To Kindle or Not to Kindle?

I have been struggling to come up with blog topics for the past couple days. That is why the absence. It seems I have more questions than answers these days. I can hardly bare to turn the TV on anymore. In fact, for a good month or more I have not had the TV on. I have not been able to listen to all the reports about Covid-19. The good news I have reignited my passion for reading.

As an adult, I have always enjoyed reading, especially at night. On the big Amazon deal day this fall I decided to purchase a new Kindle. Best purchasing decision I have made in a while. I pondered whether to buy a new one or not for quite some time. I had a first generation Kindle and didn’t care for it. My best friend has the Kindle Paperwhite. She absolutely loves it. My iPad on the other hand, I have loved so I couldn’t figure out what the appeal was for her. The minute my Kindle arrived, I discovered many reasons why my friend loves her Kindle.

The first reason, women of a certain age start having a problem, insomnia. A problem I have struggled with for many years. One way to try and combat insomnia is for me to read. Although sometimes it backfires. Shortly after buying my first Kindle, I decided to buy an iPad. I have been known to get so enthralled in a book that I been found to still be reading at 4:30 in the morning. After I purchased my iPad, I downloaded the kindle app and started reading on my iPad at night. I kept hearing reports that it is important to unplug from technology at night so your brain can shut down. That the blue light from the iPad screen causes overstimulation at night so it is harder for the brain to shut down and rest. I chose to ignore that and kept reading my iPad at night.

Another big positive for me using my new Kindle is I am not distracted like I am using an iPad. When I would read with my iPad I was constantly checking my text messages, emails or switching to playing a game. That problem is gone when I read with my Kindle. There is nothing else to distract me. I am more focused and able to concentrate much better. This is very helpful for someone that struggles with ADHD.

I was unsure about the size of the Kindle compared to my iPad. It is quite a bit smaller and I didn’t know if I would like that. As it turns out, I love it. It’s easy to hold while I am laying in bed and very lightweight. I can prop it up or hold it easily in my hand. The size makes it easy to take in my purse and pull out and read while I am out and about and have to wait.

The Paperwhite has a white or black background mode, which make it easy on the eyes to read during the day or night. I can grab my Kindle and read without turning on the bedside light and minimize the added stimulation of having the light on to keep me awake. Typically I am able to fall asleep much quicker and stay asleep better now than I have in years. You can adjust the font size, and layout to make your reading as comfortable as possible. I cannot wait to use it outside on a bright sunny day. It is also waterproof so I will not have to worry about it getting wet.

Years ago I discovered a website called BookBub to find inexpensive books through Amazon. I subscribed and receive an email everyday with the bargains of the day. You can select the genres that you prefer. All the books I download are offered free for that day. Others are available for a reduced price. I am never at a loss for what to read next. I have download over a 1000 books. I have also learned how to access digital books through the public library. The public library system in Minnesota has many to choose from but not as extensive as Amazon.

During this pandemic and the excessive isolation that I seem to find myself in, reading has been a life saver for me. I am so thankful that I decided to purchase a new Kindle Paperwhite.

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

― Frederick Douglass

The joy is in the journey!

Peace,

Mary

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