Call me an iPad kid (even though I am a millennial from before this era), but I've always struggled with reading a physical book. Every time I opened one, I'd literally fall asleep or get easily distracted. That's why, before 2022, I could count on one hand all the books I willingly read and finished in my lifetime. Because of this, I was always wary of spending a pretty penny on an eReader like a Kindle. However, as I was going through some major life changes, I wanted to adopt a healthier lifestyle and hobby. So, I bit the bullet and purchased one from Target, downloading all the books I saw on TikTok or, as we call it, "BookTok." I have a blog post detailing all the benefits of owning a Kindle, so I'll refrain from going into detail here.
The Kindle is owned and manufactured by Amazon, a company with which I struggle to align morally. Because of that, I was conflicted about continuing to support Amazon, considering the wide variety available, or supporting a struggling bookstore brand like Barnes & Noble. Amazon has done a great job of sourcing pretty much every book in existence, which I must give credit for. However, last year, I did the thing where I deleted my Amazon account, exported the purchased eBooks, and moved onto the Nook (B&N’s version of a Kindle).
Barnes & Noble is an interesting brand in this day and age. The only reason being is that this corporation caused many small bookstores to go out of business. However, I feel more comfortable supporting a bookstore versus Amazon. B&N offers more than just books; it's truly an experience. My typical routine when visiting my local B&N is as follows:
- Browse the YA & Gay Adult Romance section to see the latest selections.
- Pick 2-3 books that look interesting and that I might want to buy.
- Grab a coffee or tea from Starbucks, which is in every B&N location.
- Find a seat, get comfy & cozy, and start reading the first chapter.
Lastly, purchase the book I liked from the previews.
As you can see, this isn't something Amazon is able to provide with their Kindle experience. Yes, Amazon also has bookstores in certain locations, but they strictly sell books without creating a cozy environment that makes me want to stay forever and forget what time it is because I've dived into a book. If you remember earlier, I struggle with reading physical books, so you might wonder why I need to go into a store and buy books for my Nook. I've read about this reading style called "intuitive reading," which involves reading and listening to the audiobook at the same time. This has opened up more doors for me to try and explore books in person at B&N locations.
After using the Nook and supporting B&N for over a year, I've started to notice some cons. Many indie writers are only available on Amazon and not published anywhere else, making it a bit difficult for me to pass up on reading books I'm interested in. Additionally, the Nook isn't as sophisticated as the Kindle with its features. For example, when I wanted to use the dictionary for a word I didn't know, the definition was basically "the act of XX," which doesn't help. I had to take out my phone and search for it, often getting distracted since I was out of the zone.
A few weeks ago, I decided to go back to the Kindle ecosystem. By trading in some of my old Amazon products and my Nook, I was able to get the Paperwhite Signature Edition for a really cheap price. I downloaded all the books that were in my queue for a whole year and felt like I was back in my groove. However, the moral part comes back to play. My compromise is that I will visit the local library to borrow books or find a cozy spot. It's good for the wallet and good for the neighborhood. Also, any books I purchase, I will donate to the library after finishing reading them.
You may have your preference, and you may be open to new ways of reading. I don’t think physical books will go away or B&N will close all their doors. But, everyone should try these for themselves to find what works for them!
If you want to read more books like this, check out my Goodreads for books I've read. You can also check out more post like these on POV & Updates.
0 comments