A Bit on E-Readers and Why I Adore Them

I am a voracious reader. I keep track of what I've read and will read a loved book over and over. I'm also the kind of person who will read literally anything if I don't have a book with me (hello cereal boxes!).

So although I love actual books, not having to make sure my jacket pockets were large enough to hold a mass market paperback, because I could instead read on the cell phone I was already carrying, sold me on eBooks.

I love the fact that I can make the text larger or smaller at need, and that I can read in bright sun as well as at night without needing to turn on a lamp. And I utterly adore the fact that when I fall asleep reading, I don't completely lose my place when the book falls from my hands. (And unlike smart phones, eReaders don't emit blue light, which can cause sleep problems.) And then there's highlighting passages and bookmarking pages! And the built in dictionary! And on-the-fly translation! And not filling half my suitcase with books when I travel!

Yes, paper books are lovely things--I still have shelves full of them all around my house--but eBooks are hands-down my favorite way to read.

On the off chance you have an eReader languishing at home, I want to introduce you to a couple awesome websites to get you started.

First is Project Gutenberg (named for that Gutenberg), which makes electronic copies of books with expired copyright available for free. You can download and read these books anywhere. Check out the Project Gutenberg website at https://www.gutenberg.org/

The next website is Overdrive (https://www.overdrive.com/). This program allows you to borrow eBooks from your local library to read on your eReader (or computer or phone). The associated apps also allow you to download and listen to audiobooks on your phone or other device. All you need is a library card and a computer!

Morgantown Public Library: http://morgantown.lib.wv.us/WV_DELI.html
Charleston Public Library: https://www.ccpl.org/ebooks-magazines
Marion County Public Library System: http://mcpls.org/elibrary/

And some eBooks allow you to loan them to other people--just like you would with paper books, only without having to worry about accidental spills. (I once received a book series back from friend after it had been gnawed on by his puppy.)

So if you get an eReader for Christmas, or have one lying around you haven't yet started using, give it a try with some FREE books to read!

And I totally have a solar battery charger for my kindle. Just in case the zombie apocalypse knocks out the electricity. There are only so many cereal boxes one can read.

--Michelle