November 2nd, 2024

Rekindling my use of e-ink books

From Apple Books to Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: A Journey Towards Focus and Immersion in Reading

This past year, I have opted for Apple’s Book app and physical books. Physical books have always been a safe choice, and I have taken leverage of my local library to provide me with what I required. At the beginning of the year, I decided I wanted to exclusively use the Apple Books app to read digital literature.

Apple Books is a great app. I have found some good deals. Some titles were cheaper than their physical counterparts. In fact, they were cheaper than the Kindle equivalent. I like how the app has a streaks feature where I set a minimum of thirty minutes of reading each day. The challenge was going well until my focus was drawn to other adventures.

My habits changed. I was aware of the impact on my eyes as I read late into the night, neglecting my rule of not looking at any digital display after 9:30pm. Things had to change and I looked at all possible options. Then, it dawned on me. At the start of January 2023, I bought an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. It was hidden in a draw somewhere in my office. Why had I forgotten about it? My research had led me to the following reasons to revert to e-ink books through my Kindle.

Distraction-Free Environment: Unlike tablets or smartphones, the Kindle Paperwhite is designed solely for reading. It lacks notifications and apps that can divert your attention, allowing you to immerse yourself in the content.
E-Ink Technology: The Kindle Paperwhite utilises e-ink technology, which mimics the appearance of print on paper. This reduces eye strain and allows for comfortable reading over extended periods, promoting sustained focus.
Adjustable Lighting: The built-in adjustable front light enables you to read in various lighting conditions without glare. This feature ensures that you can focus on your reading material regardless of the environment.
Customisable Reading Experience: The Kindle allows you to adjust font size, type, and spacing, leading to a more personalised and comfortable reading experience. This can help maintain your concentration by catering to your reading preferences.
Built-in Dictionary and Notes: The ability to highlight passages and look up definitions instantly can enhance comprehension and retention, keeping you engaged with the text.
Long Battery Life: With weeks of battery life, the Kindle Paperwhite allows you to read without the interruption of frequent charging, enabling longer, uninterrupted reading sessions.
Portability and Storage: The lightweight design and capacity to store thousands of books mean you can carry your library with you. This accessibility encourages more reading opportunities in various settings.

In summary, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite fosters an environment conducive to focus through its distraction-free design, eye-friendly display, and customisable features, making it an excellent tool for avid readers looking to deepen their engagement with texts.

There is a possibility I will look into additional software to export my Kindle highlights and notes to utilise them in a note-taking app. However, the first action I should take is to read my books. If you have any suggestions of an app I could use, please let me know. I am currently making notes in an app called Twos, where I only record what, I believe, is essential. Quick summaries are great for recapping the main points of a book.