13 Years of Kindle – A Reflection
2024 marked 13 years of my Kindle journey—YOOHOO! Yep, I’m officially a Kindle teenager, and I couldn’t be more excited about it! This isn’t a promotional piece, though—just me sharing how my reading journey has evolved and how eBooks are now an essential part of it. While I’ve grown attached to my Kindle over the years, honestly, it could just as easily be a Kobo (I hear it’s pretty popular in Canada) or a Tolino (which I often see people using here in Switzerland and Germany). But for me, Kindle WAS MY GAMECHANGER.
I read The Bookshop on the Shore sometime last year, and in her introduction, Jenny Colgan shares a conversation with a woman at dinner who keeps insisting that she’d never read anything downloaded, claiming there’s nothing like holding a real book. Colgan’s sharp reply? “Oh, that’s for people who read a lot.” This line resonates with me so much because I’ve been both versions of these people.
Here’s my story
Back in India, I would spend hours exploring bookstores, browsing book fairs, and second-hand bookshops. It always felt magical to hold a book and smell it as soon as I got it. My local library was my go-to place and the idea of reading anything on a screen seemed… well, a bit too modern for me. But when I arrived in the Netherlands, everything changed. The price of books in local Dutch bookstores shocked me. I found myself buying fewer books. Walking past the bookshops, I would stare longingly at the covers, sighing as I realized they were just out of reach. The prices were steep, and with everything else on my plate, I simply couldn’t justify buying as many books as I used to. I read what I bought, but overall, I was reading less and less.
The Shift to Digital Reading
Then, one day, my senior editor Meera (name changed) casually suggested something that would completely change my reading life. Over a cup of coffee, she asked, “Why don’t you try a Kindle? You can buy books online and read on the go. It’s like having a whole library with you at all times.” I was hesitant. ”I smell the book before I start reading it! How would a Kindle ever work for me?” I asked. ”Wouldn’t I miss the feel and smell of paperbacks? Can you really enjoy reading that way?” She laughed and said, “You can still buy paperbacks when you want them, but don’t let that stop you from reading. Books are cheaper on Kindle, and it’s worth a shot.” The next day, she brought her Kindle to work and showed it to me during lunch. It was the Kindle 2010 model, the third generation, complete with a keyboard and 3G connectivity. At that time, it was a classic—a cutting-edge device that felt like the future of reading. While it didn’t have the sleekness of today’s models, it still caught my attention. I wasn’t fully convinced, but it was enough to make me consider the possibilities.
In January 2011, my husband surprised me with my very first Kindle. Though I appreciated the thoughtful gift, I was still unsure whether I would truly embrace the experience. I decided to give it a try. I loaded my new Kindle with a few books, and the adventure began.
All my Kindles over the years
Over the years, my Kindle journey has evolved with each new model. I started with the Kindle (3rd Generation), also known as the Kindle Keyboard, which was my first foray into the world of e-readers. When it stopped working, Amazon quickly replaced it (my luck, as it was still under warranty!), and I continued to use it until 2016. That’s when I upgraded to the Kindle Paperwhite (7th Generation, 2015), and it felt like a whole new world—better screen resolution, built-in light, and a much more comfortable reading experience. Then in 2023, I switched to the Kindle Paperwhite (11th Generation), and I’ve been loving it ever since. The adjustable warm light has been a game changer for bedtime reading, making it so much easier to wind down after a long day. I don’t even remember when this habit became a part of my routine, but it’s now something I look forward to each evening. Over the years, I’ve also had fun choosing covers that add a bit of personality to my Kindle—most of them featuring a library theme, because, for me, it’s become my little library I can carry everywhere.
Now, many years later, I’m what you might call a “Kindle teenager.” Over the years, I’ve discovered that reading on a Kindle is more than just convenient—it’s a whole new way to dive into stories.
Here’s how I use my Kindle:
- With Kindle, I could buy more books and get back to reading. Whether heading to work or going on vacation, I could carry an entire library—much like Hermione Granger’s beaded bag, which appeared small but held everything she needed thanks to its enchanted Extension Charm. My Kindle became my own version of that magical bag: countless books with no bulk.
- It’s undeniably more affordable than paperbacks. Now, I indulge in paperbacks only when I truly want to, saving them for special reads.
- My Kindle became a lifesaver when I became a new mom. During those long hours of feeding my newborn in the first year, and again with my second child, the Kindle was my companion. In the later years, the Kindle was always by my side whether I was waiting at doctor’s appointments, sneaking in a coffee break, or waiting while my kids attended kindergarten, art classes, dance, or music lessons. As I filled up my kids’ calendar with activities, my TBR list and the number of books I read grew steadily.
Over the years, we’ve built a library filled with paperbacks, hardcovers, and all kinds of books. But now that the kids are older, each of us—my husband included—has our own Kindle, reading at our own pace. I’m proud that, as parents, we’ve been able to pass on our love for reading and instill that passion while embracing technology. The kids now pick up their Kindle with just as much excitement as they do their paperbacks, easily distinguishing between what to read digitally and what feels special as a physical book. For instance, they loved reading The Famous Five and Malory Towers on their Kindles, but they’ll reach for their paperbacks when it’s time for Harry Potter or Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I love seeing them enjoy their Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition, knowing they’ve found their balance between the two.
Like the woman Jenny Colgan describes, I was once hesitant about reading digitally. Now, I connect with Colgan’s reply: “That’s for people who read a lot.” My journey from skeptic to ‘Kindle teenager’ has shown me that it’s not how you read but what you read that truly matters. While I still cherish paperbacks, I now love having a whole library—my little sunshine—in my pocket!
