Previously, I discussed the steps I’m taking towards digital minimalism: getting digital resources to work as a means and not the end (as social media tends to be for so many of us now). One area that escapes the digital culling process is reading. Presently, I will refuse almost all paper books in favour of digital ones. I adore my e-reader. Here are four reasons why:
Storage
I buy a lot of books. This year I’m attempting to read 100 books, which, it turns out, isn’t as difficult or time-consuming as it sounds (perhaps I’ll write about that one day; for now, see what I’m reading here). However, if they were physical books, storage would be a nightmare, especially since we’re moving back to Canada next year. Now, every book I own accompanies me everywhere. It’s incredible.
Price
Amazon Kindle books are cheaper than physical books. Simple.
Highlights
With e-readers, you can “highlight” passages of the book as you go. Once I finish a book, I export all the “highlights” from that book and import them into “Evernote”. That means two things:
- I can re-read my highlights at any time and get critical insights from books I’ve read quickly and easily.
- I can search for any word (e.g., “prayer”), and every quote with that word will appear instantly.
Additionally, all highlights are accessible anywhere from both Evernote and Goodreads. It’s life-changing!
E-Ink
Kindles are not iPads. Obvious, right? But in case you’ve never encountered them, e-readers don’t cause the same screen-glare issues that other devices do, because of their “e-ink” technology. It’s super helpful.
I could go on, but for the sake of a two-minute thought, these are the primary reasons why I think e-readers are fantastic. Due to a similar rationale, I’ve also been heavily using a Bible study tool called “Logos”. Look into it if you like.
That said, I’m not ready to give up all paper books completely, yet.
About 75% of my Bible study involves a paper Bible. I love the Bible apps that I have, but there’s something powerful about reading a physical copy of the Word of God. And yes, like many people, I do think there’s something to be said for the way a physical book engages your senses: the smell of the paper; the weight of hundreds of thousands of printed words waiting to be absorbed; the act of turning real pages — all good stuff.
But is it good enough to stop this paperless revolution? In this case, nostalgia doesn’t trump digital efficiency for me. Sorry, purists!
Do you ever read “fiction” books as I think you only read non fiction
Hi Sharon! Rarely. If I do, it’ll be on holidays and generally classic novels. I do have the Chronicles of Narnia and 1984 bought and ready to go at some point, though!