I literally cannot focus when I'm reading online for some reason + I love looking at my books on my bookshelf, it makes me feel smart

  • Shaleesh [she/her, comrade/them]
    ·
    6 days ago

    My trusty ereader is the reason I've read more books in the past two years than I had in the prior ten before that. This is kinda hard to describe but my favorite feature is the ergonomic freedom they provide. I like to curl up in weird positions when reading or phonescrolling and traditional books aren't really conducive to that. With a bookybook you have to use both hands, you have to get them in the light, and they tend to require me to sit upright. With an ereader I can lie on my side in bed at night with the lights off while hugging a pillow and that shit is so fucking cozy.

    All that being said, things like cookbooks, manuals, field guides and such basically require physical books to be useful IMO.

      • magi [null/void]
        ·
        6 days ago

        Any kobo, software support a decade later, less intrusive ads than kindle and can sideload ebooks with ease

      • Shaleesh [she/her, comrade/them]
        ·
        6 days ago

        I'm not exactly up to date on the current market but I can offer this:

        Most eReaders have .epub capability, with the notable exception of the ones made by Amazon so you have a pretty wide selection to choose from. I have a Nook Glowlight 4e which serves me well. It's very barebones and has downright abysmal notetaking features but it has a backlight, physical buttons (super underrated), a long battery life, and font options so it's fine for lesiure reading. More modern devices have things like higher screen refresh rates, higher resolution, and more app connectivity. Note that some devices are compatible with ebook lending systems run through public libraries, if that interests you then by all means look into it, one of the best ways to support your local library is to use their services.

        All that being said, if you're anticipating only loading books on manually then you would be fine with getting an older secondhand device on the cheap. IMO the most meaningful difference between "obsolete" and modern devices is access to online bookstores.