How the Kindle Changed My Life (And Could Change Yours Too)

I don’t want to sound overly dramatic, but the Kindle has genuinely changed my life. Before owning one, I didn’t call myself a reader. In fact, I considered myself a non-reader. I had always loved the idea of being a reader but struggled to really get into it as a consistent hobby. However, once I started using a Kindle, everything changed—I’ve now grown to love reading, and it has become a consistent part of my life.

The Transformative Power of Reading

Since using a Kindle, I've realized that the periods in my life when I’m most consistently reading are also the times when I feel the most creative and experience the most personal growth. Books spark creativity in my life, challenge me to grow and see the world in new ways, and inspire me to be a better version of myself. If you’re already a reader, you probably know this firsthand. But if you’re not, and you’re somehow reading this post , I promise to keep it short and to the point. Because maybe this post can inspire you to embrace reading and change your life too.

Here’s why I love my Kindle and how it’s transformed my reading habits.

1. Short Pages Help Me Focus

I’ve never been diagnosed with ADHD, but like many people, I have a short attention span. My mind tends to wander when I read, and this used to frustrate me to no end. However, the Kindle’s design has unintentionally addressed this problem. The pages are short, and the simple action of frequently “flipping to the next page” keeps me engaged. If my mind does wander, it’s much easier to go back and reread a short page than to plow through a long, dense chapter and realize I have no idea what I just read. The temptation to abandon a physical book is strong when this happens, but with shorter, more digestible pages, I stay on track.

2. Mood Reading, Made Simple

I’m a mood reader. What I want to read depends on my energy level, and even where I am. This made physical books inconvenient for me because I rarely carry multiple books around. With my Kindle, I have my entire reading library at my fingertips—wherever I go. Whether I’m in the mood for fiction or nonfiction the Kindle allows me to jump into whatever book suits my mood. This flexibility has made reading so much more accessible and enjoyable. I often read 3-5 books simultaneously.

3. Built-In Dictionary for On-the-Go Learning

Do you ever get frustrated when you come across a word you don’t understand while reading? I used to. It would pull me out of the flow, and I’d have to decide whether to ignore it, look it up later, or interrupt my reading to grab a dictionary. The Kindle’s built-in dictionary feature changed all that. Now, when I encounter an unfamiliar word, I simply tap it, and the definition pops up instantly—no flipping through pages or losing my spot. It’s a small feature, but it makes a big difference, especially if you like to learn new words while reading.

4. Easy on the Eyes & Free of Distractions

Some people ask, “Why not just read on a phone or tablet?” Let me be clear—I’m not talking about reading on an iPad, smartphone or even some of the newer Kindle models that are not e-ink technology. I strongly believe in using a separate device for reading, and here’s why: First, the Kindle’s e-ink display is easy on the eyes, especially compared to the bright backlight of traditional screens. This makes it far more comfortable for long reading sessions. Second, and perhaps more importantly, the Kindle lacks the distractions that come with other devices. When I’m reading on my phone, it’s all too easy to get sidetracked by notifications, emails, or the endless lure of social media. With a Kindle, reading is the sole purpose of the device, and I stay fully immersed in my book.

One Important Drawback: Retention

Now, I wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t mention one major downside of e-readers, and it’s a big one: research shows that reading physical, printed books can lead to better retention. For visual learners, there’s something about the tactile experience of holding a book, physically flipping the pages, and remembering where certain passages appeared on the page that can boost memory.

That said, for me, the Kindle's convenience outweighs this drawback. I’d rather read regularly with slightly lower retention than not read at all. And if e-readers make reading more accessible and enjoyable for someone who might otherwise struggle to build the habit—like I did—then that’s a worthwhile trade-off.

It’s Not Just About the Kindle

While I’ve focused on the Kindle, these principles apply to most e-ink technology e-readers (i.e. not the Kindle Fire) on the market. I just happen to use and love the Kindle, but any e-ink e-reader could offer similar benefits. The key is to find a device that helps you build and maintain the reading habit.