Kindle Paperwhite Review: How This Tool Has Boosted My Daily Reading Ritual

I can’t believe I’m about to say this but…

I no longer read paperback books. Crazy I know!

This has been a hard pill for me to swallow, but it’s something I needed to do to align with my digital nomad lifestyle. But just because I no longer buy paperbacks doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped reading altogether.

I’ve just found a more convenient and cost-effective alternative – an e-reader.

Here’s everything you need to know about Kindle Paperwhite and how this wellness device has boosted my daily reading ritual and overall self-care routine.

My Kindle relationship

I’ve been travelling since 2017.

Whenever I’d pack for a trip, I would nestle 4-5 books within my clothes and carry them around with me for the duration of my adventure. Sure, my bag was heavy and I could have saved so much room, but I didn’t care.

I was adamant that I would never be someone who read e-books.

Physical books are my first love. They will always be my first love.

But after fully embracing digital planning in mid-2022 and minimising my possessions to better align with my digital nomad lifestyle, it was time to reconsider my physical book addiction.

I now use a Kindle Paperwhite for all of my reading, and I must admit, it has changed my life!

Not only can I travel around with hundreds of books in my bag, but I can find and buy a book instantly. No more scanning the bookshelves of every hostel or hotel I stay in to find a book that actually interests me. And I don’t need to part with the book at the end either. Its story and characters, and my underlinings, stay with me forever.

The Kindle Paperwhite has also made reading a seamless part of my daily self-care routine.

My morning and evening ritual of reading for 30 minutes as soon as I wake up and before I go to bed has been upgraded.

With Kindle’s “time left in chapter” feature, I can visually see how long it will take me to read a chapter so I can plan my reading time accordingly and ensure that I don’t go over my allotted 30 minutes. This helps me stay on track with my routine and prevents me from getting carried away and losing track of time. I can even read in the dark with a warm backlight, which is kind on the eyes, so I don’t disturb John when he’s sleeping.

Honestly, I never thought reading could ever be this good.

What is a Kindle Paperwhite?

Simply put, the Kindle Paperwhite is an e-reader.

It’s a digital device designed specifically for reading e-books, which are digital versions of physical books.

And because e-books are only 2.6 MB on average, you can basically store thousands of books on one device and take them everywhere with you, so you’re never short on what to read next.

The Kindle Paperwhite is just one of several Kindle models available from Amazon.

But what sets it apart from other Kindle products is its high-resolution, glare-free 6.8” display, which boasts a resolution of 300 pixels per inch and thin device borders. This means that the text is incredibly crisp and clear, making for a more immersive reading experience.

The Kindle Paperwhite is also waterproof, making it an ideal choice for reading at the beach, by the pool or in the bath.

And you never need to worry again about dog-eared pages or losing your spot if your bookmark accidentally falls out because Kindle automatically saves your page, so you don’t have to.

So, whether you’re an avid reader or just looking for a more convenient way to read your favourite books, the Kindle Paperwhite is definitely worth considering as an alternative option to physical books.

Kindle Paperwhite highlights

• Access thousands of free or low-cost e-books and download them instantly
• Available in 3 colours including black, agave green and denim
• Paperwhite features a 6.8″ display and thinner borders
• Depth is only 8.1 mm and weight is 205 g making it super light
• Up to 10 weeks of battery life
• 20% faster page turns compared to the previous generation
• Adjustable warm light to change screen shade from white to amber
• Zero ads and other distractions
• Automatically saves your page so you don’t have to
• Shows book progress and time left in chapter
• Choose between 8 GB or 16 GB storage options
• Store thousands of books and take them all with you
• Waterproof so you can enjoy reading at the beach or in the bath

Benefits of using an e-reader or Kindle

I get it, an e-reader is not everyone’s cup of tea and might not work for you.

But before you completely dismiss this device, as I initially did, it’s worth taking a closer look at the surprising benefits it can offer.

For starters, e-readers are incredibly convenient.

With an e-reader, you can carry thousands of books with you wherever you go, without having to worry about the added weight and bulk of physical books.

This makes them an excellent choice for digital nomads (that’s me), backpackers, commuters or anyone who enjoys reading on the go.

They can also be more cost-effective than physical books in the long run. Yes, the device is definitely an investment at first, but as I will discuss below, there are some great deals and subscriptions on e-books which make them a lot cheaper than their physical counterparts.

Other benefits of using an e-reader or Kindle include:

• Lightweight and compact
• Read on the go easily and conveniently
• Store thousands of books on one device
• Adjust text size and font depending on your personal preferences
• Look up words you’re unfamiliar with the built-in dictionary
• Environmentally friendly
• Reduces paper waste and the carbon footprint associated with producing physical books
• Cost-effective and sustainable
• Suitable for reading in all environments
• Syncs reading progress across multiple devices

3 ways Kindle Paperwhite has boosted my daily reading ritual and self-care routine

1 | It’s introduced me to 99p e-books

Happiness to me is 99p book deals.

Especially on books I’ve had my eye on for a while.

These 99p book bargains not only make it more affordable to build my library but also allow me to discover new authors and genres without breaking the bank.

It’s a simple yet effective form of financial self-care, allowing me to indulge in my love of reading without putting a strain on my budget.

For daily personalised e-book deals, I’m signed up to this newsletter by BookBub, and it’s an email I look forward to scrolling through every day.

These are the hottest books (according to TikTok) that I’ve recently bought for 99p:

• Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
• It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
• Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Expectation by Anna Hope
• Bright Young Things by Jessica Knoll

2 | Reduces my anxiety surrounding what to read next

Ok, now I know this is going to sound a little far-fetched, but hear me out.

Have you ever found yourself finishing a book faster than you anticipated?

Maybe you finished your book while you were on vacation or away from home, only to realise that you don’t have another book to read or the synopsis of the next book you picked up leaves you feeling underwhelmed.

In the past, this used to give me the worst anxiety.

But with my Kindle Paperwhite, I no longer need to panic about what I’m going to read next.

Because as I mentioned earlier, an 8 GB Kindle e-reader can store thousands of books at any one time. That means I have plenty of books to choose from at my fingertips and if I don’t fancy one of them, I can easily hop onto Amazon and buy something that does interest me.

I am also the type of person who prefers to read books of a similar genre in succession.

So if I’ve just finished a contemporary fiction novel about mother-daughter relationships, my next choice of book would then also need to explore complex relationships in some way.

For example, after reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors, I chose to read Expectation by Anna Hope.

With Kindle’s “time left in the book” feature, I can visually track how much time I have left in my current book so I can easily plan my next book in advance without the stress and overwhelm.

3 | It’s become my latest travel hack

It’s no secret that travelling with physical books can be a hassle.

They take up space, add weight to your luggage and can easily get damaged. (I can’t be the only one who hates a cracked spine and dog-eared pages. And don’t get me started on the discolouration of covers!)

Since I got my Kindle Paperwhite, my travelling experience has changed for the better.

With its compact size and lightweight design, my Kindle is easy to pack in my carry-on backpack without adding any significant weight or taking up too much space.

Plus, the Kindle’s battery life lasts for weeks.

At the time of writing this blog post, I’ve had my Kindle Paperwhite for 5 months, and I’ve only charged it 3 times – and that’s with me using it every single day.

This means I don’t need to worry about it dying mid-flight or during a long train ride.

The adjustable backlight also allows me to read comfortably in any lighting situation, whether on the beach in direct sunlight or in a dimly lit aeroplane cabin or hostel dorm room.

My Kindle Paperwhite has literally become my latest and greatest travel hack (along with my CurrentBody LED Mask), allowing me to have a library of books at my fingertips without all the hassle that comes with carrying physical copies

Explore millions of books with Kindle Unlimited

One of my favourite features of Kindle is the Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service offered by Amazon that allows you to access a vast library of e-books, audiobooks, and magazines for a monthly fee. With Kindle Unlimited, you can borrow and read an unlimited number of books and other content on your Kindle.

With titles from world-renowned and best-selling authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Colleen Hoover, Kristin Hannah and Matt Haig, there’s a genre to suit your every need.

And the best news…

You get 3 months FREE when you purchase your new Kindle Paperwhite, so you can dive into the world of e-books right away.

After the first 3 months, your subscription will renew for £7.99 per month, or you can cancel anytime.

Final thoughts

Reading is self-care.

Even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

It helps to reduce stress, ease anxious thoughts, boost focus and prepare you for the day ahead.

And the best thing is, reading can be extremely enjoyable.

Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day or jumpstart your morning routine, reading on a Kindle Paperwhite is a great way to prioritise self-care and make reading an enjoyable part of your daily routine.

So invest in this wellness device today and experience the joys of reading in a whole new way.

Your well-being will thank you!

Until next week,

Thalia xx