I am going to start this post by saying directly that it is not sponsored by anyone or any company. I’ve been around long enough to know that eReaders elicit a visceral reaction from readers, good or bad. And I respect that. However, as we are in the midst of gift giving season, it might be time to reconsider. Gifting for readers can be difficult at the best of times. So, instead of labouring and coming up with a third pair of reading socks or a book and a gift receipt, maybe consider giving the gift of an eReader.
As a reader, I get how difficult it is to shop for readers. We like to pick out our own books, and picking for someone else can be difficult. And reading accessories are questionable: bookmarks are usually good if you like physical books, but after that, it is the wild west. Reading socks are popular, or at least sold at a lot of places, but most people don’t need more than one pair (if they are into them at all). Book sleeves are cute but I personally don’t use them, it’s just something extra to carry. A book light might be a practical choice, but also might be unnecessary. So, maybe look to eReaders
It’s Not For You
I know a lot of people who won’t give an eReader as a gift because they themselves prefer to read physical books. Well, let’s be honest: a gift isn’t for you, and it doesn’t matter what you**, the giver, likes. Consider if the receiver would enjoy it, and do some poking around.
**Note: If you don’t like eReaders, please stop going out of your way to comment to those using eReaders that you prefer physical books. It never comes from a good place, and we should be happy that people are reading in any form!
Accessibility
eReaders can make reading far more accessible for a lot of people. You can change the font, font size, line spacing, margins, and more on pretty much any eReader. If they want to read in size 60 font, they can do that. If they struggle to read serif fonts, sans-serif fonts are readily available with a few taps of the screen. A lot of people don’t want to admit they struggle with the physical aspects of books, and eReaders can actually make a big difference.
They can also help with the weight and size of a book. Many people struggle with the physical act of holding a book and flipping pages. If holding the book to read it is going to be painful, they probably aren’t going to want to read at all. eReaders are incredibly light and easy to hold; there are also cases available that act as stands (or other options).
Travel and Trips
I know a lot of people, both online and in person, who only use their eReader for when they travel. I’ve got to say, this is one of the biggest benefits for me. I can read multiple books in a day if I’m really focused, and lugging around 10+ books leaves little room for anything else. eReaders allow you to take a whole library of books along with you (and sometimes an actual library, more on that later). They typically can hold their charge for at least 2 weeks of several hours of reading daily, so it’s a low-maintenance piece of tech. I even know people who go on 1-2 trips a year (pre-Covid at least), and they love having it even for their few trips.
There is a Book Shortage…
This has been publicised for several months, but as of November 2021, there is a shortage of physical books. It is a combination of material shortages, supply chain issues, and shipping delays, and countless books are getting delayed. Books are one of the most popular gifts out there, but you may not be able to buy the book that you want to in time for Christmas. (You can gift later, of course, but not everyone is a fan of that.)
eReaders are still fairly widely available. You can find Kobos, Kindles, and Nooks pretty much anywhere. With Black Friday/Cyber Monday around the corner, you can probably find many in the sub-$100 range (though there are higher-end models). And as long as the books they want to read are available for purchase in their eReader’s store, shortages are irrelevant.
The Environmental Question?
There is the big question of whether or not an eReader is better for the environment. Depending on the study you read, answers vary. I’ve seen some that argue that an eReader is always worse; however, these tend to assume that the reader in question only purchases secondhand books/borrows from the library. More studies give a number at which point the eReader becomes better for the environment- I’ve seen that number anywhere from 44-78. (Meaning if you read that number of books on an eReader, it is more environmentally friendly to use an eReader than purchase physical books.) I’ve personally read over 400 books on this eReader, so I’m well past any number listed.
They Like Using the Library
If the reader in question likes borrowing books from the library, I might consider a Kobo or Kindle specifically. Many libraries use Overdrive (aka Libby) for eBook lending, and you can read your borrowed library books on your Kobo/Kindle. (I do get snarky comments about not supporting libraries when I’m using my ereader. I live outside of the city, so I actually pay $160 CAD/year to join the library, and I read countless library books on my Kobo- I am very much supporting libraries.)
This holiday season, consider giving the gift of an eReader!
Cheers,
The Historian
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
I was one who didn’t like eReader when they first came out. Now I can’t imagine reading without it. As I have aged and needed bifocals the reader has helped me become of the font changes you can do. Yes I still pick up a book on occasion, but I will never go back to only books.
They make reading SO much more accessible! If people don’t need that, they are very fortunate, but it can make such a difference