How I Used My Kindle the First Year (2017)

Posted December 31, 2017 by Cristina (Girl in the Pages) in Features / 20 Comments

I can’t believe that it was just last Christmas that I received my first ever Kindle. I was a staunchly physical book person for years, and in 2016 had only just started branching out into E-Books via Overdrive on my phone (or occasionally my iPad). I was frustrated by how hard it sometimes was to read e-galleys if you didn’t have a Kindle, so I finally caved and asked for one for Christmas, and my dad gifted me the Kindle Paperwhite in White (the no-ad version). It’s safe to say that adding a Kindle to my bookish life was a HUGE success, and has not only increased the amount of reading of library books and ARCs I’ve done, but has also led to reading an increased number of books. I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at how often I’ve used my Kindle, and what percentage of my overall books read have been on it.

Analysis

About a third of the books I read in 2017 were E-Books, which is pretty surprising! Of those E-Books, a majority of them were borrowed from Overdrive via my local library, with a very small amount purchased (just the ACOTAR trilogy) and about a third being e-galleys from NetGalley or publishers. I then decided to analyze how many of those E-Books I was actually reading on my Kindle. Most of the E-Books I read are read primarily on my Kindle but also occasionally on my phone via the Kindle app, as I rely on E-Books heavily while doing cardio workouts. So I’ll generally read for a few hours at home on my Kindle, switch to my phone while I work out, and then pick up where I left off on my Kindle again. However, there are some that I read completely (or almost completely) on my phone as I saved them just for working out. The books that I read solely on my Kindle or on my Kindle + another device were categorized under the Kindle section in the chart. Finally, I read a few e-galleys on my i-Pad when downloading for Kindle wasn’t an option. Generally though, I much prefer the experience of reading on my Kindle due to the soft screen and long battery life.

Thoughts

Having a Kindle has allowed me to become a much more active ARC reviewer, as well as a much more frequent user of my library- I didn’t borrow ANY physical books this year and only relied on what I could find via Overdrive, which was actually great because I was able to test out a LOT of 2016 and 2017 releases I was on the fence about and see if I wanted to read them and eventually add them to my collection. I also find that I read a lot faster on my Kindle than I do physical books, which seems to be the consensus from most readers although I have no idea why (I would guess maybe our brains are so immersed in technology now that they can read text on a screen faster? I also think seeing the percentage of the book I’m at and the “time left in book” feature really motivates me to read/read faster!)

I think I’ll leverage my Kindle even more now that I’m using NetGalley more and hoping to try books through Overdrive before I purchase them if they’re not from an auto-buy author. We also received an Amazon Echo Dot for Christmas, so I’m intrigued to try out the feature where it can read your Kindle books to you!

Let’s Discuss!

Do you have a Kindle, or another type of e-reader? Has it changed the way you read or the amount you read? Do you track how much you read using certain devices, especially when they’re new to you? Let me know in the comments!

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20 responses to “How I Used My Kindle the First Year (2017)

  1. I used to have an e-reader but I found that I enjoyed reading physical books so much more. I LOVE using Overdrive for audio books, though– they’re great to listen to while doing laundry, cooking, washing dishes, or walking to college. Glad you’ve enjoyed your e-reader! 🙂

    Holly @ Nut Free Nerd recently posted: Looking Back on 2017
  2. I’m one of those holdouts who still doesn’t have an ereader! I just love paper books; I don’t know how I’d feel about reading on a computer screen after staring at one all day at work! But, I am considering getting one, mostly for when we travel. It’s easier than taking a bunch of books with me!

    • I was a hold out for such a long time too, Angela! But I can’t recommend a Kindle enough- I find that the one I have has a “soft screen” that doesn’t feel like I’m staring at a screen (which is why I avoid reading books on my iPad when I can) since I stare at one all day at work too!

  3. I have a kindle and I read about 5 to 10 books on the kindle per year. Physical book is still my primary way to read books, but I do love my kindle. It makes reading netgalley books that much easier.

  4. I love the idea of tracking the formats I read! Having my kindle was one of the best things for my reading. I get many books through my library because they have a large ebook collection. Also, for gifts I receive amazon giftcards so I can buy books for my kindle! I especially love it when I have an anticipated release and I want to read it that day, because other wise I would have to wait days to go to a bookstore!

    • Yes, honestly discovering e-books through my local library has been a huge game changer for me! I have bought a few books for my Kindle that are e-book copies of some of my favorite physical books (so I can read them anytime I want), but I’ll admit I still tend to buy the books I want in physical copies so I can have them for my shelves.

  5. This was really interesting to see the stats breakdown! I’ve had a Kindle for, like, seven years now, and I can’t imagine reading without it. I travel A LOT, so an e-reader is essential for me. Plus, it makes it so much easier to read ARCs, since physical ARCs can be really difficult to get approved for. I’m glad your Kindle has worked out for you so far!

    Madalyn @ Novel Ink recently posted: Top Ten of 2017: Most-Anticipated 2018 Releases
  6. I’ve had my Kobo for a long time (since 2011) and I couldn’t imagine my life without it! I love that thing <3 I'd say I'd do 95% of my reading via eBooks because they are easier for me to get. (In Canada our Overdrive system only uses epub files so having a Kindle isn't the best). I succumbed a bought a Kindle in 2015 simply for eARCs (its so much easier with Netgalley) and the freebies. I really like it but my Kobo is extra special since it was my first (though I'm on my 2nd one).

    I find it interesting you say that you read faster on the Kindle. I know for me, I just find the streamlined appearance of the eReader works. I'm such a visual person that font sizes and style can throw me off when I do pick up a physical novel. But with an eReader, I can pick the font style and size that appeals to me the most and I like the consistency those settings provide.

    Lauren @ SERIESous Book Reviews recently posted: Year’s Reads in Review – Top Picks for 2017
    • Having a Kindle is a game changes for eArcs! I don’t own many books for it (only about 4) but I’m hoping to catch more sales to have some reads on reserve! I’ve never heard of a Kobo before! Then again, I feel like my local market is mainly saturated with Nooks and Kindles! I like your point about the ability to control the font…I wear glasses and have a pretty high prescriptions, so it’s nice to be able to take them off and give my eyes a break and still be able to read by making the font on my kindle super large! You’re right though- perhaps the fact that the appearance is more streamlined is what makes us read faster!

  7. I love my Kindle, although I do wish I had the paperwhite one as well to give my eyes a rest. I don’t get many physical ARCs so my kindle is the best because all mine come from Edelweiss and Netgalley. I also love using my kindle when traveling. Overdrive and Hoopla from the library are my best friends. I am glad to hear you are enjoying that service! Happy New Year!

  8. I feel like once you start using a Kindle it’s hard to go back to the glare of iPad/Smartphone screen. The Paperwhite is my favorite of the Kindles. I also notice that I borrow very few physical books from the library when Overdrive is readily available.

    Edelweiss is a little tricky to navigate, you have to have some idea of what publisher/imprint you are looking for. I think they also have a “review copies” section where you can just scroll through what is available.

    • Yes! While my Kindle/Overdrive has really decreased my physical book borrowing, I utilize the library more overall due to ebooks.

      Thank you for the Edelweiss tip! I hear they have a much wider selection than NetGalley so I’d love to use it more!

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