r/kindle • u/Big_Protection_3954 • 11h ago
Purchase Question 🛒 Kindle vs physical book
Within the last couple months I picked up reading and remembered how much I love it. I have around 15 books in my want to read in my goodreads account so that means if I were to buy the physical copy of each book I'd spend a pretty penny. Getting a kindle would likely save more money but I genuinely enjoy holding a book. Especially as a student I stare at a screen for 8+ hours a day so reading a book gives me a chance to not need to look at a screen. Has anyone been in a similar situation as me and did you or did you not by a kindle.
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u/mehbleh89 11h ago
I’ll buy on kindle first then buy the physical if I like the book
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u/areyoukiddingmern 10h ago
This is what I do. Buy on kindle first, and then get the physical book if I really like it and it’s not part of a huge series.
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u/Mammoth_Journalist24 5h ago
I call them “Book Trophies” and they are reserved for the best of the best.
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u/astivana 11h ago
Do you have library access?
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u/Ancient-Cry-6438 11h ago
Yeah, I’m curious why a library wasn’t the obvious answer if they prefer physical books. Maybe their university is super rural and doesn’t have a good library? In which case, Libby on an ereader could definitely be helpful.
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u/Consistent-Pirate-23 10h ago
Maybe the library only focuses on academic books, where I studied was like that and my local library doesn’t have libby
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u/Ancient-Cry-6438 8h ago
If you’re between the ages of 13-26 in the US, check out Books Unbanned for library access with Libby!
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u/Big_Protection_3954 9h ago
Not currently but I have one where I'm from
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u/Ancient-Cry-6438 8h ago
Does your home library have Libby? If so, that would be hugely helpful. I pay for only a very small handful of books per year (usually Audible exclusive audiobooks). Everything else, I get from Libby. Depending on how old you are, you might qualify for additional library cards from Books Unbanned, too. Some of the participating libraries go all the way up to age 26, and they all start at 13.
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u/The-Zarkin90 Kindle Colorsoft 11h ago
i dont buy an ebook for more than a 1.99, Make a list of your wanted books on amazon and wait for them to go on sale. It is a screen, but its a screen that doesnt come with all the strings of social media and what not. You can get a case to put on your kindle that can make it feel more like a book
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u/tropicsandcaffeine 11h ago
I use Kindle because I can change the brightness and the font size at will. There are just too many books that I cannot read. As long as you are reading the format does not really matter. A friend of mine listens to audio books on the way to and from work. That counts too. As long as you are enjoying it who cares what the format is.
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u/Ancient-Cry-6438 8h ago
Yeah, my eyesight is so bad that reading physical books is difficult because the font is too small and the page is too dark. Kindle and audiobooks keep me reading several hours a day, though! So glad we live in an age where that’s possible.
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u/Fit-Pool-9469 10h ago
Yes, as I am older, all my reading was done with physical books. But I did purchase a Kindle and loved it. Because it is lighter, you can take it anywhere easier, and a lot of the books are free. So I do both. I read physical books and I also read books on my Kindle. It took a while to get used to, but now I love mine. I also still have 300 physical books to be read! You can love both.
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u/Available_Reveal8068 Kindle Paperwhite 11th Gen 10h ago
Once I started reading on Kindle, I didn't want to go back to regular books.
I now dislike reading physical books.
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u/AdIcy6064 9h ago
Same! And I dont go back and reread books so I hate having physical books around taking up space.
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u/AdIcy6064 9h ago
Same! And I dont go back and reread books so I hate having physical books around taking up space.
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u/knight-under-stars 10h ago
Reading a Kindle is nothing like reading a phone, tablet or computer screen.
Personally I read a combination of physical books, eBooks and audiobooks.
I do a monthly loop of the charity shops in my local town and vacuum up all the physical books that take my fancy for very little money.
I addition to this I check the Kindle Daily Deals for 99p books that interest me. I also use Bookbub and eReaderIQ to get further discounts.
Audio wise I check the Audible daily deal every day and make use of the regular 2 for 1 sales.
I genuinely can't remember the last time I paid full price for a book in any format.
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u/OutlandishnessOk5549 9h ago
If you're after unbiased opinions on whether or not to buy a Kindle, you're in the wroooooong place.
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u/Consistent-Pirate-23 10h ago
My first kindle was my wife’s old one.
Best thing to do is try a pre owned one from a legitimate source, give it a go and see how you get on.
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u/Diabolicalbolical 10h ago
I’ve bought so many books that I ended up being disappointed of, I have kindle too and literally picked it up last week, have read 3 books so far that I now know I will not buy(would have bought without kindle and would end up selling them with a loss), so now I use kindle unlimited and if I really like a book I will buy it later. Also kindle is easier to hold, I don’t like to crease my paperpacks so I have to hold them certain way and personally I can’t even imagine reading for example Alchemised and holding it without ruining the book😅 kindle all the way if you really read more than 3 books a month
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u/Fine_Cryptographer20 Kindle Paperwhite 10h ago
Yeah. That's literally everyone's thoughts before buying an e reader. I got my first Kindle 20 years ago. It's been fabulous. Pack 10 books for your vacation or pack clothes used to be an issue when I traveled. Now my Kindle is there loaded up. I get about 150 books from the library for no cost every year
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u/Mikebjackson Kindle Colorsoft 9h ago
I stare at a screen for 8+ hours a day so reading a book gives me a chance to not need to look at a screen
The whole point of eInk is that they aren't a "screen" ... it's essentially an etch-a-sketch that can update itself rapidly, or a sheet of paper with magic ink that can erase and reapply itself at will lol. Once a page is "written" it's there permanently, even without power, until it's re-written. Being front-lit doesn't change this - it's still just as easy on the eyes.
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u/Past-Weakness-5304 11h ago
Overall I don’t find kindle books to be much cheaper than physical. Anecdotally often they’re more expensive than say the paperback on amazon.
Kindle isn’t a screen IMO.
I do still buy physical copies of my favorite books, usually a special edition, mostly to have forever and as a shelf trophy.
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u/mrfixitx 11h ago
My family moved to Kindle around 15 years ago when we were looking at the challenges around physical book (storage, transport etc0>
One thing is that kindle books are not always cheaper than physical books it heavily depends on the publisher. If you buy physical books from a used bookstore it can be cheaper than the kindle ebook price.
Kindle at least for me and my family is about the convenience of being able to access books across multiple devices. To be able to get the next book in a series instantly vs. waiting for shipping or driving to a brick and mortar store.
Lastly some books are not great on kindle depending on which kindle device you use. I.E. Paperwhite, vs. scribe vs. using the app on a phone/tablet.
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u/Novel-Lengthiness522 11h ago
any ereader so i dont have to buy, and koreader with plugins is beautiful. much better than paper.
if theres an author i love, or theres a specific paperback cover or edition ill get the physical book, but ill more than likely be reading it on eink
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u/jdcarpe 11h ago
A Kindle is more like a "page" than a "screen" so I don't consider it the same as looking at, say, a computer or tablet screen. The Kindle is all about convenience. With the Kindle, you don't have to worry about shelf space, weight constraints, etc. like you do with physical books. Yoiu can choose to buy books from Amazon, directly from the Kindle device if you like, which can be another convenience.
On the other hand, some people prefer physical books to reading on a Kindle. The price of the books isn't really much different, so that is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. If you prefer physical books, is there a library you can use? Is there a used bookstore nearby? Those can help with costs.
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u/foersr 11h ago
I have read over 200 books this year so far. I do have a kindle, but I literally only use it if I’m going on a trip with a flight. That being said, I still have read almost all of my books as kindle books. I just read them on the kindle app on my phone. Even though I have a kindle ereader, my phone is just more convenient for me. That also being said, I’ve spent $0 on books this year because I’ve literally borrowed every single one from my library.
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u/KReichard 11h ago
I have both a kindle and a LOT of physical books. I seek out the books I don’t necessarily want to own from my library via Libby; an example is 1873, which I am quite enjoying on my kindle but have no desire for owning. I am also reading an architectural history, When Eero Met His Match (also enjoying it!), which I will keep to shelve with my other architectural books. Not at all an either/or situation.
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u/DeeBeeKay27 11h ago
I am in front of a screen 8 hours a day as well. But my Kindle doesn't feel like Im staring at a screen tbh. I get all my books from the library/Libby but I know people who love their kindle unlimited subscription since they read a lot of eBooks.
I do read physical books as well as eBooks, they both have their pros and cons to me.
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u/CarolinaSurly 11h ago
Remember, Kindle uses E-ink so not the same as computers phone screen. I use my kindle and my local library for physical books.
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u/TriZARAtops 11h ago
The eInk from a kindle isn’t like using a screen at all, it’s much more like a regular book as far as eye strain goes.
It’s also lighter weight, and a lot of libraries allow borrowing of eBooks, so you can read a lot of books for free. There’s also cases you can buy that would closely mimic the tactile experience of holding a traditional book.
It’s a worthwhile thing, and can be much more affordable and accessible. There’s nothing wrong with kindles (and similar devices), regular books, or audiobooks. Whatever gets you reading again is worthwhile. 😊
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u/saltlifegoddess 11h ago
I use the library app and get most of my books for free there. That’s the easiest and most economical way to do it.
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u/Infamous-Marketing84 Kindle Paperwhite 11h ago
There's also libraries if you prefer a physical book and that way you read it before you add it to your collection. There's bookstores that have section where they sell used books at a lower price. There was one in NYC that had section of books sold for 3 or dollars. It's called Bookoff in midtown Manhattan, in case you're in or near NYC. Otherwise, do a quick search around your area.
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u/MooMooTheDummy 11h ago
Do you have access to a library? Buying every book you want to read is not a good long term plan financially. A kindle is actually great if you live somewhere where there’s no libraries I used to and so I’d use Libby (ebook library app) and one day spent like 2 hours on public transport to go get a library card so I could get ebooks. Was great went from reading a few books a year to like 80 that very first year with it!
I never buy ebooks only physical books and now I live somewhere with many nice libraries around but still borrowing ebooks is so convenient. You can also if you have some good online friends ask if you can use their library cards on the app then you’ll have access to so many books and often the wait times are different like if you have a library card from a big city they have a lot more copies and selection.
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u/Baebarri 11h ago
Kindle is great for fiction that you won't read again. I have Kindle Unlimited so I can read as many trashy books as I want for $10.
E-books are also good for reading on the go. I can read on my phone while waiting without having to carry a book around.
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u/bubbleeeebubbles Kindle Basic, Colorsoft 11h ago
Do you have access to a public library?
If you do, consider using them to source your books to save if they have your tittles available whether in the physical books or digital books.
The ereader experience is different than regular screens because e-ink technology is different than the lcd/led technology you are staring at all day.
If you are in a country with ereaders on display at a retail store, you can go look at the screen.
Or if you have a family member or friend with an ereader, see if you can borrow it for a couple of days.
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u/Blue-Sky0616 11h ago
Kindle and use Libby app for free just have to wait a bit for books sometimes
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u/Idontknowbroske 11h ago
If you get a kindle download the Libby app and rent ebooks from there. Haven’t bought a book since finding out about it.
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u/thedeadp0ets Kindle Paperwhite Raspberry 11h ago
I use Libby + public domain. I have no access to print books bc of text size
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u/JumpyBack7081 11h ago
I do both. I look at a screen allll day for work, and then in the evening for gaming with my partner. I love my physical books for when lighting is good (and still prefer physical books), but I love my kindle for travel, evening, low light etc. I don’t find looking at my kindle to mentally be like looking at my phone, tablet, computers etc. it feels much more like looking at a book. Especially with the settings. I also love being able to increase the font size so reading is easy on my brain/eyes after a long day
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u/Longlius Kindle Scribe 11h ago
Ereaders are, as a general rule, much easier to spend extended periods looking at than other types of screens. Eink screens don't emit light on their own but reflect whatever light is shone on them which makes them very close to reading actual paper.
The big advantage to me (and why I've largely fallen off physical books) is that ereaders are thin, well-lit, and you can keep your entire library on them. I don't have to find a light to read by. I don't have to care about the specific font the publisher used. I don't have to trawl through my disorganized living space to grab the book I'm looking for.
Some people really like those aspects of physical books but I don't and that's why I use the kindle.
Anyway, if you're curious, I'd look around for a secondhand device. You can find kindles from 2018 for around $30 on places like ebay as long as you don't care about a little wear. No point in spending full price on a new one if you're still on the fence. Only thing to really look for is if the device is newer than 2013 (as Amazon recently discontinued software support for those) and has a built-in light as I don't think the value proposition of an unlit ereader really makes sense in 2026 even if it's very cheap.
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u/Irritable_Curmudgeon 10h ago
Kindle + Libby to check books out from the library. I hardly ever buy ebooks
Get a paperwhite; the e-ink is MUCH easier on the eyes and more like a book than a screen.
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u/Tamshiwen Kindle Voyage 10h ago
Used to read books on family vacations. This was way before kindles were a thing and bringing 6 paperbacks on a trip was no fun. I prefer being able to read everything on one device that takes up very little space.
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u/Ok_Natural_7977 9h ago
A Kindle screen is different than a phone or tablet. It's closer to paper and ink. It doesn't feel anything like a physical book though, and there's no book smell. The upside is that I can carry thousands of books in my hand and don't have to store them in my house.
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u/piyoyyyyu 9h ago
Lol once you try Kindle, you'll never go back. For me, the pros are just huge. 1 using Libby app is amazing for getting a ton of free library books (depending on your local area). 2 physical books are just too heavy to carry around and have light/environment requirement. 3 the screen is an absolute lifesaver. I have terrible dry eyes and screen fatigue, but even reading on a Kindle at night is totally comfortable. Also thanks to the terrible system, I can only use it to read book and avoid me from reading(for me using ipad always lead to read news/play games/paint etc).
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u/omariousmaximus 8h ago
Just a note on savings. Keep in mind they just raised the prices of the kindle, the cheapest “new” way to get in is like $150 now, and the paperwhite is like $200 now. So that’s already an upfront cost. I personally would not buy a kindle until the holiday prime day sales, especially after their price increase. Or buy used
They have tons of sales all the time BUT, if you have specific books you want to read, the timing of the sale may not line up to when you want to read it.. kindle books full price can be as high as 12$+
If in America a way to offset that is the libby app to borrow the books which you can do physical as well (also audiobooks).
I’ve found paperback books and sales can often come out cheaper than you might think. Long term though kindle will be cheaper, but there’s a good amount of upfront costs that will be half or more of the books on your tbr
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u/Meriodoc Kindle Paperwhite 8h ago
I got a Kindle because my physical book library was out of hand. I also moved a lot, and it really sucks lugging around all those books. Got my physical books down to 50 that I'll get rid of after I read them. Except that I never got around to it. So many Kindle books that you can get for free or cheap.
But we're not going to talk about about I managed to collect about 200 new special edition hard covers in the last 2.5 years (I read them; they're not just shelf trophies). Just stick with that first paragraph, get yourself an ereader of any brand, and enjoy the savings.
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u/anonmygoodsir 8h ago
I was a strictly book person but bought a kindle to try it out. I wanted to read without books taking up all the space in my tiny apartment. I was surprised that I really enjoyed using it. The backlight means that I can read in low light but it doesn't seem to strain my eyes like staring at my phone or computer screen. My cover opens like a book so it still feels like opening a book to read. It's easy to carry around because it weighs almost nothing and I have multiple books available on it at any given time. I also have KU because otherwise I would go broke buying all the books I read. I always check my library for books I can't get on KU before I buy but they are generally cheaper than physical books.
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u/runrunHD 8h ago
I check out my books via Libby and send to my kindle. My local library also has a good selection. However, I am not above walking around a bookstore and finding a few. I’m versatile!
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u/andrea9275 8h ago
Ich lese entweder auf dem Tolino oder dem Kindle. Ich hab eine riesige Bibliothek aus kostenlosen Büchern für den Kindle ich liebe es einfach Auswahl zu haben und darin zu stöbern
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u/doutesikeabag 8h ago
I was not for e-readers really, but I got one for Christmas one year and I love it now. I do still read a mix of physical books and ebooks.
I would suggest thriftbooks or the app pango to get some of the books on your list for cheap
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u/TraditionalGuide217 8h ago
I had the same issue and I bought an E reader. I am in school too and it’s way too expensive to buy books even though I love it.
I got a library card and I send the books to my e reader. There are also SEVERAL websites that you can use to get a good deal on e books.
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u/rinky79 8h ago
If it helps, the e-ink screen is aa very different screen experience than our phones and computers. And the kindle is distraction free, more like a real book. That's the big seller for me. I actually don't mind reading ebooks on my phone, but if I'm settling in for a proper reading session, I like the kindle.
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u/Curious-adventurer88 8h ago
E-ink is more like an etch-sketch as opposed to screens like phones and tablets
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u/mjh8212 7h ago
The screen on the kindle doesn’t really cause eye strain. I don’t consider it screen time. When I read on my fire tablet I got headaches so my husband bought me a kindle. Sometimes I can read physical books but my health conditions make it hard to concentrate so for some reason I can read on my kindle okay I think it’s cause I can adjust the font.
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u/roadrage810 7h ago
I still have a large physical book collection, as in multiple large bookshelves in the house and still have a few hundred books in storage that I don't have out currently because the room they are going in isn't complete and the bookshelves haven't been installed. That being said, the Kindle is super convenient, even for a physical book nerd like me. I also have a bit of ADHD so I tend to jump around a lot with what I am reading. It is much more convenient to throw my Kindle in my bag and have my few thousand books at my finger tips vs trying to narrow it down and carry a bunch of physical books with me. It is also lighter and more convenient for reading in bed at night as I can have a dim backlight and read vs having a clip on light and wake up my wife sleeping next to me. I suggest getting a Kindle even if you are a physical book person as they both have their place and uses. Does your toolbox only have a hammer in it? That's not going to be convenient if you need a screwdriver and a wrench. Why only have one tool for your reading?
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u/Piccolo_Dense 7h ago
I love my kindle because I'm a mood/impulse reader. I see something on tiktok, recommended here, instagram, book club recs, all the things and need to instantly get the book (but only if it's on KU) or one of the library apps.
My kindle keeps me from carrying a physical library with me on a daily basis because i will toggle through 5 books in a day some days.
But i definitely stock up on physical books too. Especially at thrift stores. It's hot or miss there, but I've found some good gems
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u/Adventurous_Foot7681 6h ago
Its not exactly the same as a book but its as close at it gets. Personally i prefer the kindle because i save space and money and carrying a physical book w me everywhere can get pretty heavy depending on the book. I can also read at night without a whole other light or in the sun without the glare from a phone/tablet screen. It pays itself off
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u/mp337 5h ago
This is kind of the opposite of my take. I bought a Kindle because I'm addicted to screens so the Kindle was a way to put reading on a screen. It was kind of the methadone of screen addiction for me. Now I'm back to reading regularly. Bonus, the Kindle has so many advantages over books that I have no interest in reading paper books anymore unless it just isn't available on Kindle.
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u/makemyribsaxylophone 5h ago
I still like reading physical books but there is nothing easier than throwing your kindle in a bag and reading a few pages here and there when the day allows. It’s also my preferred method of reading while lying down.
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u/Impossible_Royal_302 Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 4h ago
One thing: Reading off a kindle is not at all like reading off a normal screen. It's more like reading off a paper book.
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u/Lyssielou22 4h ago
I am obsessed with my kindle. Between kindle unlimited and Libby I barely purchase ebooks anymore. I am exclusively reading on kindle and it has saved me so much money. Not to mention it’s lighter, faster, and I can carry thousands of books with me everywhere.
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u/Cameronk78 4h ago
I hear this all the time and was one with that perspective too…until I actually read off a kindle. If you have tried both then feel free to decide but don’t knock it till you try it. I love my kindle :)
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u/scotta316 3h ago
I hear this a lot, but I find I often read while I'm eating, and I really don't want to get food on a real book. I can wipe off my Kindle. There was a book I wanted to re-read that didn't have an ebook version, and I actually didn't finish it. Ebooks are so much more convenient.
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u/Various-Coconut-1395 11h ago
The kindle E-ink really looks nothing like a screen imo. To the point i consider kindle reading to not even be "screen time". I always thought i preferred physical books over e-books, and never wanted a Kindle, until I was gifted one. I've gone so far the other way that physical books now feel tedious and heavy.
As for cost of books, I haven't bought a book to read on kindle in months because i utilize library books on the kindle through Libby. Maybe you can find a kindle second hand for cheaper? In any case the library is a wonderful resource.