Ever since the Kindle burst onto the scene some 15 years ago, the Amazonian giant has become a seemingly permanent fixture of the modern literary scene, with it continuing to blow its own sales records out of the water and persistently dominating the e-reader market. 

But for a lot of readers, nothing beats a book. The vibrant cover design, the act of flicking pages, and the satisfaction of moving that bookmark through until you reach the very end. Like digital photo albums and physical photo books from Snapfish, the world of reading is now split into two: the traditional and the digital. So, if you’re looking to escape into the world of reading or level up your reading, you’re probably wondering whether a book or a Kindle is the right way forward for you. That’s why I’ve put this helpful guide together to give you a well-rounded perspective on what it’s like to own both.

Books Have More Personality

There’s really no other way to say it. I love my Kindle and will explain why later on, but a book just has more character in a way that’s hard to beat. The cover art, blurb, perhaps the signed name of the author or a previous reader inside. Clear illustrations of maps to get lost in before even reading a word, or even stunning artwork on page edges that give you a taste of the world you’re about to jump into. 

Plus, as you read and re-read books, you’ll see all of those hours spent reading on the book itself, as it starts to display subtle creases, tears, and other signs of wear that can only be achieved by a real attachment to a story. Also, as a true lover of books and stories, there’s something about reading an older book that still contains all of the imperfections from its original print; all of these tiny blotches and smudges remind you that you’re reading something real, with a history of its own, that’s been assembled by an army of people who are truly passionate about their craft. 

But a Kindle is More Practical

But like I said, I love my Kindle. As an avid reader of particularly hefty books, it’s always easier to pack my Kindle for a trip out of the house or on holiday than it is a 1000-page fantasy novel. I also love the amount of customisation on offer with my Kindle; I can choose the type of font, the size of the font, and whether I’d like it to be displayed in portrait or landscape. I also like knowing exactly what percentage I am into a book, and seeing that number tick up is about as satisfying as seeing the bookmark move further toward the back.

This next point might just be anecdotal, but I also read a lot more quickly on my Kindle. Because of my customised font style and size, every single page feels a touch more digestible, and sometimes, knowing that I’ve only got a couple of minutes left of reading will motivate me to keep going and finish the chapter.