Getting Your First Kindle E-reader: What’s It For and Features to Consider

Bibiliophiles, assemble! Whether we are lugging heavy books on our day out or running out of bookshelf space for our growing collection, these are among the struggles we face in the name of our love for books. That is why I speak for everyone; thank God for a new wave of handy ebook readers and applications to ease these bookworm problems. 

While phones do just the trick, being engrossed in a 500-page book for hours is not eye-friendly. And it’s not unproven either, as experts suggest that screen time should be limited to two hours at a time. It’s also not cute when you get bruises for dropping your phone during an exciting read. Trust me, it took me a few busted lips to realize that—the things you do for love.

So when you pass by a few BookToks (a.k.a. Book TikToks) raving about how much they love their new Kindle e-reader, don’t scoff. There’s a reason those thin black devices are all the hype. 

Are you seated? Let’s unpack the tea about these Kindle e-readers and what I considered when buying my first one. Don’t go anywhere because I am here to treat you to a crash course that might make you want to hold onto your wallets! Sorry!

Why Read with a Kindle?

I am about to let you in on a little secret. Imagine having all your favorite books and ongoing reads in your pocket. Even better, you don’t have to worry about tiring your eyes or upcoming visits to your optometrist. You’re saving energy, too, because you don’t have to recharge your device immediately. After all, it hardly runs low on battery. This is the beauty of a Kindle.

Designed as the ultimate companion to digital reading, these e-readers are lightweight and portable, fitting all sorts of nooks and crannies. As a bookworm on the go, I can vouch for these, as they fit even in my fanny pack or the smallest tote bag.

The magic? The Kindle, designed by Jeff Bezos and his team at Amazon in 2007, is intentionally created to be the same size as a trade paperback—only six inches. What’s more, for its size, you can store up to 3,500 books, more than your average bookshelf or library. Its display also runs on e-ink technology that doesn’t strain the eyes. It’s like reading a book minus the extra bulk, radiation, and energy consumption. 

Are you ready to get your own Kindle? But before getting ahead, here are some important considerations to review.

To Get or Not To Get a Kindle E-Reader?

It’s not that I am stopping you from making the best and most obvious choice, but there are some, like the model and its other features, you must consider carefully. While I am happy with my e-reader now, choosing my first Kindle was also difficult. And as someone who’s been there, I want to ensure you’re selecting the right fit for you.

So get ready because I am about to pass on the knowledge my fellow bookworms have given me. 

Purpose

Before getting your Kindle, it’s essential to ask yourself why you are getting it. Is it because you’re experiencing a bout of FOMO from all the TikTok hype? Or are you considering it after getting strains and the book bag shoulder from carrying too many TBRs? If you chose the second, then you’re safe to keep reading. 

Kindles are also the perfect choice for distraction-free reading, but they might not be for you if you want something beyond that. Note to self: Kindles do not carry apps or notifications even if they’re connected to the WiFi.

Before deciding, consider where you’re reading and whether you need the extra waterproof features in some models, like the Kindle Paperwhite and Oasis. Pro tip: The Basic Kindle will suffice if you’re not reading at the beach or in the tub. 

If distraction-free digital note-taking is a feature you are interested in, the Kindle Scribe with a built-in digital notebook is your best choice. 

One thing I learned before deciding on my Kindle is that even if everyone else is getting it, it shouldn’t be my reason. Looking back on the reasons I had in my head, I realize that reconsidering is always well worth it.

Screen Size, Display, and Interface

When reading with a Kindle, size does matter. While the Basic is almost the same size as a trade paperback, it is good to ask yourself whether you are even comfortable reading on a device that small.

If the answer is a confident yes, then the Basic is remarkable for its small but crisp display. However, if you are hunting for something slightly more significant, the Kindle Paperwhite is also a great option at 6.8 inches. If that’s not enough, a more prominent display comes at 7 inches with the Kindle Oasis, followed by the largest yet at 10.2 inches for the Kindle Scribe, perfect for annotation and note-taking.

Ease of reading—check! However, it’s time to reconsider if you are not too keen on a laggy interface, monochrome screens, and slower response time. But if that’s not a feature that throws you off, then I am pleased to report that you also have the option to read with buttons on a Kindle Oasis.

Customizing text and text size is also not a problem, but it will take some getting used to. So, from one reader to the other, given that we are working with e-ink here, you must be patient with the interfaces, display, and screen size when choosing a when choosing a Kindle.

Storage

Hooray for making it far! Trust me, you’re halfway there because we’re about to discuss how these e-readers are the definition of small but powerful.

Say goodbye to the days of storing large amounts of paper that were always at risk of tearing, soaking, and other damage. A Kindle is an answered prayer that saves you storage space, reduces your carbon footprint, and lets you download as many books as you want.

But a word of advice: while this sounds promising, it is essential to know that additional storage spaces come with additional price tags. Luckily, most Kindles come with an entry-level space of 8 GB, which allows you to store as many as 3,000 to 6,000 ebooks per 1 to 2MB of storage. However, it’s best to reconsider when audiobooks are what you prefer.

A good rule of thumb is to check out a Kindle comparison guide. Consider also whether you need that extra 32 GB of storage when an 8 GB or 16 GB Kindle can already store so much. As I learned when considering my options, it’s better to be honest with yourself if you are willing to buy a Kindle with a larger display and smaller storage or vice versa.

Kindle Books and Accessories

Onto the exciting part! Hands down, one of the best things about getting my Kindle was downloading as many books as possible and accessorizing my e-reader. But a word of warning: this will cost you. More so, books and accessories are things you buy separately.

I understand that the Kindle can make you feel like you’re saving money. But at the end of the day, you would have to make these purchases via Amazon’s Kindle store. So, it’s not always the best option if you are trying to get your money’s worth on graphics-heavy books.

But it’s a dealer’s choice if you’re smart enough and willing to find creative ways to get your books for free. 

The great thing about a Kindle in terms of accessories is that you can decorate it however you like. While this is true, and the options are limitless – cases, stickers, and Popsockets can strain your budget. 

But if you’re as wise in your book purchases as you are with accessories, then the Kindle is something that they will genuinely enjoy. After all, it’s the Kindle you want, not just the accessories.

Price and Value for Money

Similar to any other big purchase, it’s important to be honest about whether you are willing to spend money on this long-term and if it is well within your budget.

If you are looking for an investment in a comfortable, convenient, and portable experience, then I am sure you will truly get your money’s worth. But if you are not as committed and hoping it will get you into reading, I may advise against it—more so if you’re getting it because it looks promising or everybody else has it.

As mentioned earlier, it is also essential to be wary of other factors that may cost you, like storage and screen size, which may influence the type of Kindle you want to get.

But ultimately, as long you’re not sacrificing something more important in the name of your new e-reader, then who am I to get in your way?

One last pro tip: It is also best to explore Kindle e-reader buying guides before selecting the kind of Kindle that best suits you.

But Wait, Why Shouldn’t You Get the Kindle?

Before you ask me, “It’s a Kindle, what could go wrong?” I must warn you that while e-readers promise many bookworm-worthy features, it is still worth mentioning that they are not all sunshine and rainbows. To manage your expectations, here are possible reasons you shouldn’t get a Kindle e-reader.

It’s Nothing Like Reading a Book

I might have my sights on the Kindle since forever ago, but who would want to trade its static feel for the unwrapping experience? Complete with an unbent book spine, new book smell, and colored pages?

While reading will be portable and convenient, the Kindle differs greatly from reading a ‘book.’ There’s no book cover to admire or individual pages to flip through that will make your heart skip a beat.

So, if you get a new book for the whole experience, you must prepare yourself because e-readers may diminish the experience by half.

If this results in you getting the same book twice, it would be best to get the physical copy in the first place. While I have nothing against people who buy the same book they love twice, doing so may just defeat the purpose of why you go for your Kindle. 

If you worry about spending twice as much this way, then there are better choices than getting the Kindle.

Ads and Extra Costs are Inescapable

While the Kindle promises an accessible reading experience, trust me when I say that this is often hindered by the presence of ads and extra costs.

As experienced by most Kindle readers, the presence of not-so-PG ads is often a struggle. While Booktoks frequently offers suggestions to overcome these pains, you should be mentally prepared to have customer service disapprove ad-free requests.

You can also opt to get your Kindle ad-free, but these come at an extra cost, the same way if you want Kindles with bigger screens or storage displays. So if you are willing to sacrifice for that, your wallets should be ready for the extra costs.

It also pays to be mentally prepared for what you’ll spend to get extra protection for your Kindle against drops or scratches. If you would prefer to buy more books for the same price, it is best to forego the Kindle for now.

The Verdict: Unlock an Elevated Reading Experience with Kindle

Like every device on your wishlist, the Kindle will also come with features you might or might not like. However, this does not mean you will be held back by every minor inconvenience.

That is why if you haven’t fully decided after this, it’s better to sit on it for a few days or months. However, if you are someone like me who thought long and hard about how you’ll make the most of your e-readers, I would be the first to congratulate you on unlocking an elevated reading experience.

Regardless if you are making a purchase right after this, I hope I have shed light on the magic behind Kindles. And gave you a much-needed boost to decide if you genuinely want one for yourself. 

No matter your choice, my wish for you, from one bibliophile to another, is that you’ll continue to find just as much love for books. Happy reading!

Kindle models are available to purchase at the Amazon store or via Game Extreme PH.