydverse127]

can you give a tldr or link to somewhere that explains the wireless sync? i'd love to learn how to do this omg

[@Deni-mt9bj]

Wait… you’re telling me that kobo can sync with calibre? I really should’ve thought twice when I bough my first kindle (I had old Pocketbook which was getting slow). Not to mention that Amazon does not sell books in my language, so all my books are sideloaded through calibre anyway. Even KU does not exist in my country. I love the reading experience on kindle, but everything else is just pain. It doesn’t even group series, which I used quite a lot on my old one.

[@sydverse127]

@@Deni-mt9bj i’ve synced it with calibre via the micro usb, that’s how i convert all my epubs into kepubs to make the format on the kobo better but i didn’t know you could do it wirelessly

[@David_randomnumber]

2 of my most appreciated facts about my reader: backlight for reading in bed without annoying my wife with to much light and it's waterproof, no more soggy paperbacks after reading in the tub.

[@deborahhawkins9929]

I’m a mom of 2 under 2 and my kindle has been a lifeline. It fits so easily in the diaper bag so when we are on the go I don’t have to carry around a huge book with all the baby stuff I need. I was recently able to read Rhythm of War easily off of it without having to make room for it!

[@whitney2548]

Same! Also so handy for middle of the night nursings!

[@siannanking9602]

I've found that the ability to have a dictionary attached to the ereader to be very helpful. I can just highlight the word and get a definition right away rather then having to mark it and look it up later on. This feature has really helped me make improvements in my target language literacy and has made reading in my second language a lot more streamlined. I also love being able to read ebooks from my public library on my ereader through the libby app for free!

[@handsoaphandsoap]

It would be cool if they could take this further and make it so you can look up different characters or locations in the story if you’ve forgotten them. I’m reading an Agatha Christie book at the moment and hadn’t been paying too close attention and suddenly a named character showed up repeatedly and I was like “hang on, who is this?” and had to go back to their introduction (turns out it was just a maid). It’d have been nice to be able to just click on the name and a little pop up would tell me who the character was so I wouldn’t have to go back.

[@ianbrinkley5968]

Agreed. That and being able to highlight and make notes on passages I like are game changing

[@SilverstreamPJ28]

For me it is. Physical books are extremely expensive in my country, I wouldn't be able to read as much as I do without my trusty Kindle

[@christianhotter]

I may be getting spoiled by being in a populated area in the US. Our libraries are amazing even though a small percentage of people want to get rid of the libraries and ban any books they don't like. Do your national libraries have partnerships with an app like Libby or Hoopla to check out e-books?

[@akshayhere]

​@@christianhotterI don't think they do. But even if they do, libraries such as that don't exist in small towns where I live in my country. Also paperbacks are way overpriced especially because the titles I want to read are mostly imported and Kindle version is always a lot cheaper

[@SilverstreamPJ28]

​@@christianhotterthere's no such a thing as national digital libraries here lol

[@geherrit1989]

Totally agree, usually books get split into 2-3 books when translated to german and every book gets sold at a premium. Original german Wheel of Time release for example was 37 books. I dont mind paying for books, but paying for the same book several times is absurd.

[@bananachocopie]

Same! I’m in Asia and buying books locally is expensive and shipping from overseas also expensive. 😢

[@combogalis]

I actually like how bad kindles are at non-reading. like you said in the beginning, it would suck if they became mostly just tablets that have the option to read. The clunkiness of the browser means I am much less likely to get distracted while reading, even if I do decide to open the browser for some reason I also thought I'd miss the feel of a book in my hand, but instead now whenever I think of reading a physical book, I just remember the inconvenience of holding it and trying to find a comfortable position, holding the pages open, and wrist pain...

[@KarolinaK00]

When he commented on that it took me a sec to even realise what he's talking about because yeah it's so atrociously bad I haven't done anything other than open and read a book on my Kindle pretty much since I bought it. I even buy books on my phone and sync to my kindle library to spare me the misery of having to open the kindle shop on the Kindle device haha

[@Crucio78]

Yeah, that's definitely a plus in my book. I email myself books, read books and use the store but only when I know exactly what book I want. I'm probably 30 hours in a book vs 15 minutes in the UI excluding the 5 seconds each day I change the font size when I read in bed.

[@isitlina]

yeeesss when i got my ipad mini i wanted to use it for reading but i always got distracted by all the other apps and the easy access to the internet. kindle is very good at keeping you focused on reading by not giving any distractions.

[@wanderer4775]

This is exactly why I got the paperwhite, I had the kindle fire and found myself playing with every app except the kindle app when I was “reading” 😅

[@iNeedScissors67]

Finding a comfortable position is another big reason why I love my Kindle. If I have days where I pushed especially hard on my upper-body workout, my arms are basically wet noodles and holding anything heavier than a Kindle for an extended period of time becomes difficult.

[@chrisrumfellow4566]

Using Calibre to manage your library is definitely the move, you never have to deal with e-reader ui outside of reading books and maybe changing quick settings like brightness or font size.

[@ylevre3285]

Finding the next book to read amid 500+ books is a pain on Kindle though. If you know the title you can search easily, but if you want to browse through for a mood read then it stinks for that

[@IzzysTravelDiaries]

I love Calibre. I actually used to work in database management and it works great.

[@ewogau]

During my military career my e reader was definitely my best investment. There is no way I would be able to carry all the books I read during each deployment. Now that I'm retired I get to build my library with physical copies of all my favorite books.

[@user-pi2vm2gj9t]

That sounds like a awesome plan man

[@phonicallychallenged2906]

Personally, I'm team Kobo to disconnect from Amazon as much as possible, but I absolutely love my e-reader and it's increasingly taking up a larger percentage of the books I'm reading.

[@rtoyou]

same! as a canadian, there are more advantages to kobo, since it is the ebony device that allows us to tap into our library systems and overdrive, and, kindle unlimited isn’t as good in canada anyway. kobo all the way!

[@Davo32795]

I have both, but prefer my kobo. The ui is much better.

[@oldmanyellsat]

KOBO for years

[@josieseeger8387]

I dont know if kobo is more known in Canada but my mom started using one almost 16 years ago and still loves it its a matt screen so its not so harsh on the eyes. I can barely keep up with tech even though im only 30 but the kobo didn't make me feel like an old lady. Hope you try it and if not all good if so i hope its a good experience😊

[@shittymcrvids3119]

Yup, I do all my reading on my kobo clara 2e

[@derella]

Without my Kindle, I wouldn't read nearly as much. I have no room for physical books, except for my favorites that I want to own forever. I get the complaints about the OS, but I don't do anything other than read on my Kindle... I buy the books on my phone/desktop, they show up on my Kindle, and I read them.

[@patty4349]

My husband hoards books. I mean this in the negative sense. He could go on tv. It turned my favorite thing, reading books, into something that stressed me out to the point of make me sick to my stomach. I recovered my joy in reading when I bought my first tablet. I didn't have to add to the clutter to get a new book.

[@PhreakPhantom]

I'm with you. I barely go into the settings or browse around the UI lol

[@georgwilliamfriedrichhegel5744]

I've had a Kindle of some kind since 2011. I can count on one hand how many times I've bought a book via the device. Or used any part of it other than reading an ebook.

[@CooperE16]

I’d love to see a one or more eReader videos: review of Kobo, comparison Kobo v Kindle (including audiobooks), discussion on public libraries (Libby on Kindle is not available outside US, but is on Kobo), sideloading eBooks with Calibre

[@Luumus]

I have the Kobo Libra 2, the one with buttons, and it has been one of the best purchases I've ever done. I travel quite a bit so can't carry around that many books, though I do try, and having all my library there really helps me to read much more overall. I also alternate between the same physical book and e-book, so for example if I'm at home I'll read the book, if I'm travelling or eating I'll read on the e-reader because it's more convenient. As for the kindle (amazon) vs kobo (non-amazon), I found Kobo to be fantastic, the design and quality of the e-reader is great, it has two physical buttons to turn the pages which I love, the cover folds in such a way that you can prop the Kobo really comfortably on a flat surface and read that way, and finally it allows you to add your own ebooks to the device without having the need for an account. It's just a great, alternative to Kindle IMO. Would love to see you review the Kobo Libra 2 as well, I think a lot of your complaints would be solved with it.

[@currangill430]

That's the one I have. I love my kobo libra 2 and I also have a kindle (for indie authors) but I do most of my reading on my Kobo. Kobo has a full on reader experience and Kindle feels more like a phone which does reading capability.

[@Florfilm]

I also have Kobo after trying diffrent brands. They are easily the best imo. Also I use the KOReader alternative software, which is highly customizable and has no adds at all. Of course you have to install that youself, but it's well worth the hassle.

[@currangill430]

@@Florfilm Install what yourself? All kobos come without ads

[@IbbyMelbourne]

For me, it changed my reading life for the better. Adjustable fonts, a backlight, waterproof, the e-ink looks close enough to the real thing, and I've only charged my Kindle maybe 5 times this entire year. I take it everywhere with me

[@richardbrown3055]

Yeah, I love my paperwhite, I splurged and also got the cork cover which added a wonderful and comfortable tactile aspect to the experience.

[@dexodro]

I use the Oasis and the amount of backlights in that, I think, cause my battery to drain pretty quickly. 3 days of use and down to 35% from 100%. Mind, I have auto brightness on.

[@hcstubbs3290]

I have an old kindle fire, and I don't think I've used it in like 3 years - it still has 77%. They don't even make knew tech with the charger any more it's that old. 😂 (I only use it when I go travelling for more than a week which is why it hasn't been used.)

[@Agerock]

These are what did it for me. It's just so darn convenient! The backlight and highlighting are my favorite features, but the real game change was when reading on my side in bed, I wouldn't have to constantly turn back and forth (or hold the books super awkwardly every other page)

[@Nyraxy]

I use a Kobo Libra H2O. It has physical buttons, can be put upright using a cover so you can just set it up if you're sitting at a table, and it's waterproof. Using Calibre to upload ebooks to the device is also super useful!

[@jonevansauthor]

Yes. Paperwhite is waterproof too which is a nice to have for bathtime. Not that I've ever dropped a book in the bath.

[@rishyanganwilson1536]

That Kobo cover is so underated. It helps a lot to have it upright and It's something I never thought I needed until I had it.

[@rudainareaz8762]

I have this one too! The physical buttons are so useful, I love them.

[@dianarodrigues7161]

I have the same , it's amazing 🤩

[@TheEmpressEllaseen]

I have this too and much prefer it to Kindle! No annoying ads, it works with my local libraries, doesn’t support Bezos. Also, a couple of my friends write books and I also have some texts for my studies - I can add any of those ePubs to my device with very little hassle.

[@TamilaSushkova]

I have a Kobo which is another company that makes e-readers and at the time, kindles still had a lot of problems (ads, battery life, no comfort mode light) and this year, I read 22/23 books on my Kobo and only one physically and I live by it! I think people are so conditioned around physical books and most people are so against it and when they try it, they're changed forever :) also my Kobo goes for weeks on one charge, I love it with my whole heart

[@ThanatoselNyx]

Not to defend Amazon but none of the problems you list are true. Kindles don't have ads, a charge lasts for like a month, and the lighting is variable.

[@zerin25]

They said "at the time" kindles had that problem

[@Neil457]

@@ThanatoselNyx the early Kindle Fire models did. They’re the colour screen ones that tried to be Kindles and tablets at the same time.

[@qamstel]

And yet probably the same people say that audiobooks is reading 😂

[@Conorinwonderland]

I also use a Kobo and I really appreciate that in Australia I'm able to borrow books from my local libraries by using OverDrive/Libby. Saves me lots of money and I appreciate the Libra which has physical buttons and also can play audiobooks too :)

[@Darkbirdy]

One important factor for me, as a Paperwhite user, is that I live in a very small house with my two adult kids. There is absolutely no room here, and with the hobbies I pursue, I've had to keep my physical bookshelves pruned. One shelf for non-fiction, one for hobby books, and a small shelf for a few special novels that mean a lot more to me than the contents of their pages. That's it - I couldn't fit another shelf in here unless I nailed it to the ceiling. Having an ereader allows me to still have a library.

[@joegilbody4878]

I moved from 13 rooms to 4 when I relocated to Florida I have very little room for physical books. I agree 100%

[@Ashtiel]

So I don't use KU, and I don't listen to audiobooks on my kindle(I do that on my phone), but if you buy a Kindle book that has audio, buy the book FIRST, and in the process, there's an option to add audio narration for usually around $7. So you get a pretty damn good discount when you buy both at once that way.

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

I often do that, even if I end up not reading the book, and only listen to the audiobook, since it's sometimes still the best deal.

[@jonevansauthor]

Yes. I think the Audible credits work slightly differently in the UK and are available cheaper overall but the Kindle + Audiobook discount is still there. Also I'd strongly recommend getting the daily deal email if you'll check it. At least in the UK it's usually £2.99 (probably $2.99 in the US) which is a lot cheaper than a credit no matter how you get it.

[@ann-karint.larsen7585]

I used to use the kindle paper white all the time! One of the features I especially like from the e-reader as opposed to a physical book is the dictionary. English is my second language, and being able to click on a word to see what it means - while not leaving the page I'm currently reading or fiddling with a (second) device - is fantastic.

[@kevin.michaels]

I used to use a Kindle but have moved to a Kobo. Less ads, great selection of manga and I love the lack of proprietary format restrictions so I can read other docs on it.

[@KalebChesnicFlutist]

Something to keep in mind for the future of your ebook use: finding your favorite font and putting it on your device is a GAME CHANGER. It seems stupid, but having a favorite font is a thing lol (shoutout Lexend) and it really helps me with eye strain. The process of setting it up on a kindle is a little finicky but once it’s there it’s good to go

[@jonevansauthor]

I knew they had several built in fonts, I didn't know you could install additional ones though. That's pretty cool :) Well worth experimenting, especially for those with dyslexia or eyesight issue. Also, if you are using the app on a tablet/phone you can change the colour of the background which can help with eyesight issues, reading in different light conditions and so on.

[@KalebChesnicFlutist]

@@jonevansauthor the colors etc on the app is very nice too! Unfortunately, you can’t add fonts to the app (or if you can, I haven’t figured that out), but adding them to the device is as easy as downloading the font file, plugging in your kindle, and dragging and dropping to the fonts folder. Pretty great!

[@jonevansauthor]

@@KalebChesnicFlutist gotcha :) Great tip regardless :)

[@Lauren.Wagstaff]

Oh! I hadn’t even thought about that. I’ll definitely look into this

[@MentatParadigm]

Ubuntu font on everything, for me.

[@muncus9599]

PSA: When you buy the ebook you get a wild discount on the audiobook, usually can add audio book for an extra $7.50. Normal comment: Kindle Paperwhite is amazing. Toting around 800 page fantasy novels was what pushed me to the e-reader and I've never looked back besides collecting my favorites in physical for fandom reasons.

[@slimdim1]

Very much this. In some cases I've found buying the ebook and "adding audible narration" for a couple of quid is cheaper than just getting the audiobook.

[@shannonberry9047]

Now, only if they can add the immersive reading feature on the Kindles. I love using the immersive reading feature on my phone through the app because it helps me to read faster when I increase the speed of the narrator.

[@jeffreybarker357]

I appreciate your willingness to admit that you’ve changed your mind in some ways. Most people will die in any hill because changing their mind seems to them to be the same as admitting they were wrong. We grow. We learn. Thank you for this!

[@Igobler-ho1bz]

Something to consider is that my eReader is fantastic for reading manga as well. I have the boox ultra tab c and i can read manga at a better resolution and a bigger size then most physical releases. The fact that its an android tablet with an e-ink display means that i can also download any ebook straight on it without needing any pc or additional devices. I use it at school as well because of the pen that comes with it. I can take notes and immediately have them on my PC synced with many many more useful functionalities. The batterylife despite it being a tablet is fantastic as well. Definitely a 10/10 product for me.

[@lamaface]

Ooh I've been eyeballing that for when my nova color gives up the ghost (won't be for a long while since it's still in top shape but I like to keep my eyes open)

[@JerwuQu]

I am very happy with my Kobo Libra. I used to have a Kindle but also missed proper page turn buttons, and I'm not in the Amazon-verse so it fits me better. With the official "SleepCover" you quite literally unfold it and start reading right away, like a regular book :)

[@dpstitches]

I have the same setup and it's so comfy.

[@robertcone613]

Sounds neat. My Kindle lets me tap anywhere on right side of screen to turn pages, easier for me as my eyes are bad

[@taylormyers7188]

Got my brother a Kobo for his birthday this past year and given your misgivings against Amazon (understandably so) you might appreciate that more.

[@arawalnut2715]

I have the Kobo Clara and I love it. There are no adds, the screen just displays the book cover when your not reading. I also love it because you can connect it to your Libby account and borrow books from the library so after the initial cost of the Kobo you don’t have to spend any money on books and you get to support your local library . I also find the user face really intuitive and easy to use. The one downside is that you can’t listen to any audiobooks but it’s not really a problem for me.

[@arawalnut2715]

Additionally the Kobo essentially works as a large USB of sorts so you can download books directly on it without the need for any sort of account

[@PrincePecky]

I’m in love with my Kindle Oasis! It has tactile buttons for page turning, a more ergonomic hand feel, and the bigger screen makes a subtle, but noticeable difference in making the experience more like a physical book. To address the clunky UI - that’s part of the charm/appeal for me; making anything but reading painful, well, forces me to just read!

[@OkamiRose]

Kobo all the way with my Libra 2! It does have physical buttons Daniel and no ads on the screensaver! It’s only been 2 months and I’ve read 13 books on it! The library ebook game is amazing! I’m in the US btw

[@aggieking87]

I truely wish all hardcover purchase came with a complimentary ebook. That would be best case scenario for me but unfortunately doubt that will happen anytime soon if ever. Loved how the year of Sanderson packages came with physical, audio, and ebook together but don’t recall how much of a money savings that was vs buying individually

[@Wildflower1013]

I would love this too, but my substitute is just to check out the ebook from the library through Libby. Doesn't always work if it's a brand new release cause of hold times, but if you can wait it saves some money

[@TinaTissue28]

@@Wildflower1013 The problem with Libby is that you can't get it on your kindle outside of the US and it really depends on your library if they have the book you are looking for. There has been plenty of times that I can't get a ebook or audio book through there because of licensing

[@Wildflower1013]

@@TinaTissue28 I was wondering if other countries had an equivalent of libby or not when inwas writing that reply. I don't know about non-US libraries of course, but here you can request your library get copies of books they don't have but you're interested in.

[@AndyBarbieri]

I've had a Kobo Aura for while now. Went Kobo as I didn't want to get locked into the Amazon-verse of things and was glad of my decision. I've migrated to the reading apps on my phone these days, more for convenience as I'll always have my phone on me and will be able to pull out my phone out of my pocket anywhere, anytime, as opposed to having to bring another device. I also use Calibre to reformat the books I've bought for offline reading too.

[@misugrrl]

My favorite part of kindle and e-readers in general is the ability to highlight sections of whatever I'm reading and then tap a note to it and write down my thoughts why that particular section spoke to me. I literally learned today you can access all of your highlighted passages online - I had connected Goodreads to my Kindle just for that and I no longer need to do that.

[@FreyaWarr]

I LOVE my e-reader! I read faster with it. It’s easier to read at night with my husband sleeping next to me. I can easily take it anywhere, and if I forget it I an just pick up my phone and pick up where I left off. Theres much less eye strain than reading on a device like phone or iPad. It’s much easier on my hands when reading massive tomes (storm light archive). It’s more economical and eco-friendly.

[@jonevansauthor]

I've heard a lot of people say that - they used to have to stop reading paperbacks because any light is distracting for the person sharing their bed. But a Kindle e-reader works nicely and has a subtle backlight that's much easier for a sleeper to ignore.

[@MariaRodriguez-dx6sm]

Many of us just don't have the physical escape to store all the books we read, especially if we have to move frequently. Ereaders also allows us what books are worthy to by a physical copy and take that precious espace in our homes

[@IzzysTravelDiaries]

Yeah, I recently got rid of 200 books because I didn't have space.

[@cdh111868]

I use my iPad and LOVE it. It connects to my phone easily and I love the IBooks interface and everything is very organized

[@Icibigmama]

I got a kobo one year ago and believe it helped me read more this past year. I love physical books but you can adjust the font size, it is lighter than some chunky books, it is easier to handle (to flip the page is juste a tap on the screen). I read a lot before bed and it is much more confortable for me on an e-reader. I also think I read o bit faster with the Kobo and I love that you can see how long the chapter is (easier for me to visualise on the e-reader) and how far you are in the book. I was afraid I would not use it but I love it and I'm glad I purchased it! And it saves a lot of shelf space!!

[@andrewm.3367]

Some of your issues with the Kindle are because it’s a Kindle. It’s by design. The UI is slow and choppy because it’s designed to read books, and nothing else. It’s not a tablet, which is why the screen technology is minimal, the UI is basic, etc. This is also why the battery life is so good, while maintaining such a slim and comfortable form factor. It wouldn’t last as long with more beefed up internals, a better screen, etc. without sacrificing the design due to needing to put in a larger battery. It’s meant to read books. A tablet would provide a better user experience overall and more functionality, but then it would be a tablet and would sacrifice all those benefits a simple EReader provides. It also wouldn’t be $150. All that being said, I’m glad you enjoyed the experience. I too once was a “physical book only” person and I now enjoy books both physically and with my E-Reader. Final note: if you like physical tactile buttons, the Kindle Oasis has those and is very nice (my wife has one). Hope you had a great Holiday with your family!

[@aquietlife8234]

A recommendation out of left field - maybe consider getting an e-ink device that is also a pretty good writing device. I have a Supernote for note taking + book reading and love being able to fit two of my book activities into one device. The Supernote team is also pretty militantly against planned obsolescence and has their product roadmap available online so the community can follow along and make requests for new features or updates. I like being able to take notes on the margins of my ebooks the way I do with my physical books, I also love using this alongside my physical books to take digital notes that I can easily upload to Notion/Obsidian/Evernote when I'm reading physical books. It's an all in one device for me!

[@Agerock]

I've primarily been using one of these devices too (Kindle Scribe); this is the way! I struggle to go back to a standard ereader now without the pen and writing capabilities

[@LoneStarViking90]

Add a matte screen protector to your phone and/or tablet. Its a game-changer! I personally use Paperlike.

[@shirasade]

I've been using Sony and then Kobo ereaders, currently the Kobo Clara 2e, which is made using recycled plastic. Its battery life is great, and as always it works very well with Calibre (a must for me). Rakuten Kobo also has their own ebook / audiobook store, and apparently now offers its own version of Kindle Unlimited (which I haven't tested, because I get my books from multiple sources).

[@paigesogard2385]

My favorite thing about kindles is the ability to send over library ebooks to the Kindle for free through Libby

[@matthewmiller4209]

I wish more people would realize this...why pay for kindle unlimited when libraries are everywhere.

[@jonevansauthor]

@@matthewmiller4209 because not all the books on Kindle Unlimited are available in any library at all. It's a great deal for avid readers in *checks* yes, all the genres that matter.

[@joking2052]

This isn't possible everywhere.

[@rocioiribe5841]

yes! support your local libraries!

[@DoNotLookDown]

I've read so many more books now that I've gotten a kindle it's insane. Having the kindle on a stand on my desk and just tapping the screen to change a page is amazing. It also syncs with the kindle app on my phone so it's a godsend to read on my phone at work and never have to worry about losing my place. I buy physical books of the ones I love. I've charged my kindle maybe 4 times since I got it last year and I cannot say more positive things about it.

[@werekill]

One point that I unfortunately did not see brought up: you can pay a small fee either when you first purchase a Kindle or afterwards to remove all of the ads permanently with no subscription. I'm surprised that the point wasn't brought up, unless I missed it. Not that it makes a huge difference, to be clear! The video as a whole was fantastic. Thanks for making it!

[@joshwilson314]

I got the onyx boox note air 2, which is an e reader/ note taker with a full android OS. It has a fairly steep learning curve, but is very versatile once you get to know it. You don't have to be tied into any one ecosystem either.

[@awildaviar]

I really struggle to pick up and read physical books and without having a kindle I probably would get through maybe 10 books a year. I do still mostly read on my phone but being able to ignore everything and just read without any distractions is so nice

[@fireboykhai]

Kobo has zero ads! And it sets the book cover of the current book you’re reading as the screensaver, and I loved admiring the screensaver at times. I used to be a physical books only reader, and it took probably close to a year to convert me into a mostly ebook reader. And the benefits starts to show when reading on an ereader is incorporated into daily life 1. I borrow books from the library to “test” new books/authors. If I’m certain I love the book after reading will I buy it. This has saved me a ton of money not buying into “hyped” books simply because it’s popular. 2. Slipping pockets of reading time when commuting or waiting in queues was life changing. Holding a physical book to read while queuing is inconvenient, but holding an ereader is easy. Much better than scrolling on our mobiles too 3. Reading on my bed in the dark till I fall asleep 🙃

[@jonevansauthor]

Kobo has zero ads is another way of saying the device has to be more expensive, you can't spend that saved money on books, and it never recommends books to you you didn't know existed. I'm not saying it's bad, it's just not as simple as 'ads are bad'. The Kobo people are very nice, and they sell in lots of territories. I still don't recommend publishing with them over going into KU though. Certainly not for newbies.

[@AnnemariePaq]

⁠@@jonevansauthorhas to be more expensive? A big company like Amazon could sell their ereader without ads for the same price they sell the "ads" version and still make a ton of money as a company. With how big of company they are and how much money there make kindles aren't even cheaper than kobos in my country 😕... Also I discover a ton of new books with Libby and don't pay for that.

[@fireboykhai]

@@jonevansauthor I think you speak from experience as an author based in US. But most of us are readers, book publishing doesn't matter to us and not everyone is based in US. Kindle is not anywhere cheaper in my country. In fact the new PW 5 is more expensive than the Clara 2E now. Libby on Kindle is also not available in my country. Kobo store recommends books and authors I've never seen before and I swipe their daily deals often to try new books. But honestly, I don't see much benefits for me in getting locked in an Amazon environment.

[@ripplebrook3419]

I’ve been a kindle user for many years and I absolutely love it. Here are some of the reasons I prefer it over physical books: 1. Space savings. I used to have 5 entire bookcases stacked double thick full of books. My physical books now take up 90% less space. 2. Backlight. I like to read in bed. This lets me read without having to have a light on in the room. 3. Reading comfort. I can easily hold it in one hand and not have to constantly readjust with turning pages, especially when lying down. 4. Instant access to whatever I want to read. 5. I can read on my phone when I don’t have my ‘book’ with me. 6. It’s waterproof. I’ve used it in floating in a pool, at the beach, in the bathtub and in a hot tub. Reading and water is the perfect relaxation combo.

[@franedelstein3975]

I have a kobo libra 2 and I love it!! I don’t use any of the kobo ecosystem stuff and exclusively side load/use Libby though. The physical buttons are great, plus with the sleep cover you open it and get to reading just like a physical book. The OS is always just going to be a little clunky on these types of devices though, just have to get used to it. I think the kobo OS has been better in general than the paperwhite I used to have, which is nice since it also got me out of the Amazon sphere

[@Reading_in_pink]

For my dyslexia my kindle has been a game changer I can literally ready 3 times as many books as before just from being able to decide on font and spacing and it’s also more of a comfortable read than physical where my fingers always get stiff holding the heavy side when I’m near the start or end of a big chonky book so I find I read for longer periods at a time because whenever I stop a physical book to stretch out my fingers I tend to pick up my phone and scroll socials like the phone obsessed gremlin I am instead of going back to the next page

[@jayvansickle7607]

What do you think of that Open Dyslexic font (if that’s what it’s called)? Does it actually help at all, or is it just a gimmick?

[@crediblesalamander8056]

I love how convenient an eReader is for reading on the go, since I do a significant portion of my reading on public transportation. I can just pull it out of my jacket's pocket and start reading immediately. Removing that tiny barrier to start reading has made me read a lot more. Physical books are still great though.

[@karizamenchaca9627]

Getting a kindle has saved my reading life as my eyesight has gotten so bad it makes reading physical books hard. With the kindle I’m able to easily set the font to a larger size! I do miss physical books all the time but I’m forever grateful for my kindle 🙏🏼💗

[@RobMilligan22]

6:59 Getting the kindle version for free with the audio version would be awesome, but you can’t have expected that to be the case. They are separate products, with separate production teams. But kindle does the closest thing by offering a significant discount on many audiobook when you purchase or already own the ebook. It often costs less than buying the audiobook alone.

[@WrappedBaggage]

Love to see you going through these as I'm also thinking of trying out an e-reader. I try to use the library as much as possible and buy the books I want to own, but the problem is that if I want to read indie fantasy books I get recommended by amongst other BookTubers, they are either not available at the library or Norwegian bookstores don't stock them. With an e-reader, that would not be a problem anymore. Excited to see what you pick :)

[@danzvixn]

I love my kindle. I used to be a physical book snob, until I moved and had no room to keep all of my precious books. I found my self reading less and less over the years, until I pretty well stopped all together. I bought myself a kindle in July, and now I'm reading more than ever. :) I find that I'm reading much longer books too - books that I would have never bought because of how thick they are.

[@louiepreciado5672]

I love my Kindle paper-white. It's allowed me to read more frequently. I have vision problems and now I don't have to rely on carrying my reading glasses everywhere because I can just make the font embarrassingly large. I can also properly wind down at night because I can turn the lights off in my room, switch it to dark mode and turn the warmth all the way up and not mess with my circadian rhythm. E-ink is so much easier on my eyes than a regular screen (dated technology, but it's what makes the interface so clunky so it's a tradeoff). I've only had to charge it 3 or 4 times in the 7 months I've had it. If you message amazon support they'll disable the ads for you for free.

[@ianishler6953]

One huge aspect for me is the fact that I can buy and own literally THOUSANDS of books and be able to access them seamlessly. I love collecting books, but I need a ton of space to store them. I live in an apartment, and it just isn’t feasible. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that I have an endless amount of books in such a small, portable device.

[@georgeclose8816]

Great review Daniel. Big Kindle fan here (hate Amazon but still) a few thoughts for you: 1. The Kindle you have here is actually the basic model, not the paperwhite. The paperwhite has a much faster processor which doesn’t fix the OS, but does make getting around much faster. Paperwhite also has the “warm yellow light” feature which is my absolute favorite feature because of how much gentler it makes the screen. 2. The ads can be removed for $20. I am also annoyed by it, but I think they present it more as a $20 discount in exchange for ads rather than an additional fee.

[@msj7872]

Since Amazon is all intrusive I've actually been recommended some books on the ad screen that I actually bought to read.

[@jonevansauthor]

@@msj7872 yes, and those are likely ads the author directed at their readers or readers within their genre. Unlike KZbin ads for completely irrelevant nonsense. Offering the discount so that people with little or no money get the device cheaper is an extremely fair trade. They can also pay the fee, once, and permanently get rid of them if they want.

[@derlis_whatever7033]

you can ask customer service to get rid of them for free and they will do it no problem, just give an excuse like i don't like the ads it shows bc theres children in my house etc

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

I have an Onyx Boox. Which is nice because it runs Android, so you can make it do whatever you want. It's a Kindle and a Kobo and everything else. Battery life is pretty decent but not quite as good as a dedicated Kindle or something.

[@j.s.elliot7121]

I _love_ my Boox. I currently have the Page, which is analogous to the Kindle Oasis (also own that) and the Kobo Libra. Seven inch screen, black and white, with page-turn buttons. I still use my Oasis, but the Page is competing with it for a daily driver due to the sheer versatility and it being able to run every single bookish app there is.

[@ChloeFrizzle]

Extra vote for an Onyx Boox device! The versatility (you're not chained to just Kindle or Kobo books) is so nice

[@kindlingembers]

I've been a Kindle eink user for 13 years and decided to branch out and bought the Boox Palma. I haven't had it long but I likely won't be purchasing another Kindle device any time soon if at all. The experience on the Boox device is so much better! Way more customizable!

[@lamaface]

Seconded the vote for the Boox, they're great!

[@call_me_pebble]

As others have pointed out, Kobo Clara 2e was the game changer for me. I went with the Kobo because F amazon. The Clara literally fits in my pocket. It's not much larger than my phone but still plenty big enough to read off of. The battery life is phenomenal, easily lasts me 3-4 weeks. However, if like me you rarely venture out of the book you are reading or open up any UI, you might forget to keep up with the battery percentage and randomly find your device dead without much warning. I also recommend adding a case with a cover attached. Just like with the Kindle, the Clara will go into rest mode when the cover is closed and awaken when you open it. It feels just like opening a book!* *sorta

[@laurengo5623]

I've been using kindle app since the year 2017 and all I can say is that it is the best thing that has been ever created for readers. I have a small house and therefore no space for owning many physical books, I travel a lot and I am happy to say that bringing my digital library wherever I go is heaven sent. Best part is reading in places where there is barely any light! People would say it gives you headache or it hurts the eyes but I never had those problems even if my eye glass grades are high.

[@jolanc]

I have a pocketbook (one of the bigger brands in the Netherlands) and it has 4 physical buttons. Home, backward, forward and settings. It really adds to the experience! Minus and plus is that it is not connected to amazon, so no adds, but also no syncing to audible ;) The one I use (touch lux 5) cannot read audiobooks to you, but other models do have that option I believe. I have been een ereader user for over 10 years and have experience with 3 brands. Sony used to make ereaders (not anymore, but that was my first ereader) and sony also had physical buttons. After my sony I used a Kobo Aura, which did not have physical buttons. It is really easy to use and also very popular in Europe and it worked very good. But I missed the physical buttons and therefore I decided to try the pocketbook. Which I am using for over 3 years now. Though I have to say that I have not yet bought an e-book through the shop on my ereader. I am used to buying the epub variation and than loading it to my device. The shop is also not very accomodating if you are looking for indie authors, which is a big minus. So this is my short experience with 3 different types of ereaders!

[@baumkuchen6543]

Pocketbook is no. 1 for me. Especially because at least some of the devices are linux based and give you full control over it. Not like you need it too much since mine was free of junk by default.

[@dixoncrofford2037]

The way I read due to how I work is ebook and audible. Despite not being financially gifted though, when I find a book that touches me or I REALLY love, I will go out of my way to get the physical copy to support the author as a thank you for making something impactful to me. My ebook makes it so that I can read in my life compared to the carrying books everywhere. Thank you for the honest review, because everything you said is true!!

[@jennw892]

We travel quite a bit. Many of our vacations are laid back, relaxing with a good book type of vacations. I love being able to bring all of my books with me and essentially read whatever my mood calls for as opposed to packing a small selection of bulky books. Additionally, even though I love the look and feel of a physical book, I simply don't have the room to store them, nor the desire to dust them. I love the look of home libraries and book shelves but they just don't work for me. The Kindle allows me to store my books in a 5x7 device.

[@andscifi]

The main value for the kindle for me is traveling. Whether it's a vacation or just going out for the day it's nice to have access to as many books as I want without any extra weight. It also means that I'm more likely to have it when I wasn't planning on reading, so when I get stuck waiting somewhere or decide I have some extra time and want to go to a coffee shop I have my book with me. But tt home, where I do a lot of my reading, having a physical copy of a book is just as convenient and feels better, even if that is mostly just nostalgia.

[@feefairy6112]

I take my Tolino (German E-reader I think) with me everywhere I go. I noticed that with physical books I always worry about breaking the spine or some other kind of damage and with the Tolino I just don't have to worry about that stuff. But I still think my heart will always belong to physical books because I think reading is sometimes more than just consuming the text

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

Is that one of those Android ones? I do know Tolino makes at least one of those. I found that model too small and went with Onyx Boox instead though.

[@idlemidlemuh]

I also have a Tolino, but I don't use it because the page turning glitches.

[@xvgarnet]

A couple months back my mom borrowed my kindle for a few weeks because she was going to travel and she loved it. She is not very tech savvy and still was easy for her to use. She even told me she wants to get one as well. I think the kindle you got is the cheapest option which is also why you suffered so much with the operating system. I have an oasis, and even tho is not so smooth, it's not as painful to use. I prefer physical books but because of lack of space, an e-reader is amazing.

[@aharrold653]

I also like seeing my bookmark move through the book as I progress. You're not alone there

[@Sarah-ot6ot]

I am team Tolino (which I believe isn't sold in the US, but can be used in English). This year for Christmas I got a new one, after my old one ran for 8 years and is now sadly slowly falling apart (I did not treat it kindly tbh^^). What I love about my new on is that it has buttons that are basically for page turning (you can also use the touch screen, but clicking buttons is more fun). The Tolino is solely an ebook reader, you can't listen to audiobooks. And on top of it it reads nearly every format in which ebooks can come (except for the Amazon one). I have to admit though, the system it runs on is nearly as bad as the one Amazon uses^^ But I believe that is the special little quirk ebook readers have :D I'm really looking forward to you testing your way through all the e-readers! And yes, it somehow is a thing that you read a book way faster as an ebook, it is some kind of magic I don't quite understand, but I love it.

[@soof2838]

My decision to try an e-reader came mostly because I typically read 80-100 books a year, and I wanted to try saving some of the money I was spending on those. Switched up to my kindle a couple of years ago and have never gone back. Now, the only physical books I buy are from my favorite authors or the stories I end up truly loving. Ever since I switched my reading rate skyrocketed and I’ve saved quite a bit of money! I’d be curious to try a different e-reader as well though, I hear nice things about Kobo

[@lauren7713]

I use a Kindle Paperwhite, the fact that I can turn the screen warm or cold in addition to the dark mode is a huge plus for me. Sending the Sanderson secret projects was a breeze. If I'm on Libby, I can send my ebooks there instead of reading it on my phone. The compatibility with my library is one of the biggest reasons I bought it. Support libraries everyone. No glare and waterproof make it a comfortable choice for beach reading. I've thrown my Kindle across my room and you wouldn't know it looking at it, I now have a case on it that is purely for the aesthetic.

[@RianaRee]

I'm sure other comments have mentioned this, but you can essentially manage the entire OS (purchases, sorting books into collections, etc.) on your Kindle phone app or on the browser quite easily! If you're feeling like you need more options, Calibre is great, but I can get by without just fine. That way, all I really need to do on my Kindle itself is navigate directly to the book and start reading. Also, if Kindle Unlimited is a sore point, then Libby works very well with Kindle and lets you borrow ebooks from your library - and it lets you input as many library cards that you have. What I often do is borrow a book and then only purchase it if I enjoy it, the same way I would for a physical book. I hope this helps some!

[@etienneouellet4724]

Got my Kobo Clara 2e 1 year ago, and I'm very happy with my purchase. I can read everywhere I go and it helps me a lot reading in other languages with fast word search in the Kobo's dictionary (especially since English isn't my 1st language)

[@Florkl]

In the Amazon vs. Authors battle, Amazon has taken a lot of steps to appeal to the readers. And I do think it’s important to recognize how much their accessibility and advertising have gotten people into reading/ back into reading. It was an audible ad that got me reading Sanderson, which got me into reading broader fantasy like WoT, which got me subscribing to your channel. And, while I do purchase physical books, I prefer to read digital ones for the convenience. Say what you want about Amazon and Audible, but I do wonder what the fantasy landscape (for all content creators- not just authors) would look like without them.

[@jonevansauthor]

We would be screwed, because trad publishing is under the impression fantasy, sci-fi and romance do not exist or matter. Thankfully, everyone is making a better living having ditched those leeches :)

[@pa5buk]

I would recommend one of the PocketBook E-readers. I have the Touch HD 3, and I bought the Touch Lux for my wife. One of the things I like best is the physical buttons to flip the page. One of the downsides is that there is no integration with kindle or kobo. I have to put the books on it manually. But besides that, I like the e-reader. And I really like the side-light on the e-reader. It illuminates the page, as if you are shining a light on it, but not blinding like a phone screen. And I can read at night without having to have the light on, so I don't keep my wife awake with it.

[@MsJazzyPanda]

I have a kobo libra 2 and have loved it since day 1. It has physical buttons in addition to the touch screen is entirely waterproof and in Canada (where I am) you can connect to the library online system to borrow ebooks. Not sure of that functionality is available everywhere but it was a big selling factor for me.

[@braveheart1320]

I also use the Overdrive functionality on my Libra 2. I have a feeling Daniel would have had a better experience on the Kobo but I definitely understand why he went with the Paperwhite.

[@ifihadfriends437]

I love the Kobo Libra as well! The buttons make it so comfortable to use.

[@H0rnetz]

If you want buttons, I would recommend the Kobo Libra 2. It's a bit larger so you have much more space to read. You're also not limited to the amazon ebook format so you can side load books from you computer from any store etc.

[@barmy8219]

I really liked the older kindle before they removed all the buttons! I can't remember if it was early paperwhite or pre-paperwhite but the side buttons to turn pages were cool! Also I think that the clunkiness of doing things other than reading is a plus in my book. I have been struggling and gradually making progress on reducing the amount of time I spend on my other devices and the main thing that has been actually helpful has been introducing friction in going through the actions of those habits. On a kindle that friction is there from the beginning, so it is easy to avoid starting a habit of browsing the web for instance.

[@whisper_dvm5157]

Kindle Oasis still has buttons! It doesn’t have as great of battery life as other models though.

[@Bywr123]

On the topic of hardware and refresh rates they actually have no refresh rate. The way it displays images is by moving magnetized bits toward or away from the screen to represent letters/pictures/etc. This is also how an etch a sketch works but the kindle does the work at a much higher resolution instead of you twisting knobs. Really cool mechanism that also means you can sit on one page forever without losing battery life. Learning about how it worked helped me get over the horrible UI outside of reading. If you want a more in depth explanation the KZbinr Technology Connections has a video on how ereaders work. Also as an aside Daniel I saw you guys at the grocery store a while back near Boston which was cool but I didn’t want to go up and bother you at a busy grocery store on a Sunday haha. My girlfriend and I love your videos thanks for putting them out!

[@JoelLandin]

I think the perfect e-reader for you you would be the kobo libra 2. Its a great option if you don't want to use kindle which I dont. I use the kobo clara 2e and I really love it. But you mentioned wanting physical buttons for turning the page and I think the kobo libra 2 would be perfect for that. Kobo has been great so far, no ads at all and it shows the book you are reading when you close the e-reader so It looks really nice when you aren't reading it.

[@sarenacampbell9643]

The libby app is also great for reading library books on the Kindle and probably other eReaders

[@pradeepmathias]

I had the similar first experience of a Kindle - had prior experiences reading on “tablets” / “laptops”, and thinking that e-readers were going that direction. For me, my biggest pleasant surprise was actually with regards to the lighting! The “ink” on the Kindle is really light on the eyes compared to any bright screen and is borderline “book-like” itself. A bit surprised that that wasn’t mentioned (other than the Dark Mode) in the video.

[@patty4349]

You convinced me. I got a paperwhite. I already have a lot of Kindle books that I was reading on my tablet, and I use Libby a lot, both for audiobooks and for ebooks. Having a dedicated device gets rid of all the distractions. I also noticed that the headaches and eyestrain I was getting are significantly improved with the Kindle.

[@altibzz]

kindle paperwhite is one of my best purchases in recent years

[@leza4453]

It is the only way to always carry the whole Wheel of Time with me

[@royceshatzel]

Helllllll yeah, been hoping for an episode on ereaders

[@alpheausfeltham9532]

My family and I all have a shared Kobo account, so we have a massive collection of books that we can all read on our own e-readers, even if we all live in different countries at this point. I've always loved my kobo, the back-lit screen is great for reading at night, the e-reader doesn't have ads, and Its great for someone who has to worry about space at home.

[@scott_hedges]

A nice little feature I love on my kindle is having the screensaver being the cover of the book you're reading....small thing but its nice and gets rid of the adds :) I also don't mess with the OS, I shop and handle my stuff either online or on the app....I just use the kindle as a "book" and thats it

[@Aizucita]

As someone who moved to another continent and had to fit my whole life in a few pieces of luggage to start from scratch in a new country, the e-reader has been my sole companion in my new minimalistic lifestyle. Now I'm subscribed to both kindle unlimited, audible and Everand (former Scribd) and reading 2-3 books a month is enough to be worth it.

[@ByteBardOfficial]

I love my kindle paperwhite. I still have a soft spot for physical books and I will still get ones I adore that way, but my kindle has completely revolutionized how much I read and reading on it is such an enjoyable experience for me.

[@FancyTuna77]

As someone with various health problems, being able to change font styles, font size, and line spacing on a kindle paperwhite has been great to make reading accessible to me again. ❤ My battery life has always kinda sucked so I might try a Kobo for my next ereader down the road

[@IzzysTravelDiaries]

Remember to turn off the WiFi if you're not using it.

[@FancyTuna77]

@@IzzysTravelDiaries yeah I typically keep it on airplane mode but my battery still drains for no reason haha. It’s all good though

[@quailypoes]

I love it as an author, because readers in my genre are feral and want to read as much as possible. So being able to put stuff in KU means, for me, that the readers have access to my books without having to spend much money, while I actually get a pretty fair feeling amount per book read. Obviously would make more if they bought the ebooks, but just like... I don't know, kindles and KU make me so happy ❤

[@TimdeWouter]

I only started watching this video, but I after 30 seconds, I paused so I can pay my compliments to you for saying “I did some claims that I was wrong about”. A sentence we don’t hear people say enough on KZbin, or anywhere else for that matter. Admitting you are wrong (and admitting it to 500K+ subscribers especially) might be one of the best traits a human can have. I know you do this all the time, but I just want to let you know I really appreciate you doing this. Now, on to the rest of your video…

[@LMusicLo]

You can actually change your Kindle screen to remove the ads. You can have random images or even config tô show the cover of the book you are reading at the moment