There’s something magical about holding a book and flipping the pages. However, there is one thing that physical books can’t do, no matter how magical they are—they can’t be in your hands instantly at any time of day, on any day of the week, 24/7. That magic belongs to the ebook.
Read an Ebook Day has existed since before I got my first ereader back in 2015. Every year on September 18 since 2014, libraries and schools have observed Read an Ebook Day to celebrate the 24/7 access to the thousands and thousands of ebooks available at libraries (and, of course, certain online retailers).
While physical books are wonderful, ebooks certainly have their charms. Here are eight advantages (in no specific order) that ebooks have over physical books.
1: Instant Access
As already mentioned, you don’t need to wait for special two-day shipping to get a book in your hands with an ebook. As soon as the book is published, it is available to you. The only time this doesn’t hold true is if a library only has a few licenses for an ebook—then you’ll have to put a hold on the book, but it can be instantly delivered to your ereader as soon as it is available. (No need to put shoes to go out the door.)
2: Portability
It’s easy enough to chuck your ereader into your bag. Some are small enough to slide into a back pocket. (Just don’t sit on it!)
Maybe you forgot your dedicated ereader at home? No worries. Certain devices, such as Nook by Barnes & Noble and Kindle by Amazon, will let you sync your reading from your device to an app on your phone.
3: Space Saving
Speaking of portability, ebooks take up way less space. If you’re somebody who moves a lot, your ebooks will be way easier to pack than your physical books. Or if you have a small living space, you can access your whole ebook from a single device that can sit on your nightstand.
4: Great for Not Losing Your Spot When You Fall Asleep
I am not ashamed to admit that I have fallen asleep reading an ebook, face down, holding my ereader out Superman-style. My partner is always kind enough to grab my reader from me and pop it on the charger if it needs it. And he doesn’t have to mark my page!
5: Accessibility Options
Ebooks, designed correctly, offer accessibility options. They allow for text to be larger or smaller with more or less spacing, depending on what’s comfortable to the reader. Even the font can be changed for folks who need it—for instance, my Kindle offers a font that is accessible to folks with dyslexia.
For folks who can’t physically read (either because of physical or situational limitations), some devices and apps can read ebooks out loud. If you can swing the cost, audiobooks are great too! Voice actors bring so much to the story—and some ereaders will help you follow along with your ebook as your audiobook plays.
6: Water Resistance
Water resistance isn’t applicable to all ereaders, but it definitely isn’t applicable to pretty much any physical book. While dedicated water-resistant ereaders exist, if you don’t have one, you can also read many ebooks on your phone. Many phones today offer some level of water resistance. (Definitely check the specs for your phone from the manufacturer before hopping in the tub for a bubble bath—I am not responsible for damaged phones!)
7: Reading in the Dark
Maybe you like to read well past bedtime. While book lights are nice, they are still rather bright—angled the wrong way, you could wake your partner or alert your parents that you’re reading under the covers.
8: Affordability
Ebooks cost less than print books generally. And you don’t need to get a specially dedicated ereader to get started (though they do stress the eyes less). Nor do you need to spend money on shipping if you don’t have a membership for free shipping.
Ready to give ebooks a try?
The Read an Ebook Day website can help you find a book. Still only into print books? That’s okay too. Take a look at my Bookshop.org shop at bookshop.org/shop/ritasbookspot.
Happy reading,
Rita