Here is the ongoing debate of Kindle versus Paperback books. I recently had a lovely discussion with my artistic, intelligent and avid reader friend, Elle, about this topic. We both own Kindles and we both agree that a Kindle is modern-age and portable way of reading. We discuss the use of our Kindles often and talk about the pros and cons of reading digitally.

I have just been gifted a Kindle and if you’ve read my 2022 book goals (click here to see them if you missed it), you will have seen that I am wanting to read more on Kindle for the sake of saving money and precious book shelf space – to which I actually have no shelf space left 🤣 The Kindle I received was the Paperwhite 11th Gen (click here to see this type of Kindle) and honestly, I find it so easy to read on. Here are the reasons one avid book reader may like to invest in a Kindle:

⭐️ Portability ⭐️ Storage ⭐️ Money-Saver (in the long run. Initial cost can be a hit to the bank account) ⭐️ Easily read multiple books at the one time ⭐️ Lowering your environmental footprint ⭐️ Read at night time without additional lamp or ceiling lighting ⭐️ Small and compact ⭐️ Light-weight and slim, perfect for handbags or travel bags ⭐️ Easily enlarge text ⭐️ Digital highlighting ⭐️ Dictionary & Translator built in (which is one of my favourite features) ⭐️ Connected to GoodReads reviewing app ⭐️ Can buy new books in an instant ⭐️ Size of a book isn’t as overwhelming because you don’t see your physical progress, you just keep tapping the page and see your percentage down in the bottom corner ⭐️

These pros are really cool, don’t get me wrong! But, it is only fair for us to look at the cons of reading on a Kindle:

⭐️ No book feel ⭐️ No book smell ⭐️ Can’t loan your books to other people ⭐️ Flat battery ⭐️ Cannot physically make annotations in margins or put tags inside the books ⭐️ No bookmarks ⭐️ No physical connection to the book (eg. no hugging, throwing, passionately waving 🤣) ⭐️ Cannot see the coloured book cover all the time ⭐️ Sometimes skips past the book cover and dedication when initially opening a Kindle book ⭐️ Can become too easy to spend money on new books ⭐️ Loss of connection to physical bookstores and libraries ⭐️ Spending more time on technology ⭐️ Cannot appreciate a book you’ve just competed sitting on your shelf ⭐️

At the end of our ongoing discussions about Kindles, Elle and I always agree that there is no such joy, pleasure and comfort as reading a physical book. There is no comparison. Yes, Kindles make our life easier like most technology devices that are created but sometimes the good old fashioned way is still the best. I will always be a physical book lover because I love everything that goes along with it. I love the heftiness of a book, the page turning feeling and the hugging 🤗 I also love bookstores, libraries and all things connected to the environment of books as they always seem to have a calming effect on me. I would love to hear your perspectives and why you read on either Kindle or Paper – comment below 💬