How I became an eBook convert

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Keeping me company while waiting for company.

My Mom loaned me one of her Kindles after she got one of the newer models. This Kindle has been with me since the beginning of the year and I’ve already read 5 books. That’s a milestone for me, having not read more than 5 last year. I was a bit resistant to eBooks in the beginning. How could you enjoy a book without the pages? How could you engage in reading without turning the pages? Best of all, isn’t reading incomplete without the book smell? Ah, I put those worries aside when I inherited my Mom’s Kindle. Might as well give it a whirl.

My, my, the wonders of technology indeed. This skeptic is now an eBook convert. I’m hooked now.

Here’s how I became an eBook convert:

1. It’s easy to read while lying down. No struggling with book pages, making sure you keep your place with both your hands. Now I can lie in bed and read, read, read.
2. Sometimes I read several books at the same time, so it’s awesome to lug around just one book instead of three or more. I bring the Kindle with me everywhere I go. Leaving home without a book wasn’t an option before, and it still isn’t today. What if I got stuck in traffic? What if the person I’m meeting is tardy? What if I want downtime at a coffee shop? Out would come my book. Now, out would come a whole set of books in one little reading device. You’re really not alone when you’ve got books, more so a whole library.
3. eBooks help declutter a room! My books used to take up my whole nightstand. Now it’s clear!
4. You can buy books 24/7. No need to wait for a bookstore to open in the morning. Simply hook up your reading device to the internet and purchase away.
5. Instead of folding down a corner of a book page or underlining parts of the book you like, you can use the highlight feature of your eBook reader. These are all organized under one feature — you can later access all your favorite notes without having to flip through each book.

I still love paper books, but I’m happy I got the chance to try eBooks. If they get me to read more, I’m all for it. Maybe I’ll just spray my Mom’s Kindle case with Paper Passion, a perfume that makes you smell like a book. Then I’d get to read and still enjoy the scent of books!

C’mon and share! Are you an eBook reader? What reading device do you use? What has changed in your reading life since you became an e-reader?

19 Comments on How I became an eBook convert

  1. Jen
    February 19, 2013 at 12:59 pm (11 years ago)

    I am an ebook reader!

    Been one since i got my iphone 3Gs. I went from iphones to ipads and now i’m using a Lenovo A1 with Aldiko App to read my ebooks (has better settings). I agree with you on all points. Portability being the major factor. Last year, I read 10 books using my device. The previous year, NONE. So I guess, it really boils down to having it with you all the time.

    I’ve never used a Kindle though. And I’m very interested as to how the new Kindle Paperwhite looks like. :)

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 20, 2013 at 8:31 am (11 years ago)

      Hi Jen! Now that I’ve had a taste of this 2nd or 3rd generation Kindle I have, I am pretty curious about the newer versions of Kindle :)

      Reply
  2. Cham
    February 19, 2013 at 1:29 pm (11 years ago)

    Thanks to the Kindle that my husband and I share, our book expense has significantly dropped. He can actually survive on eBooks alone. Me? I still prefer printed books than eBooks, but I make sure that the ones I buy are really “worth” the buy. When in doubt, just download an eBook. :)
    Cham´s last blog post ..{UPDATED!} KEEPING SCORE By Marc Brackett: BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 20, 2013 at 8:29 am (11 years ago)

      Hi Cham! I’m with you on book expenses dropping! I’ve also bought paper books in the past year but have made sure they were worth the investment too. Totally know what you mean by savings.

      Reply
  3. Em Dy
    February 19, 2013 at 8:56 pm (11 years ago)

    I have a Kindle and a Kobo plus both apps on my iPad. I prefer Kobo because of the format of the ebook. I find also that more books are available at Kobobooks.com for the international market. You can even use promo codes to get discounted rates (sent by Kobo regularly to enewsletter subscribers or posted at retailmenot.com). Try also pixelofink.com for links to free books.
    Em Dy´s last blog post ..Eat Out Now! 115 Manila Restaurants We Love

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 20, 2013 at 8:26 am (11 years ago)

      Hi Em! Thanks for the site links. I haven’t tried Kobobooks and pixelofink yet. Will definitely visit these sites soon.

      Reply
  4. kaoko
    February 20, 2013 at 12:24 am (11 years ago)

    I’m an e-book convert, too! I rarely used to read ebooks since I didn’t like reading them on my computer or iPod, but since getting a Kindle, it’s been my go-to book device now. I especially love how I can read and turn pages with one hand, so it’s perfect for multi-tasking. Less strain on my hands too, especially when reading ebook versions of super thick paper books. And the ability to adjust the text size is perfect for reading in dim light (I know, I know, it’s bad. But it’s essential when I’m trying to nurse baby to sleep!) Actually, your reasons are my reasons, too! But one additional thing I love is how I can read long documents (like story threads and really long online short stories) on it, too.
    kaoko´s last blog post ..Ramen Yushoken: Where the search for the perfect bowl ends

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 20, 2013 at 7:58 am (11 years ago)

      Hi Kao! I wish I had an eBook when I was nursing my infant! I haven’t tried adjusting the text size yet but may just do that soon.

      Reply
  5. Lissa
    February 20, 2013 at 8:03 am (11 years ago)

    I didn’t think I’d like reading on an ereader but I think I became a convert. It’s so convenient because you can literally put hundreds of books on such a thin and light device. Like you, I’ve been reading a lot more books as well compared to when I read paperbooks. I will still read paperbooks but for now, I’ll stick with the Kindle. :)

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 20, 2013 at 8:33 am (11 years ago)

      Hi Lissa! Looks like I’m sticking with Kindle too!

      Reply
  6. Giselle
    February 20, 2013 at 4:11 pm (11 years ago)

    I thought you were an e-book reader way back when you posted a picture of your mom’s purse contents. We got Kindles for our family mainly because of lack of shelf space, We have a Kindle Touch for the grownups and the kids share a Kindle. We’ve all read more books since then. E-books are lightweight, easy to carry around (especially if you are reading more than one at a time). Shopping for books is also easier. Easily one of our best purchases ever!

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 26, 2013 at 1:24 pm (11 years ago)

      Hi Giselle! Oh, that was just my Mom’s 😀 And yey for more family reading time w/ eBook readers!

      Reply
  7. ays
    February 21, 2013 at 11:16 am (11 years ago)

    i absolutely LOVE my kindle. i had a whole heap of books lying around my flat and I eventually gave them away when i got my e-book reader. i’ve saved a lot with just getting e-books instead of buying the physical ones. plus, some of my friends actually share their e-book files with me, so i get some books for free!
    ays´s last blog post ..fall in love (to welcome february)

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 26, 2013 at 1:25 pm (11 years ago)

      Hi ays! Cheers to generous friends! :)

      Reply
  8. Mia
    February 21, 2013 at 11:43 pm (11 years ago)

    Hi! Firstly, I’m so proud to be listed alongside your blog, Best Mom and Dad blogs in Little Steps Asia (Dainty Mom is a friend too!)

    Second, I am a fan of ebooks and eMags. My glossy purchases have dropped to NIL since I decided to save paper. I also decided to stop buying hard bounds , decorating, home and fashion books since I uploaded kindle and amazon on my ipad. Though I would love to try kindle I heard its so convenient

    Love your blog!

    Reply
    • Toni
      February 26, 2013 at 1:21 pm (11 years ago)

      Hi Mia! Thanks for dropping by. I haven’t tried eMags yet! Maybe that will be my next step — as soon as I get more time for reading!

      Reply
  9. Jim Hayward
    March 7, 2013 at 6:41 pm (11 years ago)

    I’m onto my 4th Kindle now. I love it – for all the reasons you listed above.

    Manhandling a big hardcover or chunky paperback just seems medieval to me now.

    Not long after I got my first Kindle, I had a big paperback delivered to me from Amazon. It was a bit of a surprise – I had pre-ordered it some time before. A;though it was by one of my favourite authors, I didn’t relish the prospect of struggling with such a chunky volume (it was big).

    That was just a few short weeks after “adopting” e-readers. I hardly ever buy printed books now.

    Sounds to me like your mom did you a favour passing her old Kindle on!
    Jim Hayward´s last blog post ..E-Reader Sales Figures Predicted To Fall

    Reply
    • Toni
      March 11, 2013 at 4:42 pm (11 years ago)

      Hi Jim! Thanks for sharing your experience. Juggling between paper books and e-book readers is fun! Though yes, the longer I read on my e-book reader, the more a hassle I find reading a paper book in bed. That won’t stop me from reading paper books, but for sure I’ll get a lot more reading done in bed when I’m using my e-book reader.

      Reply

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