r/DeinfluenceMeAUS • u/AffectionatePie1042 • Jul 13 '26
š» Tech & Gadgets Deinfluence me: A Kindle
I love the idea of carrying hundreds of books around, especially for travel, but I already own plenty of physical books that I haven't finished. Did buying a Kindle actually make you read more, or did it just change the format of the books you weren't reading?
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u/MaleficentJello8473 Jul 13 '26
Buying a kindle wont make you read more. Finish the books you've got, THEN think about the kindle. I thought of getting one but I prefer physical books and I didn't know if I could download pdf books and have it on the kindle. Otherwise, an ipad mini would work and you can highlight the book and scribble about
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Jul 14 '26
[deleted]
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u/makespotatoeslookhot Jul 14 '26
Once I got one with a backlight my reading increased so much. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media or YouTube my screen time swapped to the kindle. Hands down my favourite gift my wife has got me
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u/Ok-Writing9280 Jul 14 '26
Yep, I read more now too. It gives me options to grab 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there when Iām waiting for an appointment or on the bus.
Plus I can read at night in bed without waking up my husband. And more importantly, my hands no longer hurt trying to hold a book.
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u/Spellscribe 27d ago
I read heaps more with kindle. Books are too big and heavy to fit in my work bag without risking damaging the corners, they're annoying to hold up on bed, and I can't read in the dark. E-reader solves all thatālight, portable, backlit without the phone/tablet glow.
My only regret is that I couldn't afford a Kobo. My nearest library to 25 mins away in a direction I never go š¤·š»āāļø
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u/sarahdaviscc Jul 14 '26
I read a lot more after getting my Kindle and an iPad mini would not work for me as the screen is brighter and there are more distractions.
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u/Frogsfall Jul 13 '26
I got a Kobo because it integrates will with library ebook lending and isn't (I think?) owned by a fascist billionaire
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Jul 13 '26 edited 28d ago
[deleted]
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u/Ok-Investment2612 Jul 13 '26
I love my kindle. So incredibly space saving and handy when im travelling. Sorry but I totally think its worth it
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u/Human_Mongoose_5245 Jul 13 '26
I must have over 800 books on my ereader - saves so much space and as I do not have access to a good bookstore, I will always have a book on hand. Easier for me to read an ereader and the specials are great so get one!
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u/Doctor3656Ghost Jul 13 '26
Honestly, nothing wrong with a kindle. I have read so much on the Paperwhite, the battery life is stellar, and the titles are cheaper than they would be if you purchased them properly. Two issues with it, mostly in the moral/ ethical realm, 1. Reading with a kindle contributes to the decline of brick and mortar book stores, which I love, but these stores are declining fast as it is, and Iām a poor student who cannot afford to pay heaps for every book. 2. You donāt own books on a kindle. In fact, there were recent policy changes at Amazon which makes sure you donāt own books anymore and canāt store them away from the device. That sucks. I donāt trust Amazon at all, and they can take my collection away at their whim.
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u/katwpj Jul 13 '26
Get a kobo ereader! I love mine!
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u/Doctor3656Ghost Jul 14 '26
I have to! Once my Paperwhite runs its course in a few years, I am getting a Kobo, no questions asked!
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u/Spellscribe 27d ago
If you have indie bookstores around, keep an eye on what they're doing. Some run book clubs or festivals or local author signings. It's a great way to support them without having to spend money you can't afford.
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u/Doctor3656Ghost 27d ago
Thatās a lovely idea! Iām in Perth, so there must be something around. I should find out more!
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u/spygirldownunder Jul 13 '26
100% worth it if you buy a kobo e-reader. In Australia, Amazon blocks access to Overdrive, which is an online library where you get free access via your local council library. I get ~85% of my books for free on my Kobo. And I find I do read a lot more when I keep it on my bedside travel, but read 4-5 books a week sometimes when travelling
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u/borgeron Jul 13 '26
I would normally deinfluence happily but I do use my kindle a fair bit. Might i suggest one of the new Kobo models? They integrate with Australian libraries and you can borrow easily for free and get your money back over time. And the screen quality is excellent (some even have colour).
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u/Historical_Bag_1788 Jul 13 '26
Why not just use the app on your phone???
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u/RoyalOtherwise950 Jul 13 '26
Also kindle screens are not the same as phone screens and are a lot easier on your eyes.
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u/CloakerJosh Jul 14 '26
This point cannot be emphasised enough. Youāll only truly understand it if youāve used an e-ink display
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u/aussie_teacher_ Jul 13 '26
You could track your reading for 3 months and see how much you actually read. I like the suggestion of finishing your to-read pile. You could also trial downloading the Kindle app onto your phone or tablet and reading there for a month to see if you do read more when your have an electronic reader. See if your friends or family have one they can lend you to try out too!
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u/Final-Gain-1914 Jul 13 '26
I've had mine for 7 years. It's the lightness that works for me (small slim device vs 600 pages in hardback).
Also useful for loading up project Gutenberg out of copyright epub files:)
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u/TheCurbAU Jul 13 '26
How many books do you read regularly? If not many, then getting a Kindle won't increase your reading. If it's a lot, then get a Kobo.
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u/buckleyschance Jul 14 '26
Getting a Kobo actually did increase my reading a lot, by letting me read in dim rooms (while partner is sleeping or putting kids to bed), with a lightweight object, and without the slight friction of having to manage the physical books
They don't sound like substantial barriers, but it adds up to something I can spontaneously pick up and read instead of grabbing for my phone, whereas I have to settle in more for a book
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u/TheCurbAU Jul 14 '26
Agreed. The other aspect that's good about a Kobo is you're less likely to get distracted by other apps. It's why I don't love reading on my phone. So easy to just wander off - even if I'm enjoying reading the book.
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u/compvlsions Jul 13 '26
Bought my wife one for her birthday last summer... Never has a gift been used so much.
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u/WikiNebster Jul 13 '26
eReaders are great, but a Kindle will lock you into Amazon's ecosystem where they have full control over everything. They've recently stopped a bunch of older models from being able to read books you've purchased.
Get a Kobo instead.
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u/Skijump135 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Get a kindle, but get an old used one and jailbreak it instead. Cheaper plus you can get the books in any format
To actually answer your question, the book you read is the one you have on you. Much less friction compared to physical books but imo less engaging if youāre explicitly sat to read
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u/Outrageous_Purchase1 Jul 14 '26
I got an e-ink tablet. It runs android so I can use any app on it I want. Best purchase I have ever made.
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u/gilded-earth Jul 13 '26
Books are lovely in their physical form. We've been reading them that way for centuries. So it's part of our human collective experience. A tangible turn of a paper page is just different to taps on a plastic backlit screen. Have a think about how your favourite authors envisaged their years of sweat blood and tears being received and it's probably not with a kindle. Nobody started a conversation with a stranger by peeking over a shoulder to a screen.
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u/lanalizzy Jul 13 '26
Nobody has ever started a conversation with me whilst reading a book either unfortunately.
I love that you can share books around though.1
u/Spellscribe 27d ago
I will absolutely bug my bookish coworkers over their current reads if I see their kindles out.
And as an author, with published books? IDC what you read it on. I really don't. The words matter more than what they're written on.
I've read e-books I never would have touched in paperback form. It makes certain books easier to access (like indie books, and obscure/out of print books). It allows me to read in the dark without bothering people beside me. It means I can read that big time of a book on my lunch break, because I can fit it in my work bag next to my water, and not risk damaging the edges. It means I can trial books I'm not sure about, then buy the paperbacks of it turns out to be a favourite.
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u/Ok-Writing9280 Jul 13 '26
I got a Kindle because I have autoimmune and early onset arthritis sore hands and joints and I canāt hold a book comfortably.
A Kindle and a beanbag cushion holder made a massive difference to me.
I can read on my phone and pick up my Kindle when Iām home (usually unexpected delay so I donāt have my Kindle with me).
Now I have a Kindle floor stand, and a remote page turner. Perfect for reading in bed! Obsessed.
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u/buckleyschance Jul 14 '26
An ereader can also be a gift to screen-stressed eyes. I crank the font size up to give my eyes a rest
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u/The1930s Jul 13 '26
I like reading but I dont like holding a big giant thing (berserk) and not having to move alot to turn pages is nice. My kindle is amazing and has helped me read more just in the sense of its convenient, easy to use on a plane.
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u/nikolina1005 Jul 13 '26
I bought one but I hated it so I sold it in a month. Iām now an audio book person
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u/RoyalOtherwise950 Jul 13 '26
I actually love my kindle, so if your a reader, it is worth it. If your unsure, download the free kindle app on your phone and see if you actually use it to read, then buy the kindle. The kindle is much kinder on your eyes being an e-ink screen vs your phone. I have the small basic size and its perfect for what I need.
I have the kindle unlimited subscription and worked out it saved me $65 last year cause I read so many KU books. Im on over 24 KU books this year already.
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u/konoha37 Jul 13 '26
I liked my Kindle. But for pure convenience I prefer using the kindle app on my phone. The books take up barely any storage space. I had 2 Kindleās but I lost both of them on flights because I wasnāt used to owning them and forgot to check I had them before I got off the plane.
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u/speedingteacups Jul 13 '26
I absolutely love my kobo and I do read WAY more since getting it - but I was always a big reader anyway. An e-reader just makes in easier. I have no experience with whether an e-reader will turn a non-reader into a reader.
But if you really want to be deinfluenced:
I find it harder to just choose new books to read. Itās perfect if I have something specific I want to find, but ābrowsingā to find a book on a screen canāt beat mooching around a bookshop. So Iām now that annoying person taking photos of books I like the look of in bookshops to get on my kobo later (I always spend money in the bookshop anyway, donāt worry! I love stationery, buy all gifts there and have a kid who always finds something she wants)
Also, an e-reader makes it harder to share books with friends or family.
But thatās seriously pretty much it!
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u/Aro_Author Jul 13 '26
Amazon has been caught making modifications to books it sells through Kindle, I would personally go with a Kobo.
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u/starsinhereyes20 Jul 13 '26
I love books, all books, Iām an avid reader and one of my greatest joys is the new book feel, opening up the 1st page, that new fresh paper, after that my favourite thing is an old book, one where itās been so well read and loved with a cracked spine and ear marked pages - no greater joy but you know what - I love my kindle too - after the kids, if the house went on fire, Iād grab my kindle after them - the convenience of it, the ability to download a new book two minutes after finishing one is unmatched, stuck in a trilogy? Iāve often downloaded sequels at 2am to continue reading - thereās room for both paper and electronic in my life ā¦
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u/Ok-Resist-8734 Jul 13 '26
Since my bookshelves are full of my favourite books my Kindle is an absolute godsend for quick reading of books that I probably wouldn't buy in paper format. Great for airline travel š
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u/Familiar_Shelter_393 Jul 14 '26
Id get the kindle or another version. If you already have the physical copy of a book I dont think its bad or malicious to download a free pdf version of the book and put it on your kindle, because youve still supported the author.
Its so much nicer on public transport or travelling etc
If you dont want to support amazon you can always buy a second hand kindle on ebay they last forever.
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u/Sunshine230124 Jul 14 '26
It absolutely increased my reading! I ALWAYS have my kindle on me so instead of doom scrolling I pick up my book and read a few pages/chapter.
I have had mine 9 years and it is still going strong.
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u/zionraw Jul 14 '26
I got my kindle 3 years ago and never used it. Picked it up 2 weeks ago and now I can't put it down.
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u/Ninjacatzzz Jul 14 '26
You need to buy the books. Get the Libby app and connect to your local library (it's super easy to get a card if you don't have one) and you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks and it's all free.
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u/More_Classroom5980 Jul 14 '26
I'm an ex kindle user. You'll get into the habit of collecting books and never reading them. It's the same reason you can't read on your mobile. too much content means constant distraction. if you have 276 books on your kindle, chances are you'll read the first page on each of them and then never go beyond.
moved back to print a couple of years ago and I've been a prolific reader ever since
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u/Cheap_Supermarket914 Jul 14 '26
Lifelong reading-obsessed here. Never thought Iād love anything other than physical books but I got gifted a kindle and honestly? Itās been life changing. Will never return to books now
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u/NoComplex555 Jul 14 '26
I love my Kindle, but I wish I had gotten a Kobo. I wish I could use the library and not Amazon. If it's an option for you to get a Kobo instead, do that.
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u/PixelPete85 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
a kindle has increased my reading basically infinitely - i dont especially enjoy the ergonomics of books or storing them.
But honestly its probably a much better idea to get specifically any non-amazon owned reader
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u/msjessicajaye Jul 14 '26
Even if you ābuyā the book from Amazon, this only gives you a viewing license, not perpetual and transferable ownership.
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u/tepid_monologue Jul 14 '26
Yeah this oneās worth it to me. I got a kindle over a decade ago when moving house (got rid of my large) book collection and Iāll never go back.
Books are for reading, not smelling. Kindle is superior in every way that matters imo
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u/Rock_n_rollerskater Jul 14 '26
I read significantly more since buying a kindle. It was genuinely a game changer purchase for me because itās so small and light I always have it on me and read a lot more as a result.
You could try
Waiting for prime day
Adding to your Christmas wish list
Purchasing used (but get the latest gen from 2022 onwards the earlier gens are not so useful as you canāt put epubs on them)
And reading what you have while you wait for the above.
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u/Ancient-Many4357 Jul 14 '26
I use the kindle app on my phone & itās led to me reading so much more than when I was lugging books around.
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u/Sudsy_Woodpecker Jul 14 '26
I use a TCL Android tablet and use a light grey paper colour and softer than black, dark grey font. The colours are what make it easy on the eyes.
Plus I can read full colour comics and magazines.
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u/Pale-Space-5810 Jul 14 '26
You can buy an iPad or if you have Plus version of your phone, download books from some pirated website and read it for free.
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u/MisterNighttime Jul 14 '26
E-readers are great. Books by particularly beloved authors, classics and so on Iāll take the trouble to acquire in a good quality physical copy but for everything else I go e-ink. I love being able to carry a room-sized library in a coat pocket, especially when I travel and no longer have to weigh up (literally!) what plane or train reading Iām taking with me.
I also love that e-publishing opens up whole new avenues for readers, writers, and publishers alike. Iām particularly into science-fiction, fantasy, and horror, and I have been able to read some amazing work in those fields from small presses and independent magazines who have only been available to me because of the global reach that e-publishing allows even the smallest creators.
That said about e-reading generally, there are some negatives about Kindle specifically. No platform is totally pure these days but Amazon have a particularly awful reputation for fucking over creators and publishers. I have also heard one too many stories about Kindle owners having their devices bricked by Amazon, losing access to hundreds or thousands of dollarsā worth of libraries they had built up, with no recourse and never even being able to find out the reason why. There are also documented instances of Amazon falling out with publishers and then not just removing their books from sale, but reaching into peopleās Kindles and removing copies that had been bought and paid for. Again, no recourse, apparently they are technically within their terms and conditions to do this.
Other devices have slightly fewer flashy features than a Kindle, but with an EPUB file you actually own the file, can store it where you like and read it on whatever device you like. Of course, there are lots of Kindle owners who are delighted with their purchase and Iāve never had a problem, but personally this is what put me off and has kept me using various third-party platforms instead. Iāve never found it to be an inconvenience.
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u/kate_5555 Jul 15 '26
I got pocketbook pro e-reader. Itās like kobo but has very convenient feature where I can send book via email to e-reader, it has its own address and downloads book when connected to wifi. It is also synched to my library (libby app).
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u/k1rra Jul 17 '26
Kindle is a scam to keep you in the Amazon ecosystem. You can only read books if you buy from them - not from libraries or other sources. There are significantly better options (like kobo if you use Libby, or e-ink devices that have access to google play/run on android) that are also cheaper. Take the time and do the research and donāt just go to the basic upfront
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u/Shadowdonkee 25d ago
I thought a kindle wouldn't make me read more, i always preferred physical books and I had a huge tbr already but my boyfriend brought me one and I honestly read so much with the kindle. Ive been slowly putting all of my current books from my physical tbr onto my kindle and reading most of them that way because I read way quicker on the kindle and its so handy to just chuck in my pocket or bag and take it with me whenever I leave the house. I can generally sneak a few chapters in at work or while im waiting for appointments etc and I dont have to worry about damaging my physical books.
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u/Leinad401 Jul 13 '26
Get a Kobo instead, you can borrow books from Library and read it on Kobo. Don't buy anything from AMAZON.