Kindle or Physical Book?

In the age of digital technology, one of the most debated topics among book lovers is whether reading on a Kindle or a traditional physical books is the superior reading experience. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, so i have tried my best to fairly represent both sides to help you choose what’s best for you.

Let’s say the Kindle is the superior choice, because it’s my personal go-to.

A kindle can hold thousands of books at once, which makes it perfect for commuting to work or going on holiday because you don’t have to carry around multiple books. When I finish a book on my commute, I automatically want to start the next one (if I’m in the middle of a series) which I wouldn’t necessarily be able to do unless I carry multiple physical books around with me.

In my opinion, the perfect evening consists of laying in the bath surrounded by candles, listening to some music reading a book. A kindle has built in adjustable back-lights so it means you don’t have to have any bright lights on when you’re trying to relax.

I personally have a budget of around £30 a month to spend on books, and I feel like it goes a long way on a kindle compared to buying physical books, and if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited on Amazon it stretches even further because like the name suggests, you can download unlimited books for your kindle. The only downside of this, is that you can only download 20 at a time, so if there are series you’d like to download at the same time, you have to pick and choose what to download.

Another upside to using a Kindle is you can customise it to fit your style. I enjoy decorating my case with stickers to match my mood, I have the sage coloured Kindle and it is just so aesthetically pleasing to look at. You can also choose your font, background colour, brightness, orientation etc, which makes it feel like a very personal experience while using.

The downside of using a Kindle is that regardless of being able to adjust the brightness, looking at a screen for long periods of time can lead to fatigue, headaches and having trouble sleeping.

You are also unable to keep up to date on the latest collections or limited edition releases of books. There’s something truly pleasing about the aesthetic of bookshelves filled with colourful, patterned book spines. If you use a kindle you have nothing tangible to show off and include in your home decor which is sometimes the reason of buying these books.

Another downside is that you miss our on the glorious sensory experience of holding a crisp new book in your hands, being able to feel the texture of the paper as you flip the pages. You will miss the smell of the paper, and the sound of the pages turning. The sensory experience may not be important to everyone but it is definitely a non-negotiable factor for some book lovers.

I usually buy a book scented candle so I don’t go too long without indulging in one of the most beautiful scents to exist.

Ultimately, both Kindle and physical books have their own merits and drawbacks. A kindle is perfect for someone who wants instant access to multiple books, travel a lot and want to minimize clutter around their home. On the other hand, as mentioned already, the physical books provide a sensory experience like no other, creating a sense of connection between the heart and the paper.

Whether you prefer the convenience of a Kindle or the charm of a physical book, there is no wrong way to read! The most important thing is that you are reading, and enjoying the literature no matter the format!