How to Make the Switch to a Kindle When You Love Books

If you love books, it’s hard to even begin thinking about parting with them. Maybe you’re like me, and you are trying to simplify all areas of your life. You know that some of your books need to go, but it’s hard to make the change. Personally, I’ve made the switch to a Kindle for (most) of the books I read now. This has helped me declutter the number of books I had and keep it to a minimum going forward.

The number of books I had got out of control for a couple of reasons. (1) I was convinced that I would re-read many of my books but then never would. (2) I felt the need to build a home library. Looking back, I equated having a lot of books with being smart and interesting (whether I was actually reading them or not!) So I really viewed my books as more of a collection.

Even more, I loved the idea of curling up with a book, a blanket, and a hot cup of chai tea latte. I enjoyed the smell of books, the feeling of flipping pages, the ease of flipping to different parts of a book, and the ability to mark up a book with underlining and notes.

Therefore, the idea of making the switch to Kindle wasn’t very appealing in the beginning.

It wasn’t until I had a strong desire to declutter my books, coupled with wanting to experience some of the benefits of an e-reader, that I was ready to make the switch to a Kindle. It took me a little time to get used to reading on a Kindle, but I am so glad that I made the change!

Pros When You Switch to a Kindle

Here are some of the benefits of reading on an e-reader that I personally experienced when I made the switch to a Kindle:

1. The ease and convenience of acquiring a new book

With a Kindle, you don’t have to wait for your book to be delivered or for the chance to go to the book store. An e-book comes as an immediate download over WiFi.

2. Less weight and bulk

A Kindle is lighter and less bulky than most books. And when you think about it, one Kindle has the ability to store thousands of books on it! Because of its size and weight, it is easy to hold in one hand.

3. Saving money on books

The Kindle edition of a book is cheaper than an actual book, and you can often find a great free book to read when money is tight. Amazon offers a variety of free e-books each month. You also have the ability to share books with other members of your family on multiple devices!

4. The ability to read anywhere

Even if you aren’t connected to WiFi, you can still read on an e-reader. You can even put your Kindle in airplane mode so that you can still read your books on your next trip. Some e-readers even make it easier for you to read outside or by bright lights because they don’t have the glare like most smartphones and tablets. The screen almost looks like paper!

5. The ability to highlight and take notes

You can still highlight text and take notes with an e-reader. Although it doesn’t feel the same, it is just as convenient. You are even able to read all of your highlights and notes in one place! Your last page read is always saved, and you can bookmark any page you would like.

Cons When You Switch to a Kindle

When I made the switch to a Kindle and compared it to a physical book, here are the cons I found with reading on an e-reader:

1. More fragile

With an e-reader, you probably will want a case for better peace of mind. You will have to be more careful of dropping or spilling on your Kindle. You will want a case to prevent scratching, and it’s probably not a good idea to read on your e-reader in the bathtub.

2. Harder to flip back and forth

Although it’s true that you can’t flip around in an e-book as easily, you can still do it. You can actually bookmark certain pages to make it easier to flip back and forth.

3. Requires charging

You will need to remember to charge your Kindle periodically so that it’s always ready for you when you feel like reading.

4. The need for WiFi

Even though you don’t need WiFi to read on your Kindle, you do need to be connected to WiFi to download new books. That just means that you need to plan ahead, especially if you are on the go a lot!

The Best E-Readers For People Who Love Books

If you are ready to switch to a Kindle, here are the best e-readers for people who love books. There are other options for reading e-books out there, but I love Kindle’s e-readers. Especially as someone who wants the experience to be as similar to reading a physical book as possible, a Kindle e-reader is definitely the way to go.

Kindle E-Reader

• 6″ touchscreen
• Glare-free display (reads like real paper!)
• Built in Audible (so you can listen to audiobooks)
• Single battery charge can last weeks
• Thin and light for one-hand reading (weighs 5.7 oz)
• No back-light (making it healthier to read before bed)
• 4 GB storage

Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader

• 6″ touchscreen
• High-resolution display
• Built-in adjustable light (easy on the eyes, even in the dark!)
• No screen glare, even in bright sunlight
• Single battery charge can last weeks
• Adjustable font size
• Thin and light for one-hand reading (weighs 7.2-7.6 oz)
• 4 GB storage

Kindle Oasis E-Reader

• 7″ touchscreen
• High-resolution display
• Waterproof (you can take it in the bathtub!)
• Built-in Audible (so you can listen to audiobooks)
• 8 GB storage (or 32 GB is also available)
• Page turn buttons
• Built-in adjustable light with sensor
• Single battery charge can last weeks
• Thin and light for one-hand reading (weighs 6.8 oz)

How to Ease Into Using an E-Reader

When you are making the switch to a Kindle from physical books, there is definitely an adjustment period. An e-reader is not the same, and it will never feel exactly the same, as reading a physical book. Here are my recommendations for easing into using an e-reader.

My first recommendation is this: give it time so you can adjust and get used to it. Don’t decide you hate it after reading one page, or even one book. But, take it one book at a time. Don’t donate all of your books before deciding how you feel about your e-reader!

You might find, like me, that you love it for certain types of books but not for others. I now love using my e-reader whenever I’m reading for pleasure. However, if I’m part of a book club or study, I like to buy the physical book.

Second, choose an e-reader that imitates the experience of reading a physical book. I love that my Kindle makes it look like the physical page in a book…no glare! There are also e-readers where you swipe to turn pages (as opposed to pushing a button), mimicking the action of reading a physical book.

It’s true…it’s not the same. But, you will likely find that you still enjoy reading just as much as before.

How to Declutter Your Physical Books

If you are still wondering how to declutter your beloved books, even after making the switch to a Kindle, look no further. Below are some of my best tips on how to declutter books, and it’s exactly the steps I took to go from hundreds of books to around 20.

1. Be honest and declutter any books you will never read again. We all have books that we hold onto for this reason, but if you haven’t picked a book back up in years, you likely never will.
2. If you are keeping popular books and textbooks that are still relevant, consider selling them to a second-hand book store to make some extra cash. (You can use this money for your next amazing e-book finds!)
3. If books truly mean a lot to you, consider giving them as gifts to the people you love instead of just donating them. I found that when I was decluttering my books, I could almost always think of a friend or family member who would love to read them. Pass on your love for books and bless others with what you have read and learned!
4. Consider buying Kindle versions of the books you will absolutely read again. If you are one of the rare people who actually reread books, and a lot of them, this will help you manage the clutter.

Final Thoughts

It is easier to declutter your books and keep it that way if you make the switch to a Kindle. Reading e-books is not the same as reading physical books, but there are so many benefits that make it worth it.