Electronic book readers have been around in Malaysia for a long time. It hasn't been very popular amongst Malaysians as book stores usually have them hidden far away in an inaccessible corner, but they have been gaining popularity as of late thanks to efforts made by bookstores around the country to offer high-quality digital content instead of merely focusing on physical books as they used to.
In this article, I'd like to go through some of the reasons as to why I think investing in an ebook reader is a fantastic idea for someone who wants to read more.
1. Convenience
This is perhaps the number one reason to purchase an ebook reader. Ebook readers are generally sturdy devices that are light and small in size, making them perfect for one-handed usage. The form factor makes reading for extended periods of time enjoyable.
It comes with the ability to bookmark pages, highlight words and sentences, translate text, adjust font types, sizes and add notes. These features make the experience of consuming content on an ebook reader just so much more satisfying.
These features give the reader plenty of control. Don't like the fonts? Install your favourite ones. Font size is too small? Adjust it!
Ebook readers are usually equipped with at least 4GB of built-in storage, which is more than enough to store thousands of digital books. Yep, you read that right. Thousands of books in a small and compact form factor. Thousands of books wherever you are!
It's the perfect device to keep you occupied during your daily LRT commutes!
2. Screen
Ebook readers come with displays that are powered by eInk technology. These panels look and feel just like paper and are extremely power-efficient. They do not result in eye strain even after hours of reading unlike traditional displays that we have become accustomed to.
Many modern ebook readers are equipped with a frontlight system, which is very different from the LCD backlights our phones typically come with. LCDs and all other backlit displays emit light. Having light shine directly at your eyes for hours while reading is the recipe for an unpleasant reading experience. Reading books for hours on these displays may result in eye strain and headaches.
EInk displays on the other hand do not emit any light. The frontlight system that some ebook readers come with are basically just LEDs shining light towards the display instead of the eyes of the reader. The soft light that this system creates is perfect for reading and you'll never need to worry about suffering from eye strain and headaches while reading in the dark again.
3. Battery Life
The battery life is exceptional. The battery on an ebook reader can last for several weeks thanks to its power-efficient display panel. The eInk technology that drives these displays allows them to have images persist without consuming any power. The only time power is consumed is when there exists the need to refresh the content shown on screen.
4. Access to Millions of Titles
You're bound to find a book that interests you in a sea of high-quality content offered on various ebook stores. You are provided with recommendations based on your interest and preferences, and this makes the process of discovering new titles incredibly easy, quick and fun.
5. Save Money!
Electronic books often cost less than traditional, physical books. You will have to fork out a few hundred ringgit (MYR) when purchasing an ebook reader, but in the long run, you will end up saving quite a bit of money especially if you purchase books frequently.
6. Instant Access to Books
No more sulking and complaining while waiting for your local bookstores to bring in or restock your favourite books. You're not restricted to bookstores around you when you're dealing with ebooks. There are many top-quality ebook stores around the world. You can get your favourite titles, however popular and in demand they may be from any of these stores at any time you want!