How Having an E-Reader Changed My Life
I didn’t grow up in a house full of bookshelves. I didn’t have a neighborhood library I could walk to, or a school where reading felt like a celebrated thing. But somehow, reading found me. I was a quiet kid, the kind who didn’t always know how to say what she felt. Books spoke the words I didn’t know how to find on my own. They gave me a space to breathe, dream, and feel understood.
But everything changed the day I got my first e-reader.
I still remember the feeling: sleek, light, glowing softly in the dark. My Kindle became a portal. I could carry hundreds of books in my bag without weighing it down. I could read on road trips, in waiting rooms, during those long in-between moments when I just needed to step out of reality for a bit. It saved me money, space, and so much time. I didn’t need to wait for shipping or hunt down a store. Every story I needed was just a few taps away.
And yes — it saves so much money. E-books are often significantly cheaper than their paperback or hardcover versions. Many classics and older titles are free. Even newly released books are more affordable digitally. With services like Kindle Unlimited or free library apps like Libby, I had access to thousands of books for a fraction of the cost of physical copies. As someone who reads a lot, this changed everything.
Plus, there’s the freedom of customization: I can change the font, size, and backlight to fit my mood or setting. I can carry my entire TBR in my hand. I never have to worry about bent covers, lost bookmarks, or running out of space on my bookshelf. And with a Kindle in my hand, I could read anywhere, anytime.
Reading gave me more than just entertainment. It gave me a quiet kind of strength. It taught me empathy, helped me survive some hard days, and turned me into a thinker, a feeler, and honestly, a better version of myself.
Sometimes, the right book at the right time really can change your life.
And sometimes, the right tool — like a humble e-reader — makes sure you always have that book with you.
