As a reader who possesses an Amazon Kindle Reader for almost one and a half years, Kindle vs Paperback is still a question I don’t have a clear answer about. I keep reckoning about whether it can fully replace physical books, and most of the time, the answer is NO; neither I am against Kindle, nor do I prefer digital products.
I am still using Kindle regularly and will keep using it. It is a great device that has brought the antidote to many problems that paperback books inherited. However, it is far from replacing paperback completely.
And Why I say that on Kindle vs Paperback…
Price: The Amazon Kindle device’s base variant- Kindle 10th Gen, costs around INR 7200 or USD 100, without deeming offers, which is sufficient to buy around 15 good books. Earlier the price gap between the Kindle edition and the paperback was too huge to avoid, making purchasing Kindle readers a good choice.
Currently, most Kindle editions are costing almost the same as the difference of 5% as their paperback variant. There are high chances of disappointment if you believe that low prices of Kindle editions of books will account for the investment you make in buying the e-reader.
Mobility: The Kindle wins it as the reader enjoys all the advantages a digital product would have over an old-age companion. The ultra-compact reader can easily slide into any bag. For me, carrying 100 books in Kindle is more manageable than holding a book. Once you download all the books you’ve purchased, there is no need for the internet to access your library.
Transferability: Do you belong to a circle of a bibliophile? Kindle is just not made for you. Unlike a physical book, you cannot share a single book with anyone. It is either you give them your Kindle device along with your entire library, or you don’t give anything at all.
In-hand feel: Readers get used to holding a book in hand while reading, with the feel of the book’s cover, papers, and the smell of new books. It is nowhere to be found on Kindle. But it still has its advantages as it is lightweight. You can read it without holding it with both hands. It can lay on the bed or your laptop stand.
Reading Experience: For a reading device, the most important thing is to get the best reading experience. How the competition between Kindle vs Paperback fares here? I would rather divide it into a few sections here:
- Readability: Without any complaints, the reading experience is extraordinary in Kindle. The surface is comfortable to the eyes, making it difficult for the reader to tell apart whether it is a digital reader or a physical book. Kindle offers customization on the page, increasing the font size, changing the font, and minor, making reading a lot easier. The backlight feature makes reading at night even more blissful. Somehow, I am finding my reading tempo has increased with Kindle.
- Dictionary: The in-built dictionary in Amazon Kindle is worth spending every penny. It contains Wikipedia and Google Translator integration to make the experience of reading even more pleasing. Finally, I don’t have to juggle between books and a dictionary.
- Searching: As a book reviewer, revisiting the book and essential elements while writing the review is a task in a paperback case. Still, Kindle solves the purpose as it searches for any word or phrase within the book with Kindle.
- Highlighting: This is one more area where Kindle is unbeatable. Here, an e-reader can seamlessly highlight specific text. Unlike paperbacks that look a complete mess after highlighting things, Kindle seems elegant. Most importantly, editing or removing the highlight at any time is possible here, improbable with a book and pen. You can easily share the highlighted part on your email address to use it later. Adding to that, Kindle also suggests text highlighted by other readers who read that book, which is useful (sometimes).
- Note Taking: If you think typing on a Kindle should be as simple as on a smartphone, you are wrong. It is instead a tiresome task to type anything on a Kindle e-reader. The big and ink-screen display would annoy you beyond your imagination as I discovered myself switching to the Kindle app on the phone to write a note. Typing is impossible because of its form factor and because the screen is just not apt for tasks like that. Writing a message on a sticky note is way simpler.
To conclude, Does the debate of Kindle vs Paperback end? NO! I would solely recommend the Amazon Kindle e-reader to you if you are an avid reader, if you can carry books and if you are a bibliophile. If you fall under the abovementioned, go for a Kindle device. It may not be a complete substitute for paperback, but it indeed has its advantages to explore.
I am dropping some best buy links if you are looking for an Amazon Kindle e-reader:
- Kindle 6th Gen | 6-inch display with built-in light | Wi-Fi support: https://amzn.to/3lvk6li
- Kindle Paperwhite 10th Gen | Built-in light | Waterproof | 8 GB storage: https://amzn.to/3bYFdcn
- Kindle Paperwhite (10th gen) -with Built-in Light, Waterproof, 32 GB, WiFi + Free 4G LTE: https://amzn.to/30TNiJd
