E-Readers Can Bring Back Your Reading Habit

Did you get an electronic reader (e-reader) for Christmas? Is it still in the box? If it is, you’re probably not alone. Many older adults prefer to avoid technology for as long as possible, and if that’s you, that’s OK. Even if the kids expect it and all of your friends are doing it, there’s nothing that says you have to give in to technology. But before you give up on it completely, there are some things about that e-reader that you might want to know.Maybe you’re not tech-averse, but you’ve heard stories about how difficult e-readers are to use, or how they can cause eye strain. However, you are intrigued by that little device and the fact that maybe it will make it possible for you to read again. The good news is, using an e-reader might be easier than you thought.Paperbacks still have their place; the tactile nature of a book is its greatest appeal. E-readers, on the other hand, also have some benefits.

• You can keep an entire library on an e-book. Most have enough storage capacity to hold thousands of books.
• You can download books from your local library. You can use the e-reader’s internet capabilities to access your local library system, reserve books and automatically download books to your e-reader. This feature – particularly during winter months when weather is bad – can keep you reading even when you can’t get out of your home.
• You can adjust the font size and page colors of most e-books. This makes it easier for people who suffer from vision problems to continue reading long after a paperback is feasible.
• E-books are lighter and often easier to manage than a paperback. If you suffer from arthritis that makes it difficult or painful to hold a paperback book for long periods of time, an e-book might be a good solution to allow those marathon reading binges that you love.
• The e-ink technology (a special electronic ink that makes screens easier to read) found in many of today’s e-books makes it possible to use them indoors or out. As an added bonus, many e-books are now waterproof, so you can still read by the pool, at the beach or in the tub without fear of damaging the unit.
• E-books are actually easier to read than books. Experts once believed that e-readers caused eye strain, but studies now show that the opposite is true, especially for models that use e-ink technology. Researchers have found that e-books reduce eye strain, and in turn, may improve mental function in older adults.

 Despite the similarities and differences, there is no one option that’s better than the other. If you love reading a paperback book, and it still works for you, then that is absolutely the option you should choose. If you love reading, but have found that it’s getting harder to read printed books, consider an e-reader. They offer many benefits you won’t find in a paperback, and will allow you to keep reading the stories you love.Source: http://blog.csa.us/2017/07/e-readers-can-bring-back-your-reading.htmlImage courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net