A Better Way to Read? The World of E-Readers.
By Steve
There are few simple pleasures as profound as getting lost in a good book. For many of us, nothing compares to the sight, the smell, and the touch and feel of a physical book. However, the tiny print in paperbacks can be a strain, and heavy hardcovers can be uncomfortable to hold for long periods. Packing a bag with lots of books can weigh it down and it becomes unwieldy. But what if you could have a library of thousands of books in a single, lightweight device, with text you can make as large as you please?
That’s the promise of e-readers and tablets. Today, we’re going to learn about these wonderful devices, compare the most popular options, and explain how they can make reading more comfortable and accessible than ever. Most importantly, we'll show you how to use them to borrow e-books from your local public library for free.
E‑Readers Explained: Kindle vs. Kobo vs. iPad—Which Screen Is Easiest on Aging Eyes?
When we talk about digital reading, the most important factor is the screen. It's not about complex tech specs; it's about what feels most comfortable for your eyes. There are two main types.
1. The E-Ink Screen (Found on Kindle & Kobo)
What it is: This is a special, non-glare screen technology designed to look almost exactly like printed paper. It is not a traditional backlit computer screen. Instead, it has a gentle "front light" that illuminates the surface, much like a reading lamp shining on a page.
Best for: Reducing eye strain, especially over long reading sessions. It’s also fantastic for reading outdoors, as there’s no glare, even in bright sunlight.
2. The LCD Screen (Found on iPad & Other Tablets)
What it is: This is the same kind of vibrant, full-color backlit screen that you have on your smartphone or television.
Best for: Versatility. A tablet is a full computer that lets you read books, but also browse the web, check email, watch videos, and play games. The color screen is also great for magazines or cookbooks with photos.
Meet the Contenders: A Simple Comparison
Let's look at the most popular options and who they're best for.
Amazon Kindle:
The Experience: This is the most popular e-reader. It uses a crisp E-Ink screen, is extremely lightweight (lighter than most paperbacks), and its battery lasts for weeks. The screen also lights up so you can read it in the dark.
Who It's For: Perfect for avid readers who want the most comfortable, paper-like reading experience and easy, one-tap access to Amazon's huge bookstore.
Kobo E-Readers:
The Experience: Very similar to a Kindle, with a wonderful E-Ink screen and a lightweight design. It can also integrate directly with public libraries.
Who It's For: Readers who don’t want another Amazon product. Kobo is owned by the Japanese company, Rakuten.
An Apple iPad (or other tablet):
The Experience: A beautiful, full-color LCD screen on a device that does everything. You can read books on it using various apps, including the Kindle app, the Kobo app, and, importantly, the Libby app for library books. You can also adjust fonts and lighting easily on an iPad.
Who It's For: The person who wants one single device for everything. If you want to read a novel, then watch a YouTube video, then check email, a tablet offers that all-in-one convenience.
The Best Feature of All: Free E-books from Your Public Library!
This is the secret that unlocks a world of free reading on any of these devices.
Meet Libby: The key is a wonderful, free app called Libby. It’s the modern way to use your existing public library card to borrow thousands of e-books and audiobooks. Many of our readers use it all the time. I plan on writing a future newsletter all about Libby and how to use it, but here’s a quick preview.
How It Works: You download the Libby app to your phone or tablet, sign in once with your library card number, and then you can browse your library's entire digital collection. When you find a book you want, you just tap "Borrow." The app will then guide you on how to send that borrowed book wirelessly to your Kindle, Kobo, or to read directly within the Libby app on your iPad. It’s a seamless way to have a constant supply of new books.
Helpful Settings for More Comfortable Reading
Large Fonts: Every e-reader and reading app allows you to instantly make the text as large and bold as you need.
Built-in Lighting: E-Ink readers have adjustable "front lights" (often with a warm, amber tone for nighttime reading), while tablets have adjustable screen brightness. Both allow you to read comfortably in any lighting condition without needing a lamp.
Text-to-Speech: Many devices have an accessibility setting that can read the text of an e-book aloud to you. While it's a computerized voice, it's a fantastic option for times when your eyes are tired.
Quick Tech Tip
On most e-readers and reading apps, you can do more than just change the font size! Look in the text display settings (often marked with an "Aa" icon) for options to change the font style (some, like "sans-serif" fonts, are easier to read), adjust the line spacing to give the words more room to breathe, and even change the page background to a gentle sepia tone for a warmer, less stark reading experience.
Tech Term Demystified: 'E-Ink' (Electronic Ink)
E-Ink is the special screen technology used in devices like the Kindle and Kobo. It’s fundamentally different from a regular computer or phone screen. Instead of using a bright backlight shining through a panel, an E-Ink screen uses millions of tiny black and white microcapsules that are electronically rearranged to form text and images. This creates a stable, paper-like display that doesn't need a backlight, which is why it has no glare in the sun and is so easy on the eyes for reading.
Good News Byte
For those who love classics, Project Gutenberg is a volunteer effort that has created a digital library of over 70,000 free e-books! These are books whose U.S. copyright has expired, meaning you can find thousands of titles from authors like Jane Austen, Mark Twain, and Arthur Conan Doyle. You can download them for free in a format that works on any e-reader, tablet, or computer.
Did You Know?
The very first "e-book" is widely considered to be the U.S. Declaration of Independence! In 1971, a student at the University of Illinois named Michael S. Hart typed the entire text of the document into a university mainframe computer. He made it available for others to download, making it the very first document of what would later become the massive free library, Project Gutenberg.
Your Turn to Explore the Digital Library!
This week, download the free Libby app to your smartphone or tablet from your device's app store. Try logging in with your local library card number and just browse the amazing collection of free e-books and audiobooks that are instantly available to you. You don't have to borrow anything yet—just take a look at all the wonderful reading that awaits!
A Little Bit of Fun
The best thing about reading on an e-reader is that nobody can see the cover of your book. No one needs to know if you're reading War and Peace or a cheesy romance novel!
Happy reading!
Steve