Amazon Kindle has truly become one of the most beloved gadgets of the reading community worldwide. Storing thousands of the most beautiful works of fiction and non-fiction, e-readers are definitely worth it for those avid fans of the written word.
However, should Kindle be your go-to gadget, or are there better alternatives? If you do get an e-reader, how can you afford more books and spend your evenings enjoying the best stories?
Comparing Kindle to other e-readers
Although Kindle seems to be the most popular e-reader, it is certainly not the only one. But let’s begin with several reasons why Kindle (and which one) might be the one for you.
Work from KDP
Not all e-readers will display books published via Kindle Direct Publishing. So, if you consider Kobo, Boox Palma, or other options, you could miss out on this content.
Multiple options and price ranges
Firstly, Kindle has several models, starting with the most affordable Amazon Kindle. It’s light and can pack just as many books as the others. One thing to note is that these are not waterproof (just in case you use them by the pool).
The next optimal option is the Kindle Paperwhite, which is waterproof and potentially works more smoothly than the Amazon Kindle.
These are the best options to consider, but you can judge the others by their screen size, battery life, and storage capacity. Another factor that may influence your decision is the lock screen ads that could be presented. Both the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite can feature these, but not in all regions. When making the purchase, whether it displays ads should be mentioned.
Kindle Unlimited
Avid readers appreciate the option of having immediate access to thousands of books wherever they go. Kindle Unlimited does precisely that, and you can enjoy various works of literature without paying anything more than the monthly subscription.
However, there are caveats as well, such as checking whether Kindle Unlimited works in your country. Hence, before purchasing a Kindle hoping to get this subscription, double-check whether you can use it. Of course, you can still purchase books individually even if you’re outside the Kindle Unlimited range.
Other e-readers have comparable plans that grant access to various books. If you have a library card, you might also use apps like Libby and borrow books to read online.
Fears of devices no longer working
A big shock to the reading community came when Amazon announced it would no longer support Kindle devices released in 2012 and earlier. So, users with this device can no longer purchase books, even if the devices worked without any issues.
Such a push to upgrade to other devices caused fear that these devices could stop working at any moment. While it might not deter anyone from committing to a Kindle device, it is something to keep in mind.
How can you afford more books on Kindle?
With so many titles available on Kindle, buying each one you find interesting can quickly become a financial burden. To ease this pain and still read your favorite books, consider the following options:
- Get additional income specifically for purchasing books. Some readers use reward or microtask platforms, such as JumpTask, to build a small book fund. However, earnings are usually modest, payouts may involve crypto, and users should review withdrawal rules before spending time on the platform.
- Don’t purchase books immediately after their release. Sometimes, waiting a few weeks could mean a lower price.
- Buy bundles if you intend to read the entire series.
- Always read the sample chapters to see if the book interests you, rather than relying on reviews or general descriptions.
- Look, if some older books are available for free online, they can be legally downloaded. Then, you can simply upload the PDF files to your Kindle.
All in all
Kindle can be a wonderful gift to a reading-loving person (either from someone else or to yourself). However, consider whether other e-readers might better suit your needs, especially if you do not intend to read many KDP titles or wish to try alternatives.
(Photo by @felirbe on Unsplash)
