As an English major, I am constantly reading both for class and for pleasure. I read the classics, modern literature, and intriguing novels. As someone who claims to be an avid reader, I am always collecting knowledge by reading books from the library, buying used books and the occasional new book, and by reading e-books. Since I am planning on becoming a librarian, some may find it ironic that most the books I read for fun are on my Kindle. I absolutely love my e-reader! Of course, like all devices, it has its pros and cons.
Pros
Convenience
One of the pros of having an e-reader is its convenience; you have your entire library at your finger-tips. On my Kindle Fire HD, I have nearly 2,000 books. I couldn’t even carry one percent of the books on my e-reader in paper form! I love that I have so many books to choose from. Not only is the storage of an e-reader a convenience, but so is the physical size. My Kindle is quite compact so I can easily put it into my book bag and purse. I love having my own personal, portable library!
Money
The price of an e-reader can range from relatively cheap price to quite expensive; it all depends on whether or not you want all the bells and whistles. Even the most basic of e-readers is a worthy investment. The prices of electronic books range from FREE to the same price as the physical book. Out of the 2,000 books I have on my Kindle, I have paid for less than five percent of them. There are hundreds of thousands of free books that you can download! As a college student, I love being able to get books for free.
Cons
It is an electronic device.
Because the e-reader is an electronic device, technical difficulties do arise. The devices do die. My Kindle has a decent battery life; it will last all day with continuous use, but I do have to charge it every night. I have had my e-reader freeze up. My old Kindle would freeze up all the time and would move super slow. Once I got my Kindle Fire HD, I didn’t have the same type of issues because it has newer software. My newer kindle does occasionally freeze up, and it is rather annoying. I know I will eventually need to replace it.
It’s not a “real’ book.
You don’t have the same type of experience reading an e-book that you have reading a physical book. The light from the device can prevent you from get tired and can mess with your sleep cycle. The light from the screen can also cause head and eye aches. You also don’t get to enjoy that wonderful new book smell when you purchase a new book.
Conclusion
E-readers add convenience to the college student’s busy life. I believe the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to e-readers. I love that I have tons of books to choose from and I don’t have to worry about paper cuts! Even though I absolutely love my Kindle, I still enjoy curling up with a nice paperback book. Whether you prefer e-books or physical books, the important thing is to read.
